Message Board
November 7, 2025
Dear Grooming Community,
The GroomTeam USA Board of Directors recently received a message concerning one of our team members. The message included allegations that this individual was not maintaining clean kennels, runs, or facilities, and it was accompanied by photos showing dirty bowls, cages, and runs.
Upon receiving this information, the Board immediately scheduled a Zoom meeting with the team member to discuss the allegations and allow her the opportunity to respond. She provided us with current photos of her facility, which demonstrated clean and well-kept conditions. She also explained that the original photos in question were taken by a disgruntled employee she had hired to clean her kennel and that she was present when those pictures were taken.
The Board takes all concerns seriously and appreciates the importance of integrity, professionalism, and animal welfare within our organization. After reviewing the information and evidence provided, we will continue to monitor the situation as needed to ensure that GroomTeam USA’s standards are upheld.
September 25, 2025
GroomTeam USA is proud to announce the formation of a Judges Committee, comprised of six highly respected leaders, judges, and competitors: Ann Martin, Grace Adriano, Scott Wasserman, Nicole Kallish, Irina Pinkusevich, and Elizabeth Johnson. This committee has been established to develop a recognized set of qualifications and criteria for apprentice judges and judges. By creating consistent standards, GTUSA ensures that all judges at GT-sanctioned shows are guided by the same expectations of knowledge, fairness, and professionalism. We believe this initiative is in the best interest of the competitive grooming community and will help strengthen the integrity and growth of the sport. We will continue to share updates as the program develops.
Groom Expo General Meeting
September 4, 2025
The meeting was called to order at 7:42 Tammy read the minutes from SUPER ZOO and All American. Shannon motioned to approve the minutes from both shows and Diane 2nd. Reminder that we are only counting 14 shows for 2024 and 2025. Another reminder that next year starts the rule that judges are only allowed to judge three classes per year.
Next year we are also updating the conflict of interest policy. It will be reworded and will be in effect for 2026. We received a grievance asking if a competitor is allowed to go under a judge that is on the same team or work for the same company and the answer is there is no conflict, as long as there is no money exchanged between them.
The board of directors has been meeting with show promoters to be transparent about new sanctioning policies that could possibly take effect in the 28-29 cycle which would be new judges rules and the standardizing of lower levels.
The new t-shirts that we are creating with taglines are done and will hopefully be on our website by November 1st for pre-sale orders. If you’re at a show you place and would like to share something on social media about that please tag GroomTeam USA.
We have been meeting with the top 10 quarterly and our next quarterly meeting is mandatory and will be November 13th at 6:30 Eastern Time.
We have our judges committee. They will be meeting and coming up with qualifications and criteria for judges. As a part of our sanctioning policy show promoters will only be allowed to hire judges that are qualified and/or fit the qualifications. There will be an education program for judges. Judges will either be sanctioned or certified. We haven’t decided what we’re going to call it.
Some judges have reached out to us regarding after class critiques that they are being is respected and we just want to remind everyone that when getting a critique be professional and polite thank them even if you do not agree with the critique.
We just found out that worlds will be in Belgium during Groomania September 17th through the 20th 2026. Sunday the 20th is the date of the World Championships. We opened the floor for questions or comments. Colin Taylor asked if he could speak. He reminded everyone how lucky the USA is to be a part of Groom Team USA. Most countries do not have an organization to help fund and support them.
Another question was asked that if a competitor qualifies for two classes for the travel team do they get to choose and pick which class they want first. The answer is yes they get to choose. Tammy also mentioned that in the past we have also had to do what’s in the best interest of the team.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:30pm
September 16, 2025
Dear Grooming Community,
A grievance was submitted regarding the posting of content that does not align with the image and standards of GroomTeam. The board has reviewed this concern and has had a direct conversation with the individual involved. It was made clear that if any content is being created or shared that could be viewed as inappropriate or not representative of the professionalism expected from a GroomTeam member, the GroomTeam uniform must not be worn or displayed in such content. All members are reminded that representing GroomTeam carries with it the responsibility of maintaining a professional and dignified image, both in person and online. The integrity and reputation of the team are a priority, and we appreciate the community’s support in upholding these values.
Dear Grooming Community,
We would like to address a recent grievance regarding the involvement of GroomTeam USA in decisions about assistant access in the competition ring at Groom Expo in Hershey, PA.
To clarify: GroomTeam USA had no role in the decision to limit assistant activity in the ring. Decisions regarding assistants being allowed in the ring are show management or judges decisions. GroomTeam USA does not have any current rules regarding assistants.
