Winners Circle Contest Rules 3.0
Copywritten 2009 IJA Inc. • May not be reproduced without permission

Theme
The Race for the Title and Purse of the IJA Triple Crown

Description of Contest
The Winners Circle Tournament is open to all contestants, all pure breeds and to all mix breeds. The winner will be a contender for the Triple Crown Title and Purse. The first contestant to win three Winners Circle Tournaments will win the Triple Crown Title and Purse. Wins need not be consistent, nor must the contestant win at all three different shows. Three wins at any show will mandate the winner. After a Triple Crown Title and Purse is won, a new race for the title and purse for the Triple Crown will begin. Prior wins are not carried over.

Open to any pure breed styled to breed standard.
Open to any pure breed styled other than to the breed standard.
Open to any mixed breed styled to a breed standard.
Open to any mixed breed with a free style trim.

Competition Time Frame
All dogs will be permitted 2 hours.

Levels of Competition Skill
Open to all Contestants

Grooming Techniques
The following techniques of grooming are permitted, including clippering, snap-on-combs, vacuum grooming systems, scissoring, thinning, handstripping, plucking and carding. Curling and flat irons are permitted. Singeing of the coat is not permitted.

Competition Dog Coat Length Qualifications
The competition dog, including handstripped dogs with rotated coats, must have adequate coat, defined as being sufficient to allow the contestant to make a distinct change in the dog's overall appearance when viewed from the front, side, rear and top.

Products Allowed on the Competition Dog

• Decorative objects, such as bows, beads and glitter are not permitted, with the exception of those permitted in the conformation show ring for the drop coated breed head piece, such as the Yorkshire Terrier Maltese and Shih Tzu.
• Coloring, other than to enhance the coat color of the dog, is not permitted.
• Hair extensions of the same color range are permitted, however, they must be applied during the time frame of the competition. The competitor must notify the judging panel before the technical evaluation to prevent the judge from pulling the hair extension out when combing.
• Holding sprays are allowed on the head piece, for example, on the Shih Tzu with a tie up or a breed with a scissored topknot, to achieve the ultimate breed profile when viewed from all sides. The judges will respect the headpiece during the technical evaluation.
• Products such as sprays, styling gels and chalks are limited to what is typically used or seen in the conformation show ring. They may be applied prior to or during the time frame of the competition.

Preparation Requirements for the Competition Dog
The competition dog must be prepped and ready for the judges' inspection prior to check in procedures.

• Coats should be freshly shampooed and dried, brushed, combed and free of matts.
• Corded coats must be clean and dry.
• Ears should be clean.
• Hair between the pads, if applicable for the breed, should be trimmed.
• Toenails should be trimmed.
• Sanitary area and the genital and stomach areas should be trimmed, if applicable, according to breed standard.
• All other trimming shall be done after the contest starts.

Judging Considerations
Technical
Profile
Difficulty

Competition Start
All competitors will begin the competition at the same time in the competition ring.

The Final Presentation
Contestants must prepare their station immediately after the contest ends for the technical judges to overview the competition dog. The hair must be removed from the table and a comb placed at the front of the table and the dog presented to the judges before the technical evaluations begins.

Products such as sprays or chalks are not to be applied to the competition dog after the contest ends.

Except for combing, the application of technical skills is prohibited after the competition ends.

Awards
The judging panel will select a first, second and third place winner from all entries. The contestant with the first place award for the Winners Circle will be a contender for the prestigious Triple Crown.