There's quite a bit of difference in handling a 1000 pound agitated bull and a one pound poodle, but Marconi Nascimento, owner and pet groom of Best ‘n Show, has made the transition smoothly.

Marconi was born and raised in Brazil and while in college he was urged by his buddies to take up bull riding with the prospect of making some serious money. In 1985 he began his bull riding career and on the rare occasion a bull got the better of him, he would do pet grooming and/or show dogs. An unlikely combination – but he was successful at both.

When asked the name of the most terrifying bull he ever rode, he answered that is was PBR's bull of the year, "Promise Land." He said, "He (Promise Land) was so big that in the chute I could hardly get my legs far enough apart to go around him without looking like I was doing some step in ballet. Once they let him out (of the chute), I was so afraid of falling off that I didn't! I knew as big as he was, he would crush me if I didn't hold on."

Receiving many awards during his six years as an IPRA professional bull rider, Marconi came to the United States in 1996 and switched venues. Grooming, handling and showing dogs, primarily poodles, has brought him recognition for excellence and an array of additional awards – just ask "Sandy." "Sandy" is Marconi's 10 year old Champion Toy Poodle who has been the recipient of several of those distinguished awards.

After eighteen years of grooming "for others