IJA COMPETITION RULES -
GENERAL RULES
Effective Jan. 2009, Version 3.0 • Copyright 2009 IJA, Inc.

CONTESTANT PROCEDURES IN AN IJA COMPETITION

Contestant Meeting
The IJA competition begins with a meeting designed just for the contestant. This meeting is typically held the day before the competition to allow for all contestants to attend. Although this meeting is not mandatory, attendance is encouraged, especially for first timer contestants. The show promoter and the IJA team host this contestant meeting. Other attendees may include the production team and show photographer. The objective of this meeting is to cover all of the contest policies and procedures and to answer all questions that the contestants may have. Listed below are the topics covered during this contestant meeting. There is a condensed contestant meeting held prior to the start of the competition for each class to overview contest rules, policies and procedures, but it is not designed for a question and answer platform.

• Show promoter introduction.
• Overview of the show promoter rules, policies and procedures.
• Overview the hotel or convention center rules.
• Introduction of the IJA team director, ring master and judges.
• Introduction of the production team and show photographer.
• Overview of contest rules, policies and procedures.
• Explanation of the "Sally Break" and the procedures for the break.
• Explanation of what the judges are looking for.
• Explanation of the placement and the awards.
• Overview of the "Introduction Procedure."
• Overview of the "Awards Ceremony."
• Discussion on "Professionalism in the Competition Ring."
• Contestant questions and answers.

Contestant Check In Station
Contestants must register at the IJA check in station before each class.

• IJA opens the check in station 60 minutes before the competition begins.
• Contestants must complete all check in procedures before entering the contest ring.
• Contestants will be assigned a table after the completion of the check in procedures.
• IJA closes the check in station 15 minutes before the competition begins.
• Contestants who have not checked in 15 minutes before the competition starts will not be allowed to compete.

Registration Procedure
Contestants and their competition dogs must register at the check in station to confirm the following:

• Contestant is in the correct level, if applicable.
• Correct breed for class, if applicable.
• Correct time frame for the breed or size of dog, if applicable.
• During check in procedures or after table assignment, contestants must inform the judges on specific issues with the skin and coat on the competition dog. Missing coat, ear infections are typical examples.

Acknowledgement of Contest Rules, Policies and Procedures
The contestant must sign the contest rules during check in procedures. Contestants are only required to sign the rules one time for the entire competition. It is the responsibility of all contestants to read and abide by the contest rules. Contestants must not rely on the interpretation of others. Failure to abide by the rules may result in dismissal or disqualification from the competition. Rules will not be altered to accommodate a contestant who does not read the rules.

Interpretation of Rules
Any contest rules, regulations and/or procedures that may be subject to interpretation will be decided by the IJA Rules, Policies and Procedures Committee.

Photo Station
The contestant and the competition dog must proceed to the photo station where the pre-contest photo will be taken. Dogs will be measured at this time if size is in question, or they may be measured in the ring, after the contestant receives his/her table assignment.

Table Assignment Area
The contestant and the competition dog must proceed to the table assignment area at ringside. An IJA team member will direct the contestant to his/her table.

Station Set Up Time
Station set up time begins after check in procedure and ends 15 minutes before competition starts. Contestants must check their equipment and electrical power at this time.

Contestants Meeting
All contestants must be at their tables in the ring 10 minutes before the competition begins to attend the contestant meeting that is held before the start of each class. Time frames, awards and procedures, Sally Break time frames and procedures will be covered. Any other changes for that specific class will also be announced at this time.

Competition Start
All competitions will begin on schedule unless conditions exist beyond the control of IJA or the show promoter.

Assistance During the Competition
If a contestant needs assistance during the competition, the contestant must notify the ring steward immediately. The contestant should raise his/her hand to signal the ring steward or an IJA the team member. The contestant must avoid yelling to get the attention of the ring steward or an IJA team member.

Mandatory Contest Break - "The Sally Break"

• A fifteen minute mandatory break will take place during the competition. The time of the break will be announced at the beginning of each class.
• All contestants and dogs must proceed as a group to the designated break area.
• Dogs will be offered water and given a chance to exercise at this time.
• Contestants can move their own dogs, or have someone else move their dogs for them in the designated area.
• Contestants may not discuss the grooming of their competition dogs with anyone.
• An IJA team member will announce the time to return to the competition ring and all contestants must proceed to the competition ring as a group.
• The ring master will announce when the competition will resume.

Competition End

• Contestants should remove all hair, equipment and products from the grooming table.
• A comb should be placed on the table in front of the dog for the judge to use during the technical evaluation.
• Contestants may comb their dogs before and after the judging panel has evaluated their dogs.
• Contestant should stack his/her dog to present to judge or judging panel.

