Regulations of the International grooming competition · during another competition. This rise in class is only valid for concerning categories. In the context of competitions which

Sheet #1 – Regulations of the International grooming competition Groom@Zenith – English version – 17th December 2019

Regulations of the International grooming competition 1. Inscription of the candidate

The candidate can register himself electronically for the international grooming competition by choosing his categories here below. It is understood that the candidate choses the category and class, in function of his EGA track record. Other medals won at non-approved EGA competitions are not taken into account.

Beginners *

The candidate may not have more than 2 years experience. Participation at dog shows is also taken as notion of experience.

The candidate has the possibility to enroll himself as much as desired for a maximum duration of 1 year starting from the first participation. He has the right to participate, even if he won once or multiple times during this period. After this time, he is obligated to compete in Intermediate or Open Class, even without a preceding victory.

Breeds and techniques are mixed without subdivision.

In this category, only FCI approved breeds are allowed with respective grooming standard.

Workshop *

The candidate can engage with any FCI recognized or not dogs groomed in a commercial way: Handstripping breeds need to be exclusively groomed by clipper or scissors.

Poodles are accepted in this category under the reserve to respect the commercial clip or asian-style, even all other clips not approved in the standard class.

Any coloration in preparation or on site are not accepted.


Intermediates *

The candidate who engages in this category must justify more than 2 years experience, or not to previously have won a golden medal in Open Class.

The candidate has the possibility to enroll in this category as much as desired for a maximum duration of 1 year starting from the first participation. He has the right to participate, even if he won once or multiple times during this period. After this time, he is obligated to compete in Open Class, even without a preceding victory.


* These categories are not taken into account for Best In Show selection.


Standard categories EGA Handstripping

In this category are allowed Terrier breeds, Schnauzer, Teckels, Affenpinscher, Belgian Griffons

Cf.:3. Technical aspects - Handstripping / Spaniels & Setters

Spaniels & Setter

In this category are allowed breeds, American/English Cocker, Clumber, Sussex, Springer Spaniels, Welsh Springer Spaniels, English/Irish/Gordon Setters and other Spaniel breeds.

Cf.:3. Technical aspects - Handstripping / Spaniels & Setters

Poodles

In this category all sizes (Toy, Dwarf, Miniature, Standard) and colors (Black, Brown, White, Gray, Apricot, Red) of FCI poodles are allowed. Arlequin and Phantom poodles are also allowed.

Cf.: 3. Technical aspects - categories Poodles / Purebred Scissoring

Purebred Scissoring

In this category are allowed breeds such as Kerry Blue Terrier, Bedlington Terrier, Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier, Black Russian Terrier, Lagoto Romagnolo, Bichon Frisé.

Cf.: 3. Technical aspects - categories Poodles / Purebred Scissoring

For every category here above (in exception of Beginners, Workshop and Intermediates) the candidate can register in Open or Champion Class.

Open Class: admissible in Open class, a candidate who has never won this class, and hasn’t access to Champion class. The candidate stays in this class for a duration of 1 year, even in case of victory in the chosen category. A candidate can directly access this class, without preceding the categories of Beginner and/or Intermediate.

At the end of the year, the candidate is allowed in Champion class only for the category won from the Open class. The change from Open class to Champion class is obligatory conditioned to the victory in the class of choice (with a minimum of 5 participants per class). If he wants to be allowed in Champion class with the victory in an Open class with less as 5 participants, he needs to also have won a golden medal in one class with more participants.

Champion Class: admissible in Champion class, a candidate who has already won the same category in Open class during another competition. This rise in class is only valid for concerning categories.

In the context of competitions which provide Open and Champion class, the candidate is responsible for his inscription in the correct class, in consideration of his own track record. In case of not respecting these rules, the candidate can be sanctioned or excluded from the competitions.

During the process of inscription, it’s the candidates responsibility to mention the breed(s) of dog(s) committed and to specify for each of them the clip envisioned (for the poodle category).

