The Western Championship is scheduled for May 23-25, 2014 in Golden, CO.

The TDAA’s 2014 Petit Prix is designed to provide a championship format suitable for performance by dogs of small stature.

General Rules

The TDAA Rules and Regulations currently in effect on the date of competition shall be the recognized standard for rules for games and standard courses. The TDAA waives the requirement for use of the table in the standard rounds. However, use of the table is not precluded.

All dogs must be registered with the TDAA in order to compete. A dog shall be deemed eligible to compete in the Petit Prix if he has competed at a TDAA trial since June 1, 2013 or if the handler is a member of the TDAA in good standing.

All dogs will run all ten standard courses and games of the Tournament. The top 40 dogs will be recognized for the Championship round.

Placement, Scoring Format, and Tie-breaking

A dog shall earn points for placement within the field. Points shall be accorded to the dog against the over-all field for the purpose of seeding the running order, and ranking all dogs. Scoring shall use a point table (placement inverse to count) to ensure that top performing dogs are equitably recognized.

Dogs running with a jump height exemption shall be scored against dogs of the measured height and not the exemption height; and will compete using the scoring times set for the measured height.

Scoring will be weighted, with the dog’s final score adjusted by jump height. The weight factor might be applied to playing time, total combined score, or points earned. The basic weighting will be based on these values:

            Dogs scored at 16″ = 1.0
            Dogs scored at 12″ = .9
            Dogs scored at 8″ = .76
            Dogs scored at 4″ = .60

The definitive reference for agility games is The Book of Agility Games which can be purchased at nominal cost at www.dogagility.org/newstore.

Competition and Qualification Notes

All dogs, without regard to competition level, or titles earned, shall compete on the same courses. All games and courses are eligible for dogs to earn qualifying legs towards TDAA titles. Standard courses will be judged under the TDAA Superior rules. Games will be judged under TDAA Games III rules. However, the dog shall earn a qualifying score only at the level for which he is eligible.

NOTE: Course Time differentials for Beginner/GI, Intermediate/GII, Vet Dog, or Disabled Handler will not be used for Tournament Scoring. These differentials will be used by the score table to determine if a team earns a qualifying score at the level for which they are eligible and for any Special Awards for the event. Any maximum course times used will accommodate this. Some games have scoring criteria where these additional time allowances will not apply.

The Petit Prix Tournament will consist of three standard courses and seven games.

Games

In addition to three standard classes, the Semi-Final rounds will consist of six games. The scheduled games are described below.

Run ‘Til You Drop

Run ‘Til You Drop challenges the handler to correctly estimate the dog’s working speed, accumulating as many points as possible within the allotted time. Scoring and time ends on the teeter as the last obstacle (the drop!) doubling the dog’s score only if time has not expired. Run ‘Til You Drop is scored Points, Then Time.

Colors

Colors is a sequencing game. The handler has a choice of running any one of three courses that are woven together on the field. Colors is scored Faults, then Time.

Snooker

Snooker is a two-part game. Each part is played and scored on a different basis. The first is dog’s choice in which the dog earns the right to score three “colored” obstacles by doing a red hurdle before each. The second part is a simple sequence. Snooker is scored Points, Then Time.

FAST

The Fifteen And Send Time class (FAST) is a dog’s choice game. The objective is to perform all or as many of the obstacles on the field as possible in the time allotted without repeating any (except for jumps). A distance challenge will be set somewhere on the course allowing the dog to earn a Send Bonus, which must be completed to qualify. FAST is scored Points, Then Time.

Beat the Clock

Beat the Clock is a sequencing game in which the obstacles are arranged in four parts, like quadrants of the clock. Obstacles are typically arranged around the tire. The handler is required to do the tire before each of the quadrants. Beat the Clock is scored Points, Then Time.

Helter Skelter

The Helter Skelter course is designed as a spiral, beginning in the middle and sweeping outward in increasingly longer loops around the center point. The course typically consists of jumps, tunnels and weave poles only, but may include contact obstacles. Helter Skelter is scored Faults, Then Time.

Blackjack

Blackjack is a dog’s choice game in which the dog is directed to accumulate 21 points in the fastest time; going over 21 points disqualifies the team. During point accumulation the dog must score at least one obstacle from three obstacle types. Blackjack is scored Points, Then Time.

The Championship Round

The Championship round shall be a standard course. The order shall be jump height and then reverse seed. Dogs running with a jump height exemption shall be run at the end of that jump height.

All dogs will compete in the Championship round.

Championship Round Scoring

Each dog shall enter the final round carrying all placement points earned throughout the tournament. Placement within each jump height will be based on the total accrual of those placement points. The dog with the highest total score in each jump height shall be deemed the winner and Agility Champion Teacup Dog. The top 10 placements in each jump height will be recognized.

TDAA National Agility Championship Title

The Teacup Dogs Agility Association will award TDAA National Agility Championship Title (TNAC) upon the dog that: 1) achieves the highest overall score in each jump height at the TDAA Petit Prix, and 2) scores among the top 25 dogs in the tournament.

This is a unique title in our agility culture as it is a championship earned by excellence in competition; specifically, by an unambiguous win in the national tournament.