ABOUT
Costin Stoica, Cheryl Howard, and Shelley Hill are passionate event organisers dedicated to creating experiences, not just events. With a strong focus on quality, detail, and seamless execution, they work together to ensure every occasion is memorable, enjoyable, and stress-free. Their goal is to deliver events filled with fun, support, and genuine connection, where every guest feels valued and every moment feels special. From planning to delivery, they believe in creating high-quality experiences that leave a lasting impression.
JUDGES
š¾š Meet Our Amazing Groomphoria Judges for 2026! šš¾
We’re thrilled to introduce the incredible panel of judges who will be bringing their expertise, passion, and sharp eyes to this year’s Groomphoria competition! āļø āØ
Barbara Prueckel
Owner/Producer at Mastergroom Canada & Doggie Style Inc.
International Grooming Educator, Judge & Coach.
With a passion for the art of grooming, Barbara has dedicated herself to advancing the grooming industry on a global scale. Since beginning her competitive journey in 1996, she has earned multiple Best in Show and Best All-Around Groomer awards across three continents. Her expertise is widely recognized, having transitioned from competition to judging in 2003 with the European Grooming Association.
As an international educator and coach, Barbara has had the privilege of speaking and judging at prestigious grooming events in over 15 countries, including Canada, Brazil, Taiwan, the USA, Japan, India, France, England, Spain, Australia, Colombia, Italy, Belgium, and Germany. She is passionate about sharing her knowledge with groomers worldwide and learning from their experiences as well.
Together with her fiancé Mark, Barbara is the driving force behind Mastergroom Canada, the largest grooming convention in Canada. This year once again, they are raising the bar even higher by collaborating with Groomania to host what promises to be the most prestigious grooming conference in Canada’s history.
Kitty Dekeersgieter
Kitty Dekeersgieter is a world-renowned professional dog groomer whose career is defined by excellence and innovation. Beginning as a skilled dog handler, she prepared and presented numerous champion dogs at prestigious international conformation shows. Her expertise has been recognised with multiple awards, including World Champion Poodle Groomer and the Cardinal Crystal Achievement Award for International Groomer of the Year.
Beyond competition, Kitty is an international grooming contest judge, President-Elect of the European Grooming Association, and a highly respected speaker and demonstrator. Through seminars worldwide and her educational YouTube channel, she shares her extensive knowledge and actively contributes to the growth and professionalisation of the grooming industry.
Together with her husband, Darren Cooke, Kitty co-founded Transgroom, a leading global supplier of professional grooming products. As lead product designer, she has driven innovation across 13 brands and more than 2,500 products, leaving a lasting impact on the industry.
She is also the founder and co-organiser of Groomania, a world-class annual grooming event in Belgium that brings professionals together to learn, connect and share their passion.
With exceptional expertise, visionary product development and a genuine love for dogs, Kitty continues to elevate the grooming profession while creating a safe, respectful and nurturing environment for pets worldwide.
With unmatched expertise, innovative product designs, and a genuine love for dogs, Kitty continues to elevate the grooming industry, inspiring professionals and creating a nurturing environment for pets.
Laetitia Renoud Grappin
Laetitia Renoud Grappin — A Champion, a Mentor, and an Inspiration Laetitia Renoud Grappin discovered the world of grooming at the age of 15 during her studies in dog breeding. While working in a breeding kennel of long-coated dogs, grooming became an essential part of daily care—and a lifelong passion was born. Over the past 15 years,
Laetitia has not only grown as a professional but has also become one of the most respected figures in the international grooming scene. She has earned numerous medals and trophies across France and abroad, and she is especially proud of winning the gold medal with the French team at the World Team Championship in Groomania 2011—an unforgettable moment shared with her teammates on the top step of the podium.
Another remarkable milestone was her performance at Milangroom, where she claimed first place in the Handstripping class (among 32 entries) and went on to win Best in Show. She also took the top spot in the Poodle class at the same event, showcasing her versatility across multiple techniques and breed standards. Her journey has been enriched by the many professionals she has met along the way—renowned groomers, dog enthusiasts, and above all, her supportive family and friends who have stood by her through every challenge and triumph. Today, Laetitia is proud to contribute as an EGA judge, sharing her experience and passion with the next generation of groomers.
Her advice to young professionals? “Our work is demanding, but never lose your creativity, curiosity, and above all—your love for dogs.” Laetitia is honoured to be part of the EGA jury and excited to celebrate grooming excellence with fellow competitors, past and present.
BEATRIX MEGYESI
Director and Head Instructor of the BM International Grooming Academy
Creative dog groomer and international professional speaker with 20 years of experience in the grooming industry.
