What Is the CAGCIB/CAGPIB (Certificate of Ability to Grand International Champion/Grand International Premior)?
The CAGCIB/CAGPIB is the certificate a pedigree cat can earn during a cat show, as a required step toward the title of:
- GIC – Grand International Champion, for entire (unaltered) cats competing in the International Champion Class (Class 5)
- GIP – Grand International Premior, for neutered/spayed cats competing in the International Premior Class (Class 6)
Prerequisites to Enter the CAGCIB/CAGPIB
To compete for this certificate, the cat must already have earned the 3 required CACIB/CAPIB certificates in the Champion Class, and therefore already hold the International Champion/International Premior (IC/IP) title. You cannot enter CAGCIB/CAGPIB competition without first completing the International Champion or International Premior title.
Score and Qualification Needed for the CAGCIB/CAGPIB
To obtain the CAGCIB/CAGPIB, the cat must:
- First receive an Excellent (EX) qualification
- Reach a minimum score of 96 points
The required score is therefore even higher than the 95 points needed for the CACIB/CAPIB, reflecting the increasingly selective nature of this title.
How to Earn the Grand International Champion/Premior Title (GIC/GIP)
For the GIC/GIP title there are two alternative paths, both valid under the regulations:
Option 1: 6 Certificates in at Least 3 Different Countries
- 6 CAGCIB/CAGPIB certificates
- Awarded by at least three different judges
- At six shows, which must involve at least three different countries
Some valid examples:
- 4 shows in Italy, one in Switzerland, one in Germany
- 3 in Germany, 2 in France, one in Italy
- 2 in Italy, 2 in Austria, 2 in Slovenia
The chronological order of the shows doesn't matter: what matters is that, across the six shows combined, at least three different countries are represented.
Option 2: 8 Certificates in at Least 2 Different Countries
As provided under the amendment to Show Rules Article 4.4, an alternative path is to obtain:
- 8 CAGCIB/CAGPIB certificates
- Awarded by at least four different judges
- At eight shows, which must involve at least two different countries
Some valid examples:
- 7 shows in Italy, one in another country
- 6 in Italy, 2 in France
- 6 in France, 2 in Italy
"Cat on Hold": Limits on Shows in the Same Country
If the cat has already earned 4 certificates in the same country (Option 1) or 6 certificates in the same country (Option 2), it cannot enter further shows in that country until it earns the remaining required certificates in a different country. In show jargon, this situation is called being "on hold."
The Countersignature Rule
If the cat is judged multiple times by the same judge, to the point where it cannot obtain judgments from 3 different judges (Option 1) or 4 different judges (Option 2), the excess judgment must be countersigned by another judge. It is the exhibitor's responsibility to inform the judge of this requirement.
How Cats Are Grouped in Competition
Cats compete in homogeneous groups, divided by:
- Breed
- Sex
- Colour (or colour group, for breeds where this subdivision applies)
What Happens When Several Cats Are in the Same Class
If several cats are entered in the same CAGCIB/CAGPIB class (same breed, sex, and colour):
- Only the cat awarded EX 1 also receives the CAGCIB/CAGPIB Certificate
- The others are ranked EX 2, EX 3, EX 4 (from the fifth cat onward, simply EX, with no ranking number)
- These cats do not receive the CAGCIB/CAGPIB, even though they are qualified Excellent
Changing Class After Winning the Title: An Important Reminder for Exhibitors
In "two days, two certificates" shows, a cat may earn its final CAGCIB/CAGPIB on Saturday, thereby becoming GIC (Grand International Champion) or GIP (Grand International Premior) a day early.
In this case, it is the exhibitor's responsibility to promptly notify the show secretary: the following day the cat will need to compete in the higher class, the CACS class.
Quick Summary: CAGCIB/CAGPIB and GIC/GIP Title Requirements
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Prerequisite | IC/IP title already obtained (3 CACIB/CAPIB) |
| Competition class | International Champion Class (5) for GIC / International Premior Class (6) for GIP |
| Required qualification | Excellent (EX) |
| Minimum score | 96 points |
| Option 1 | 6 certificates, at least 3 different judges, at least 3 different countries |
| Option 2 | 8 certificates, at least 4 different judges, at least 2 different countries |
| Option 1 limit | Maximum 4 certificates in the same country ("cat on hold") |
| Option 2 limit | Maximum 6 certificates in the same country ("cat on hold") |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Do I need to already hold the International Champion title before attempting the CAGCIB/CAGPIB? Yes: the cat must already be IC/IP, meaning it has already earned the 3 CACIB/CAPIB certificates in the Champion Class.
What are the two paths to becoming a Grand International Champion/Premior? You can choose between 6 certificates in at least 3 different countries (with at least 3 different judges), or 8 certificates in at least 2 different countries (with at least 4 different judges).
What does it mean when a cat is "on hold"? It means the cat has reached the maximum number of certificates obtainable in the same country (4 under Option 1, 6 under Option 2) and cannot enter further shows there until it earns the remaining certificates elsewhere.
Is the required score the same as for the CACIB/CAPIB? No: the CAGCIB/CAGPIB requires a minimum of 96 points, compared to the 95 points required for the CACIB/CAPIB.
My cat becomes a Grand International Champion during the show — what should I do? Notify the show secretary right away, since from the following day the cat will change class and compete for the CACS.