Competitor Rules

Competition Rules
Open, Intermediate, Entry (OPEN level is sanctioned for GroomTeam USA points). Send in entries early for guaranteed space.
Classes:
There are three Divisions: Open, Intermediate and Entry. All will compete together and be judged simultaneously in each Class. There are four Classes: Sporting, Terrier, All Other Pure- breds/Mixed, Poodles. Separate prizes will be awarded in each Division. No pre-scissoring or shaping before any class. Evidence of this will merit disqualification. No pre-banding on Poodles. All banding and spray ups must be done in the time allowed. (no elastics under scrunchies) When time is up—time is up—no additional spraying. Judges will take into consideration spray-ups when combing during judging.
Eligibility:
Coat length: All dogs entered in competition must have a minimum of six weeks growth of hair. Since coat grows differently on all dogs, acceptable coat length will be defined as follows: the coat must be sufficient to allow the competitor to make a distinct change in the dog’s appearance. Rolled coats on hand-stripped dogs, as above, must make a distinct change in dog’s appearance. Dog must be correct height for the class as well as entered in correct class.
Coat Quality: Dogs should be free of mats, freshly shampooed (except on some terriers), dried, ears cleaned, and toenails clipped (filed optional).
Age of dog: At least six months and not over eleven years at show time unless by special permis- sion from show management.
The genital and stomach areas can be pre-trimmed (for sanitary reasons) according to breed stan- dards, as well as the pads under the feet including poodles. All other trimming performed in the competition ring only. If this is not done for special reasons, notify your Judge during pre-judging.
All dogs must be on leads or in crates. Only dogs participating in the competition and or other programs are permitted in the hotel and must be crated when left alone in sleeping rooms (unless prior exceptions made with show coordinator). Only four dogs per room allowed.
No walking dogs through the hotel lobby area. Use the access doors to the outside and walk around to the competition area. PLEASE clean up after your dog. Not cleaning up STINKS! Competition privileges at this show may be suspended.

The Divisions:
OPEN SANCTIONED FOR GROOMTEAM POINTS – open to all contestants. AKC breeders, owners and handlers who have “finished” two champions are required to enter the Open Division. Groom- ing contest Judges, Instructors, Certifiers must also enter Open Division. Instructor is defined as instructing at an accredited school. GroomTeam USA sanctioned points honored in Open Division. Each Open competitor must read and sign the GroomTeam USA Conflict of Interest policy. INTERMEDIATE – restricted to stylists who have not competed or who have competed but not had any placements in the Open Division. You may stay in this Division until you have won three first places or Best All Around one time or Best Groomed Dog (Best in Show or similar) once in Intermediate.
ENTRY – restricted to new competitors (First Timers) and those who have competed but not had ANY placements in Intermediate or Open Divisions. You may stay in this division until you have won three first places, Best All Around one time or Best Groomed Dog (Best in Show or similar) once in Entry. Advancement to a higher Division based on three first places applies if there were at least four(4) competitors in the class when the first place wins were awarded. A Group win or placement in a Two or Three Tier competition automatically advances the contestant to the next highest Division from where she/he was eligible prior to the Group win or placement.

The Classes: Sporting: Includes American/English Cocker Spaniels, English Springer Spaniels, English Setters,
Gordon Setters, Irish Setters and other Sporting Breeds. Time: two (2) hours. Terrier: Includes all Terrier Breeds that will be trimmed with clippers or scissors. Hand Stripping is optional. Small, short legged terriers (westies, scotties, miniature schnauzers, wire fox) will be allowed 1 3⁄4 hours. Large (long legged terriers): Bedlingtons, Kerry Blues, Airedales, Irish will be allowed 2 1⁄4 hours. Hand Stripping note: In a Class when a contestant will hand strip and clip only in accordance with the specific breed clubs acceptable ‘clipped areas’ (clipping the cheeks on a Schnauzer or Scottish terrier), the time allowed will be 2 hours (over 17”: 2 1/4 hours).
All Other Purebreds/Mixed: All other purebreds that do not qualify for the Poodle, Sporting or Terrier Class groomed to the Breed Standard of Appearance (Bichon, Giant Schnauzer, Bouviers) Under 17 inches will be allowed 1 3⁄4 hours. Over 17 inches: 2 1⁄4 hours. Mixed –breed parent- age and any purebred groomed in a style OTHER than its breed profile is groomed in Mixed Breed Class. Example: Poodle in a Bedlington trim, Cocker in a Surbuban, Bichon in a Panda/Teddy Bear trim. Poodles CANNOT have face or feet trimmed in the traditional Poodle style. Under 17 inches, time is 13⁄4 hours, over 17 inches- 2 1⁄4 hours.
Poodles: Eleven inches and under at the withers allowed 1 1⁄2 hours. Over 11 inches to 17 inches allowed 2 hours, over 17 inches at the withers allowed 2 1⁄2 hours. Face and feet must be clipped in the ring. Tail clipping is optional (European Style). Various moustaches are allowed. Any Show trim is allowed.
*Rough handling of animals, outside ring coaching, non- payment, visual aids, clipper burns, cuts (at the discretion of your Judge), damage to hotel, late arrival to ring, conflict between employee/ rep of sponsor of that class or judge providing a competition dog owned by the judge. Competitors fraudulently entering a class which they are not eligible will be required to forfeit all titles, return any prize money, prizes, trophies, plaques, ribbons etc. to the Show Management. GroomTeam USA points will also be forfeited. Of course, good sportsmanship is expected in and out of the Ring dur- ing the show weekend.
Reasons for disqualifications:
Contestants must provide their own dog(s), equipment, table and crate(s).
Additional Requirements:
No clipper-vacs or dryers in the competition ring. We have a dog holding area that is unsecured- please bring a lock, water etc.
Attire: Competitors are expected to dress professionally in the ring. Excessive short shorts, cutoffs, miniskirts, tank tops, tee shirts and open toed shoes are inappropriate. A grooming smock over an outfit for competition is expected; for judging, the grooming smock may be removed providing an outfit is beneath.
No smoking, cell phones, I-pods, headsets etc. are allowed during competition.
Changing or Adding Classes is not permitted after the National Anthem before the start of the Sporting Class.
Best in Show will be chosen from all first place winners in each Division. You may freshen up or even re-bathe your dog for BIS, but no additional scissoring, clipping, carding, plucking etc is al- lowed. Please dress high casual for BIS-no grooming smocks.
To qualify for Best All Around in each Division, competitor must enter and compete in at least three Classes.
Best All Around Award in each Division will be chosen by a point system: 3 points for first, 2 points for second and one point for third in each class provided there are at least four contestants in the Class. If the Class has less than four, the points awarded will be calculated as follows: number of entries minus the placement equals points(s) awarded. Points will be totaled and highest points will be named Best All Around. In the event of a tie: the Groomer with the most placements will win. If there is still a tie, the groomer with the highest placement in a class will win. If there is still a tie, a point will be assigned for every contestant they have beaten in each class. Highest points will be named BAA of the Division.
Competitor Notice: You must attend one manditory competitor meeting before competing. Meetings are scheduled before each days competitions. You must pick up your packet and badge at this meeting.