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 and Officers are prohibited from competing in GroomTeam USA, Inc®  Sanctioned Classes or judging in GroomTeam USA, Inc®  Sanctioned classes.

Conflicts of interest are the competitor’s responsibility

1. Competitors

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

  • a. Accepting judging or apprentice judging assignments for any GroomTeam Sanctioned classes. To be eligible to earn GT US points, there will be a waiting period of one year from the last class judged or the next team cycle, whichever is greater.

  • b. Entry provided by your judge(s).

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

  • d. Familial and/or personal relationship with any judge(s) assigned during the sanctioned class(es).

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

  • f. Private or semi-private instruction (less than six attendees) within four months of competition.

  • g. Instructor/Student/Apprentice within the last six months.

  • h. Vested business relationship, 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

2. Show Organizers

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

  • a. May not influence or advise contest placements.

  • b. 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

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.

  • a. Show Management should prohibit judges from:

    • Judging their students, relatives, or employees/employers.
    • Judging contestants with whom they have a vested business relationship in the last six (6) months.
    • Providing contest dogs to contestants in a class that they are judging.
    • Personally, assisting a competitor with any dog entry preparation for 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. Any issues that may arise in conflict with GroomTeam USA policies should be brought to the GT grievance liaison and show promoter before the close of the show.

Rev. 4/25