Essential reading
for new competitors...
 With
the main show season rapidly approaching, Cornwall AC put this Guide together
for their own first timers. But they they thought may be worth sharing with
other newbies as a lot of points will apply to any show so they put it onto
Agilitynet FB and gave us permission to post it here. Hope you enjoy, and maybe
find some useful tips.
Before you start here is what you have to
do...
Register your dog for Kennel Club
shows
Your dog must be registered with the Kennel
Club on either the Breed register or the Activity Register.
If your dog is a pedigree, then not much you need to worry about here. Just
ensure that you have your dogs name, date of birth and KC number handy for
completing entries.
If your dog is a non-pedigree, rescue etc,
then will need to be registered on the Kennel Club Activities Register. The link
to the page is:
http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/registration/how-to-register-your-dog/activity-register/
Once you have completed and returned the
form, they will check it and will usually call you if a name choice is already
in use.
Please note it can take several weeks
for the process to be completed and the forms returned
 Get
your dog measured
It is a Kennel Club requirement that all dogs - except those that have been
competing prior to 2006 - are measured. This includes those that may just be
competing in Anysize classes.
Measuring sessions are carried out at many
shows through the year, and also sometimes on specially arranged sessions.
Details of planned measuring sessions will usually be noted on show schedules.
You will need to have an official Agility
Record Book for the dog - available from the Kennel Club, although the
measurers MAY have record books available to buy.
The dog must have a microchip or ear
tattoo. If it has neither, you must have a passport-sized photo of the dog
which clearly identifies it when you go to the measuring session. The dog must
be over 15 months of age except an 'obviously large' dog which can be measured
before it is 15 months old (At the discretion of the measurers)
You will need to pay the measuring fee of
£4 per measurement to the measurers.
Second and third
measurements
A second measurement must be carried out not less than 12 months and not more
than 24 months after the date of the first measurement but 'obviously Large'
dogs can be exempted at the discretion of the first measurers. If the height on
the second measurement is different from the first, a third and final
measurement must be arranged within two months of the second measurement, at
which the measurers are both different from the measurers who conducted the
first and second measurements.
 UK
Agility
The other popular shows that you may want to attend are run by UK Agility (UKA)
For these, you do need to register although some shows offer a 'Try Before You
Buy'. Further details can be found at:
http://ukagility.com/HowTo.aspx
Dogs also here have to measured on their
system, unless obviously large. These sessions are arranged at many of their own
shows.
Planning Your Diary & Finding
Schedules
Once a club has confirmed its dates for
the year, and future years, these tend to appear on various websites,
such as www.agilitynet.co.uk, Facebook (not only own pages but also the Agility
Schedules page) and show processing websites such as iSS, Showtime, L & N, First
Place and SWAP as well as club websites.
With the majority of shows now available
to enter on-line through on-line show processors such as SWAP or iSS etc, entering has become much easier than
the old, manual paper entry form system.
Once a schedule is out and live for
entering, it pays to make a note to yourself say a week in advance of the closing date to
ensure done in time. A Google or Outlook Calendar reminder usually works well!
Some people also create a spreadsheet listing shows, colour coded if entered, got
running orders through etc. Keep a lookout too for reminders of a show
closing shortly from on-line processors.
If camping is required book asap!
Especially at the bigger, more popular shows, camping can be full within a very
short period of time!
Entering a Show
Ensure your entry is in on time
And
that includes if entering on-line paid for!
Not only is it a breach of Kennel Club regulations to enter late, but as soon as
a show reaches its closing date, this is when a vast amount of work begins for
the show management and processors. Paperwork for all the classes has to be
prepared, running orders produced, ring plans done to ensure no clashes,
rosettes and trophies also have to be ordered to the percentage of entries per
class. You can imagine the problems caused by, for instance, a class expected to
have 20 dogs entered, suddenly jumping to 40!
For Open and Limit shows, your
running orders will be sent out in the post usually a couple of weeks - sometimes
less - before the actual show date. Do not start panicking until it gets to a
few days before. Then contact the Show Secretary who will be able to advise.
Note: If it is an agility Match, running orders are not sent out.
You just collect your
entry cards on the day
Normally at KC shows you can enter a maximum of
two or three
classes per day - apart from Anysize. However, sometimes there can be more
seven
has been known!
Put some thought into whether you want to enter them all? If many
various classes are available for your Grade to enter, then be aware that this
can often mean they will be running more than one at the same time. Walking four
courses at once first thing in the morning can cause serious brain ache if you
are not used to it! If you are having a non-competing dog present at the show (NFC),
then you need to declare this when entering, or log details with the Show
Secretary on the day.
