Caroline Zambrano, June 2012
Dog owners are urged to support their local groomer in Australia’s highest quality grooming competition of the year to be held in August in Sydney.
Purina groomQuest 2012 is a grooming competition for groomers and dog show exhibitors from novice to advanced skill level where a record amount of cash and prizes (for an Australian grooming competition) is up for grabs. Not to mention an opportunity to hone skills with renowned grooming experts from around the world.
“The cash and prizes totals in excess of $30,000, making the Purina groomQuest 2012 contest by far the richest grooming contest to be held in Australia,” says Les Speerin, organiser of the event. “We also have international judges representing six countries – never before has there been so many judges from around the world at an Australian grooming competition.”
Judges will be Christine Speerin (Australia), Teri Di Marino (USA), Sasha Riess (Serbia), Naohisa Tsujihara (Japan), Sheila Morris (New Zealand) and Sathit Suratphiphit (Thailand).
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| Sydney dog groomer Natasha Anstiss at Northside Pet Design will compete for a chance to win top prize at the Purina groomQuest 2012 dog grooming competition this year. |
First-ever contests in Australia
Sponsored by Nestlé Purina Petcare, the prestigious event will also feature two contests never before held in Australia as well as the qualifying contest for the next Australian Groom Team.
Australian and New Zealand Groom Teams will compete for the second Trans Tasman Cup held for the first time in Australia. Australia’s first Les Poochs Poodle Challenge will also be held with $20,000 cash and prizes funded by Les Poochs, an international company providing top end range of dog products.
The weekend event will see the Groom Team Australia selection chosen from the top five groomers based on a point score system from five different classes. Successful entrants will represent Australia at the 2013 World Groom Team Competitions in Barcelona.
“We are aiming for Purina groomQuest to become the international grooming contest that overseas competitors will come to Australia to compete in,” says Mr Speerin, adding that it is the only grooming competition in Australia run under International Judges Association (IJA) rules.
Purina groomQuest will also include an array of other events, such as Masters Certification, breed specific seminars and demonstrations, and contestant meetings and workshops.
“Groomers will learn from the world’s most experienced groomers, such as Teri Di Marino and Sasha Riess, who has a huge reputation worldwide for his prowess and knowledge in most breeds and is hosting the Australian leg of his ‘Passionate Poodle Seminar’ world tour at the Purina groomQuest,” he says.
Grooming competitions, like Purina groomQuest, also create great opportunities for local groomers and help to promote and grow the Australian and international grooming industry.
“It’s a great opportunity for people to be exposed to the exciting world of grooming,” says Nicole Battistessa, Head of Grocery – Sales and Marketing of Nestlé Purina Petcare. “We encourage pet owners and the public to come out to the event and support their local groomer.”
Dates: 16 – 19 August 2012
Where: Harvey Lowe Pavilion, Castle Hill Showground, Showground Road in Castle Hill, NSW.
Contact: Les Speerin - The Grooming School
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