Dog groomer Naomi shows she's a cut above the rest

Naomi Short,23, has worked at Horncastle Pet Centre for the last two years and recently got her first win in just her second competiton at the UK Groom Off, held in Stoneleigh, Warwickshire.

She competed in the Novice Clipped Purebred Dog class with a pretty Bichon Frise called Mercy.

Mercy is one of the dogs she works with as part of her job and she had permission from the owner to take him along to take part in the competition.

Naomi said: “This was only my second time competing and it was quite daunting to do as there were so many good dog groomers there on the day.

“It was a complete surprise to win; it was something I wasn’t expecting. But it was amazing to come away with a trophy and rosette, especially as I’ve not been competing for very long.

“I have a really good working relationship with Mercy’s owner, who was happy for me to take him along to compete.”

Naomi studied at Grimsby College and her friends encouraged her to begin competing.

She also took part in another competition just a few weeks later, again in Stoneleigh, and came away with another win.

This time Naomi took part in the Patterned Poodle Competition in the Novice Creative Class.

Naomi added: “I went down to Stoneleigh again to compete in the Patterned Poodle Competition, but this time went over with my boss Kathy O’Connor.

“It was brilliant to win again, I was absolutely over the moon.

“This time I ended up competing with a miniature poodle that the organiser of the competition let me use, which was really great.

“Kathy competed in the Advanced Class and came away with fourth place, so we both did really well on the day.”

Naomi is now hoping (depending upon work) to go forward to compete in the big event of the year, once again at Stoneleigh, but this time it is the British Dog Grooming Championships.

This is set to take place on October 2.