This policy helps to establish the highest standards in the pet styling profession as stated in the GroomTeam USA, Inc®  Code of Conduct and guidelines for point acceptance.

GroomTeam USA, Inc® Board Members, Officers, and Team Coordinator are prohibited from competing in GroomTeam USA, Inc®  Sanctioned Classes or judging Open Division in GroomTeam USA, Inc®  Sanctioned classes.

Conflicts of interest are the competitor’s responsibility.

1.Competitors will not be eligible to earn GroomTeam points under the following conditions:

  • Accepting judging or apprentice judging assignments for any GroomTeam Sanctioned classes. There will be a waiting period of one year from the last class judged or the next team cycle, whichever is greater

  • Entry provided by your judge(s)

  • Entry prepared by any judge(s) throughout the duration of the show

  • Familial relationship with any judge(s) assigned during the timeframe(s) of that sanctioned class(es)

  • Personal Mentoring Relationship with judge(s) assigned during the timeframe(s) of that sanctioned class(es). (Excluding post contest critiques)

    Including:
    • Private or semi-private instruction (less than six attendees) within four months of competition.
    • Instructor/Student/Apprentice within the last six months.

  • Vested business relationship, defined as an involvement having the element of personal gain, within the last twelve months including but not limited to:

    • Employee/Employer/Subcontractor
    • Consulting
    • Professional Handling or Handling Assistant
    • Business Partnership or Venture

2. Show Organizers must adhere to the following conflict of interest policies pertaining to GroomTeam USA, Inc®  sanctioned classes to retain sanctioning status. Show management:

  • May not influence or advise contest placements

  • May not utilize the services of judges who:

    • Are employees/employer (free-lance authors/sub-contractors are exempt).
    • Are directly involved with the planning and production of the contest.
    • Are relatives of show management.
    • Have a business ownership/partnership with show management.
    • Use professional handler services for/with show management.

3. Judge/Competitor conflicts of interest are ultimately the competitor’s responsibility, it is in the best interest of show management to hire judges that have retired from the competition ring.

  • Show Management should prohibit judges from:

    • Judging their students, relatives, or employees/employers.
    • Judging contestants with whom they have a vested business relationship.
    • Providing contest dogs to contestants in a class that they are judging.
    • Personally assisting a competitor with dog preparation during the show duration.

GroomTeam USA, Inc®  has the responsibility to quickly address issues directly related to the awarding of points as referenced in sections 1 and 2 above. To resolve issues, immediately submit a Grievance Form for the perceived infraction found on groomteamusa.org under the Competitor tab. All other concerns should be brought to the attention of the Show Promoter.

Rev. 12/2024