Abstract Runway Design Challenge

Abstract Runway Design Challenge

 

 

 

 

 

 

5:00 pm: Check-in and prejudging
5:30 pm: Presentations/Runway Walk Begins

6:00 pm: Final Judging
6:30 pm: Awards

The Abstract Runway Design Challenge is to underscore the beauty of a “simple abstract design”, beautifully sculpted with minimal color and accessories.  We are looking for stunning quality and artistry which would be appropriate for a client’s dog or cat and can be reproduced in the salon in one day.

  • Entries used for this class must be groomed prior to competition check-in. 
  • Competitors will check in at the Grooming Stage at 5:00 pm.
  • Any purebred or mixed breed dog or cat may be used.
  • Competitors must be ready for prejudging and the runway walk.
  • Competitors’ attire should not detract from or overpower the groom; it can be complementary or an extension of the design.
  • Before each presentation, the emcee will briefly interview the competitors for biographical information and design explanation.
  • Runway music will be provided by the show producer.
  • If using an entry from a previous class, the Competitor must make a distinguishable difference in the design.
  • Open Division  – Entry is open to ALL competitors

 

Prize Money:

1st Place – $300

2nd Place – $200

3rd Place – $100

 

GroomBowl®

Special Grooming Class – Contest Rules and Regulations

Sunday, March 13, 2022

Held as a separate stand-out event during The Atlanta Pet Fair, North America’s Largest Grooming Competition, GroomBowl® will be the must-see event of a lifetime for groomers. Join Professional and Amateur groomers in competing in this revolutionary competition that combines grooming skills with gaming strategy. From industry legends competing in the Professional Division to undiscovered talent in the Amateur Division, groomers will compete in this team-format, sporting style showdown to claim the GroomBowl® Championship! Whether you are a patron who will be sponsoring a team, a competitor, or a grooming competition fan, plan to attend now and cheer for your favorites.

Divisions and Eligibility

Each team must consist of 4-5 members. One member must be designated as the Team Captain.
Pro: GroomBowl® Pro Division is open to any groomer living anywhere in the world including retired groomers, judges, current or former GroomTeam members.

Am:  GroomBowl® Am Division is open to any groomer living anywhere in the world who has:

  • Never been named to any country’s GroomTeam
  • Never judged a National or International grooming contest
  • Never won a National or International Best in Show at a GroomTeam Sanctioned event
  • Never been awarded a National or International Best in Show at any dog show or any grooming competition – includes American Kennel Club (AKC) and Fédération Internationale Cynologique (F.C.I.) events
  • Never been awarded a Best in Show/Best All Around at a live grooming contest or dog show

Teams may be company-sponsored and are encouraged to provide a Team name and logo. Team Rosters are to be entered in your online registration by your team captain. Substitutions to the original team roster may be submitted by Team Captain in writing to Atlanta Pet Fair at janelle@wpamail.org or on-site/ringside until 7:00 am, March 13, 2022. No substitution to the original roster may be made after the deadline.  

Entry Fees

Professional – $500 entry fee per Team
Amateur – $500 entry fee per Team  

Breed Categories

Each team must be prepared to complete a groom from each of the five following categories: Poodle, Gun Dog, Handstripped, Scissored, Salon Styled  

Breed Category Rules

Salon Styled Acceptable Breeds/Styles:  

Any dog of mixed parentage or any purebred dog distinctly NOT styled to breed profile. Examples of acceptable styles include, but are not limited to: trending styles such as Asian Fusion, the Poodlington, unique pet styles, and breed trims created on alternative mixed or purebred dogs. May use 2 bows for tie-ups, small amounts of color (1 inch or less) may be added with chalk, blow pens or markers and limited to paws, ears, tail, and/or cheeks.  For Poodle styles, feet may be shaved prior to competition start time, but the face must be shaved during the competition time frame. No extra time will be permitted if not completed prior to the class start.  Show topknots may be pre-­banded, including hair extensions prior to the start of the class, however, spray up products are prohibited prior to the start of the class.  

