6/25/15 Update: The online entry form for the practice match associated with the judging clinic described below is now available.

Information for the July 16-19, 2015 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 was changed from Friday, June 29, 2015 to Friday, June 19, 2015.

The final schedule for the match is located here.   We have enough dogs for all the time slots now, but could take another dog or two on Sunday.  Thanks everybody!

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).

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.

We have 23 existing or new judge applicants that will be attending the clinic and registration is now closed.

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.

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