Judging

• Judges will evaluate the competition dogs from inside and outside the ring.
• The judging panel will complete the judging within 30 minutes after the last time frame for the class.
• The ring master will announce when the judging panel is finished so contestants can relax their dogs. 
• If the judging is completed, the ring master may dismiss the contestants and the competition dogs from the ring.
• Contestants and their competition dogs must stay ringside.
• Contestants must return to their table in the ring 5 minutes before the introduction and awards ceremonies.

Post-Contest Photos
Post-contest photos will be taken at the photo station, after the technical evaluation has been completed. Contestants must take their photo ID sheet and proceed to the photo station after their technical evaluation.

Class Awards and Awards Ceremony for Best in Show
The introduction and class awards ceremonies are conducted at the end of each best in show class after the judging procedures are completed.

Contestants, show promoter, sponsors, judges and the production team are introduced at this time and awards presented.

Best in Show Awards Ceremony
The best in show awards ceremony is held at the completion of the best in show classes or during a special awards ceremony that may be held at a different time and location. Contestants who win a first place award in a best in show class are finalists for the best in show title and award for their level. If there are 4 best in show classes for each level, there are 4 finalists for each level.

Contestants must return with their competition dogs for the final judging of best in show.

Contestants and their competition dogs must be present for the final judging to be eligible for the best in show award for their level.

Contestants who are not present with their competition dogs will not be considered for the best in show award for their level.

Contestants who are present but do not have their competition dogs will not be considered for the best in show award for their level.

Awards Ceremony for Special Classes
The introduction and class awards ceremonies are conducted at the end of each class after the judging procedures are completed.

Contestants, show promoter, sponsors, judges and the production team are introduced at this time and awards presented.

CONTEST RING

Grooming Equipment

• Contestants must provide all of their own equipment, including the grooming table, grooming arm and safety loop, unless provided by the show organizer. See individual show rules.
• Contestants must be responsible for providing bathing accommodations for the competition dog, unless provided by the show organizer. See individual show rules.
• Flame devices are not permitted in the competition ring, the prep area or the bathing and drying area.
• Hair dryers are not permitted in the competition ring unless stated by the show promoter.
• Clipper vacuuming devices are permitted but must be supplied.
• Air brushes are permitted in Creative Grooming Contest.
• Holding crates are not permitted in the competition ring.
• Personal grooming tables and equipment must be removed from the ring after each class unless stated otherwise by the show promoter.

Strictly Prohibited in the Competition Ring

• Use of cell phones, radios and headsets.
• Smoking in the competition ring.
• Standing on the grooming tables.
• Standing on chairs to groom or style.
• Beverages NOT in spill proof containers.
• Coaching by anyone, at any time, during the competition, including the Sally Break.
• Visual or written grooming instructions.

COMPETITION DOG

• Must be free of any contagious disease and has had no contact with any other dogs having a contagious disease for a period of six weeks prior to the competition.
• Must be in compliance with all applicable regulations in reference to vaccinations for the city, county, state or country hosting the competition.
• Must appear healthy, in good condition and free of infectious disease and parasites.
• Must show no signs of aggression or viciousness.
• Must be on a safety lead or safety loop when not in a crate.
• Must be under control and may not be left unattended while on the grooming table.
• Must be properly crated and cared for, with food and water, when left in secure holding area, hotel room or other accommodations.
• Must show no signs of obvious pregnancy or nursing.
• Must be a minimum of one (1) year and not older than ten (10) years of age.

CONTESTANT

Professional Image
To promote a professional competition ring, the IJA contestant must dress appropriately with professional grooming attire and shoes. Due to safety issues, no open toe shoes are permitted. Unprofessional attire would be considered very tight clothing, very short skirts and no shoes. Contestants who are not dressed appropriately will not be permitted to enter the IJA competition ring. Contestants who remove their shoes during the competition or remove clothing, thereby creating an unprofessional image, will be asked to leave the competition ring.

Professional Conduct
Contestants must conduct themselves in a professional manner at all times. Contestants must use professional language, exhibit a professional attitude and body language. Using unprofessional language, attitude and body language will be considered as unprofessional conduct.

Conversations During the Competition
Contestants must refrain from conversing with other contestants during the competition. Conversations between contestants may be construed as receiving coaching or an attempt to distract other contestants by disrupting their concentration. Contestants may converse after the competition is over during the judging procedures, however, all contestants should focus on presenting their dogs to the judges during the judging procedures.

