The PetEdge Q & A Session: Julie Wilkins Pantages at SuperZoo
10/10/2011
Recently we had the pleasure of sitting down with Julie Wilkins Pantages to talk about her recent win at the SuperZoo tradeshow in Las Vegas. Julie placed second in the Standard Poodle division.
Julie dished with us about…
- Why it’s easier to groom on the go if you’re only working with one breed
- Why the time limits of a grooming contest pose an extra challenge
- What she’d recommend to groomers who are competing for the first time
SuperZoo is a national pet retail and grooming trade show that occurs yearly in Las Vegas, NV.
Each year, this vast show hosts a number of grooming competitions, including a Super Jackpot competition for all breeds and individual breed divisions. For more information, visit www.SuperZoo.org
Julie Wilkins Pantages (in pink) at SuperZoo with her winning white Standard Poodle
PetEdge: How many times have you competed at SuperZoo?
Julie Pantages: Last year was my first time at SuperZoo. I competed in the Super Jackpot and the Standard Poodle Division. I did the same this year. The reason I went initially is because I had a friend who wanted me to show her dog.
PetEdge: How does it differ from other grooming competitions?
JP: It’s just so huge and there are vendors and retailers everywhere, so it’s a bit chaotic. I love that they hand out free pictures of the dogs so I can give a copy to the dog’s owner. It’s also great that some of the competitions give you a huge monetary award (up to $10,000) if you win.
PetEdge: Did you compete with your own dogs?
JP: No, I borrowed dogs from a friend of mine who is a breeder in Arizona. It’s really expensive and time consuming to bring your own dogs because you can’t fly them into Las Vegas this time of year; it’s just too hot. You have to fly them into San Diego and then drive to Las Vegas.
PetEdge: What cut did you show your poodle in?
JP: The poodle I won with, I did a Standard Poodle puppy cut.
PetEdge: How long does it take at the show itself to create this cut?
JP: Roughly two and a half hours. That’s what makes it so complicated to groom in the Super Jackpot competition because there are tons of different breeds and some take longer to groom than others. Standard Poodles typically take about two and a half hours to groom, but this particular competition only gives you two hours. It’s definitely a challenge.
PetEdge: How long does it take you to prepare for this kind of show?
JP: I’ve competed in so many competitions that it doesn’t take me too long to prepare anymore. Especially when I’m showing someone else’s dog.
PetEdge: What equipment/supplies did you bring with you?
JP: I was flying, so I just brought my mini kit, which includes: 2 pairs of Arco clippers, 2 blades, all of my favorite shears (Kenchii and Geib Gators), sample-size sprays, brushes, combs, hairspray and clipper and blade oil.
I get off a bit easier than some groomers who compete because I only compete with Standard Poodles. Obviously, if you were competing with different breeds you’d need different supplies.
PetEdge: What is your favorite tool/supply to use during this type of competition? Why?
JP: My Kenchii shears. They get the job done.
PetEdge: Do you have any advice to give to those who plan on competing for the first time next year?
JP: Get there early and be sure to attend the Contestants’ Meeting the night before the event. Meet the judges, know the rules, and get the lay of the land because when you get there at 5AM the morning of the show, you’re going to want to just get grooming.
World champion groomer Julie Wilkins Pantages is a member of GroomTeam USA (2003, 2005-2009), the Cardinal Crystal Awards 2008 American Groomer of the Year, the Intergroom 2006 International Groomer of the Year, and a Groom Expo Groom Olympics World Champion in 2004, 2005 and 2009. She’s also been featured on the cover of two PetEdge Groomer Stylist catalogs. She recently placed 2nd in the SuperZoo Grooming Competition for Standard Poodles. Julie owns Best in Show grooming salon in Gloucester, MA.
