Carrie DeYoung Director of Agility June, 2011 Dear AKC Trial Secretaries, Agility Trial Move-Up form: The Agility Trial Move-Up form has been revised and is available on the AKC website at the following link: http://www.akc.org/pdfs/move_up.pdf The instructions in the form s header have been modified pointing the exhibitor to each club s premium list for specifics on that event s move-up policy. Handlers May Refuse to Accept a Qualifying Score: If a handler approaches the score table wishing to refuse a qualifying score because he/she knows their dog performed a Non-Qualifying fault on-course that was simply not seen or recorded, please be aware that it is ok to change their score to an NQ via recording an E (Excusal) on the scribe sheet and noting the reason that was given to you by the handler. Please notify the judge of-record as they must be the one to make this scoring change to the scribe sheet. Scribe Sheets, Marked Catalogs, Certification Pages, et. al.: John Brading, Manager of Event Operations, asked us to remind our judges about a couple of items when checking the scored results. We are copying you on that information as it ultimately affects your coordination with the judge in getting the marked catalog finalized. Judges: Please realize that you are responsible for what appears in the marked catalog results; not the Trial Secretary. Scores, times, course and time fault calculations, placements, Qs, NQs, SCTs, yardages, etc. are your responsibly to verify. Please verify the correct SCT and yardage for all classes and all jump heights have been input into in the marked catalog results. Although it is customarily allowed to make corrections by pen and initial, if a SCT needs to be corrected, ask that the catalog page(s) for the entire class/jump height(s) affected be regenerated, as Qs may be affected by the correction. It is perfectly acceptable for you to make a correction by pen, however please be sure you initial the change(s) and that the incorrect paperwork is not retained by the scoring table, as often times your corrected copy is not the version sent into AKC for processing. Simply drawing an X across the incorrect page will make it stand out. If a tie for placements existed, along with double-checking that the winner of the tie received the higher placement, please also make sure to note in the marked catalog results how the tie was resolved (i.e. run-off, flip of a coin, etc.) Please be sure to initial every page of the marked catalog results of which you were responsible for checking and also that you do NOT initial any page containing results for dogs of which you did not judge. If mixed results are on a page you are being asked to check/initial, please X out clearly those results which do not belong to you. Australian Shepherds approved to convert to Miniature American Shepherds: Please be aware the AKC Board of Directors made the following approval at the May 2011 meeting: United States Australian Shepherd Association The Board reviewed the results of ballots by the United States Australian Shepherd Association (USASA) and the Miniature American Shepherd Club of the United States of America (MASCUSA). The ballots asked the membership for approval to open the AKC Stud Book to allow individuals to voluntarily remove dogs from the USASA Stud Book registered from the NSD pedigrees or are the descendants to create a new breed to be named the Miniature American Shepherd. 9623 Wystone Avenue Northridge, CA 91324 Phone: 818-886-8212 cxd2@akc.org
Both ballots were overwhelmingly in favor of this proposal. There was a motion by Mr. Arnold, seconded by Ms. Scully, and it was VOTED (unanimously) to consider the matter at this meeting, waiving the usual prior requirement. There was a motion by Dr. Battaglia, seconded by Dr. Smith, and it was VOTED (unanimously) to open the Stud Book for the Miniature American Shepherd for inclusion in the Foundation Stock Service with the Herding Group designation. The decision to change a registered Australian Shepherd to Miniature American Shepherd will rest with each individual owner. Additionally, the AKC Board approved the Miniature American Shepherd of the United States of America, (MASCUSA) as the Parent Club to represent the breed. The Miniature American Shepherd (MAS) became recognized as an AKC FSS breed effective 5/9/11. Any dog that is currently a PAL/ILP or registered Australian Shepherd may be converted at the owner s request to a MAS. There is a form to complete and they may contact the Parent Club (Miniature American Shepherd Club of the United States of America (MASCUSA) or email FSS@akc.org to make a request and they will send them a form. The dogs that are converted will keep their same AKC# and all awards records, however a new breed will be listed on their future entry forms this is ok! FAST Subtraction Method Scribe Sheets: Effective September 1, 2011 please discontinue using the Addition method of the FAST scribe sheets. Please print exclusively the Subtraction Method version of the FAST scribe sheet for all trials from 9/1/2011 forward. If needed, an example of the FAST Subtraction Method scribe sheet may be found online, on page 9 of the form on the left side, at: http://www.akc.org/pdfs/jeagl7.pdf PACH Titles In Event Catalogs: On July 1, 2011, the Preferred Agility Champion title