Professional Styling Station
Contestant must maintain a safe and organized styling station for the competition dog at all times during the contest. Open scissors left on the table, for example, will be considered a safety issue for the competition dog and will be considered as unsafe working conditions.

Professional Handling

• Contestant must practice safe and gentle handling when applying technical skills, such as brushing and handstripping. Aggressively holding the skin on the dog and/or aggressive brushing techniques would be considered unsafe handling.
• Contestant must not leave the competition dog unattended on the grooming table. A dog jumping or falling off the grooming table will be considered unsafe handling.
• Contestant must take care not to adjust the safety loop too high or must not lift the dog by his/her tail. Adjusting the safety loop too high or lifting the competition dog by his/her tail will be considered unsafe handling.

Professional Technical Skills Application
Contestants must apply technical skills with safety. Clipper burns, nicks and/or cuts that are discovered on the dog during the judging procedures will be considered unsafe technical application. Competitor may be disqualified from the class if his/her competition dog is severely injured by unsafe technical skills.

Warnings and Disqualifications
Contestants will receive a warning for their unprofessional image, unprofessional conduct, unprofessional styling station, unprofessional handling, and/or unprofessional application of technical skills. A second warning may result in disqualification from the class. A third warning may result in disqualification from the entire competition.

SPORTSMANSHIP

An Excellent Sportsman is a contestant who can experience a loss or defeat without complaint, or victory without gloating, and who treats his/her opponents, judges and show promoters with fairness, courtesy and respect.

A Poor Sportsman is a contestant who cannot experience losing or defeat without complaining, blaming others for his/her loss, and who treats his/her opponents, judges and show promoters with disrespect, with rude, belligerent, and/or derogatory remarks.

Failure to abide by the Excellent Sportsmanship Standard may prevent the contestant from competing in future IJA Competitions and forfeiture of any IJA Titles.

Eligibility
IJA prohibits any employee, as defined by the IRS, of the show promoter from entering an IJA competition.

Groom Team Sanctioning
IJA Sanctioned Competitions may or may not be Groom Team Sanctioned.

Fees
All fees must be paid prior to contest.

CONTEST QUESTIONS, SUGGESTIONS & CONCERNS

IJA and the show promoter encourage continuous communication within our industry to create the most professional contest arena worldwide. If you have a question, a suggestion or a concern, please feel free to contact the IJA team or the show promoter team. If you have questions for the show promoter that are not related to the competition, please contact the Show Promoter at barkleigh.com

Individual(s) with questions or suggestions during the competition must contact the IJA Team Director.

Individual(s) with questions or suggestions before or after the competition, please email the IJA Team Director.

CONTEST GRIEVANCE

Individual(s) with a formal grievance must submit the grievance in writing by mail or by email to the IJA Grievance Committee at info@ijaonline.com. A grievance must be submitted by midnight of the 7th day after the close of the competition. To find out more about a formal grievance and the procedures to submit a formal grievance, go to ijaonline.com.

Show Promoter
All fees must be paid prior to contest. Entry fees are not refunded for cancellations received less than 72 hours prior to the show or to contestants who are dismissed or disqualified for any reason.

Failure to abide by the show promoter rules, policies and procedures may prevent the contestant from attending future Barkleigh Shows.

Failure to abide by the hotel or convention center rules or damage to the hotel rooms may prevent the contestant from attending future Barkleigh Shows.

Contestant agrees to the following:
I, the undersigned, in consideration of my participation in this event, do hereby agree to adhere to the rules of this contest. Failure to comply will mean immediate expulsion from the contest. I understand that the judges' decision is final and binding. The International Judges Association for Dog Grooming Competition, Inc., reserves the right to use photographs, slides, video, audio, digital images and judges' comments in future educational endeavors, show coverage, advertising, websites and promotion of future IJA events and the undersigned specifically waives any proprietary rights and any rights to compensation he/she may have for their use. The Show Promoter reserves the right to use photographs, slides, audio, videos and digital images of contestants for show coverage and future advertising and promotion of the Show Promoter's events in books, magazines and web sites.

I agree to absolve International Judges Association for Dog Grooming Competition, Inc., the Show Promoter, Contest Judges, Contest Sponsors, Show Staff Personnel and the Hosting Hotel and their employees for any legal claim for loss or injury which may be alleged to have been caused directly or indirectly to any person or thing thereto, and I personally assume all responsibility and liability for any such claim. I further agree not to hold the aforementioned parties legally responsible for any claim for loss of my entry dog(s) by disappearance, theft, death, damage or injury, to be caused by negligence of the parties aforementioned, or due to the negligence of any other person, or any other cause or causes.

A copy of these rules must be signed prior to competition