November 2020 NDAL League Courses

Following is a preview of the November 2020 courses and games for NDAL league play. Because of the extreme conditions wrought on the world by the coronavirus pandemic the NDAL presents for play in November three historical NDAL courses.

50×70 Fast & Fun

The November 2020 50×70 Fast & Fun league is Pole Jacks, designed by Bud Houston. This game was first run in the NDAL in May of 2017.

Briefing

Pole Jacks is played like the children’s game of jacks. The performance of a short set of weave poles is the bounce of the ball. All other obstacles on the course are jacks and have specific point values. Jumps are worth 1 point; tunnels are worth 3 points.

After the “bounce” (doing the weave poles), the team must “pick up” the appropriate number of jacks by scoring an equivalent number of points. The handler and dog team will bounce “onesies,” bounce “twosies,” bounce “threesies,” and so forth until either they score “sevensies” or time expires.

Time begins when the dog first makes a “legal” entry into the weave poles. Time stops when the dog touches the table with one paw. The table is live at all times. The end-of-time whistle ends scoring only at 60 seconds. After the time whistle, there will be no fault and no points for the dog taking additional obstacles on the way to the table to stop time.

ON ANY FAULT, THE PICK-UP IS LOST AND THE DOG MUST “BOUNCE” AGAIN, AND RETRY THE SAME NUMBER.

The dog must pick up points equaling the number for which the team is shooting after the bounce. Entering the weave poles with fewer or more than the correct “pick up” is a fault.

No obstacle may be taken back-to-back on the same pick up. However, an obstacle may be repeated in the same pick-up.

Note that the final score will be a single digit number ranging from 0 to 7. In any game with a finite number of possible scores time to the table will be an important tie-breaker.

Pole Jacks is scored Points, then Time.

Historical

The standing Top Dog in this game was recorded in May of 2017, representing Wicked West Australians out of Banjup Western Australia. Ripley, a Border Collie handled by Nic Ford, finished the game with 7 points in 45.19 seconds:

60×90 Masters

The November 2020 60×90 Masters league is a numbered course designed by Bud Houston. This course was originally run in the NDAL in May 2017, and was run again at an NDAL tournament in November, 2018.

A Numbered Course is scored Time, Plus Faults.

Historical

The standing Top Dog on this course, recorded in May 2017, represented Clermont County All Breed All Stars out of Milford, Ohio. Oreo, a Border Collie handled by Daelyn Grome finished with zero faults in 36.53 seconds:

36X85 Fast & Fun

The November game for the 36×85 Fast & Fun league is a Numbered Course.

Briefing

Follow the numbers, hit the paint, keep the bars up… and have fun.

A Numbered Course is scored Time, Plus Faults, Less Bonuses.

Historical

The standing Top Dog in this game, recorded in May 2017, represented Wicked West Australians out of Banjup Western Australia. Jay, a Border Collie handled by Sylvia Hamilton, finished the course with zero faults in 20.76 seconds:

An Open Invitation to New Players

New clubs and individuals are always welcome to join us in play these historical courses. Download the scorekeeping worksheet below; contact the League Secretary to help with the details at  Houston.Bud@gmail.com.

• The 50×70 Fast & Fun League is intended to allow the dog to work at full extension with modest handling challenges.
  Download Scoresheet110120B50x70.xls
• The 60×90 Masters League focuses advanced handling challenges.
  Download Scoresheet110120C60x90.xls
• The 36×85 Fast & Fun League is intended to allow the dog to work at full extension with modest handling challenges.
  Download Scoresheet110120D36x85.xls
• Existing league franchises will be emailed their scorekeeping worksheets set up with their current rosters upon request.

Follow us on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/TopDogAgilityPlayers/

Read our blog:
https://topdogagilityplayers.wordpress.com/

BLOG1552 NDAL

Questions comments & impassioned speeches to Bud Houston Houston.Bud@gmail.com. Visit our web store: www.dogagility.org/newstore. You’ll find in the web store The Book of Agility Games, a comprehensive reference to all manner of agility games played for competition and fun around the world.