becomes effective. The PACH title will be grandfathered on all dog s records if they have met the requirements. AKC will backdate the title to appear on any dog s records back to the beginning of the Preferred agility program, which began on 09/01/02. Any dogs that earn the PACH title prior to the effective date of 07/01/11 will receive the title on their dog s record only. If the owners wish to receive a printed title certificate, they will need to contact the AKC Customer Service department at (919) 233-9767 to request one by paying a fee of $10.00. Any dog that earns the title on 07/01/11 or after will receive the title certificate automatically by mail as they do for all titles earned. The PACH title may be added to a dog s name and appear in event catalogs for all trials held on or after July 1, 2011. Time 2 Beat Marked Catalog & Posted Scores report: The following bullet items were sent out to the Trial Secretary software vendors. If you use a customized software package, please be sure your marked catalog and posted scores report have these changes incorporated for when T2B becomes a titling class on July 1 st : In the marked catalog headers by class/jump height, record the fastest, clean dog's time as Standard Course Time (or SCT ). No yardage should be listed in the header. The catalog pages should be organized T2B (regular) by JH (small to tall), then T2BP (preferred) by JH. There should ONLY be one 1st place listed - for the dog that earned the 10 points, including the results of any run-off. There are no 2nd, 3rd, or 4th placements with T2B. o Alternatively, clubs always have the option of offering special awards so long as they are listed in the Premium List. For example, clubs may wish to offer prizes based on the number of T2B points an exhibitor has earned, for the Top 10%, etc. The marked catalog results should include: o Placement (only if 1st) o Q, N/Q, Withdrawn (bitch in season or judge change), Excused, Disqualified o If a Q, Dog's Run time (to the 1/100 th ) The marked catalog results should not include: o Score o T2B Points If your marked catalog results contain a footer of placement armband #s (this is not required by the Regulations for Agility Trials), just list the 1 st place dog s arm #. We highly recommend the Posted Scores report include a column listing T2B points for all qualifying runs, in the same manner that MACH points are typically listed but not included in the marked catalog results. o Some vendors also plan to list a table, showing by class (T2B, T2BP) then jump height, the Time Range for each Point Value awarded, thus the exhibitors can see where the cut-offs were for their class/jump height.
We recommend that you insert paper reminders into your stack of T2B scribe sheets as a reminder of when SCT changes, hence when the electronic console needs to be modified so that the horn will sound for each jump height s MCT (4-12, 16:, 20-26 ). One T2B Course Per Day Unless Approved: Ideally a club should only offer one T2B-designed course per day. If the club feels there is a special need for having multiple T2B courses designed for a single trial date, they must first obtain permission from Carrie DeYoung before asking a judge to design the additional course. Ways to Split the T2B Class Between Multiple Judges Within a Trial Day: Being the traditional method of splitting a class between divisions (i.e. A/B) is not available for T2B, please be aware that you may split the class by jump height and also split when the class is running during the day. Keeping Track of The Time To Beat: Please discuss options with your club for keeping exhibitors informed about what is the time to beat for their class (i.e. T2B, T2BP) and jump height. One idea seen during last year s demos was a white board posted at the ring gate. Setting MCT for Time 2 Beat: If your e-timer is version 2.6 or above, set your timer s SCT to be 20 seconds less than Max Course Time for the jump height that is running, hence the horn will sound and time will stop if a dog s run reaches MCT. (Example: Program the timer for 40 seconds for the 4-12 jump heights.) If your e-timer is below version 2.6 (which also means MCT is being calculated using SCT times 1.5), set your timer s SCT to 40 seconds for the 4-12 jump heights, 37 seconds for the 16 jump height, and 34 seconds for the 20-26. Please also advice the club to have their e-timer s programming updated. (FarmTek, c/o Mike Douglas, 800-755-6529 972-429-0947, mike@farmtek.net) AKC New Judge s Seminar Graduates: Please join us in congratulating this year s new group of provisional judges from AKC 2011 s Agility Judges seminar: Name State Ronda Bermke WI Catherine Clifton TX Dale Mahoney ID Sandra Moody DE M. Lynn Morgan KS Carolynne Rose OH Katherine Rudolph WI Suzi Schmitz OH Susan Stephon PA Susan Thompson PA Thank You for your hard work and dedication toward our sport. It is very much appreciated! Sincerely, Carrie DeYoung, Director of Agility And the Field Reps Gail Storm, Doug Hurley, Diane Craig, Barb Budnar, Mark Sjogren, Richard Mackintosh, and Steve Herwig http://www.akc.org/events/agility/trial_secretary_newsletter.cfm PDF-formatted copies of all past Agility Trial Secretary Newsletter issues may be downloaded from the above AKC web site. There is also a link for signing up to receive the TS Newsletters.