Filling In Your Entry
Form
Most shows now offer on-line entry facilities. If entering this way, you
need to register your details with the relevant show processors in order to do
so.
Once this is done, it is self-explanatory
and the website should guide you through it. You usually simply select the show
you wish to enter on their website, check the boxes next to the classes you wish
to enter (always pays to have a copy of the actual schedule printed out / open
on screen whilst doing so)
If a member of the organising club, there
will be a box to check to indicate this to calculate any reduced entry fees
Also you may see boxes to check if wish to
offer to help at the show (if a member of the organising club then you will
usually be expected to as a matter of course), boxes for NFC dogs attending, and
also if available, camping If preferring to do manually, you need to fill in the
form and return to the address stated, usually enclosing an SAE for your running
orders
An example of a manual entry form...
Don't forget too to familiarise yourself
with all the small print in the schedule. This is basically all the rules and
regulations that competitors and show organisers have to abide to. You may need
to invest in a magnifying glass to read!
Keep a watch out on-line for any amendments
that are being brought in. These are usually announced in the Autumn and
brought into force at the start of the following year.
The qualifying date is the
date that any wins in your current grade are taken up to. Should you win up a
grade before that date, and have already entered, then you need to notify the
show secretary / show processors at least 14 days before the show date
Prior to the Show
Footwear
Many handlers have fallen in the ring due to inadequate footwear. So ensure
you've got adequate footwear! Most summertime shows are outdoors in our
wonderfully unreliable weather!
 Trail and Fell running shoes are very
popular as known for giving good grip for running in wet conditions. Salomon
Speedcross and Inov8 Mudclaws are popular higher-end versions. However, there
are some good more reasonably priced variants on the market such as More Miles
and Karrimor. Many handlers have fallen in the ring due to inadequate footwear
Check Venue
May sound silly, but some clubs may hold their shows at different locations
during the year. Some competitors have been known to be heading to Wadebridge,
when the show is at Stithians...
Check the weather
Not only for the day, but to maybe allow for travelling time too, especially
if going some distance during the winter.
Make sure you've got everything together you
need.
-
 Running
shoes
-
Flask
-
Waterproofs
and dog coat (if wet)
-
Sun
cream for you and dog. Keep in mind venues such as Royal Cornwall Showground
are exposed to sea breezes, and you can burn even on a cloudy day! Running
orders
-
Ring
Plan highlight if need be where your classes are and when
-
Directions
to venue
-
Record
books These could well be asked for on spot checks being carried out by
judges or show management, to ensure dogs are measured, registered etc.
-
Protection
for dogs in cars items such as reflective foil sheets, Gazebos, Windbreaks
and Carnopys are popular
-
Water
and bowl for dogs
-
Titbits
-
Favourite
toy
-
Poo
bags
-
Basic
first aid bits -both human and canine always handy to carry some Instant
Ice Packs, for use in the event of minor injury to human or dog
-
Dogs!
Day of the Show
Try and relax!
If feeding your dog breakfast, make sure
allow plenty of time before due to run.
Please drive very slowly around the venue
and abide by any speed limits usually 5mph. Dogs or children may be loose
around the parking area.
On note of the above, please do not let
your dog straight out the car off lead in parking / camping areas. Dogs should
only be off lead whilst in the ring or designated exercise areas
Arrive in plenty of time for your
classes. At most shows, parking is generally away from the edge of the rings. If
able to park ringside, then please bear in mind if your dog is easily excited,
could make matters worse, not just for them, but other competitors running.
Likewise you would not be popular if sat eating a burger at the ringside,
especially if only roping is being used!
Familiarise yourself with where all your
rings, toilets and exercise areas are. Dont forget to take the dogs for regular
walks, not just on arrival, but throughout the day!
If you see areas cordoned off, do not
cross. They are done so for health & safety reasons, electric cabling etc. cabling for the PA system is, in most cases, attached to fencing, covered with
matting etc, but be aware too that can sometimes be some loose cables lying
around.
Ensure you pick up after your dog all over
the venue!
If human showers etc. are provided, please refrain from washing your
dogs off in them.
If you are down to help, you will usually find helpers sheets
in the score tents at each ring. Fill in where you think may be able
to help. If in any doubt, have a word with the Ring Manager at the ring
 Walking Your Courses
Listen for tannoy announcements that your course is ready for walking if
camping, make sure can hear the tannoy! If in an area that is not clear, then
investing in a walkie talkie that can be tuned in to the ring parties frequency
can be a big help
If a UKA show, don't forget to tick
yourself off on the sheet at the ring as being present
Walk the course as many times as you feel
necessary in the time allowed Sometimes, if a big class and a lot walking at the
same time, it pays to stand to one side and watch for the main rush clearing.