Poodles, Gun Dog, Handstripped and Scissored:

All dogs must be groomed according to breed standard with the exception of Poodle as noted below. It is the responsibility of designated judges to determine adequate coat growth. Prior to the contest start time, all dogs may have sanitary and pads shaved, nails trimmed and ears cleaned. All styling must take place during the time frame of the competition except where noted below. All dogs must be groomed according to breed standard. Finishing sprays are permissible in order to tidy up after the competition time frame ends, however reshaping with water or product application is prohibited. Chalk products are permissible prior to and during the competition time frame but are prohibited after the contest time frame ends.

Wire Coat breeds must be hand stripped.
Gun Dog breeds must be card and/or hand stripped. Clippers are only permissible as presented in the conformation show ring.
Scissored breeds must be styled as presented in the conformation show ring.
Poodles can be styled as presented in the conformation show ring or pet trims, provided they respect the breed profile as set forth by the standard.
Poodle Styling: All pet and show poodle styles are acceptable provided they respect the breed profile of the poodle.

  • Feet must be shaved
  • Feet may be shaved prior to competition start time. NO extra time will be permitted if not completed prior to contest start time
  • Face must be shaved during the contest time frame
  • Small mustache or goatee are permitted
  • Scissored face styles such as Bichon or scissored typefaces are prohibited
  • Show topknots may be pre-­banded, including hair extensions prior to the start of the class, spray up products are prohibited prior to the start of the contest
  • For Safety, Poodle style spray ups may utilize a holder for up to 15 minutes during the contest. The holder may not speak to the contestant while in the contest ring.

    Poodles: acceptable breeds – all sizes, natural colors or purebred Poodles.

Scissored Breeds Gun Dog Breeds Handstripped Breeds
American Eskimo American Cocker Spaniel Affenpinscher
American Water Spaniel Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Airedale
Barbet Clumber Spaniel Australian Terrier
Bedlington Terrier English Cocker Spaniel Border Terrier
Bichon Frise English Setter Brussels Griffon
Black Russian Terrier English Springer Spaniel Cairn Terrier
Bouvier des Flanders English Toy Spaniel Dachshund Wire
Chow Chow Field Spaniel Dandie Dinmont
Irish Water Spaniel Golden Retriever German Wirehaired Pointer
Keeshond Gordon Setter Giant Schnauzer
Kerry Blue Terrier Irish Red and White Irish Terrier
Lagatto Romagnolo Irish Setter Lakeland Terrier
Old English Sheepdog Sussex Spaniel Miniature Schnauzer
Pomeranian Welsh Spring Spaniel Norfolk Terrier
Portuguese Water Dog   Norwich Terrier
Soft Coated Wheaten   Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen
Spanish Water Dog   Scottish Terrier
    Sealyham Terrier
    Spinone Italiano
    Standard Schnauzer
    Welsh Terrier
    West Highland White Terrier
    Wire Fox Terrier
    Wirehaired Pointing Griffon
    Wirehaired Vizsla

Detailed Contest Schedule 

7:00 am:    Check-In

7:15 am:     Heat #1 Starts

9:15 am:     Heat #1 Ends

10:00 am:  Scores Announced

10:15 am:   Heat #2 Starts

12:15 pm:   Heat #2 Ends

1:00 pm:    Finalists Announced

1:15 pm:     Final Heat #3 Starts

3:15 pm:    Final Heat #3 Ends

3:45 pm:    Final Judging and Awards

Contest Format and Scoring

Teams are scored over 3 heats. Each heat will be 2 hours long with a break in-between. During Heat #1 and Heat #2, each team will field 2 entries of their choice per heat. Scores will be displayed following each heat. Only 5 Am and 5 Pro teams with the lowest cumulative scores from Heat #1 and Heat# 2 will advance to the final Heat #3. Final scoring will be reset during the final Heat #3 – scores from Heat #1 and Heat# 2 do not carry forward. Each team will receive 2 timeout cards for use during competition. (one 5 minute and one 10 minute). A timeout can be used for one member of your team to step into the ring and coach you. You must hold your timecard up to signal to your team member you require assistance. If a team fields 4 players, 1 player may groom in Heat #1 and Heat #2, however, all players in Heat #3 must not have groomed in Heat #1 or Heat #2.    