AKC Agility Judge s Guidelines CHAPTER 7 TIME 2 BEAT Purpose: This optional agility titling class is meant to challenge the handler/dog to set a clean, efficient line with an emphasis on speed and accuracy. Section 1. General Course Design Requirements All courses must meet the usual safety standards set forth in the Regulations for Agility Trials and elsewhere in these Guidelines. In addition, the following factors must be taken into consideration when designing courses for the Time 2 Beat class: A minimum of 17 and a maximum of 19 obstacles shall be used One set of twelve Weave Poles are required If either the A-Frame or Teeter is used, then either one of the contacts or the Weave Poles must be taken twice. If both the A-Frame and Teeter are used, then each contact must only be taken once. A minimum of five (5) and a maximum of nine (9) options, and at least 3 side switches are required A maximum of three (3) 180-degree turns may be used; one (1) 270-degree turn is allowed All spacing and approach/entry requirements shall be the same as in all other classes Wrong course options shall be used in flow but not set up as a discrimination (i.e. Tunnel under the A-Frame); no adjacent entrances A maximum of one (1) Double Bar Jump or one (1) Triple Bar Jump must be on the course. The Double Bar Jump or Triple Bar Jump may be taken a maximum of two (2) times. Obstacles not allowed in T2B are: Pause Table, Closed Tunnel, Dog Walk, and Broad Jump One-bar jumps are allowed The Open Tunnel may be taken only two (2) times in the course flow; one tunnel may be taken two (2) times, or two tunnels may be taken one (1) time each Section 2. General Requirements The fastest dog in each jump height division (regular or preferred) will set the winning time. The fastest time will be determined, before truncation, to the hundredth place and will be considered to be the SCT for that jump height division. The course will not be wheeled for the purpose of determining the SCT. The course must be completed before the MCT for that height division is reached or the dog will received an NQ; the horn/whistle will blow when MCT has been reached. If the horn/whistle sounds, the dog and handler must immediately leave the ring. The following table shows the MCT for each jump height division: Jump Height MCT Class 4 60 seconds 8 60 seconds 12 60 seconds 16 55 seconds 20 50 seconds 24 50 seconds 26 50 seconds Preferred dogs running in a jump height lower than their Regular height will use the MCT of the height in which they are running. i.e. A Regular 20 dog running Preferred in the 16 height class, will get an MCT of 55 seconds. The Regular and Preferred classes will be scored as separate classes.