If a course is available for walking over
the lunch break, then this tends to give you plenty of time note if a class
has already started, and broken mid-way for lunch, you cannot walk it again.
If a course is not to your liking, it is
NOT the done thing to publicly say so, whilst walking it or running it come to
that! We all come across courses from time to time, that may not suit our
particular dog, or have an element in not comfortable with; Best tactic is to go
in, give it a shot and take away the positives from the good bits you can do,
and ideas to work on
Judges, like show management, give up a
great deal of time free of charge, for our enjoyment without them, there would
be no shows Should you however, whilst walking a course, spot something
dangerous, such as weaves pegged the wrong way, tunnels not strapped correctly,
then please have a quiet word with the ring manager or judge, so they can
rectify
 Going for your run
Make sure both yourself and your dog are adequately warmed up!
Listen out for tannoy announcements /
watch ring boards for running order numbers calling up to. If in doubt, check
with the ring party at the ringside.
Ensure there are no dangly bits from your
dogs collar that you are likely to forget to remove.
Be aware if you have more than one dog in
the same class, they must run in the order of their running orders. You will be
eliminated if found to have done otherwise. The author remembers well walking
what seemed like miles from their camping pitch to the ring, only to get there
and find they had the wrong dog!
Book in for your run with the caller at
the ring side. This should be a person stood or sat near the end of the queue.
At some shows, like at Cornwall AC, they wear a hi viz vest with Caller on the
back.
Note however this is not always the
case sometimes they can be found near the ring entrance etc. If this is the
case then please take care booking in to not disturb dogs that are already
queueing and maybe excitable
 Join the queue
If your dog needs space, then there is no issue normally with advising those
in front or behind you of such, and perhaps standing slightly out of the queue,
or have someone queue for you.
Some dogs like to play tuggy etc. whilst
queuing. Again if you do, then best to stand out of the queue so not to
interfere with others.
As you reach the head of the queue, the
Pads person will ask you for your running order number, so they can get your
judging slip ready. Very important here to double check that they do have the
right one!
They will normally tell you when to make
your way to the Start Line e.g. as the previous dog reaches jump 14 for
example. Please try and abide by this, so that the class can be kept moving.
Obviously if you feel there could be a safety issue (i.e. start and finish close
together, nervous dog etc) then please mention this to them at the time
Some shows (CAC included) try where
possible to have a small area set off from the Start and Finish as collecting
areas.
If it is a UKA show (not Kennel Club) you
may go in NFC (Not for Competition) and train your run, using a silent toy
please advise the Pads person if doing so. Please note you cannot do this at a
Kennel Club Show, apart from at limit shows as from January 2015
Make your way to Start Line and remove
lead and whatever else! when ready. Please pass lead, any toys, titbits etc to
the leads person, or place on ground if they are not there Please do not throw
your lead at them, for obvious reasons!!
Very important to listen to the Scrimer
telling you they are ready for you to run (not the judge!) They will announce
this usually with a call of 'When you are ready' or 'In your own time.' Please
note you will be eliminated if you commence before so. Okay, so not everyone has
reliable start line waits in the ring!
If you need to go back to our dog and
re-sit them etc, then you can do so. However, please try and not take the mickey
by spending too much time doing so. There is no time limit on KC shows, however
UKA have now brought in a rule that a maximum of 45 seconds can be spent on the
start line On completion of your run Your lead etc will usually be left for you
in a bucket close to the exit of the ring Please ensure you clear the exit area
as quickly as possible, so not to intrude on the next dog finishing their run
Don't forget, if it goes wrong, do not blame your dog, you are the one who is
directing them and has trained them!
 Presentations
Taking it that you have had a good run, keep a listen out for announcements
when your class results will be presented these can be done at various times
of the day.
Once a presentation has been done, then
most shows will have the results in folders outside, or just in, the main
marquee.
Don't forget if you have gone clear, to
note down the details to fill in your record book!
Should you miss a presentation, and
realise you are due a rosette, then please see the show management, and they can
sort for you. However please do this when things are quiet, and not whilst they
are in the middle of another presentation!
Likewise, in the event of a query with
your results, please have a quiet word with the show management, and they can
have a look for you.
End of the show
Dont forget to give your dog a last run, especially if a long journey!
If it is your own show, and expected to
help, don't forget the day doesnt end as soon as the last class is done.
Equipment has to be packed away.
Many hands make light work, and as soon as
this is done then everyone can go home for a much needed bath and drink!
Above all... ENJOY!
First published 7 April 2015 and
updated 2 April 2018
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