Other categories may be added to the competition and will be subjected to an update of these rules to cover the aspects relating to these new categories.

2. General aspects

The participating dogs need to be previously washed and dried. The ears need to be cleaned and nails cut.

For obvious hygienic reasons, the stomach and genital zones need to be groomed according to the breed standard, before the competition.

The enlisted dogs for the competition need to be presented with a coat growth of minimum 8 weeks, and more specific minimum 5cm length for poodle and Purebred scissoring categories.

No tracing lines can be visible in the coat of the dog. The length of coat should be sufficient to change the appearance of the dog.

All candidates who bring a dogs with visible tracing lines or insufficient length of coat for the change of appearance will be penalized.

All techniques are allowed, if these are conform with the coat type of the animal.

3. Technical aspects

The competitor is strictly only allowed to use cosmetology for pets. No human products will be tolerate inside the ring. In case of non respect of this regulation, the competitor will be sanctioned.

Categories Handstripping / Spaniels & Setters

The dogs needs to be groomed according to the FCI breed standard.

Stripping stones and knives are allowed.

Coloring powders, chalk, spray and cremes are allowed.

Usage of clippers is forbidden except in following cases:

• Scottish Terrier: Stomach, head and ears

• West Highland Terrier: Stomach and ears

• Spaniels & Setters: Stomach and ears

• Schnauzer: Stomach, head, interior of feet, ears and under the tail

Categories Poodles / Purebred Scissoring

The dogs need to be washed and dried.

Clipper attachment combs are not allowed.

The muzzle and feet should not be prepared before the beginning of the competition. A verification will be made to all dogs before the start of the competition. In case this rule is not respected a sanction of 15minutes will be penalized to the participant.

Poodles enlisted in the competition need to be groomed according to FCI authorized ways.

A participant needing to realize a top-knot on his poodle is allowed to ask assistance of a person to hold the dog.

Not any type of coloring is allowed during the competition.



4. Allowed time

The candidate must be in the ring with the registered dog in its category 30minutes before the start of the competition, for the judges to be able to execute the prejudgment of the animal. He needs to be installed and ready with his tools at the working table.

Category Beginners

All breeds 2hours 30minutes

Category Workshop

Small and medium size breeds 1hour 30minutes

(Inferior to 40cm - measurement taken between the back pad of the foreleg and the point of the withers)

Large size breeds 2hours

(Superior to 40cm - measurement taken between the back pad of the foreleg and the point of the withers)

Category Intermediates

All breeds 2hours 30minutes

Category Handstripping - Without clipper

Small and Medium size breeds 2hours 30minutes


Large size breeds 3hours


Category Handstripping - With clipper

Small size breeds 2hours


Medium size breeds 2hours 15minutes


Large size breeds 2hours 30minutes


Category Spaniels & Setters

All spaniels & Setters 2hours 30minutes

Category Poodles

Dog till 35cm 1hour 45minutes*

Dog between 35-45cm 2hours*

Dog over 45cm 2hours 30minutes*

*: 15 minutes extra are approved for poodles needing a top-knot

Category Purebred Scissoring

Bichons and Bedlingtons 2hours

Kerry Blue Terrier, Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier, Black Russian Terrier, Bouvier 2hours 30minutes


5. Obligatory break

An obligatory break of 10 minutes will be given after 1 hour of competition to allow the dogs to relieve themselves and drink.*

During this break, there will be no exchange between participants and/or all other people of the audience is allowed. The only authorized exchanges are those with the official judges. The judges will ensure the smooth conduct of this break, as well as the application of the instructions.

In case of not respecting this rule, de participant will be sanctioned or disqualified.

*The organization reserves the right to make modifications to this break, in case of exterior climate conditions.

6. Points

The four principal categories (Handstripping, Spaniels&Setters, Poodles, Purebred scissoring) are based on the awarded points made by the official judges of the competition.

