It has long been a desire of mine to see the AAC begin to take the Association to a higher level.
The challenge class was a good idea that IMO has failed. Why?? Perhaps by trying to keep the class all inclusive for all members the rules were set that in fact penalized the BTTW competitor. quote
"AAC Board Meeting HighlightsNovember 14 – 16, 2008
More ChallengeThe Board is excited to introduce to the AAC mix a new game that recognizes competitors' calls for increased variety and challenge in course design, more emphasis on "on-the-day" competition and a serious nod to the sorts of handling technicalities seen in international competition. "
After the first challenge I ran it became apparent that it is impossible to design a challenging course for a slower dog. As a result many dogs were achieving a Q who were running clean in less than 3 yps.
BTTW? I think not. Inclusive?
7 of the top AAC Master, Master Challenge dogs listed on the AAC site for 2009 that I know are either running specials or veterans. Only 1 dog is running regular. Please note there are 4 dogs listed I do not know.
Does this encourage handling techniques as seen in international competition?
What went wrong? Is it time to revisit this class? How do we improve the international experience? Would time + faults be acceptable? Should we increase the yps? Should we be looking for other possibilities? [Power and Speed? Time, Fault and Out? http://www.ukagility.com/Classes.aspx]
More importantly and acknowledging the need for clubs to make ends meet how do we encourage clubs to offer this class?
The last trial I attended had 10 master standard, 4 jumpers, 4 snooker, 4 gambler, 7 steeplechase and 1 team. No challenge class was offered. Their January trial is the same.
Are the majority of handlers more interested in achieving their Lifetime titles than in accepting the formidable task of achieving a Challenge Q?
Life Time is a wonderful achievement and well noted on the AAC Hall of Fame.[both members and non-members] However, this is the only acknowledgement of the achievements of AAC members. Where is the Hall of Fame for our National Champions? Or where is the Hall of Fame for our World team members? Are they not as deserving? Is this inclusive?
Please keep in mind that I fully support the achievements of the weekend warrior, they are the backbone of the AAC.
We need support those who challenge themselves and take the sport to a higher level. Where do our world class teams trial? Canada??? USA????? Whose responsibility is to encourage this group? The AAC? The Members? The Clubs? Or all of us? Are there sacrifices to be made? Are we willing to make those sacrifices? Are the sacrifices worth the growth of the sport? Has the Q become the be all and end all? Do we acknowledge and reward our world class athletes ? Do we provide the necessary challenges to develop top athletes? If the answer is no are we then truly "inclusive"? Does inclusive mean we must set our standards so that everyone can participate and Q in all classes sanctioned by the AAC?
Quote intro on AAC web site
The AAC, founded in 1988, is committed to promoting inclusive, competitive dog agility at a local, regional, national and international level, for all handlers and dogs without regard to pedigree.
Below is the site to a letter written by Greg Derrett to the UK members. I think it is well worth reading.
http://www.ukagility.com/Downloads/Opinion.doc