Regular height class dogs will set the time for Regular height class dogs: Regular 16 sets the time for Regular 16 dogs Preferred height class dogs will set the time for Preferred height class dogs: Preferred 16 sets the time for Preferred 16 dogs Load balancing should be done by jump height division and can also be separated into Regular and Preferred if needed. Section 3. Exhibitor Briefings The following items should be included in exhibitor briefings for the Time 2 Beat class: A qualifying run requires that the course be completed under the MCT for that jump height, with no course faults No Refusals or Run-outs will be called; however, the 4-paw rule will be in effect for the A-Frame and/or Seesaw Three attempts at the Weave Poles will be allowed before the handler must move on in the course Any course faults will result in a non-qualifying score (NQ). The course will not be wheeled for SCT since the fastest dog in the jump height sets the SCT; MCT for all jump heights If the horn/whistle blows indicating MCT, the handler and dog must immediately leave the ring Section 4. Judging Course Faults Judging position and distance requirements will be the same as in the Standard class. Run-outs/Refusals will not be faulted A Wrong Course is scored as a W on the dog s scribe sheet, resulting in an NQ Three attempts at the Weave Poles are allowed before the handler and dog must move on to the next obstacle resulting in a Failure to Perform. Any/all other course faults will apply as in all other classes. An E and No Time is indicated on the dog s scribe sheet when the horn/whistle sounds. *E-timer notes: To set e-timers that have been updated to the current SCT + 20 sec for MCT (version 2.6); enter 40 for the 4 /8 /12 jump heights (40 + 20 = 60 seconds); enter 35 for the 16 jump height (35 + 20 = 55 seconds); enter 30 for the 20 /24 /26 jump heights (30 + 20 = 50 seconds). To set e-timers that have NOT been updated to version 2.6 or greater, thus are still set to calculate MCT as SCT times 1.5; enter 40 for the 4 /8 /12 jump heights; enter 37 for the 16 jump height; enter 34 for the 20 /24 /26 jump heights. Please advice the club to get their e-timer programming upgraded. Re-run for Time If a timer malfunction is discovered after a dog s run: Determine if the dog had a qualifying score. If the run was qualifying: A video of the run may be used to determine the dog s time if the Start and Finish are clearly visible The judge must determine if he/she believes the dog ran the course under Max Course Time. If so, the judge has the option of awarding MCT minus one (1) second in lieu of the dog re-running for time. If the judge is not positive the dog ran the course under MCT, then the dog must re-run for time All obstacles must be completed during the re-run; dropped bars, missed contacts, or wrong courses will not be faulted Weave Poles must be completed; this negates the three attempt requirement. If the sequence is broken, the dog must restart the Weave Poles at the first pole. If the dog did not have a qualifying score, there will not be a re-run for time.
If a timer malfunction is discovered during a dog s run within the first three obstacles: Any faults incurred will stand and the dog will start over from the beginning If a timer malfunction is discovered during a dog s run after the third obstacle: Allow the dog to finish and determine if the dog had a qualifying score. If the run was qualifying: A video of the run may be used to determine the dog s time if the Start and Finish are clearly visible The judge must determine if he/she believes the dog ran the course under Max Course Time. If so, the judge has the option of awarding MCT minus one (1) second in lieu of the dog re-running for time. If the judge is not positive the dog ran the course under MCT, then the dog must re-run for time All obstacles must be completed during the re-run; dropped bars, missed contacts, or wrong courses will not be faulted Weave Poles must be completed; this negates the three attempt requirement. If the sequence is broken, the dog must restart the Weave Poles at the first pole. If the dog did not have a qualifying score, there will not be a re-run for time. Section 5. Scoring Because any dog in the jump height division has the potential to set the fastest time, the entire jump height must run before the points can be calculated. For calculation purposes, the dog s time will be truncated when calculating points 9 through 1. Once the fastest time in the jump height has been determined (SCT), this number will be used to determine all other qualifiers as shown in the following example: Dog s Time Points earned Fastest non-truncated time SCT 10 All dogs with times up to and including 10% of SCT 9 All dogs with times up to and including 20% of SCT 8 All dogs with times up to and including 30% of SCT 7 All dogs with times up to and including 40% of SCT 6 All dogs with times up to and including 50% of SCT 5 All dogs with times up to and including 60% of SCT 4 All dogs with times up to and including 70% of SCT 3 All dogs with times up to and including 80% of SCT 2 All dogs within 90% or greater but under the MCT 1 Depending upon the SCT set by the fastest dog in the jump height, all points may not be awarded. All qualifying runs receive a minimum of one point. It is recommended that the first place dog in each jump height division that sets the SCT receive a First Place ribbon and a Qualifying ribbon. All others qualifiers should receive a Qualifying ribbon. Section 6. Catalog At the top of the catalog page, the fastest time for that jump height will be listed; no yardage will be listed. Next to each dog s name, the dog s time (to the hundredth place) will be listed (if qualifying); no score shall be listed. The first place dog in each height division will have a 1 listed next to its time; no other placment shall be designated All other dogs with a qualifying run will have a Q or Qualified listed next to their time See sample marked catalog page below.