Go-to-Ground Division Classes and Awards

GO TO GROUND (GTG)

A popular event at Jack Russell Terrier trials, Go To Ground is an attempt to simulate natural hunting. Terriers enter an artificial earth or "den" (9"x9" tunnel, usually made of wood) using their instinct-by-breeding and sense of smell 'to hunt' for the rat stationed safely at the end of the tunnel. Terriers are judged on their speed to the tunnel's end and their ability to work/mark the quarry (e.g. barking, whining, digging, etc. when they reach the rat's location). Although it really is more or less a game for the terriers, it can be a good training step for their real earthwork some day! Some terriers may not work in an artificial environment, others enjoy this event every time out!

ABOUT THE COMPETITION

The Go To Ground Division is comprised of three main classes: Novice, Open and Championship/Certificate. These may be subdivided further for puppies and adults. Terriers must proceed through each level, receiving a pass on both the Working and Time tests to be eligible for advancement. After successful working, terriers are then ranked by their time to determine placement in the event….perhaps winning a ribbon, a prize and/or a Championship!

General Notes

1. Trials, certificates and score sheets are those of the JRTCC, JRTCA and AWTA.
2. All classes are for Jack Russell Terriers only. The terriers must be within the 10 - 15" height standard. (Go To Ground is a sanctioned event.)
3. Veteran classes are for terriers six years and older; Senior classes for terriers 10 years and older.
4. For our youth, there is a Child Handler class (9 years and under) and a Junior Handler
class (10 up to 18 years). In these classes the score sheet is not for the terrier!
5. Always check the specific class listings for each trial when completing the entry form.

CLASSES

PRE-NOVICE PUPPY

(optional at trials) - Puppies 4 up to 6 months old - one minute to reach the quarry, may leave earth and re-enter several times - work quarry for 15 seconds without break Even if a puppy hasn't attempted/passed Pre-Novice, it must enter the Novice class upon turning 6 months of age.

NOVICE

Puppies 6 up to 12 months; Adults 1 year and older - must not have scored 100% in this class at any previous trial - one minute to reach quarry, may leave earth and re-enter several times - work quarry for 30 seconds without break Terriers earning a 100% score at this trial may show the 100% Novice score sheet and pay the pre-entry fee to enter the Open class at this trial.

OPEN PUPPY

Puppies 6 up to 12 months; Adults 1 year and older - must have scored 100% in a Novice class at this or a previous trial or 100% in an Open class at a previous trial - 30 seconds to reach the quarry, may leave earth once and re-enter - work quarry for one minute without break

Note: A puppy that has passed the Open Puppy and/or Puppy Championship class must, upon turning one year of age, be entered into the Open Adult GTG class unless, or until such time as, the terrier has been registered/recorded with the JRTCC and the 100% Open or Championship score sheet submitted to the JRTCC Judges Committee to be issued a JRTCC Trial Certificate. Similarly, a registered/recorded adult terrier that has previously scored 100% in the Open Adult class at a JRTCC trial may compete in Open GTG indefinitely, or until such time as a JRTCC Trial Certificate has been requested by the owner and issued. Owners must be JRTCC Members to apply for a JRTCC Trial Certificate for the registered/recorded terrier.

CHAMPIONSHIP PUPPY

Puppies 6 up to 12 months - must have scored 100% in an Open Puppy class or in a Puppy Championship class at a previous trial - a copy of the 100% Open or Puppy Championship score sheet must be submitted with the trial entry or presented at the time of the class - 30 seconds to reach the quarry, may leave earth once and re-enter - work quarry for one minute without break

CHAMPIONSHIP CERTIFICATE

Adults 1 year and older - classes for terriers 10 - 12.5" in height and for terriers over 12.5 - 15"
- a copy of the terrier's Trial Certificate is required for entry into this class and must be submitted with the trial entry or presented at the time of the class
- 30 seconds to reach the quarry, may not leave earth - work quarry for one minute without break
- First and second place holders in the Championship Puppy and Championship Certificate classes will hold the Champion and Reserve titles for the trial.

Cross-entering
- Although a terrier may fit the criteria for more than one class in the GTG division, cross-entering is not permitted.