For over 9 years, she has been conducting Master Class international seminars, workshops, as well as private trainings for Hungarian and international students.
International dog grooming competition judge in the
Model Dog and Asian / Free Style categories.
Main Areas of Expertise:
Asian / Korean Style Grooming
Pomeranian show grooming
Poodle show grooming
Creative coloring grooming
Model Dog techniques and competition preparation
Competition Achievements:
š 2016 – Bangkok, Thailand
Creative Grooming – 3rd Place
š 2017 – Amsterdam, Netherlands
Asian Style Category – 1st Place
In 2020, she published her own professional educational book titled Asian Fashion Style, which focuses on modern Asian grooming techniques and creative design.
GEORGIA ASHTON FULLER
Georgia Ashton Fuller has come from a family of dog showing and dog grooming, with her father of Farnfield Gundogs and her mother of Louisianna Bichons, meaning her love of dogs really is in her blood. She has been grooming 15 years and owns a salon in Llanelli, South Wales, specialising in Poodles, Bichon and anything in between. She stepped into competition grooming in 2015, achieving multiple Best in Shows and placings in the UK and internationally. Trained in Asian grooming in Thailand, she has since won Asian Groomer of the Year twice and was a finalist on BBC Pooch Perfect.
Hiya I’m Georgia Ashton Fuller, I’ve come from a family of dog showing a dog grooming. My father of Farnfield gundogs and my mother of Louisianna bichons, my love of dogs really is in my blood. I’ve been grooming 15years can own a salon in Llanelli South wales were we specialise in poodles, bichon and anything inbetween.
I stepped into the competition grooming world in 2015 and have achieved multiple best in shows, reserve best in shows and multiple placings in the uk and international.
I did an intense Asian grooming training out in Thailand and have since been known for my Asian styles, I’ve also won Asian groomer of the year twice. Along with the up and coming speaker and voice of the year.
I’ve been judging and demoing around the world and my grooming career has really taken me wide and far including onto the tv where I was a finalist of bbc pooch perfect
KELLY DAVIS
I’ve been in the grooming industry for 24 years, starting back in 2002, and I’m a fully qualified City & Guilds Level 3 and Level 4 Master Groomer, cat groomer, teacher, examiner, and assessor.
I’m the proud owner of two businesses, KD Grooming Studio Ltd, a multi award-winning pet grooming studio, including being named Grooming Business of the Year twice, and KD Training Academy Ltd, an accredited training centre offering Level 2 and Level 3 City & Guilds dog grooming qualifications and Level 2 dog walking.
Alongside dog grooming education, I have also written and developed my own cat grooming qualification, the Professional Diploma in Cat Grooming and Welfare.
Grooming has always been more than a career for me — it’s a passion. I have a particular love for Bedlington Terriers, a breed that demands technical skill, deep coat knowledge, and attention to detail. Their unique coat structure and classic styling reflect everything I value in great grooming: precision, craftsmanship, and tradition.
I also have a lifelong commitment to animal rescue and have run my own rescue centre, Little Gems Rescue.
Alongside running my businesses, I wear many hats within the industry, including educator, judge, and speaker, and I was honoured to win the BBC TV show Pooch Perfect.
I’ve also developed my own professional clothing brand and range of grooming products, Grooming Products by Kelly Davis, created to support groomers with practical, high-quality workwear and tools.
In addition, I host Supergroom, an annual dog grooming competition and the only one of its kind in the South West of England. Supergroom gives groomers from the South West and surrounding areas the opportunity to compete in a supportive, fun, and educational environment, while also encouraging the general public to take a greater interest in the grooming industry.
KIRSTY HUNT
I have shown and handled dogs since the mid 1990s as a very young child, my mother bred and showed Miniature Poodles and was a dog groomer with her own grooming salon, so my future was a little inevitable.
I opened my own grooming salon in 2008 and I now have grooming school and salon as well as large retail.
In conformation shows I am a Level 4 judge for Poodles, awarding CCs in all 3 sizes numerous times. I have made up numerous Champions in Poodles in all 3 sizes and handled and made up Champions in many other breeds as a professional handler including Tibetan Terriers, Bernese Mountain Dogs, Hungarian Puli and Lhasa Apso.
In grooming, I am a qualified EGA Judge for Poodles at Grooming Competition but also judge other catagories regularly.
My main awards include multiple Best In Shows, Best All Round Groomer and World Champion as part of Groom Team England in 2022.
I am a long standing member of the Artero UK Styling Team as well as a Sales Rep in UK.
I am a breed specialist in Poodles in both showing and grooming. Being both a judge, breeder, owner and handler of my own dogs at dog shows as well as a judge, teacher and educator and grooming salon and school owner of almost 20 yrs.
