Guide to Classes and Awards in the Agility Division

Starting out: ON-LEAD Agility

The "On-lead" agility class is unique to the Jack Russell world. It is intended and offered as an introduction to the sport. Many JR owners only have the opportunity to work on agility equipment at a terrier trial. A leash is allowed at this level only to prevent terriers from running off, not to force a dog to complete the course. Penalties are assessed for tight leads and leash pulls. Teach your dog at home to sit, down, come, stay and wait so that you won't need to tug them into place.

Novice is truly for the first time JR competitor, canine or human. It is limited to dogs that have never scored 190 or better in an agility competition (an Agility course has a top value of 200 points). A score of 190 or better in Novice On-Lead means the dog is working confidently and is ready for Advanced On-Lead. In fact, the dog MUST enter Advanced On-Lead at future JRTCC sanctioned trials. Likewise, competitors may may enter Advanced On-Lead classes until they receive a score of 190 or better, at which time they are encouraged to move up to Starters Off-Lead.

On-lead (non-certificate classes)

  • Novice
  • Advanced
  • Youth Agility On-lead

Onward and Off-lead (certificate classes)

  • Starters Agility
  • Agility I Certificate
  • Agility II Certificate
  • Agility III Certificate
  • Youth Agility

Points are NOT awarded for runs in which terriers were disqualified or eliminated.

Veterans' Agility I, II, III (terriers 6 years old and over)

It is "optional" for trials to offer these non-certificate classes. When separate agility classes are offered for Veterans, there is NO cross entering between Veterans and regular Agility classes. A veteran dog does not have to compete as a veteran, however. Owners can choose to enter their veteran dogs in regular agility classes, and would then compete for the associated awards for these classes.

If there are no separate classes for Veterans, trials may STILL offer a Veterans Agility Champion & Reserve Ribbon & Trophy as long as they state in their Premium List, under the Agility Division, that they are offering these awards. Dogs entered as a Veteran can be distinguished by prefixing the Agility I/II/III class #'s with a "V". This lets trials compare scores of the terriers contending for the Veteran Agility awards and for Overall/Grand Veteran Champion/Reserve Awards if awarded. If a terrier is competing as a Veteran in Agility for the above awards, they MAY NOT contend for the regular Off-Lead Agility Champion/Reserve awards. It's one or the other. Veterans ARE eligible for contention of the Agility High Point JRTCC awards, whether or not they have separate classes.

Veterans Off-lead (Optional, non-sanctioned)

  • Veterans Agility I
  • Veterans Agility II
  • Veterans Agility III

Terriers must have their Agility I, II or III certificates in regular Off-Lead classes to enter.

Games (Optional, non-sanctioned)

  • Jumpers (On- or Off-lead): terriers jump 12 inch obstacles.
  • Pairs Relay (Off-lead)): Entry comprised of two dogs and two handlers. First handler on completing course hands baton to second handler who continues. Total time of both.
  • Pairs Pursuit
  • Gamblers
  • Boxed Pairs
  • Beat the Clock


Photo: Bill Newcomb

Awards

All JRTCC Sanctioned Trials offering Agility award an Agility High Score Champion and Reserve Ribbon and Trophy to the top scoring terrier and runner-up in Agility III/Veterans III (ties are broken by the fastest time). If there are not enough qualifiers in Agility III/Veterans III classes, terriers in regular or veterans' Agility I & II classes can be considered. Competitors in On-Lead, Starters Off-Lead and Youth classes are not eligible.

To be eligible for these awards:

  • terriers cannot have been disqualified or eliminated
  • the owners must be current members of the JRTCC/CA
  • terriers must be registered or recorded with the JRTCC/CA.

An annual JRTCC High Point Trophy is awarded at the JRTCC National Trial to the terrier that has earned the most points through the year in the regular Agility III classes.

The following awards are optional for trials to offer

  1. Agility Champion and Reserve On-lead: Trials may offer separate Novice and Advanced awards, OR they can have all on-lead classes compete for the same awards.
  2. Agility Champion and Reserve Off-lead: Awarded to the terriers with the best scores in Agility III, II, I and Starters Off-Lead.
  3. Veterans Agility Champion and Reserve Off-lead: Awarded to the Veteran terriers with the best scores in Agility III, II and I, OR in Veterans III, II & I classes if trials offer these). Such entrants may not compete for #2.

Cross entering
OR.. Ah what the heck - GO for it!

Cross entering is optional for trials to offer. The JRTCC allows cross entering in order for competitors to gain more experience. A terrier who is cross entering UP (above their current standing) gets a prefix "X". Their results WILL NOT be used toward an award, EXCEPT class ribbon placements of 1st to 6th. Any terrier cross entering DOWN is not eligible for ribbon placement.

  • Starters Agility may cross into Agility II
  • Agility I may cross into Agility II
  • Agility II may cross into Agility III
  • Agility III may cross into Agility II