GTG SUMMARY/GUIDELINES

1. Schooling (practicing at the event site) prior to the competition is NOT permitted. Any violation of this rule shall result in disqualification of the schooled terrier from Go To Ground competition at this trial. No entry fees will be refunded.
2. Any terrier that will be used for Child and/or Junior Handler GTG classes must first complete
any GTG class into which it may be entered at this trial, including any Novice to Open move-up.
3. Prior to the event, exhibitors are responsible for collecting any score sheets for their terriers at the registration area, for completing the pertinent information and, at the time of the competition, for taking them to the Den Steward for scoring by the Judge.
4. Exhibitors should examine the score sheets carefully as they contain important information regarding the requirements, specifications and judging criteria of each class.
5. Puppies holding a 100% Open Puppy or prior 100% Puppy Championship score sheet may compete in the Puppy Championship class, which determines the Puppy Champion and Reserve for the trial. Only adult terriers holding a JRTCC TRIAL CERTIFICATE may compete in the Championship Certificate classes, which determine the GTG Champions and Reserves for the trial.
6. A puppy that has competed in the Puppy Championship class must enter that class at trials until it turns one year old. A terrier issued a JRTCC Trial Certificate must always compete in the Championship Certificate class. Cross entering in Go To Ground is not permitted.
7. With no exceptions, to be submitted with entries or provided to the Den Steward at the time of judging for: Puppy Championship class - a copy of the 100% Open Puppy or prior 100% Puppy Championship score sheet; Adult Championship Certificate classes - a JRTCC Trial Certificate.
8. An adult terrier or puppy that qualifies in the Novice class at this trial, may "move up" to be entered into the Open class at this same trial by presenting the 100% Novice score sheet and paying the pre-entry class fee. Note that there will be no move-ups from Open to either of Puppy Championship or Championship Certificate classes at this trial.
9. A registered/recorded adult terrier that has previously scored 100% in the Open class at a JRTCC trial, may compete in Open GTG indefinitely, or until such time as a JRTCC Trial Certificate has been requested by the owner and issued by the Judges Committee.
As well, an unregistered puppy (under one year) may compete in Open Puppy GTG indefinitely.
10. A puppy that has passed the Open Puppy and/or Puppy Championship class must, upon turning one year of age, be entered into the Open Adult GTG class unless, or until such time as, the terrier has been registered/recorded with the JRTCC and the 100% Open or
Championship score sheet submitted to the JRTCC Judges Committee to be issued a JRTCC Trial Certificate.
11. Terriers which have previously scored 100% in a Puppy or Adult Novice class at a JRTCC trial may not, under any circumstances, compete in a Novice class again at any JRTCC sanctioned trial.
12. Exhibitors should read the complete Go To Ground Rules posted at the event site.
13. The starting line shall be placed two feet from the entrance hole.
Timing starts when the terrier is released by the handler. The terrier is to be released so that all four feet
are on the ground before crossing the starting line. The terrier may not
be pushed or thrown toward the hole. Any violation of this rule, accidental or intentional,
shall result in disqualification of the terrier from the class in which the violation occurs.
No entry fees will be refunded.
14. After the terrier is released, the handler shall remain next to the entrance hole.
Commands and encouragement may be given. The handler shall wait for the signal from the
Judge before proceeding to the terrier's location.
15. It is the exhibitor's responsibility to collect the completed/signed score sheet from the
Judge before leaving with the terrier.
16. If at any time during a GTG run the equipment fails, the terrier will be allowed a
re-run at the end of the GTG event, after all other terriers have completed the GTG class.
17. Go To Ground score sheets outline the requirements and provide directions for applying
to the Judges Committee for a JRTCC Trial Certificate. The owner must be a current member
of the JRTCC. If the terrier is not already registered or recorded, the score sheet may be
submitted with that application to the JRTCC Registrar.

OPTIONAL CLASSES

MASTERS' DEN

A simulated den or "sette" including multiple entrances, blind tunnels, barriers and varying tunnel sizes; eventually leading to caged quarry (usually the end piece of a go-to-ground liner is utilized in order to ensure the safety of the rats used as "quarry").