Rescue Group Check in Station

Rescue groups check in 2 hours before competition starts for judges to evaluate rescue dogs to determine eligibility.

• Judge evaluates dogs on temperament

• Judge evaluates dogs on coat condition

• Judge evaluates dogs to determine bathing, drying and finishing times

• Judge evaluates dogs to determine bather, groomer or stylists category

 

Contestant Check In Station

• Competitors check in to confirm class entry

• Competitions receive table Identification Sheet

• Competitors draw for Rescue Me competition dogs

• Competitors receive time frame to complete bathing, drying and finishing

• Competitors and competition dogs "Before" photos taken

• Competitors receive table assignment in contest ring

 

Exceptions to the Rule:

Contestants who place in a previous class who are required to have promotional photos taken immediately after awards, may check in up to 5 minutes before the competition start. Contestant should notify check in desk of late arrival.

 

Qualification of the Competition Dog

The following information must be confirmed to qualify competition dog during prejudge time frame on rescue dogs.

 

Competition dog:

• Must be Competition Dog Age -  Mature Enough but Young Enough to Enjoy Competition

• Dogs with special needs may be entered with assistant.

• Suggested age of competition dog approximately (1) one year to (10) ten years of age. It is the responsibility of judge and competitor to determine if dog is mature enough or young enough to participate in competition. If found during check in or during competition, age of dog is affecting safety of  dog, judging panel will notify competitor to discontinue competition.

• Must be in compliance with applicable regulations in reference to vaccinations for city, county, state or country hosting competition.

• Must show no signs of obvious pregnancy or nursing.

• Must appear healthy, in good condition and free of infectious diseases and parasites.

• Must be physically able to stand on grooming table for competition time frame and judging.

• Must show no signs of aggression or viciousness.

• Must be on safety lead or safety loop when not in a crate.

• Must be under control and may not be left unattended while on grooming table.

• Must be properly crated and cared for, with food and water, when left in secure holding area, hotel room or other accommodations.

 

Entry Confirmation

Entry must be confirmed to insure competition dog is placed in correct class and time frame.

• Designed for Bathers

• Designed for Groomers

• Designed for Stylists

 

Pre-Judge Documentation

• Judging panel documents the following about competition dog.

• Amount of coat growth.

• Amount of pre-set hair growth pattern

• Specific information about dog such as missing coat, ear infection, etc.

 

Confirm with Competitor

The following information should be confirmed with contestant to eliminate confusion after start of competition.

• Correct start and finish time

• Correct time frame to complete bathing, grooming and styling.

 

Judging Panel Responsibilities

Judging panel must notify competitor to discontinue competition if overall physical well being of dog is being compromised due to bathing, grooming and finishing procedures.  

 

Competitors Evaluations and Decisions

Competitor must notify judging panel to discontinue competition if overall physical well being of dog is being compromised due to bathing, grooming and finishing procedures. IJA will attempt to secure another dog for competitor. If team is unable to secure replacement, entry fee is non refundable.

 

Weight Restrictions or Ability to Safely Secure Pet During Competition

If competitor draws a dog and cannot safely secure or handle pet during bathing, drying and finishing procedures, competitor should ask for a redraw. The team will attempt to secure another dog for competitor. If team is unable to secure replacement, entry fee is non refundable.

 

Competitor should ask for a redraw if dog exceeds weight limitation or ask for ring assistant. Team will attempt to secure another dog for competitor or secure a ring assistant. If team is unable to secure replacement or assistant, entry fee is non refundable.

 

Temperament of Rescue Me Rodeo Competition Dogs

Competition dog should have a good temperament and behavior record to participate in competition and show no signs of aggression or viciousness.

 

Judging Panel Responsibilities

Judging panel should notify competitor to discontinue competition if temperament and behavior of dog is compromising safety of competitor during bathing, drying and finishing procedures.  

 

Competitors Evaluations and Decisions

Competitor should notify judges to discontinue competition if temperament and behavior of dog is compromising safety of competitor and competition dog during bathing, drying and finishing procedures.

 

Coat Condition, Coat Type and Coat Length

All coat types allowed including short and smooth coated dogs.

 

Photo Station

Contestant and competition dog must proceed to photo station where pre-contest photo will be taken. Dogs will be measured, if applicable, in the photo station or in ring.

 

Table Assignment Area

Contestant and competition dog must proceed to table assignment area at ringside. IJA team will direct contestant to table or contestant may receive table assignment during check in procedures.

 

Station Setup 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.

 

Contestant Meeting 10 Minutes Before Start Time

Contestants must be at their tables in ring 10 minutes before competition begins to attend contestant meeting conducted before start of each class. Time frames, awards, Johnnie Break and other changes in procedures will be announced at this time.

 

Competition Start

Competitions will begin on schedule unless conditions exist beyond the control of IJA or show promoter.

