Question 1

How are Tryouts being run?

Accepted Answer

Tryouts will be held on Thursday, August 17 before the 2023 AAC Nationals site in Maxville, Ontario where applicants will run an International Standard, Jumpers, and Snooker course.

Question 2

How are Tryouts being scored?

Accepted Answer

Placement Points for the following international rounds will be added to determine the highest pointed
candidate dog/handler teams: 1 International Agility Round, 1 International Jumping w Weaves Round and 1
International Snooker Round.

All results in Standard and Jumpers will be based on a time PLUS fault calculation, as used in the IFCS Biathlon
competition, plus any applicable time bonus points.

Placements in Snooker will be based on the total points earned in the opening and closing, plus any applicable
time bonus points.

Points earned will be combined with points earned at the AAC National Championships (note: there are
different point tables for EACH JUMP HEIGHT).

To ensure reliable scoring, the officiating Judge will use IFCS Agility Rules. The scoring will be based on
IFCS Biathlon time plus fault format. Refer to the IFCS rules (found at https://ifcsdogsports.org/dog-agility/)(https://ifcsdogsports.org/dog-agility/) for full details.

For every ”Fault” or ”Refusal” a competitor will be penalised 5 penalty points (5 seconds). For every
”Elimination” or ”Disqualification” a competitor will be penalised 20 penalty points (20 seconds).

All violations which are not qualified as a refusal are considered a fault. After every fault the competitor has to
return the dog to the place of mistake or to the beginning of weave poles (competitor‘s choice) and correct the
error. In the case of a fault in the weave poles, ensure the weave poles have been completed correctly.
Repeating an obstacle is a fault with weave poles being the exception: (1.4.4.5 and 1.4.4.8).

Question 3

Who is designing the courses?

Accepted Answer

The NTMC is hoping to use courses from the 2023 IFCS judges once they have been announced and if permission is granted.

Question 4

How can I check my results on the day of tryouts?

Accepted Answer

Just like Nationals, all competitors will have the opportunity to verify their individual results immediately after they run via carbon copies of their scribe sheets. If a competitor sees a discrepancy they must immediately notify the judge (within 2 dogs of running after the competitor). If the judge is notified more than 2 dogs after the competitor ran that competitor must accept what is written on the scribe sheet.

Question 5

Will results be posted?

Accepted Answer

The NTMC is hoping to have the Tryout results posted, after verified, either on site at Nationals or on the Team's website/social media sometime that weekend.

Question 6

What bar lengths will be used at tryouts?

Accepted Answer

A combination of 120cm/4' & 150cm/5' bars depending on the how dog approaches a jump (slices/backsides/straight on/etc) and spreads.

Question 7

How much time will be available for walk-throughs?

Accepted Answer

There will be a 10 minute walk-through before each course.

Question 8

Does my dog have to be measured?

Accepted Answer

Yes. All dogs will have to be measured EXCEPT dogs jumping 24". Dogs with an official measurement from either or both of the 2021 & 2022 Tryouts will not be re-measured as their measurements will be considered final.

Question 9

How many teams will be going to IFCS?

Accepted Answer

The NTMC may choose up to 30 team members for the IFCS competition. These positions may consist of up to 26 members selected from a combination of National Tryouts and AAC Nationals Individual Round Points  and up to 4 Draft spots.

Question 10

How will team spots be determined?

Accepted Answer

Up to 26 Positions on the AAC National Team for IFCS are determined by points earned at the AAC National Championships, as per the point schedule outlined in Appendix A in the AAC 2022-2023 National Dog Agility Team Selection Criteria document found on this website.

From Nationals results, dogs and handlers will be selected in each of the 4 height categories the estimates are as follows: 12″- 4 Dogs, 16″- 6 Dogs, 20″- 6 Dogs, 24″- 6 Dogs. These numbers are subject to change at the discretion of the NTMC.

Out of the potential 30 spots available to be selected to represent the AAC and Canada at the World Championships, the NTMC may draft up to four (4) dogs, either from dogs who have attended Nationals, or from dogs who have not attended Nationals. Each of these four dogs may be in any height class.

In order to be eligible for a draft position, the handler must have put in an Application under the same timeline deadlines as those competing in Nationals, and the /handler team must meet all applicable criteria (ex: submitted application as outlined, attended AAC trials, be an AAC member etc.); if the team did not attend Nationals, they must also submit their reason for not attending.

The NTMC may use the following sources for determining draft choices for the current year: National Results (if attended), Regionals results, top dogs in AAC based on Statistics (especially Challenge Classes), training video submitted in the Team Member area of the National Team website, previous results at National or International events.

Question 11

Will previous medalists be used to fill team spots?

Accepted Answer

That is still to be determined by the NTMC.

Question 12

Can a person run using the senior/disabled handicap and still tryout for the team?

Accepted Answer

There will be no senior/disabled handicap help for a world team spot but if they want to run just for qualifiers then they can certainly use it.

Question 13

If I want to apply what height does my dog have to jump?

Accepted Answer

All teams applying for a spot on the team must compete at their IFCS height. IFCS heights are determined as such:

TOY – 30cm / 11.81" & under will jump 12"
MINI – 40 cm / 15.75" & under will jump 16"
MIDI – 50 cm / 19.69" & under will jump 20"
MAXI – no restrictions on height to jump 24"

Question 14

If I don't earn/want a team spot will my deposit be refunded?

Accepted Answer

Yes, your full deposit of $250 will be refunded if you

a) didn't win a spot or was drafted for a spot on the team or
b) decline a spot that you have won/been offered.

Question 15

I was part of the 2019-2020 team that was cancelled due to COVID. If I make the team again do I still have to fundraise or will the money I already raised go towards my portion of fundraising efforts?

Accepted Answer

Money raised for the 2019-2020 team has stayed in the team's account and is being used for the 2022 team's expenses. Money brought in for the 2019-2020 team will not be carried over as an individual fundraising effort if you make the team again. Everyone starts over with a blank slate.

Question 16

My dog's tail is docked; can I still compete at IFCS?

Accepted Answer

With the location of the 2023 IFCS WAC now announce to be in England we are waiting for official information concerning cropping & docking from the IFCS officials. England does ban all dogs being imported into the country with cropping or docking but for dogs visiting we still don't have an actual answer yet. Once we do, that info will be made on all social media channels along with on the website and in this FAQ.

Question 17

My dog's ears are cropped; can I still compete at IFCS?

Accepted Answer

With the location of the 2023 IFCS WAC now announce to be in England we are waiting for official information concerning cropping & docking from the IFCS officials. England does ban all dogs being imported into the country with cropping or docking but for dogs visiting we still don't have an actual answer yet. Once we do, that info will be made on all social media channels along with on the website and in this FAQ.

FREQUENT AGILITY(TEAM) QUESTIONS

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