Clean Run Magazine - June 2008 - 79

Teacup Dog Agility Association By Cheryl Huffman United Kennel Club By Staff Here are some 2007 statistics for TDAA: • New dogs registered: 538 • New clubs: 10 • New titles earned: 755; three of those titles were TACHs (Teacup Agility Champion) and one was a TACH 2. In other news, the TDAA Petit Prix, a national event, will be held October 10–12, 2008, in Vermont.TDAA members are automatically qualified to enter, and any dog having been shown in at least one TDAA event prior to the national event may enter. Friday, October 10, 2008, is a pretournament qualifier for any dog needing to meet these criteria. For more information about TDAA, to register your dog, to become a member, and/or to find a club in your area (or to start one!), visit the TDAA website, www.k9tdaa.com, or contact Cheryl Huffman, membership development, at membershipapplication@k9tdaa.com. Congratulations to the dogs that top the UKC Agility AllStars rankings through March 9, 2008. UGRACH Piaffe Mini Me Moon Beamer, a Shetland Sheepdog owned by Phyllis Puskar, leads the Agility I and Agility II rankings. Agility III was topped by UGRACH Clement’s Second Chance Halo, a Havanese owned by Karen R. Barth. Congratulations to both handlers! United States Dog Agility Association By Kenneth Tatsch USDAA has published a new policy statement on course design that is sure to help competitors and trainers with their understanding of the performance requirements in all classes at each level of competition. The document is the result of many years of dedicated work by USDAA course reviewers and is already receiving high praise from judges and competitors alike.The initial release addresses the titling classes, with an additional statement planned for tournament courses (which are presently outlined in the respective tournament rules). The policy statement sets forth the idea that course design is more art than science; the process begins with creativity and incorporates challenges commensurate with the level of competition for which the design is being rendered. The document seeks to present an understanding of the measure of difficulty in the different challenges and the types of challenges that might be encountered at each level: Starters, Advanced, and Masters. We believe this will help trainers and instructors to prepare curriculum and training programs that better meet the needs of competitors so they may reach greater success. The knowledge gained by understanding the contents of this document can yield great benefits in the ring over the long haul. We will be incorporating the material into our Rules & Regulations seminars for judges throughout 2008 and 2009. Competitors and trainers are welcome to attend, regardless of any desire to become judges. Watch the Event Calendar at www.usdaa.com for dates and locations, or contact the office at info@usdaa.com or (972) 487-2200. The“Policy Statement on Course Design Guidelines” can be found in the “Rules & Regulations” section of the USDAA website. Under Rules & Regulations, click on the “eBook” link to access this free download. D Brenna Fender is a freelance writer with an undergraduate degree in mass communications and a masters degree in elementary education. She lives with her husband, two young children, a Vizsla, a Whippet, and a cat. The dogs are collectively titled in agility, obedience, conformation, hunting, rally, and lure coursing. The cat, husband, and children are lacking in this regard. Contact Brenna at BrennaFender@gmail.com. Cooling gear of choice for Military Working Dogs in Iraq. Dry Lightweight Constant Cooling for 2-3 hours Recharges in 15 minutes. RPCM ® Cooling Vest by Glacier Tek Udderly Cool ChillyDog  ChillyPup Exclusively at www.helpingudders.com June 08 | Clean Run 81

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Clean Run Magazine - June 2008

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Clean Run Magazine - June 2008