Website made using only Xara Web Designer, and no other graphics or software tools. How to Enter Your First Agility Trial (AKC) Thinking about entering your dog in your first agility trial? Your first trial can be very confusing. Hopefully this guide will help answer many of your questions.  TIP:  Go to the AKC website and download a set of the rules:  http://www.akc.org/pdfs/rulebooks/REAGIL.pdf  They are quite lengthy to sit down and read, but they are nice to have as a resource when you have a question.  How do you get an entry form? A booklet with trial information that contains an entry form in agility are called a ‘premium”. Entrants are called ‘exhibitors’. Each trial has a trial secretary and a chairperson from the hosting club. The best person to get premiums from is the trial secretary. You can often find out about upcoming trials, contact information and sponsoring clubs from club websites. In addition, the following websites are contain important information about upcoming trials, sometimes downloading premiums or even applying online. http://www.ntxagility.com  http://www.agilityevents.net  Tip: Some trials can fill, so get your entry in early. Opening and closing dates are firm – do not send it in early or late. If entries are limited, then the number of entries and way in which the entries will be limited should be included in the premium.  Be sure to read the premium through completely and carefully, there is a lot of information buried in each premium. Descriptions of the classes and levels offered are included in the premium. The location of the trial site, including directions, surface area, whether it is fenced in or roped off if outside, if water and/or shade is available.  Entry and eligibility requirements, entry fees and refund policies should be detailed in the premium.  The maximum shoulder height for each jump height should be listed. Obstacle familiarization option and time will be listed if offered.  Area hotels which are most likely to accept dogs may be listed.  The premium will also state if food/beverages will be available there and water for the dogs.  Additional rules set forth by the hosting club. Entry Form Tips:  Print or type clearly. Be sure to sign and date your entry and make a copy for yourself. Unsigned and undated forms will be returned. If you are a Junior Handler, your parent/guardian must also sign the form.  Fill in ALL blanks on the entry form.  The AKC rule is – if there’s a blank on the form, it must be filled in.  If your dog has a PAL or ILP number or is a mixed breed, you won’t know the Breeder, Sire & Dam.  Put “N/A” in those blanks.  If your dog has a regular AKC registration number, you MUST fill in that information.    Be sure to send your check for the entry fees and don’t forget the Volunteer Form.  Helping out at a trial is the best way to learn the ropes.  There’s no need to staple the check to the entry.  Just put it in the envelope.   If you have a discount coupon, please put your name on it.    As of January 2010, you do not have to include a copy of your dog’s height card.   You should receive an email reply from the secretary, with a confirmation setting forth all your entry details.   Check your entry to make sure all your information is correct. After the closing date, you may not be able to make any more changes to your entry.  After the trial closes, you will also get a final printed confirmation of your entry, which should include your armband number. A copy of the running order will be included, which shows when your dog’s runs are scheduled.  Tip: Make sure your dog’s registration number and classes entered are correct. If you find a mistake it is best to contact the trial secretary immediate, don’t wait until the day of the trial. CLASSES:  If this is your first agility trial and if your dog doesn’t have any agility titles, then you should enter Novice A.  Regular Titling Classes Novice Agility Standard & Novice Jumpers With Weaves Classes. The Novice Agility Standard class and the Novice Jumpers With Weaves class are divided into Divisions A and B. Division A is for dogs that have never acquired any AKC agility title. Additionally, a dog entered in Novice A must be handled by a person that has never put an AKC agility title on any dog, and the handler must be the owner, co-owner, or a member of the owner’s household. Handlers that co-own a dog and have never put an AKC agility title on a dog may enter the Novice A class regardless of the other co-owner’s AKC agility accomplishments. Dogs eligible for Novice A may be entered in the Novice B class at the discretion of the owner. Division B is for dogs that have acquired the Novice Agility Standard title, or the Novice Jumpers With Weaves title, or for persons who have handled a dog to any AKC agility title, and for dogs being handled by someone other than the owner, co-owner, or household member subject to the restrictions listed above. A dog may continue to be shown in the Novice B class until they have acquired a qualifying score towards their Open title. Whenever the Novice class is offered, both divisions A and B must be offered. Open Agility Standard Class. Open to dogs that have acquired the Novice Standard or the Open Standard titles but have not acquired a qualifying score towards their Excellent Standard title. Open Jumpers With Weaves. Open to dogs that have acquired the Novice JWW or the Open JWW titles but have not acquired a qualifying score towards an Excellent JWW title. Agility Excellent “A” Standard Class. Open to dogs that have acquired the Open Standard title, and to dogs that have acquired the Agility Excellent Standard title but that have not acquired a qualifying score towards their Master Agility Excellent Standard title. Excellent Jumpers With Weaves “A” Class. Open to dogs that have acquired the Open JWW title and to dogs that have acquired the Excellent JWW title but have not acquired a qualifying score towards their Master Excellent JWW title. Master Agility Excellent “B” Standard Class. Open only to dogs that have acquired the Agility Excellent Standard title, and to dogs that have acquired the Master Agility Excellent Standard title. Master Excellent Jumpers With Weaves “B” Class. Open only to dogs that have acquired the Excellent JWW title and to dogs that have acquired the Master Excellent JWW title. AKC also offers the “Preferred classes.”  Dogs entered in Preferred must jump one jump height lower than their measured height.  They are also allowed 5 additional seconds.  IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS, YOUR AGILITY INSTRUCTOR CAN HELP, OR PLEASE FEE FREE TO CONTACT ME AT NTXAGILITY@VERIZON.NET.  WE WILL BE MORE THAN HAPPY TO HELP! AKC Trial Secretary Service:  Agility, Specialties, Obedience/Rally