>> The Competitors Award
>> Collective Artists (Master Klasse)
>> The Avian Challenge
>> Master of Masters
>> Taxidermists Choice
>> Best of Show

Competitors in the 'Masters' and 'Professional' classes must submit at least 4 exhibits in order to qualify to participate in this special competition for which €14.000,-- of prize money have been reserved. The exhibits can be entered for any category they qualify for. If a participant has entered 4 exhibits each in both Classes (Masters and Professionals), he/she is required to decide, when registering, in which class he/she would like to compete for the Competitors Award. Otherwise, he/she shall be excluded from the aforementioned discipline.

This special award is given to the five highest scoring groups of four entries in both classes. The winner shall have the highest points total from the best 4 exhibits from the normal evaluation. Each group of four entries of the 5 highest scoring competitors are then put together and labelled A, B, C, D and E. All the jurors of the world competition hold a secret ballot to determine the winner. The exhibits are judged on the criteria of artistic merit, anatomical accuracy, originality and difficulty.

The result will be announced at the gala evening. If two competitors are allocated the same number of points the prize money shall be shared equally.

There are no sub-categories in this category, all exhibits will be competing against each other. The competing exhibit must have been made by at least 2 taxidermists. This discipline is an excellent opportunity for companies or teams to have their work scrutinised. Every team participating in this discipline can submit as many exhibits as it wishes. Any desired combination of animals can be entered for this prize.

The 3 best placed exhibits win medals as planned for the 'Masters' class. The winners (gold medal) have the right to be titled 'world champions' and are awarded the € 1000 Lange Award from Karl Lange Glass Eyes.

The subject for the 2008 Avian Challenge is a male ringneck pheasant. This is a special prize which does not have a 'world champion' title. Using a photograph provided by the organisers, the competitor is required to portray a bird (pheasant), in exactly the same movement and pose as in the picture. Only the exhibit itself, and not the base (etc.), will be judged. However, the base must have a minimum diameter of 20cm and be suitable for standing on a table. Judging is carried out by three jury members with expertise in the field of birds and under the scrutiny of the public. The aim of the competition is to help the participants to improve their taxidermy skills by exposing them to the direct criticism and analysis of the jury.
The best three will receive a special medal and a certificate.

Bild downloaden	Copyright: © Roland Mayr

Who is permitted to participate: Entry into this competition is limited to former world champions, members of the jury and past winners of a 1st place in the 'masters' class.
Forms, shapes, profiles & moulds: All structural shapes must be fabricated by the taxidermist him/herself. Standard conventional purchasable shapes may not be used unless they were originally created by the participant in question. Judging: This special discipline is decided by a secret vote carried out amongst all the participants in the 'Masters' class. The exhibit receiving the most votes wins this prize. The winner will be announced during the gala evening. Categories: Participants are permitted to submit and desired species or combination of species. Individual work: All work must have been carried out by the taxidermist in question. This shall be confirmed with his/her signature.
Freeze drying: Freeze drying and dry frozen body parts are not allowed in the Master of Masters competition. All body parts of all species, including the head, must be skinned and mounted in a conventional manner.
Prizes: The first three places earn the competitors a special medal and a certificate.
Multiple participation: A competitor entering more than one exhibit can only win one prize.

This competition allows participating taxidermists to choose and vote for their personal favourite exhibit from all competition entries. On registering, participants are each given one ballot paper on which they write down the number of their favourite exhibit and submit their vote. All votes must be submitted by 3pm on the 22.02.2008. The winner is awarded a certificate and a special medal to be awarded at the gala evening. The organisers, Reed Messe Salzburg GmbH, have donated €500 for the winner.

The Best of Show Award is awarded amongst all the Best of World winners in the 'Masters' class. A secret vote amongst all the jurors shall decide the winner.
The winner is awarded a special medal and a certificate. Furthermore, the Austrian Taxidermists' ' Berufsgruppe' is also donating € 1000 towards this prize.
These sponsors will also be donating the following special prizes:

* Franz Schwarz Award € 1500 Master 'Full-body large huntable mammals' Master 'Head & shoulders huntable mammals
* Lange Award € 1000 Master 'Collective Artists'
* Wonder Case € 1000 Master 'Huntable birds'
* Eurocase-Gratzer € 700 Master 'Non-huntable birds'
* Bouten Award € 500 Novice
The organisers, Reed Messe Salzburg GmbH:
* Taxidermists Choice € 500
The Austrian Bundesberufsgruppe of Taxiodermists
* Best of Show € 1000
The German Taxidermists' Association (VDP)
* VDP Award € 500 Novice
The European Taxidermy Federation
* ETF Trophy