Sept 22, 2012 – Sept 23, 2012 Trial Information Has Been Posted

The Confirmation, Worker Schedule, and overall Estimated Schedule  for the Mid-Atlantic MADness fall trial is now available for viewing/download at http://www.midatlanticmadness.com.  See the menu items at the top of the page or the Blogroll links to the right of page to view this information.

A draft copy of the running orders is also posted.  The final version with any received corrections to entries will be posted on Thursday.

Thanks !

September 2012 Trial Premium is Available

This trial will be one of the first in the area to start earning Grand Prix and Steeplechase qualifications towards the 2013 Cynosport Games (aka the ‘USDAA Nationals’)  to be held in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, from October 23-27, 2013.

Click here to view the premium.

Entry fees for the titling classes are the usual, ever low, cost of $13 per titling class (more for the tournament classes).

For those new to the sport, we are offering Intro Snooker and Intro Jumpers classes (either for titling or FEO) at $7/class.  If you’re planning to show FEO in Snooker, don’t worry; you can finish the course even if the opening didn’t go as well as you wanted 🙂

As with all USDAA trials, entries are unlimited, as long as the entry is received by the closing date of September 9, 2012.

If you have trouble downloading the premium, please email me and I’ll be happy to post a paper copy to you.

Information for the July 21-22 Agility Match

A schedule has been sent out to everyone who emailed beforehand with an interest in coming to the match associated with this weekend’s USDAA Judging Clinic at Hog Dog.   This schedule will be posted in a couple of days after they’ve had a chance to look at it and ask for any modifications.

Day of match drops-ins will still be accepted, however preference in run order will be given to those who pre-registered.  The match runs on Saturday from 12:30 to 5:00 and on Sunday from 10:00 to 2:30.   Time slots that it would be helpful if drops in showed up for are Saturday from 4:00 to 5:00 and Sunday from 12:30 to 2:30.  Again, there is no charge for attending this match (see previous postings for more information).
Other information is as follows:

Directions to Hog Dog Productions

Directions: From the North: Take I-97 South off the Baltimore Beltway. Exit New Cut Road. Turn right at the end of the ramp. Follow approximately 1.5 mile to fork in road. Bear left onto Gambrills Rd. Go approx 2 miles to flashing red traffic light and turn left onto Dicus Mill Rd. Turn right at the second street, Ski Lane. After 3 houses, the main road turns left and the driveway to 470 continues straight ahead. Follow the signs to the far back of the property.

From the South: Take either 97 north or Rte 3 north to Rte 32 west. Exit Burns Crossing Road. At the end of a long ramp; turn right at the traffic light onto Burns Crossing. Take the first immediate street on the right, Dicus Mill. Go approx two miles to stop sign and flashing yellow light, continue straight and follow the directions above to Ski Lane.

From the West: Take Rte 32 east to Burns Crossing Road. Turn right at end of ramp. Right at first traffic light, then left at next light onto Burns Crossing. Turn right onto first immediate street, Dicus Mill and follow directions above.

If using a web search engine or GPS unit to determine directions, use the address 470 Ski Lane, Millersville, Md.

Parking & Site Provisions

All competitors must park and unload on the gress in the designated areas.  If you’ve never been to Hog Dog for one of the trials there, you can see a birds-eye view of the site located at http://bit.ly/PfqaKh that shows where you can park.  However – since this is a clinic/match and not a trial, you can also park in areas that are marked Reserved/Handicapped as well.  This site map also shows which direction you drive onto and exit from the property.

The match will most likely be held in the fabric agility building so that we can take advantage of its shade.  You are welcome to set up in there, however you will probably find your dogs will be a bit cooler outdoors in shade.  If you do set up indoors and have portable battery-powered fans, I would recommend you bring them.

The current weather report for the weekend is a relatively balmy mid-80’s and wading pools/water will be available.  Still –  take care and protect yourself and your dogs against the heat.

Miscellaneous

The judge will be signalling faults based upon the level of certification they are attending the clinic for (usually Advanced or Masters) and the clinic instructors will be working with them and sometimes grading them on  on how well they identify and signal faults, their mobility in judging contacts, etc.
You will be running on an Advanced/Masters course.  You can run the course pretty much however you like.  If you have to stop and do something ‘unusual’ to help your dog do a section of the course, that’s fine.  (The clinic instructors don’t actually mind this as it gives them a chance to observe how the apprentice judge should be calling it).

Agility Dogs Wanted for USDAA Judging Clinic Examination

On July 19-22, Mid-Atlantic MADness is hosting a USDAA judging clinic and examination at Hog Dog in Millersville, MD.

On the Saturday and Sunday of this clinic, we will run a practice match for which we need dogs for the new judges to practice their skills on. Participation in this match is a good chance to get your dog on different equipment in a different location as well as a good way to give back to the sport. Rubber contacts, a breakaway tire, and 24″ weaves will be used at this match.

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Requirements: Your dog must be able to perform all of the standard equipment outdoors in an open level field. (Note: depending on weather conditions, the match may be moved inside Hog Dog’s fabric building and held on a sand/sawdust mixture surface). The dog does not need to be USDAA registered and does not have to be measured to participate. However, several CMJs will be available at this clinic and it is an official USDAA event, so you are welcome to bring your blue measurement card if you would like to get an official measurement.