Judging/Scoring Criteria

Judges will be confidential and a closely guarded secret, however, will be well-qualified to judge the World’s best groomers and their entries Judging will be a placing-based system.

  • Judging will be a cumulative point-based system, the lowest cumulative points will advance to the Finals/Heat #3 of the GroomBowl®. Each Heat will have the judges awarding 1-10 placings. Those scores will be added (example 1st Place = 1 point, 2nd Place = 2 points, 3rd Place = 3 points) together to form a cumulative score for the round. If your team does not place 1-10, your team will result in an automatic addition of 15 points.
  • Scoring will be posted/announced after each heat

  Heat 1 example scoring

Team Name

Judge 1

Judge 2 Judge 3 Judge 4

Cumulative Score

Team Alpha

1

2 4 1

8

Team Bravo

2

3 1 4

10

Team Charlie

3

1 5 5

14

Team Delta

4

6 2 No placing

27

      Heat 2 example scoring

Team Name Judge 1 Judge 2 Judge 3 Judge 4 Heat 2 Score

Cumulative Score

Team Alpha

6

3 2 3 14

22

Team Bravo

4

4 No placing 5 28

38

Team Charlie

1

2 3 2 8

22

Team Delta

2

1 1 1 5

32

In the event of a tie, the tiebreaker will be the score of a randomly drawn tie-breaker judge from the judging panel. Tiebreaker judge will be drawn and announced prior to the start of the GroomBowl®.  

Prize Money and Awards

Pro Division:

Champion – Custom Patron Trophy + $2,500 Prize Money; individual team members will receive a rosette

Reserve – Custom Patron Trophy + $1,500 Prize Money; individual team members will receive a rosette

Amateur Division:

Champion – Custom Patron Trophy + $1,500 Prize Money; individual team members will receive a rosette

Reserve – Custom Patron Trophy + $1,000 Prize Money; individual team members will receive a rosette

Creative Dog & Cat Styling

1:30 pm: Check-in and Prop Set-Up in the Contest Ring
2:00 pm: Pre-Judging Begins
2:30 pm: Presentations Start
3:15 pm: Awards

 

Divisions:

Entry Level: anyone that has not placed 1st or 2nd in any live Creative Contest.

Open Division:  open to all competitors

 

  • This is a Pre-Groomed contest.
  • The Creative Styling Contest is an exhibition of colorfully staged, uniquely presented, and exquisitely groomed dogs and cats using props and music for the presentation.
  • Any purebred or mixed breed dog or cat can be used.
  • Electrical will not be available in the contest ring. Electric will be available in the spa/bathing area.
  • The spa will open starting Thursday, March 9 at 5:00 pm and there will be sign-up sheets available for tub times. The spa will be reserved for exclusive use for all Creative Styling competitors on Sunday, March 12 from 10:30 am to 1:30 pm.
  • Competitors are permitted a designated 5’x5’ space for prop set up. Exhibits exceeding 5’x5’ will be disqualified.
  • The contest ring will open on Sunday, March 12 at 1:30 pm for prop set-up. All entries in this class must be completely groomed and finished by 1:30 pm.
  • All products used must be safe and non-toxic to the pet and stylist; Glue must be water-soluble.
  • Placement of large and/or heavy objects on the pet is prohibited.
  • A complete list of products used must be noted in the designated field when you register for the contest.
  • Competitors must title their designs.
  • If desired, music may be used during the presentation. Music used for presentation is the sole responsibility of the competitor.
  • DVD presentations are not permitted.
  • Maximum of 2 minutes is permitted for presentation

Winners will be determined by:

  • Originality and creativity of the design and theme
  • Quality of styling techniques
  • Sharpness and precision of clipper lines
  • Sharpness and/or blending of color
  • Quality of scissor finish
  • Quality and harmony of props and decorations in the final presentation

 

Prize Money:

Division:

1st Place

2nd Place

3rd Place

Open:

$600

$500

$400

Entry:

$300

$200

$100

 

Abstract Dog & Cat Design Challenge

12:00 pm: Check-in
12:15 pm: Pre-Judging
12:30 pm: Contest Starts
2:00 pm: Contest Ends / Final Judging
2:30 pm: Awards

Special note: Electric will NOT be provided in the contest ring. You must supply your own cordless clippers where applicable.

