Structure
Three-Tier, Multi-Division Competition
Open Division, Intermediate Division, and Entry Division compete separately for titles of first, second, and third in their division classes. Class winners will then compete against each other for Group placements. Group placements will compete for Best All Around Groomer, and Group first in each class will compete for Best in Show.
Competition Level Divisions
GroomTeam Sanctioned Class rules will apply to all levels with the following exceptions:
ONLY Entry Division may use clippers, scissors and thinning shears when the bodywork is typically hand stripped and/or carded for the show ring in the sporting class and the wire coat class. The contest time will be reduced by 15 minutes.
WPA shows are GroomTeam sanctioned. Please refer to the full GroomTeam Rules.
Divisions
Open: (GroomTeam Points) Open to all Competitors/Stylists/Professional groomers. Recommended for groomers with advanced styling skills, previous successful competition experience and professional conformation show exhibitors and/or certifiers with expert styling skills. Only Open division class winners are eligible to earn GroomTeam USA points. A contestant placing and defeating someone in the open division at any show in the United States and any international show anywhere in the world is prohibited from competing in the intermediate or entry division. If you have competed in the open division, but have not placed, you may be eligible to go back into the intermediate division.
Intermediate: Recommended for groomers with intermediate styling skills or conformation dog show exhibitors and/or certifiers and instructors with intermediate styling skills. Restricted to competitors who have not won:
- (3) Three Best in Show or (3) three Best All Around groomer titles from the intermediate division at any show in the United States and any international show anywhere in the world.
- OR (6) six 1st placements from the intermediate division at any show in the United States and any international show anywhere in the world.
- OR (4) four Group placements from a tiered show in the United States and any international show anywhere in the world.
- A minimum of four contestants must be entered and judged for class first to be considered in level advancement protocols.
- If you have competed in the Intermediate division, but have not placed, you may be eligible to go back into the Entry division.
Entry: Recommended for groomers who have never competed and/or possess novice grooming skills. Restricted to competitors who have never competed, or who have not won:
- A Best in Show or Best All-Around Groomer Title from any division at any grooming show in the United States and any International show anywhere in the world.
- OR (4) four 1st placements from the Entry Division at any grooming show in the United States and any International show anywhere in the world.
- OR (1) one Group placement from a Grooming show in the United States and any International show anywhere in the world.
- Owners, handlers, or breeders who have “finished a Champion,” instructors, pet styling contest judges, and certifiers must compete in either the Intermediate or Open Division.
- A minimum of four contestants must be entered and judged for class first to be considered in level advancement protocols.
- A contestant who places and defeats another competitor in the intermediate division at any show in the United States and any International show anywhere in the world is prohibited from competing in entry division.
Group Lineup
Immediately following the class awards, the 1st Place winners from all three divisions compete for Group 1st Place. The 2nd Place winner from the winning division will then compete with the remaining competitors for the Group 2nd place. The division that wins Group 2nd will compete for Group 3rd Place.
Best First-Time Competitor
A first-time competitor is someone who has never competed in any grooming contest before anywhere in the world. Where applicable, the entry level judge will choose one first-time competitor winner from each entry-level class. Eligible contests are: Mixed Salon/Freestyle, Sporting, Other Purebreds, Wire Coats, and Poodles. Each class winner must return to the contest ring with their entry for the awards ceremony on the listed date and time. At that time, the Best in Show Judge will then choose the winner of the Best First-Time Competitor in Show lineup.
Best All Around
This is awarded to the competitor who accumulates the highest Group placement points. A contestant must enter a minimum of three GroomTeam sanctioned contests. Eligible contests are: Other Purebreds (Scissoring), Wire Coats (Handstripping), Sporting (Spaniels & Setters) and Poodles. Each eligible competitor must return to the contest show ring with their entry for the Best All Around Pet Stylist in Show Awards presentation at the listed date and time.
Group Points calculations:
Group 1st Place = 3 points
Group 2nd Place = 2 points
Group 3rd Place = 1 point
1st tie-breaker: Most and highest number of placements. Three 3rd placements will beat one 1st placement, two 1st and one 3rd placement will beat two 2nd and one 1st placement.
2nd tie-breaker: highest number of entries defeated. If the exact tie still exists, the prize will be divided equally. These points are only for Best All Around Pet Stylist awards, (if applicable) and are not related to GroomTeam USA.
Best in Show
Best in Show will be chosen from the Group 1st Place winners from each of the following contests: Other Purebreds (Scissoring), Wire Coats (Handstripping), Sporting (Spaniels & Setters) and Poodles. The Group 1st Place winners should remain in the contest ring with their dog for evaluation by the Best in Show judge, and then return to the contest ring with their entry for the Best Pet Stylist in Show Awards presentation at the listed date and time.
Awards
All divisions are judged simultaneously. Three placements are awarded in each division, provided sufficient eligible competitors are entered. Immediately following the class award presentation, the three divisions will be judged against each other to establish Group placements and Best in Show contenders. Awards will not be withheld unless there is a specific disqualifying factor as described in warnings and disqualifications.
sportsmanship code of ethics
A True Sportsman must:
- Conduct themselves with integrity, courtesy and commitment to the sport and the competitive spirit.
- Abide by the rules, guidelines, policies and procedures set forth by the individuals and organizations that govern our sport.
- Always be considerate of the well-being of the pets entrusted to their care.
- Be respectful and considerate of fellow Competitors, Colleagues, Judges, Show Managers and their Representatives.
- Be respectful of show facilities and grounds.
- Conduct themselves with a high level of civility, decorum, poise and humility, regardless of the outcome of an event or contest.
- Not disparage, defame or slander any Competitor(s), Judge(s), or Show Manager(s) or their Representatives.
Poor Sportsmanship may be defined as, but is not limited to:
- Disparaging or derogatory language or conduct toward any Competitor(s), Judge(s), Show Manager(s) or their Representatives.
- Cruelty, abuse or neglect of animals.
- Leaving the contest ring without permission or refusal to follow instructions or protocol set forth by Show Management, their Representatives or their Judges.
- Belligerent, rude and/or discourteous conduct toward any Competitor(s), Judge(s), or Show Manager(s) or their Representatives, or any other industry official or individual.
- Intent to sabotage any Competitor(s), Judge(s), Show Manager(s), or other individual(s) by gossip, rumor, hearsay, disparagement, defamation or slander.
- Premeditated or malicious damage to any equipment of a Competitor or to show property.
- Attempting to influence Judges or their decisions.
- Public rejection, disposal or destruction of awards.
Failure To Abide
By the aforementioned principles of sportsmanship could result in denial of entry at future shows, forfeiture of any titles, monies, awards, and GroomTeam USA will be informed of all proceedings.
Formal Grievance
A grievance must be submitted in writing and must stipulate the concerned parties and issues for consideration in accordance with the show rules and guidelines. Grievance(s) will not be accepted after the close of the class, except for sportsmanship issues, which must be submitted before the close of the show and while all involved parties are on site. Please visit the contest desk at the show for a grievance form.