Premier Groom 2011
The 4th Annual Premier Groom competition staged at The Kennel Club Building, Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire on Sunday 14th August attracted more competitors and larger crowds than ever before.
It achieved the objective of providing the opportunity for groomers to fine tune their competition skills and encouraging more beginners to enter the competition arena and provided something of interest for competitors and spectators, groomers and non-groomers alike. In addition, with the World Championships being staged in Belgium in September, it raised funds crucial for the support of Groom Team England in the International Arena.
This year 65 competitors including entrants from Poland, Germany, Croatia and Austria took up the challenge and demonstrated their skills in competing for one of the many prizes on offer.
12 classes were judged with awards for 1st, 2nd and 3rd places in each class. Additional prizes were awarded for the Best Transformation, the Best Preparation by a Beginner, the Best Model Dog and the Groom Team England Special Award presented to the person/s who in the opinion of the Groom Team Committee showed the greatest potential to advance their grooming skills at competition level. These prizes along with the Best in Show (sponsored by Aesculap), Reserve Best in Show (sponsored by Double K) and Beginner Winner amounted to total prize winnings of £4750.
People competed in a calm, professional, friendly environment and whether or not awards and prizes were won is immaterial when compared with the experience, confidence, knowledge and inspiration gained by taking part.
Classes were observed throughout the day by judges of national and international acclaim:-
Ann Martin (USA) judging: Hand Strip, Poodles and Best in Show
Paola Acco (Italy) judging: Spaniel and Setter, Pure Bred Scissor, Poodle, Best in Show
Emilia Diaz (Spain) judging: Spaniel and Setter, Pure Bred Scissor and Best in Show
Mich Dale (UK) judging: Hand Strip, Workshop and Best in Show
Becki Ensell (UK) judging: Beginners and Debutante
Lesley Garratt LCGI (UK) judging: Beginners, Debutante and Workshop
Away from the competition:-
Non-competitors could attend any of a number of seminars and workshops presenting on a variety of subjects. The experts were only too pleased to share their experience and provide support to those in the early stages of their grooming careers. Whether it was “Pet Trim Lhasa Apso” by Paola Acco in Italian complete with translator, “Correctly Presenting the Cocker Spaniel” by Sarah Amos-Jones, a fantastic debut public presentation or “Scissor Technique and Poodle Styling” by Ann Martin, a former World Best Team Groomer, the underlying feelings of encouragement and of them wishing to impart experience, knowledge and techniques were ever present.
Similarly , relating more specifically to getting started and running an efficient grooming practice the presentations “How to start your career in grooming” with Martin Mawson and Lee Hollingworth, “First Aid” with Sally Crickmore and “Petstar”( a computerised administration system for salon management) with David Woods provided great insight and innovative ideas surrounding starting, developing and running an efficient practice. Sally’s presentation was especially enlightening with regard to the practicalities of dealing with emergency situations in the salon.
A comprehensive selection of trade stands added to the occasion making available the most up to date equipment and supplies for purchase.
The main sponsors who made Premier Groom 2011 possible and who the organisers wish to acknowledge include:
Aesculap, Aaronco, The groom room (Pets at Home), The Pet Spa at Harrods, Groomers, Les Poochs, Arden Grange Premium Pet Foods, Double K Industries, Mikki Interpet, The ProGroomer, Animology, Chris Bown Grooming Vans to go, Ashley Craig, Look North Grooming and training Centre, Redcape Ltd. and Groom Team England.
Cresswell Caterers supported the event by providing copious supplies of tea, coffee, rolls, sandwiches, home baked cakes and other desserts of high quality at modest prices.
Silent Auctions and an extremely well stocked Tombola added £900 to the fund -raising of the day.
A great day was had by all and we look forward to seeing you all at the next Premier Groom competition in 2012.