We understand that tight scheduling can create unnecessary stress for competitors. The feedback shared particularly regarding assistant parameters and class timing is both valid and appreciated. We encourage continued dialogue with event organizers to help shape an environment that supports fairness, clarity, and professionalism for all involved.
We remain committed to promoting excellence and integrity in the grooming community and thank those who have reached out to advocate for improvement and transparency.
Groom Team USA Board of Directors
The GT board of directors recently received a grievance about a judge at a recent grooming competition judging competitors that work for, rep for and/or are on the same company team asking was this considered a conflict of interest. With our industry being small and the competitive side even smaller we look very closely when something like this occurs. The Conflict of Interest policy reads as follows: “Vested business relationships, defined as an involvement having the element of personal monetary gain, within the last six (6) months including but not limited to: Employee/ employer/ subcontractor, Consulting, Professional handling or handling assistant, Business partnership” Two people that both work with or are involved in the same company do not have a vested business relationship, no money passes between them. Many times, they don’t even work together, and for this reason, the GT board feels that this situation was not against our Conflict of Interest policy.
August 21, 2025
The meeting was called to order at 6:01pm
Introduction of Board members Tammy Siert, Loren Mesquita via Zoom Shannon Tupes, Diane Betelak.
Judy Breton Domestic Show Representative.
Grievance Liaison for the weekend is Joey Villani.
SuperZoo General Meeting
August 12, 2025
Tammy read the minutes from Groom’d Tammy motioned to approve the minutes and Diane 2nd. A reminder that we will only be counting 14 of the 16 competitors best shows for 2025
Next year the rule starts that judges are only allowed to judge three classes per year, there is a spread sheet of judges available on our website.
Loren gave us a social media update. We grew 5000 followers on FB 2000 on Instagram. Our goal is to reach more of our community and future sponsors. Sommer mentioned talking to Pet Store Direct and SoPosh for Sponsorships.
Tammy read the treasures report as of July 31st checking is 11,171.80, savings $80,045.89 our Vanguard account is $182,499.60 our grand total on all accounts is $273,717.29.
We had an unexpected expense this year. Our website crashed and we had to have it redone. Anjie Coates of Coates Design redid it and did a great job please visit our website for updated rankings and show info.
We have been having quarterly team meetings for the Top Ten. The Top Ten will receive and new point holders will receive a Congratulations letter and a docusign with our policies to sign.
Lindsey Dicken created new shirts for each of the 4 classes. We need taglines for them.
We are creating a committee to work on judges’ criteria and a judges education program. If anyone is interested in being a part of this committee please reach out to us.
The next two years we will also be working on new sanctioning policies for 28-29. Standardization of lower levels, Climate controlled facility for holding area. Require three levels at all shows.
Judges have reached out concerned about competitors being rude and unprofessional after critiques.
Our next general meeting will be at Hershey 7:30 p.m. immediately following the competitor meeting. We will have a booth and auction at the end of the show looking for help at the auction. Reminder to the top 10 that they need four hours of volunteer hours this is a great way for you to complete your hours. Our last show of the year will be fun in the sun. We will have a general meeting as well as Booth and auction at the close of the show. This is your last opportunity to receive volunteer hours.
Opened the floor for questions or comments.
We heard that people are boycotting shows because they are mad at GroomTeam. If there are issues people aren’t bringing to our attention, we don’t know about them and can’t help fix the issue. We received a grievance after SUPERZOO about competitors competing under judges that are a part of the same company. That does not break any rules in our conflict of interest policy. Competitors need to trust the ethics of judges and if you can’t then you shouldn’t go under them.
A question was asked about a way for GT to keep track of placements for competitors, we talked about that as an option and we would have to look into a program that would do that and work with show promoters to enter all placements and charge show promoters a fee which they would most likely add to entry fees. Sommer suggested posting all the level wins as a way to track. We talked about the difference between novice classes and some shows not having an intermediate class. We talked about the 3, 6 rules and moving up and out of a level that is confusing for some new competitors, we will be making the rules easier for everyone to follow, not just open level. We don’t want to lose competitors, we want it to be easy for everyone.
Joey talked about competitors knowing the difference between a GT issue and a Show Promoter issue and that GT can’t police everything. We talked a little about taglines for new shirts and adjourned the meeting at 7:50.
The meeting was called to order at 6:01pm
Introduction of Board members Tammy Siert, Loren Mesquita, Shannon Tupes, Via Zoom Diane Betelak and Judy Breton Domestic Show Representative.