The Abstract Design Challenge is intended to underscore the beauty of an “abstract design”, beautifully sculpted with minimal color (no more than 10% on dog/cat) accents and accessories. Judges are looking for stunning sculpting quality and artistry appropriate for a client’s pet. Design should be reproducible in one day in a salon setting. The pet’s coat is the blank canvas for the artistic design and should be groomed in advance with no trace of preset design or sculpted pattern.

  • Any purebred or mixed breed dog or cat with any coat type may be used.
  • Design must be entirely created during the time frame of the competition.
  • There should be no trace or a preset design or sculpted pattern in the coat prior to the contest start time.
  • Competitors will have 1:30 Hrs. to sculpt design into a pre-groomed/prepared coat.
  • Competitors should provide information to the MC, with biographical information and design explanation.
  • Competitors with cats may have one assistant to help hold the cat during design sculpting.
  • Entries are open to all levels of competitors.
  • The judging emphasis is design placement, execution, precision, artistry and overall balance and appeal.
  • If color is used on your entry, the color will not be considered in judging.

 

Prize Money

1st Place – $300           2nd Place – $200           3rd Place – $100

 

The Extreme Duo

4:00 pm: Check-in
4:15 pm: Pre-Judging
5:00 pm: Contest Starts
6:30 pm: Contest Ends / Final Judging
6:45 pm: Awards

 

Special note: Electric will NOT be provided in the contest ring. You must supply your own cordless clippers and/or scissors.

Two groomers, one dog, grooming to perfection and entertain your judges as much as possible.

Acceptable Breeds:  Any purebred or mixed breed is allowed in this class, and groomers will work simultaneously on one dog. For Poodle styles, feet may be shaved prior to competition start time. NO extra time will be permitted if not completed prior to class start. Face must be shaved during competition time frame. Show topknots may be pre-­banded, including hair extensions prior to the start of the class, spray up products are prohibited prior to the start of the class.

Themes are encouraged, creative gifting and bribery towards the judges and crowd is not unlikely, and joyous merriment must be had by all involved! (No outside food or beverage allowed in venue but creative non-consumable gifting and bribery encouraged.)

Contest Time Limit: 1:30 for all dogs

Accessories: May use accessories for tie-ups if they are relevant or necessary to the style or theme of the groom- however they should not detract from the overall impression of the groom itself.

Divisions: Open to all competitors at any level

*Special Note: Due to limitations in the contest area, contestants must provide their own tables for competition. There will be no electric available- contestants should plan accordingly by utilizing cordless tools to complete their groom.

Final Judging: The Judges will evaluate the following: Balance, symmetry, uniformity and style of the trim and adherence to the Duo’s chosen theme. The ability of the groomers to create the most pleasing profile for the dog chosen, according to his/her body type, structure and coat. For scissored dogs, the execution of a plush overall appearance without scissor marks, unevenness or unintended protruding coat. For hand stripped and/or carded dogs, proper technique to achieve smooth and natural appearance. Clipper work should be smooth and free of irritation. The difficulty with regard to the amount of coat removed, difficulty of the coat type, texture, quality and quantity. Special considerations will be given for difficulty, combined teamwork, and the ability for the Duo to work cohesively together either in tandem or unison.

There will be three placements in this class.

 

Extreme Duo Prize Money

1st Place – $500       2nd Place – $300      3rd Place – $200

The Wahl Clipper Classic

Sponsored by

7:00 am: Check-In
7:15 am: Pre-Judging
7:30 am: Contest Starts

9:30 am: Contest Ends / Final Judging
10:00 am: Awards

Special note: Electric will NOT be provided in the contest ring. You must supply your own cordless clippers where applicable.

