I have never been to a cactus show, but if I were to ask myself what I were to gain, I think I would love to coo over the cacti that would otherwise be locked away in the growers' greenhouses, away from my eye. After poorly-potted and not so well looked after cacti in garden centres, it'd be a real treat.
I'd probably have a natter to people, how old is this plant, have you grown seeds from it, etc., have a waffle about Forbies..
I might even leave with a spikey (if there were no funkily-patterned Mesembs...)
If I were to take along a plat to show... a forby?
However, the only one I feel I can really show would be my old girl, who is a bit lopsided and corked, and not really show material. Also, she has nothing like textbook flowers. Girlie is the most perfect forby, but she has grown so little since I got her that I can't take credit for her loveliness.
My "show plant" would have to be an unnamed houseleek which I have had since it was tiny, about 5 years ago. Or my ancient chives clump.
