What is IJA Sanctioned Qualifying Competitions? 
IJA Sanctioned Qualifying Competitions are contest by class categories conducted for competitors to score and achieve a Level 2 or higher to be eligible to participate and "try out" for their state team.

​

To qualify to compete in your state team competitions, you must:
Compete in IJA Sanctioned Qualifying Competitions to achieve a Level 2 or Higher in a specific coat type category. Competitors can also qualify for more than one coat type category. 

​

What type of classes will be offered at the qualifying competitions? 
Pure Breed and Free Style Classes are conducted each day at qualifying competitions to allow the competitor to achieve Level 2 or Higher in the different coat type category classes. 

​

How do I qualify to be on my state team? 
After you have achieved a Level 2 or Higher in a coat type category, you can compete in your State Team Qualifying Competitions to see if you make the team. 

​

Can I participate in other competitions that are not IJA in the USA and still be a member of the IJA State Team? 
Yes, absolutely. We encourage all competitors to be the best they can be and participate in various competitions to showcase their talent.

​

Where will the competitions take place to try out for the team?
IJA Sanctioned State and Regional Competitions will be conducted throughout the USA in conjunction with IJA Events currently being held at Pet Expos. IJA will also conduct competitions at grooming schools, boarding kennels, and other pet care facilities to accommodate competitors throughout the USA. A list of events and locations will be posted on the IJA Calendar of Events.

 

If selected to be on the state team, can I compete in more than one competition coat type? 
IJA offers 4 coat type categories in both Pure Breed and Free Style Competitions. Competitors can qualify in all coat type categories. IJA also offers a specialty class for Poodles in the Pure Breed Competitions, and Asian Styling Specialty Class in the FreeStyle Competitions can also qualify in this category. 

​

Who is involved in a state team? 
The state team consists of a state team captain, state team co-captain, and team members. 

​

What is the minimum number of competitors that can make up a state team? What is the maximum number of members? 
The number of competitors to create a state team is five for live dogs in the pure breed, free style, and creative competitions. The number of competitors on a state team for model dogs is six.
 
Why is the requirement by the coat type category? 
There must be Level 3 Rank or Higher in all coat types to create the best all-around competition team. The team could consist of just curly coat type specialists and no wire coat or sporting coat type specialists. 

​

Do state teams receive assistance from IJA?
Yes. The IJA Team, including the IJA Judges, will assist state coordinators and competitors create a very talented team. State coordinators organize educational seminars conducted by IJA Judges. 

​

After I compete in the state team competitions and qualify to be on the team and then compete in the regional and national competitions, do I qualify to be on the team for the next year? 

To ensure fairness and equal opportunity to all, competitors must qualify each year to compete in the State Team Competition. Your score and rank achieved at the State, Regional, and National Competitions can qualify you to compete in your state competition the following year if you achieve a Level 2 Master Rank or Higher.

​

Does this mean IJA will conduct qualifying competitions every year for new competitors to qualify to participate in the state competitions?

Yes, IJA will host qualifying competitions throughout the year. If a competitor does not make the rank and score high enough to try out for the state team, they can qualify for the next year. 

​

Does this mean team members are replaced annually?  
Yes. For example, a competitor can successfully make the team but then be replaced by another competitor who scores and ranks higher at the state qualifying competition? 

​

If selected as a competitor for my State Team, how many competitions must I attend annually?  
State team members will be required to compete in the Regional and National Competitions.

What type of competitions and competition classes will be offered at the state, regional and national competitions?

​

Pure Breed Competitions 

• Multitude (all other coat types) 

• Sporting

• Wire 

• Curly 

• Poodles - Specialty Class for Individual Pure Breeds

 

Free Style Competitions 

• All Coat Types and Poodle Free Style Classes

• Asian Styling - Speciality Class for all coat types, pure breeds, and mixed breeds

​

If I qualify for the state team, what are the costs besides my travel expenses to the shows? 
The state team captains are responsible and all team members to help secure sponsorship to cover expenses. All state members are encouraged to provide potential sponsors to their captains. If sponsorship is not acquired, all team members, including the captains, will be responsible for their own expenses to travel to the shows and purchase uniforms.

​

If I qualify for the state team and cannot attend the regional competition, what are the consequences to my team members? 
Your team is not compromised. Your team can substitute a member for taking your place at the regional competitions. If your team qualifies to continue to the National Competitions, you will be eligible to participate in the national competitions.

​

If there is not a team in my state, can I try out for another state? 
No, you must represent the state you live in. You can represent your state by competing as an "Individual" until your state can secure a team. You still go through the same steps. You first qualify with a Level 2 or Higher at a qualifying competition and then compete in the State, Regional, and National Competitions.  

​

If you have questions contact us hello@ijaonline.com.