 

Assistance During the Competition

If contestant needs assistance during competition, contestant must notify ring steward immediately. Contestant should raise hand to signal ring steward or IJA team. Contestant must avoid yelling to get attention of ring steward or IJA team.

 

Mandatory Contest Break - “The Johnnie Break”

• A fifteen minute mandatory break will take place during competition. Time of break will be announced at beginning of each class.

• Contestants and dogs must proceed as a group to 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 in designated area.

• Contestants may not discuss grooming of their competition dogs with anyone.

• IJA team member will announce time to return to competition ring and all contestants must proceed to competition ring as a group.

• Ring master will announce when competition will resume.

 

Competition End

• Contestant should remove all hair, equipment and products from grooming table.

• Comb should be placed on table in front of dog for judge to use during technical evaluation.

• Contestant may comb dog before and after judging panel has evaluated dog.

• Contestant should stack dog to present to judge or judging panel.

 

Judging

• Judges will evaluate competition dogs from inside and outside ring.

• Judging panel will complete judging 30 minutes after last time frame for class.

• Ring master will announce when judging is complete to allow contestants and competition dog to relax.

• When judging is complete, ring master may dismiss contestants and competition dogs from ring until awards ceremony.

• Contestants and competition dogs must stay ringside.

• Contestants must return to their table in ring 10 minutes before introduction and awards ceremonies.

 

Post-Contest Photos

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

 

Best in Show Judging

Best in Show Judging may be conducted immediately after contest or at a different time and location. Contestants who are finalists for Best in Show in each Level must be present. Rescue competition dogs do not have to be present for final judging for competitor to be considered for Best in Show.

 

Best in Show Awards Ceremony

Best in Show Awards Ceremony may be conducted immediately after contest and final judging or at a different time and location. Contestants who are finalists for Best in Show in each Level must be present with their competition dog to receive an award. Award times are published by show promoter.

 

Contest Ring

Grooming Equipment

• Contestants must provide all of their own equipment, including the grooming table, grooming arm and safety loop, unless provided by show organizer. See individual show rules.

• Contestants are responsible for providing bathing accommodations for competition dog, unless provided by show organizer. See individual show rules.

• Flame devices are not permitted in competition ring, prep area or bathing and drying area.

• Hair dryers are not permitted in competition ring unless stated by show promoter.

• Holding crates are not permitted in competition ring.

• Personal grooming tables and equipment must be removed from ring after each class unless stated otherwise by show promoter.

 

Strictly Prohibited in Competition Ring

• Use of cell phones, radios and headsets.

• Smoking in competition ring.

• Standing on grooming tables.

• Standing on chairs to groom or style.

• Beverages NOT in spill proof containers.

• Coaching by anyone, at any time, during competition, including Sally Break.

• Visual or written grooming instructions.

 

Competitor

Responsibilities

• Competitors have responsibility to keep dogs safe. Competition dogs must be properly crated and cared for, with food and water, when left in secure holding area. Dogs must:

• Be on safety lead when transported on floor.

• Be on safety loop when on competition table.

• Be under control and not left unattended while on grooming table. ·

   

Professional Image

To promote a professional competition ring, 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 competition ring.

 

Professional Conduct

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

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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 competition is over during judging procedures, however, all contestants should focus on presenting their dogs to judges during judging procedures.

 

Professional Styling Station

Contestant must maintain a safe and organized styling station for competition dog at all times during the contest. Open scissors left on table, for example, will be considered a safety issue for 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 dog and/or aggressive brushing techniques would be considered unsafe handling.

Contestant must not leave competition dog unattended on grooming table. A dog jumping or falling off grooming table will be considered unsafe handling.

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Contestant must take care not to adjust the safety loop too high or attach safety loop incorrectly and place pet in danger. Contestant must not lift dog by his/her tail. Adjusting safety loop too high or too low in an unsafe manner or lifting 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 dog during judging procedures will be considered unsafe technical application. Competitor may be disqualified from class if his/her competition dog is 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 class. A third warning may result in disqualification from 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 competition dog,  opponents, judges and show promoters with disrespect or 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

Contestants must be IJA Contestant Members. IJA Membership fees are paid to IJA.

 

Registration for Competition Class

Show promoters post number of tables available for each competition. Registrations should be made as soon as possible to insure space in contest ring.  Registrations must be received before start of contest. Registrations may not be accepted due to space availability in ring.  

 

Entry Fees

Entry fees must be paid with registration. Entry fees are paid to Show Promoter. Entry fees must be paid prior to start of contest.

 

Questions & Concerns

IJA and show promoter encourage communication within our industry to create the most professional contest arena worldwide. If you have questions related to competition, please send to IJAonline.com.  If you have questions in reference to educational seminars, registering, hotel accommodations and payment, please contact the IJA Show Promoter.

                         

Contest Grievance

Individual(s) with a formal contest grievance must submit grievance in writing by mail or by email to  IJA Grievance Committee at info@ijaonline.com. Grievance must be submitted by midnight of  7th day after close of competition.