Every official judge awards his own classification:

• 10 points for 1st place• 8 points for 2nd place• 6 points for 3rd place

The president of the jury obtains the final classification and calculates the points of all the official judges. In case of a tie, the president of the jury establishes a council with the official judges to determine de final decision.

7. Judges

To assist judges in their work, the organisation will provide a Ring Steward every half day for the contest. He has the mission to inform the President of the Jury of the difficulties with the participants. In case of need, lifting his hand up, the contestant will get some help.

For the categories Beginners, Workshop and Intermediates, there are 2 official judges per category.

For the categories Handstripping, Spaniels & Setters, Poodles and Purebred scissoring, there are 3 judges per category.

The official judges are not allowed to judge members of their own family nor their employees.

The judges are not allowed to exchange opinions about the judging during the phase of the competition.

The judges are not allowed to leave the ring during the competition. However they can ask authorization from the president of the jury, who will validate or not the exceptional exit of the ring.

While exercising their judging mandate, it’s forbidden to make phone calls, view digital information or content on smartphones, take pictures or videos of the candidates. An exception in case of higher force can be granted by the president of the jury.

The judging of Champion class will be done in a stricter way, because of the level of the class.

The president of the jury will have a computer at his disposal with the necessary program to calculate the points awarded by every official judge.


8. Judgements The dogs are pictured before and after the competition by the official photographer of the event for such to help de judges during their evaluation and classification. These pictures will be available for the judges on tablet and will be used in case of complaints.

The judges examine each committed dog, during the prejudging and at the final judging and taking into consideration following criteria:

• adaptation of the chosen clip to the dog • degree of difficulty of the chosen clip • capability to sublimate the beauty of the dog, while mitigating any faults • capability of the participant to master the modern grooming styles • respecting the breed standards * • quality of finishing with scissors, with clipper, and after combing the coat of the animal • harmony, symetry of the clip and of the finishing • presentation of the dog to the judges

*: a tolerance is added for the AKC style (American Kennel Club)

The use of white chalk or colors are allowed but can’t leave trace on the hands of the judges during the final judgment.

Category Handstripping No redness of the skin should be seen on the stripped zones.

The coat must be taken off in the sense of the coat, without causing pain to the animal.

Taking undercoat off is allowed during stripping work.

Rolling of the coat cycle is accepted. Always, the work done in the ring must be sufficient to show a clean and well visible change on the dog.

If it is needed to use clippers to cut soft coat of the head, ears or throat or even the interior of the rear feet, these zones need to be shaved with appropriate blades.

The coat which has been clipper worked needs to be done in a way to blend with the furnishings.

Excessive use of scissors will be penalized

Category Spaniels & Spaniels

Usage of sculpting or thinning scissors shall be allowed for the zones where visible harmony needs to be created with the rest of the coat and to create a natural appearance.

Category Poodles

The quality of the clipper work will be examined concerning the feet, muzzle and tailset. There will be particular attention to the finishing on the lip contour, eyes and toes.

Purebred Scissoring

Usage of sculpting or thinning scissors shall be allowed for the zones where visible harmony needs to be created with the rest of the coat and to create a natural appearance.

For all categories, the judge’s decision is final


9. Handling of the dog

At the setting of the dog on the grooming table, the contestant will have to use the leash provided by the organisation. This one has the purpose to secure the dog on the grooming table in case of injuries. This leash is never going to be used as a support to hold the dog for the grooming procedure. The tension of the leash should be adjusted to be enough flexible to provide between 1 and 2 centimeters for the dog comfort. In case of non respect of this regulation, the competitor will receive a warning or a penality. A particular attention to the handling of the dog is advised. They need to be treated with gentleness and respect. Judges are allowed to give a warning to a candidate if they consider their behavior towards the animal rude or disrespectful. A second given warning automatically constitutes as motive for disqualification of the candidate.

A candidate causing skin damage or irritation to the dog will be penalized.

