The Kennel Club has approved the following changes to the regulations for agility.
The below regulations have been amended to allow for bitches in season to be allowed to compete at quarter finals, semi-finals and finals of Kennel Club Prestige Events. This is in the interest of fairness and to maintain the standard of competition at prestige events. This does not include events held under YKC rules as it was not felt it would be safe for young handlers.
Amendment to Regulation H.9.c.(15)
TO:
A statement that no bitch in season is allowed to compete at Limited, Open, Premier or Championship Agility Shows. However, bitches in season can compete at quarter finals, semi-finals and finals of Kennel Club Prestige Events, except in events held under YKC rules.
(Insertion in bold)
(Effective 1 January 2023)
Amendment to Regulation H.13 Removal of dogs from competition
TO:
- A bitch which is in season (apart from a dog competing in quarter finals, semi-finals and finals of Kennel Club Prestige Events, other than events held under YKC rules.)
(Insertion in bold)
(Effective 1 January 2023)
The following regulation has been amended in the interests of consistency with other disciplines’ regulations.
Amendment to Regulation H.10.g
TO:
If a competitor reports less than 14 days before competition that a dog has been entered which is ineligible, the dog must be withdrawn from competition, no refund of entry fee(s) shall be due. (Except under regulation H(1)(B)4.(12) where, at the discretion of the show management, the dog's entries may be transferred in order that it can compete at the correct height category).
(Insertions in bold)
(Effective 1 January 2023)
The following regulation has been added to provide clarity for event organisers around the permission needed to hold special events.
New Regulation H(1)4
Societies are required to apply for permission to hold Special Events. Applications should be submitted to The Kennel Club by email at least six weeks before the start of any qualifying heats for the event.
Special Events are designated as any activity-related event which cannot be included on the schedule of a normally licensed show/trial/competition due to being invitational and therefore not open to all competitors, or which are not being held at a licensed show. Where competitors qualify for a final via heats held at that and other shows/trials/competitions, special event permission must be sought for the final whether it is held in conjunction with a licensed show/trial/competition or as a separate standalone event. This would not apply where all of the heats are held at the same show/trial/competition at which the final is held.
The regulations relating to the disqualification and forfeit of awards will apply to these events.
(Insertion in bold)
(Effective 1 January 2023)
The following regulation has been amended to address the difficulties caused by clashing championship classes.
Amendment to Regulation H(1)7.a.
TO:
- Ballot for championship running orders a. Agility Round and Jumping Round - A draw for the running order of the Agility and Jumping Rounds must be made prior to the show. The relevant competitors must be notified before the day of the show. The dogs must run in the order in which they are drawn unless agreed otherwise by the judge, in conjunction with the show manager, who may, in exceptional circumstances, relax the running order, by no more than 10 dogs. All such decisions must be recorded in the show’s Incident Book.
(Insertion in bold)
(Effective 1 January 2023)
The following regulation has been amended to allow competitors to have a better understanding as to what they may expect at competitions
Amendment to Regulation H(1)(B)3.j.
TO:
Weaving Poles—The minimum number of poles should be five either six or twelve and the maximum number 12. The maximum number of weaves in a standard class is 12. They should be in a continuous line, as straight as possible and should be 600mm apart (between the poles). The poles must be of rigid construction and with a minimum height of 762mm and a diameter between 32mm and 38mm of 35mm. The base must have support bars at the bottom of each pole and they must be positioned away from the side a dog would normally negotiate each pole.
(Deletions struck through. Insertions in bold)
(Effective 1 January 2023)