September 2020 36×85 Fast & Fun Results

A solitary club played the 36×85 Fast & Fun game in September, PAWS4FUN out of Kemptville, Ontario, Canada. We are expecting another club to join this league in October… though we’ll lose Paws4Fun after October as the weather up north will spoil the effort.

We are using “historical” courses, which have been played before. The efforts of dogs playing in September earn Lifetime Performance Points (LPP), as the historical performances were ranked with the new performances. And LPP is a measure of rank.

36×85 Fast & Fun September 2020 Results

The September 36×85 Fast & Fun League featured the game called Time Warp designed by Bud Houston. This is a historic course originally played in March of 2017.

Time Warp is a simple sequencing game that features two distance challenges. 10 points earned for doing the teeter without fault, while the handler remains on the opposite side of the red line. An additional 10 points may be earned for #8 through #10 without fault, while the handler stays on other side of the red line.

Time Warp is scored Time, Plus Faults, Less Bonus. Follow the numbers, keep the bars up, and have fun.

Results

Follow this link to view individual performance by dogs and their handlers. Most of these are graced with a YouTube link:

Standings090120D36x85.pdf

The High Five

Paws4Fun made a great challenge run against the historical performances of the 36×85 Time Warp game, garnering 378 Lifetime Performance Points. Their top five scores were:

In fifth-place was Snow, a Siberian Husky handled by Lynn McGlashan. Snow and Lynn finished the game with 10 faults, earning 10 on the bonus, in 38.08 seconds:

The fourth-place dog was Sam, a Shetland Sheepdog handled by Linda Howie. Sam and Linda finished the game with zero faults, earning 20 on the bonus in 44.74 seconds, for a final score of 24.74:

And in third-place was Charm, a Dalmatian handled by Annalisa Percy. Charm and Annalisa finished the game with zero faults, earning 20 on the bonus in 40.78 seconds, for a final score of 20.78:

Finishing in second place was Dune, a Labrador handled by Catherine Woolham. Dune and Catherine finished the game with zero faults, earning 20 on the bonus, in 39.28 seconds, for a final score of 19.28:

The Top Dog in the September 36×85 Fast & Fun game was Alec, a Dalmatian handled by Annalisa Percy. Alec and Annalisa finished the game with zero faults, earning 20 on the bonus, in 33.88 seconds, for a final score of 13.88:

October Courses and Beyond?

New teams are always welcome to join us for NDAL league play. You are welcome to join any of our four ongoing leagues. The October 2020 National Dog Agility League games and courses have been published here:

https://wp.me/p2Pu8l-i9

We will be publishing “historical” courses so long as the world is required to stay at home and maintain social distances that make organized sports difficult to play. These courses are appropriate for small groups and individuals that have the capacity to build full courses.

BLOG1550 NDAL

Questions comments & impassioned speeches to Bud Houston Houston.Bud@gmail.com. Visit our web store: www.dogagility.org/newstore. You’ll find in the web store The Book of Agility Games, a comprehensive reference to all manner of agility games played for competition and fun around the world.

September 2020 60×90 Masters Results

Three clubs have reported results for the 60×90 Masters League in September.

We are using “historical” courses, which have been played before. The efforts of dogs playing in September earn Lifetime Performance Points (LPP), as the historical performances were ranked with the new performances. And LPP is a measure of rank.

60×90 Masters September 2020 Results

The September 60×90 Masters League featured the game called Time Warp designed by Bud Houston. This is a historic course originally played in March of 2017.

Time Warp is a simple sequencing game with a distance challenge (indicated on the course map) from which the dog may earn a bonus, if performed without fault.

Time Warp is scored Time, Plus Faults, Less Bonus. Follow the numbers, keep the bars up, and have fun.

Results

Follow this link to view individual performance by dogs and their handlers. Most of these are graced with a YouTube link:

Standings090120C60x90.pdf

The Top Dog of clubs reporting in September represented the first-place team, POTC Thunder Pawz out of Brimfield, Illinois. Wick, a Border Collie handled by Hannah Teegardin finished the game with zero faults, earning 10 on the bonus in 38.57 seconds:

The high scoring dog for the second-place team in September plays for K9 Powersports out of Grand Junction, Colorado. Keiji, a Papillon handled by Geoff Teare, finished the game with zero faults, earning no bonus, in 34.45 seconds:

The high scoring dog for the third-place team in September represented High Sierra Canine Agility Club in Markleeville, California. Charlie, a Kelpie handled by Colleen Reid, finished the game with 5 faults, earning 10 on the bonus in 35.35 seconds:

October Courses and Beyond?