It is forbidden for the candidates to abandon their dog on the grooming table without the consent of the President of the jury. It’s also not allowed to walk with the dog with or without leash during the judgement procedure.

10. Attire of the candidate Correct and appropriate attire is required during your participation in the competition and more particularly in the ring. Open shoes such as sandals, beach shoes, flip flops are not allowed in the ring.

11. Behavior of the candidate The candidate must have a respectful attitude with the other candidates and judges during the manifestation. 12. Presentation of the dog for judgement The candidate will present to the judges the fruit of his labour on his grooming table and take care of the conditions of presentation. In that matter, it is allowed to comb his animal before judgment. The candidate will make sure to turn off the table lighting, if this is equipped with it. The only light authorized during the judging is this foreseen by the organizer of the competition.

A presentation cloth will be provided by the organizer to the candidates of Groom@Zenith.

No other cloth is allowed in the ring during the final judgement, including for the photos made.

The candidate provides a comb or brush for the judges, and shall clear access to his grooming table to facilitate the movement of the judges.

The dog will be maintained on the table till the end of the judgment of all the candidates. Once the judgment is finalized, the president of the jury will give the authorization to the candidates to take the dogs off the tables.

13. Cleaning of the work area The candidate at the end of his test shall correctly clean his grooming table from coat and other dirt as result of his work. This task being an integral part of his participation to the contest.

In case of non-respecting or poorly cleaning of your working area, sanctions may be taken against you.


14. Mobile phones and other electronic devices During the competition, no mobile phones or other electronic devices are allowed on the grooming tables or close to the working area of the candidate. Listening to music by ways of personal speakers or earbuds are forbidden in the ring.

During the competition, it is formally forbidden to make or receive phone calls, read or send SMS or MMS.

Taking photos or videos inside the ring by candidates is formally forbidden.

Only the official photography service and press are allowed to take photos of the candidates and judges inside the competition ring.

15. Defeat

In case of medical need, a candidate can ask a break of maximum 10minutes to the President of the Jury. If the break is allowed, the candidate must stay inside the ring and can not make any exchange with the other candidates. The break time will be deducted of the official given time. During this break, the candidate can ask assistance from a person to keep his dog on the table. If at the end of this break, the situation doesn’t allow the restart of the competition in good condition, the candidate can ask to give his defeat to the president of the jury.

Voluntary defeat during the competition is also possible , but must be submitted to the president of the jury for acceptation. If the defeat is accepted, the candidate is disqualified and will no longer be taken into consideration in the classification of the competition.

16. Complaints In case of complaints, these need to be brought in writing and forwarded to the organization of the competition before the end of the competition, accompanied with a payment of €200. It will be studied by the council. A response will be formulated within 15 days.

17. Behavior All lack of respect in any way will be sanctioned by the president of the jury 18. Acceptance of these regulations Commitment to the International grooming competition Groom@Zenith on an individual basis implies full acceptance of these regulations. In addition, you will be asked to accept these rules in writing when you register.

Sworn Statement – English version of the 20th December 2019.

- Sworn Statement –

I subscribe :

Resident at :

Competitor registered at international grooming contest Groom@Zenith

For the following categories/classes :

Beginners Workshop Intermediate Handstripping – Open Class Handstripping – Champion Class Spaniels & Setters – Open Class Spaniels & Setters – Champion Class Purebred Scissoring – Open Class Purebred Scissoring – Champion Class Poodles – Open Class Poodles – Champion Class

• Confirm have acquainted with the following regulations and state to adhere without reserve

• I attest also by signing this document that my EGA track allowed to compete in the categories and/or classes that i have choose regarding the conformity of EGA rules. All false statement or inscription in the wrong categories and/or classes will be sanctioned by the organisation of the contest.

Date : Location : Signature :

Documents

Regulations of the International grooming competition · during another competition. This rise in class is only valid for concerning categories. In the context of competitions which