Carrie DeYoung Director of Agility June, 2011 Dear AKC Agility Judges, Time 2 Beat (T2B) will become an official titling class July 1, 2011. Please include the notations below in your exhibitor briefings for July-September if you are judging the T2B class. In addition, we have included the new Chapter 7 of the AKC Agility Judge s Guidelines pertaining to Time 2 Beat, along with a sample marked catalog page and an updated course design checklist. An insert for Chapter 7 T2B for your existing AKC Agility Judge s Guidelines will be mailed out to each judge. 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 De Young before asking you to design the additional course. 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 the Time 2 Beat Class: 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 MCT is reached and the horn sounds, also blow your whistle and instruct the exhibitor to exit the ring. 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) Exhibitor Briefing Notations: Maximum Course Times (MCT) by Jump Height: o 4-12 is 60 seconds o 16 is 55 seconds o 20-26 is 50 seconds (no extra time for preferred jump heights). Run times less than MCT receive a qualifying run. The fastest qualifying run in a class/jump height sets the Standard Course Time (SCT) and earns 10 points. All qualifying runs earn a minimum of one (1) point, how many points earned is based on a varying percentage of the SCT set by the fastest dog. It takes 100 points and 15 Qs to earn the T2B / T2BP title. In addition, please refer to JG: Ch 7, Sec 3 Exhibitor Briefings (see below) for additional items to be mentioned during your T2B briefing. 9623 Wystone Avenue Northridge, CA 91324 Phone: 818-886-8212 cxd2@akc.org
Using Weave Poles Twice in T2B Courses: During the first 6 months (July 1 through December 31, 2011) please have the dogs take the Weave Poles on your T2B courses only one time. Since a lot of Novice and Open level dogs will be running T2B during the first several months that it is offered as a titling class, we are asking the judges to use the Weave Poles only one time. This will help handlers and dogs at all levels to get their feet wet with this new class. 3-Attempts At The Weave Poles: If the Weave Poles are being used twice on your T2B course and you have instructed the handler to go on because of the 3-attempt rule during the Weave Pole s first use, it is still permissible for the dog to attempt the Weave Poles an additional three times when encountered on-course the second time. Dog Commits a Wrong Course Fault in the Middle of Performing Weave Poless: As an example, if the dog is performing the Weave Poles and has committed two (2) attempts, then runs off and commits a wrong course, when the dog is brought back to complete the Weave Poles, the handler only has one (1) additional attempt left at the Weave Poles (equaling the three original attempts allowed). No 1 st Obstacle Run-Outs Called: At the first obstacle, if the dog incurs a run-out by running past the r/o line of the first obstacle, no fault shall be called in T2B. 4-Paw Safety Rule: If a contact obstacle is being used twice on your T2B course and the dog incurs a 4-paw safety rule during that contact s first use, it is still permissible for the dog to attempt that same contact obstacle when encountered on-course the second time. 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 UPCOMING AKC AGILITY JUDGES CONTINUING EDUCATION SEMINARS July 23-24, 2011 St. Louis, MO Karen Winters WildFireKW@aol.com November 5-6, 2011 Sacramento, CA Kathie Leggett kathie@touchngoagility.com August 11-12, 2012 St. Pete, FL Joanne Killeen joannekilleen@verizon.net
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 and updated course design checklist below.