Well, I (Erin) went to Intergroom this past weekend to compete in 3 competitions as well as do some shopping and attend some seminars.  I left on Thursday to drive to Somerset, NJ with my Standard Poodle, ZZ, my American Cocker Spaniel, Rip, and a customer's baby, Jake, an Irish Terrier. 

My first competition was Friday morning with Jake in the Handstripped Terrier class.  We did not place because we are still learning Jake's growth cycle and he did not have enough hair to make a significant difference.  It was a good experience though since this is only Jake's second competition and the practice in the ring was helpful. 

Friday afternoon I competed with a Puli, Lucky, supplied by a friend who lives in NJ.  I put Lucky in a Portuguese Water Dog trim.  Our judge, Mario DiFante, is a PWD afficionado, so I was excited to see how we would do.  This was Lucky's first competition and he behaved quite well for me on the table.  In the end, we won first place and the gold medal for the Mixed and Miscellaneous class. 

Saturday afternoon I competed with ZZ.  Poodles tend to be my strongest breed in the ring, and I was quite hopeful, especially since I placed first last year at this competition with ZZ.  Again, the judges chose me as the gold medal winner out of a whopping 31 entries!  I was ecstatic. 

I am now moved up into the highest division they have, the A division.  It is in this division that I can began to earn points for every win I achieve, and at the end of 2 yrs, the top ten stylists with the most points become members of Groom Team USA.  Members of this team have the privilege of representing the USA overseas in international grooming competitions.  This year it will be held in Munchen, Germany. 

I also attended a Cocker Spaniel grooming demonstration in which my boy, Rip, was used as the demo dog.  It was very informative and he was a very good boy.  I love competing and can't wait to get back into the ring sometime soon.  I've included some before and afters of the dogs I competed with this weekend, but check our competition gallery soon for more pictures.