Grievance Liaison for the weekend is Sue Watson
Tammy read the minutes from Groom’d, Tammy motioned to approve the minutes and Diane 2nd. Please check out our new website. It crashed this year so we had to have it rebuilt by Anjie Coates. She did a wonderful job, it was an unexpected expense but the new site is much easier to maneuver.
Reminder that we are only counting 14 shows for 2025
Next year the rule starts that judges are only allowed to judge three of the same classe per year, there is a spread sheet of judges available on our website.
Loren gave us a social media update. We grew 5000 followers on FB 2000 on Instagram.
Lindsey is creating tshirts for each class and we are looking for taglines for each in hope to have this done by the end of September.
We opened the floor to questions and Lis Johnston wanted to know if we updated the conflict of interest policy regarding why she can’t compete at the same time Nick is judging. We told her that it is against the conflict of interest which states…. Competitors will not be eligible to earn GT points if Familial and/or personal relationship with any judge(s) assigned during the sanctioned class(es).
We understand there is a grey area with the wording of some of the conflict of interest policy and are working to re-word this for the new cycle next year.
There was a question asked about what the difference is when a mentor or personal relationship in the rules currently there isn’t one. The competitor that is being mentored by a judge and if the judge is judging a lower level that competitor will not earn points. Another question was asked about where they could find minutes from past meetings. Meeting minutes are available on our website. We adjourned the meeting at 6:40 pm
July 21, 2025
There were multiple inquiries regarding an apprentice judge discussing how they influenced a placement at a recent sanctioned show after an investigation was held it was found to be false and the issue has been resolved.
As part of our ongoing efforts to strengthen the foundation and future of sanctioned shows we have started conversations with show promoters regarding the development of additional policies and procedures for all GroomTeam sanctioned shows. One of the topics we discussed is apprentice judging guidelines.
In order to remain transparent, consistent, and maintain the integrity of GroomTeam USA sanctioning we feel there is a need to streamline all sanctioned shows including the lower levels. We will be meeting and working diligently on this project for the next two year cycle so it can be ready for 2028-2029 sanctioning.
GroomTeam USA Board of Directors
June 2025
GroomTeam has approved the Teton Grooming Expo for sanctioning years 26-27, and the dates are May 28-31, 2026.
January 2025
Exciting News!
GroomTeam has decided to add two new breeds for the 2026-2027 show cycles. They are:
Glen of Imaal Terrier – 2 hour time limit
Parson Russell Terrier – 1 hour 45 minute time limit
January 2025
Judging Process
Beginning in 2026, GroomTeam USA will implement a streamlined judging process. Judges are limited to the maximum of 3 assignments per class per year. This adjustment (applies exclusively to GroomTeam USA sanctioned classes) aims to ensure consistency, uphold the integrity of evaluations, and enhance overall efficiency during competitions. Example: Judge A has judged 3 open level poodle classes this year, they are ineligible to judge any more open level poodle classes for the remainder of the year at any sanctioned show. In collaboration with show promoters, GroomTeam USA Board and judges are working together to ensure the integrity and fairness of the competitive ring. In order to hold and protect accountability a spread sheet of judges will be available on groomteamusa.org
December 31, 2024
Beginning in 2025, GroomTeam USA® Board of Directors has implemented a Grievance Liaison to be present at all GroomTeam USA® sanctioned shows to facilitate a proactive approach to resolving issues promptly and transparently. This person will be available if an infraction occurs against the Conflict of Interest Policy, Code of Conduct, or Standards of Conduct and Sportsmanship Rules.
The Grievance Liaison’s sole responsibility is to create a timeline of events, gather information pertaining to the infraction, and present it to the board. Grievances must be filed by the end of the show. The liaison will provide the Board with the information and within five days of the close of the show the Board will decide how to proceed. The grievance liaison for each show will be listed on the 2025 show calendar available on groomteamusa.us. Grievances will still be accepted through GroomTeam USA’s® website if an infraction occurs outside of a GroomTeam USA® sanctioned show against the Code of Conduct or Standards of Conduct and Sportsmanship Rules. Any past Top 10 or current point holder must adhere to these rules.
December 17, 2024
Dear Grooming Community
The Board of Directors received several inquiries as to whether a competitor is able to be judged by a mentor or by a judge that the competitor was receiving instruction from for the World Championships. After reviewing our conflict of interest policy the board has voted to not award points from Groom South which took place December 7, 2024. The decision was made due to the following sections of the policy.
As a result, the board has determined that while the competitor can still compete under this judge in future events, they will not be eligible to earn GroomTeam USA points in such cases due to the nature of their relationship. If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
GroomTeam USA Board of Directors
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