📅 Schedule - Saturday March 28th

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🏅 Wire, AOPB, Sporting, Poodle, Freestyle: 

• 🥇 1st Place: $100 + Ribbon
• 🥈 2nd Place: $75 + Ribbon
• 🥉 3rd Place: $50 + Ribbon

🏅 Wire, AOPB, Sporting, Poodle, Freestyle: 

• 🥇 1st Place: $100 + Ribbon
• 🥈 2nd Place: $75 + Ribbon
• 🥉 3rd Place: $50 + Ribbon

🏅 Overall: 

• 🥇 1st Place: $100 + Ribbon
• 🥈 2nd Place: $75 + Ribbon
• 🥉 3rd Place: $50 + Ribbon

🏅 Sponsored by: Andis

• 🥇 1st Place: Andis Clippers

🏅 Sponsored by: Andis

• 🥇 1st Place: Andis Clippers

Check in with the Virginia Groom Show staff upon arrival. They will have a list of all entrants and their assistants. Each entrant will receive two wristbands—one for themselves and one for their assistant. These wristbands provide general admission to the event, including access to all contest and vendor areas. Please note that educational wristbands must be purchased separately.

What you will need:

• Your Ticket: Printed or Mobile
• Valid Id
• Crate/Leash for your dog
• Grooming Equipment: Be sure to bring your clippers, scissors, grooming loops, brushes, and any other tools you may need. Flat irons and curling irons are permitted in the ring, but hairdryers are not allowed.
• Provided by Us: Tables, grooming arms, and electricity will be available for each competitor.

Coat Growth: Dogs should have a minimum of six weeks of coat growth prior to the contest. However, it is understood that growth rates may vary by breed and individual dog, and some may require more or less time. Regardless, there must be enough coat present to demonstrate a clear and distinct transformation in appearance.

For hand-stripped dogs, rolling of the coat is permitted. While a less dramatic change is expected, a significant amount of coat should still be removed to reflect the skill and technique involved.

Dog Qualifications & Requirements

• Age and Health: Dogs should be between 1 and 10 years of age, in good general health, and free of disease and parasites.
• Pregnancy and Nursing: Dogs must not show obvious signs of pregnancy or be nursing.
• Temperament: Dogs should exhibit no signs of aggression or extreme nervousness.
• Supervision: Dogs must not be left unattended on the table or at any point during the contest.
• Leashing and Crating: When not actively competing, all dogs must be leashed or crated for safety. 

Acceptable Styles

• Breed Standard Styles: Except for Freestyle and Tag Team classes, all dogs should be groomed in breed standard styles. For poodles, acceptable trims include show trim, modern, or German. In the entry-level class, terriers and sporting dogs may be clippered, but the final result should still aim for a breed-standard profile.
• Use of Products: Products like chalk and hairspray may be used as needed to achieve a proper breed profile.
• Pre-Class Preparations: Sanitary trims, paw pads, nail trimming, and ear cleaning must be completed before the class starts. Chalking of terrier legs is also permitted before the class begins.
• Poodle-Specific Guidelines:
  • Banding of show top knots is permitted, but the bubble cannot be pulled, and no hairspray may be applied.
  • Feet must be shaved for the trim to be permissible. This can be done before entering the ring, but no additional time will be provided if completed during the competition.
  • The face must be shaved within the competition time frame.
  • A small mustache or goatee is allowed.

Equipment

• Provided: Tables, grooming arms, and electricity will be supplied at the event.
• Competitor-Supplied Equipment: Participants must bring all necessary grooming tools, including grooming loops, clippers, scissors, brushes, and any other equipment they may need.
• Permitted in the Ring: The use of flat irons is allowed during the competition.
• Not Permitted: Hair dryers are not allowed in the ring.

Not Allowed

• Coaching: No coaching of any kind is permitted at any time during the competition.
• Aids or Instructions: The use of visual or written aids or instructions is prohibited.
• Standing on Furniture: Standing on tables or chairs is not allowed.
• Prohibited Equipment: Hair dryers, holding crates, and any flammable devices such as smoking or vaping products are not permitted.
• Beverages: Only beverages in spill-proof containers are allowed.
• Electronics: Phones, radios, and earbuds are not allowed in the competition area.

Conduct

• Professional Appearance: Competitors must present themselves in appropriate, professional attire. Grooming smocks or aprons are recommended, and open-toed shoes are not allowed.
• Safety and Technical Skills: Maintain a safe and organized styling station for both the pet and competitor. Demonstrate proper application of technical grooming skills and safe handling techniques.
• Sportsmanship: Show good sportsmanship and professional conduct at all times, both inside and outside the ring, and on the show grounds.

Disqualifications

• All disqualifications are at the sole discretion of the judge and are final.
• The judge will determine whether a cut, nick, clipper burn, or abrasion results in a penalty or disqualification.
• Contestants may receive a warning or face disqualification for failing to adhere to show rules.

Blake Hernandez – Shannon Tupes – Anne Francis – Jayne Gallagher - TBD 

 Grooms will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

• Technical skill
• Overall balance
• Adherence to the breed profile
• Level of difficulty
• Overall transformation achieved through the groom