Best in Show was Mike Gadsby of Afterglow Boarding Kennels, Blackpool, Lancs who groomed Helen Turner’s American Cocker Afterglow Gabrielle Amondi. He is pictured above centre with, from l-r International Judging panel l-r Richard Barker (judge), Shaunna Bernadin (Wahl Canada), John Stanford (Wahl UK), Scott Wasserman (Judge - Wahl USA).

Northern Groomers held their second grooming show over the Easter weekend at The Sands Centre, Carlisle. The Northern Groomers magazine, now into its eleventh edition, has always been recognised as the only dedicated journal for the groomer and last year ventured into presenting their own Grooming Competition..

This year the show had a much more international feel with judges coming from both the United States of America, Canada and England.

The judges

RICHARD BARKER - Richard started grooming in 1988 and has two grooming businesses in Surrey. He has been competing in grooming competitions for the last eight years. In 1995 he won best in show at Eurogroom and in 1998 won a bronze medal at Intergroom. He earned the title Groomer of the Year in 1999 and his most recent win was best at Northern Groomers 2001 competition with a beautiful black Standard Poodle

SHAUNNA BERNADIN - Owner of Wags Inc. Calgary, Alberta, Canada. She is a multiple contest winner. Her many wins include 2000 Intergroom International Groomer of the Year, 2000 Wahl Artistic Innovations, 2000 Cardinal Crystal Achievement Award for best International Groomer, 1999 NEPGP Best Groomed Dog, multiple Intergroom Gold, Silver and Bronze medallist. 1999 Gold Medal World Groom Team Competition at Eurogroom in England. She is also Groomer representative for Wahl Canada.

SCOTT WASSERMAN - Scott has been grooming for 13 years. He is multiple Best in Show and Best All Around Groomer winner, including Intergroom International Groomer of the year 2001. He has been a member of the Groomteam USA in 1998, 1999 and 2001. Scott is a multiple Cardinal Crystal Achievement award nominee, having received the award for Congeniality in 2001. He is also Groomer representative for the Wahl Clipper Corporation.

WAHL UK Ltd were showing their comprehensive range of clippers and new Competition Series detachable blades for the professional groomer. The blades in particular attracted a lot on interest being both competitively priced and of exceptional quality.

The photo above shows Shaunna Bernadin using the Moser ARCO clipper. Shaunna uses the ARCO back home in Canada. “I find the Arco so easy to use being cordless and having five blades in one you can work fast and efficiently. I would recommend it to anyone”

The show was also supported by many specialist trade stands offering the ultimate experience in shopping for Grooming Equipment and Products

This year there were many more competition classes including an excellent team event and supported by more seminars including Hand stripping Terriers and Gundogs. Perfect Poodle, Dematting, Groomer Care, Customer Care, Beautiful Bichons and an interesting seminar for all competitors, “What are the judges looking for”

The organisers intentions were to make every minute worthwhile and fill everyones minds with enthusiasm, discover new ideas, listen to the expets or just socialise with fellow Groomers.

Other activites over the weekend included Tombolas and Auctions and one interesting new innovation included the show being open to the public on the Saturday afternoon for dog owners to bring their own pets to gain experience and advise from the professionals about their dog.

International Judging panel l-r Richard Barker- Barkers UK,
Shauna Bernadin (Wahl Canada), Scott Wasserman (Wahl USA)

RESULTS: Northern Groomers 2002, Grooming Competition

International Judging Panel, Richard Barker - Barkers UK, Shaunna Bernadin - Wahl Canada, Scott Wasserma - Wahl USA
The Team Event - Sponsored by DeZynadog: Winners - Snip it & Clip it. - (Melanie Winters Holmes Peter Ensell Caroline Clancy. 2nd - The Three Mutketeers - Joanne Shillington Johan Lee Denise Tawse
The Beginners Class - Sponsored by Superfine: 1st Dee Francis. 2nd Janice Dixonn 3rd Viv Gudmundottir
Poodle Class - Sponsored by Scotgroom, 1st Alexis Collins. 2nd Phillip Langdon. 3rd Tania Lambert
Creative Styling Class - Sponsored by Christies: 1st Melanie Winters Holmes. 2nd Caroline Clancy. 3rd Bernice Williams
Gundog Class - Sponsored by Scotgroom: 1st Mike Gadsby. 2nd Paula Hull. 3rd Amy English.
Handstrip Class - Sponsored by Dunragit Grooming: 1st Melanie Winters Holmes. 2nd Bernice Williams. 3rd Chris Chadwick.
Scissored Class - Sponsored by Technogroom: 1st Margaret Macleod. 2nd Paula Hull. 3rd Leanne Suggit
Clipped Class - Sponored by DeZynadog: 1st Emma Walton. 2nd Sheila Mackenzie. 3rd Joanne Shillington
Best Junior Groomer Sponored by Smartpets Bangor: Lesley Callander - Aged 14years
Best Debutante Sponsored by Groomers Supplies: Mike Gadsby
Best Open Sponsored by Groomers Supplies: Emma Walton
Best Champion sponsored by Groomers supplies: Philip Langdon
Best in Show Sponsored by WAHL UK LTD
Best in Show: Mike Gadsby
Runner up Best in Show: Margaret Macleod
2nd Runner up Best in Show: Emma Walton.

Special thanks must go to Diana North. Diana is a well known personality in the Grooming Industry . She has given many years of dedication to the industry, giving talks and demonstration all over the country. She cannot be thanked enough for agreeing to step in at such short notice.

One of the judges Shaunna Bernadin (Wahl Canada) is pictured above with the Miniature Schnauzer groomed by Emma Walton to win the Clipped Class sponsored by DeZynaDog, Best Open sponsored by Groomers Supplies. Best Clipped Dog of the Weekend sponsored by Technogroom and Overall third BIS Sponsored by Wahl UK.