New teams are always welcome to join us for NDAL league play. You are welcome to join any of our four ongoing leagues. The October 2020 National Dog Agility League games and courses have been published here:

https://wp.me/p2Pu8l-i9

We will be publishing “historical” courses so long as the world is required to stay at home and maintain social distances that make organized sports difficult to play. These courses are appropriate for small groups and individuals that have the capacity to build full courses.

BLOG1549 NDAL

Questions comments & impassioned speeches to Bud Houston Houston.Bud@gmail.com. Visit our web store: www.dogagility.org/newstore. You’ll find in the web store The Book of Agility Games, a comprehensive reference to all manner of agility games played for competition and fun around the world.

September 2020 50×70 Fast & Fun Results

Five clubs have reported results for the 50×70 Fast & Fun League in September.

We are using “historical” courses, which have been played before. The efforts of dogs playing in September earn Lifetime Performance Points (LPP), as the historical performances were ranked with the new performances. And LPP is a measure of rank.

50×70 Fast & Fun September 2020 Results

The September 2020 50×70 Fast & Fun league was a game called Call, Direct & Send, designed by Bud Houston. This game was first run in the NDAL in March of 2017.

Briefing

Call Direct & Send is a simple sequencing game that features three opportunities for the dog to earn bonuses while the handler works at a distance. On this course the first bonus is the “Call”. The handler must lead out beyond jump #2 to start the dog; a 10-point bonus is earned if the dog performs the two jumps without fault, and doesn’t have to be reset by the handler.

The second bonus can be earned in the “Direct” sequence, #5 through #7. The dog earns the 10-point bonus so far as the three obstacles can be performed without fault. Be mindful that in the NDAL we fault refusals on contact obstacles.

A final bonus can be earned for the “Send”. A 10-point bonus will be earned if the dog will perform #10 through #12 without fault while the handler remains on the opposite side of the line.

Call, Direct & Send is scored Time, Plus Faults, Less Bonuses.

Results

AQ4U continues to lead in the 50×70 Fast & Fun League.

Follow this link to view individual performance by dogs and their handlers. Most of these are graced with a YouTube link:

Standings090120B50x70.pdf

The Top Dog of clubs reporting in September represented AQ4U’s Fast & Furryous out of Brooks, Kentucky.  Legend, a Shetland Sheepdog handled by Lydia Robbins, finished the game with zero faults, earning 30 on the bonus in 22.23 seconds, for a final score of minus 7.77:

The top scoring dog for the second-place team, Paws4Fun Agility Club out of Kemptville, Ontario, Canada was Snow, a Siberian Husky handled by Lynn McGlashan. Snow and Lynn finished the game with zero faults, earning 30 on the bonus in 30.22 seconds, for a final score of 0.22:

The top scoring dog for the third-place team, High Sierra Canine Agility Club out of Markleeville, California was Charlie, a Kelpie handled by Colleen Reid. Charlie and Colleen finished the course with zero faults, earning 30 on the bonus in 28.27 seconds for a score of minus 1.73:

The team in fourth-place was Cloud Nine out of Maple Grove, Minnesota. This team might have scored higher, but fielded a team of only three dogs. The top scoring dog for Cloud Nine was Guppy, a Brussels Griffon handled by Kelly McFaul-Solem, who finished the game with zero faults, scoring 30 on the bonusin 28.47 seconds, for a score of minus 1.53:

A new NDAL franchise joined us in September, K9cation out of Hudson, Colorado. The top scoring dog for K9cation was Jasper, a Chocolate Lab handled by Shana Goodwin. Jasper and Shana finished the game with zero faults, scoring 20 on the bonus in 32 seconds for a final score of 12 flat:

October Courses and Beyond?