Contest Time Limit:
2:00 Hours

Divisions:
Open to all competitors at any level

Special note: Electric will NOT be provided in the contest ring. You must supply your own cordless clippers and/or scissors. 

Acceptable Breeds: Any purebred or mixed breed. All dogs must have a minimum of 8 weeks coat growth.

General Rules: This is a Solo Clipper class. This class will challenge groomers to style any breed using only clippers, feel free to follow the breed standard or custom style to highlight the dog’s conformation. The hair may be lifted with combs or fingers and any kind of clippers (with or without snap-on combs) is allowed. Scissors are not allowed during this competition, with the exception of the final 10 minutes for tidying and finishing touches. The use of scissors at any time during the competition other than the designated “Scissors Up” period will be cause for disqualification. All clipper work must be done in the ring during the allotted competition time. There is no pre-clipping allowed in this class. Pads and sanitary areas are to be done prior to the contest start time. For Poodles, clean feet and faces must be done during the competition time frame. All dogs must have a minimum of 8 weeks coat growth.

Final Judging: Entries will be judged based upon adherence to the rules of class. Groomers should strive to complete a balanced, proportionate work which highlights their clipper work. Judge will evaluate the following: Balance, symmetry, uniformity and style of the trim. The ability of the groomer to execute the style chosen which suits the dog according to his/her body type, structure and coat. Clipper work should be smooth and free of irritation. Difficulty will be assessed with regard to the amount of coat removed, difficulty of the coat type, texture, quality and quantity.

 

Prize Money

1st Place – $500, plus a Wahl goodie bag

2nd Place – $300, plus a Wahl goodie bag

3rd Place – $200, plus a Wahl goodie bag

Mixed Salon/Freestyle

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8:00 am: Check-in
8:15 am: Pre-Judging
8:45 am: Contest Starts
10:45 am: Contest Ends / Final Judging
11:15 am: Awards

 

Contest Time Limit:
17” and Under – 1:45 (1 hour, 45 minutes)

Over 17” – 2:00 (2 hours)

Divisions:
Open
Intermediate
Entry

(See WPA General Rules for more information about Divisions)

Special note: Electric will NOT be provided in the contest ring. You must supply your own cordless clippers and/or scissors.

Acceptable Breeds/Styles: Any dog of mixed parentage, such as a Doodle or Cock-a-Poo. Any AKC purebred dog distinctly NOT styled to breed profile. Examples of acceptable styles include, but are not limited to: Poodle (no shaved feet or face) in a Bedlington trim, Poodle (no shaved feet or face) in a spiral trim, Shih Tzu in a panda trim, trending styles such as Asian Fusion, the Poodlington, unique pet styles, and breed trims created on alternative mixed or any AKC purebred dogs. May use 2 bows for tie-ups, small amounts of color (no more than 10% on dog) may be added with chalk, blow pens or markers. Show topknots may be pre-­banded, including hair extensions and curlers prior to the start of the class, however spray up products are prohibited prior to the start of the class.  

Final Judging: Judge will evaluate the following: Balance, symmetry, uniformity and mastery of the trim. Contestants will be evaluated on the mastery of above criteria while showcasing each dog according to his/her body type, structure and coat. For scissored dogs, this evaluation includes creating a plush overall appearance without scissor marks, unevenness or unintended protruding coat, for handstripped and/or carded dogs, proper technique to achieve smooth and natural appearance, and all clipper work should be smooth and free of irritation. Difficulty will be evaluated with regard to the amount of coat removed, coat type, texture, quality and quantity, and the overall design or style chosen. If color is used on your entry, the color will not be considered in judging. Accessories, such as decorative collars are allowed, however must be removed per the judge’s request during final judging.

 

Prize Money:

Division: 1st Place 2nd Place 3rd Place
Open: $300 $200 $100
Intermediate: $150 $100 $75
Entry: $100 $75 $50