How it Works: There is no cost for entering the match. You may specify the height of the jumps and the AFrame (Championship, Performance, or Veterans) that you want to work the dog at. You will be asked to sign the usual disclaimer before participating. Although you may come at any point, it will work best if you sign up beforehand in 1 to 2 hour slots so that you and your dogs are not outside in July for several hours. (Wading pools and hoses will be available and the dock diving pool may be open as well). Match times are Saturday afternoon (signup begins at 12pm and runthrus at 1pm) and again on Sunday morning (signup at 10:30am, judging at 11:30am). You may be asked to run 3-4 times in your time slot under different judge trainees. We would ask you only not to train in the ring when you are actually being judged.

How to Sign Up: Send an email to JLGauntt@aol.com with the following information:

Handler Name:

Dog Call Name:

Dog Jump Height (4, 8, 12, 16, 22, 26):

Aframe Height (5’0, 5’6, 5’10):

Preferred time slot on Saturday afternoon:

Preferred time slot on Sunday afternoon:

Email address you can be contacted at:

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More information will be posted on this web site starting a week before the clinic.

Update on the July 2012 USDAA Judging Clinic

The minimum number of participants for the July 19-22, 2012 USDAA Judging Clinic hosted by Mid-Atlantic MADness has been met so this clinic is definitely a go.

Hotel and other information is posted here.

Important closing dates to know are:  Monday, June 18th is the last day to reserve a room in the host hotel under the group block and rates.  Tuesday, June 19th is the last date to enroll for the clinic.

This four day clinic is structured for the following groups:

  • competitors wishing to learn more about rules and course design,
  • competitors and instructors wishing to learn more about judging USDAA Intro trials,
  • persons wishing to become certified as a provisional Starters/Advanced judge,
  • existing Starters/Advanced judges who wish to become certified as a provisional Masters judge,
  • existing judges who need re-certification at their current judging level.

The enrollment form contains additional information on the fee structure for the target groups.

6/6/12 UPDATE:  The hotel has allowed us to extend the last day to reserve the hotel to Monday, June 25th.

Final Update for Spring 2012 USDAA Trial

Claire Schwartz’s courses from this weekend are now available for download.  Photos from Ramsey Photography from Saturday and Sunday are also now available for viewing;  note that there are different photo galleries for Saturday and Sunday.

Mimi Burton, who had to be taken to the hospital on Sunday afternoon, emailed me on Monday afternoon.  Although the hospital did hold her overnight for testing and observation, she was released this morning with no further problems.

We have two ‘found’ items left – a small red cushion found in the seating area and a set of reading glasses left on/near the scribe’s table.  We also have two ‘lost’ reports as follows:

  • From Janet Miller  – lost set of car keys.  “They could be either in the building or on the ground somewhere.  The set contains a Honda key along with a bunch of other important keys.”
  • From Jeannette Hutchison – small black camera case.  “On Sat. I put it on the tables where the toys and ribbons were when I came to the briefing so Ivette could take pictures when Dave, Jeanne, Nancy and I were wearing the contact pants. I forgot to get it when we were done. I checked later that day and it was nowhere to be found. It had a spare battery and a SD card with pictures and video that I would love to have.”

If you found either of these items while at the trial or later this week training at Hog Dog, please contact me (JLGauntt@aol.com) so I can get them back to their owners.

Again, thanks to all that attended and we hope to see you at our September trial outdoors in Gamber, Maryland.

Spring 2012 Trial Results are Available

Thank you to everyone who attended our trial this weekend.  Local judge Claire Schwartz gave us a nice selection of fun and challenging courses and the trial was kept running smoothly by chief coursebuilders Will Anderson and Sally Josselyn as well as chief ring stewards Sheila Franklin and Terry Herman.  Courses should be posted on the website tomorrow.  Individual results have been emailed and the full trial results can be viewed here.

Congratulations to our new title holders:

Diana LaClair & Finnegan – Masters Jumpers
Marta Coursey & Gabe – Relay Master
Cliff Anderson & Tucker – Relay Masters Bronze
Diana LaClair & Finnegan – Relay Master
Jill Bond & Bozo – Snooker Master Bronze
Linda Hulbert & Catcher – Advanced Gamblers
Lisa Decker & Remi – Starters Gamblers
Linda Hulbert & Catcher – Starters Standard
Linda Hulbert & Catcher – Agility Dog
Val Henry & Freya – Agility Dog
Nancy Woodside & Zoe – Advanced Performance Relay
Perry DeWitt & Goose – Starters Relay
Samantha Jackson & Buddy Elf – Starters Performance Relay
Donna Brown & Lark – Agility Dog
Linda Hulbert & Catcher – Starters Snooker
Diana LaClair & Taggert – Starters Jumpers
Samantha Jackson & Buddy Elf – Starters Jumpers

July 2012 USDAA Judging Clinic Information is Now Available

Information for the July 19-22, 2012 USDAA Judging Clinic hosted by Mid-Atlantic MADness in the Baltimore, Maryland area is now posted here.

This four day clinic is structured for the following groups:

  • competitors wishing to learn more about rules and course design,
  • competitors and instructors wishing to learn more about judging USDAA Intro trials,
  • persons wishing to become certified as a provisional Starters/Advanced judge,
  • existing Starters/Advanced judges who wish to become certified as a provisional Masters judge,
  • existing judges who need re-certification at their current judging level.

The enrollment form contains additional information on the fee structure for the target groups.

Closing date for clinic enrollment is Tuesday, June 19, 2012