New teams are always welcome to join us for NDAL league play. You are welcome to join any of our four ongoing leagues. The October 2020 National Dog Agility League games and courses have been published here:

https://wp.me/p2Pu8l-i9

We will be publishing “historical” courses so long as the world is required to stay at home and maintain social distances that make organized sports difficult to play. These courses are appropriate for small groups and individuals that have the capacity to build full courses.

BLOG1548 NDAL

Questions comments & impassioned speeches to Bud Houston Houston.Bud@gmail.com. Visit our web store: www.dogagility.org/newstore. You’ll find in the web store The Book of Agility Games, a comprehensive reference to all manner of agility games played for competition and fun around the world.

October 2020 NDAL League Courses

Following is a preview of the October 2020 courses and games for NDAL league play. Because of the extreme conditions wrought on the world by the coronavirus pandemic the NDAL presents for play in October three historical NDAL courses.

50×70 Fast & Fun

The October 2020 50×70 Fast & Fun league is Time Warp Looper, designed by Brenda Gilday and Bud Houston. This game was first run in the NDAL in April of 2017.

Briefing

TIME WARP ~ send to tire  (from other side of line) = 10 bonus pts. Send all the way to the weaves (completed without fault) = 10 MORE bonus pts. LOOPER ~ After first completed #1 through #9 the dog is directed through the sequence a second time (40 points maximum bonus).

This game is scored Time, Plus Faults, Less Bonus. Follow the numbers, keep the bars up, and have fun.

The standing Top Dog in this game was recorded in April of 2017, representing Wicked West Australians out of Banjup Western Australia. Flayme, a Border Collie handled by Susan Masson, finished the game with zero faults, scoring 40 on the bonus in 25.77 seconds for a final score of minus 14.23 seconds:

60×90 Masters

The October 2020 60×90 Masters league is a game called Time Warp, designed by Brenda Gilday and Bud Houston. This game was originally run in the NDAL in April, 2017, and was run again at an NDAL tournament in October, 2018.

Clearly the course designers were on a games binge in April of 2017 (and maybe imagined that distance games would give their dogs some advantage?)

Briefing

Time Warp is a simple sequencing game that provides a single opportunity for the dog to earn a bonus. On this course A Time Warp bonus can be earned for each performance of the pipe tunnel. 5 bonus points are earned when the dog performs a pipe tunnel in sequence with the handler on the opposite side of the (red) containment line. 20 total bonus points are possible.

Time Warp is scored Time, Plus Faults, Less Bonus.

The standing Top Dog in this game, recorded in April, 2017, represented Clermont County All Breed All Stars out of Milford, Ohio. Leela, a Border Collie handled by Brenda Gilday, finished the game with zero faults, scoeing 20 on the bonus in 35.33 seconds, for a final score of 15.33:

36X85 Fast & Fun

The October game for the 36×85 Fast & Fun league is a Numbered Course.

Briefing

Follow the numbers, hit the paint, keep the bars up… and have fun.

A Numbered Course is scored Time, Plus Faults, Less Bonuses.

The standing Top Dog in this game, recorded in April, 2017, represented Wicked West Australians out of Banjup Western Australia. Ripley, a Border Collie handled by Nic Ford, finished the course with zero faults in 30.43 seconds:

An Open Invitation to New Players

New clubs and individuals are always welcome to join us in play these historical courses. Download the scorekeeping worksheet below; contact the League Secretary to help with the details at  Houston.Bud@gmail.com.

• The 50×70 Fast & Fun League is intended to allow the dog to work at full extension with modest handling challenges.
  Download Scoresheet100120B50x70.xls
• The 60×90 Masters League focuses advanced handling challenges.
  Download Scoresheet100120C60x90.xls
• The 36×85 Fast & Fun League is intended to allow the dog to work at full extension with modest handling challenges.
  Download Scoresheet100120D36x85.xls
• Existing league franchises will be emailed their scorekeeping worksheets set up with their current rosters upon request.

Follow us on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/TopDogAgilityPlayers/

Read our blog:
https://topdogagilityplayers.wordpress.com/

BLOG1547 NDAL

Questions comments & impassioned speeches to Bud Houston Houston.Bud@gmail.com. Visit our web store: www.dogagility.org/newstore. You’ll find in the web store The Book of Agility Games, a comprehensive reference to all manner of agility games played for competition and fun around the world.