Rotorua dog groomer set to take on world competition

Wendy Drummond of Sparkles Dog Grooming with one of her dog grooms. Photo/Supplied

A Rotorua dog groomer is set to take the world stage as she secures a spot on the prestigious NZ Groomteam.

Sparkles Dog Grooming owner operator Wendy Drummond will take part in the international competition GroomQuest, being held in New South Wales in August, as part of the team.

She will also represent New Zealand as the Gundog specialist, competing in the World Team competition in France in 2020.

"I cried, it was amazing. I was really stoked because there was some tough competition. It was an amazing feeling."

She says she is looking forward to the community feeling of the competitions, as they are a close bunch.

Wendy is also looking forward to seeing the beautiful dogs and making them even prettier.

"The travel is exciting. This will be my first time in France."

She says it is a big process to compete.

First, they have to source suitable dogs and at this level, they are looking for top show dogs, she says.

Wendy says the dogs are then prepped, which is checked on the judge's table, and the preparation has to be perfect.

The type of trim she does is a 'hand strip'.

The competition then starts and the groomers have a certain amount of time to do the best they can.

Wendy says aspects the judges look at include technique, clipper work, and the evenness and length of the groom.

She has also recently become a New Zealand master groomer, and is one of three practicing in the Bay of Plenty, she says.

"That was probably my biggest achievement ever because I've worked so hard for that."

In April she also launched her Pomeranian Seminar NZ tour.