The Califia Open Agility Cup
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS!
WHAT IS THE DEAL WITH THIS EVENT???
The Califia Cup was originated and designed for two purposes.
Firstly; to create not only a competitive setting where participants can run with the intent to compete AND win (rather than play it safe and/or simply be chasing points and Qs), but secondly; to also foster a sense of community within our different regions and choices of agility venues.
The agility community is a vibrant and powerful group, we want to celebrate that while also creating a platform for those competitors who want to practice the mindset that it takes to compete in agility at its highest levels, both here in the United States and beyond.
We foster a competitive atmosphere by scoring using time-plus-faults. Runs will be cumulative, with a finals round for top seeds, to encourage a "lay it on the line" mentality.
Winners and placements will receive not just rosettes and cool loot, but bragging rights! Finals Cup winners in each height will win CASH prizes in addition to lots of other amazing bling! Teams should be prepared to tackle FCI-style courses. The first year’s courses were designed by world-famous judge Tamas Traj, and the second year pulled courses from major international agility events such as the Norwegian Open.
ARE MY DOG AND I ELIGIBLE?
This Cup event is open to all teams with dogs 18 months of age and older, regardless of current title status or “venue affiliation”. Dogs should be comfortable working in an unsecured ring (there will be ring fencing on three sides, but there will not be gates), and able to complete full sized, technical courses. Dogs may compete at whatever their current competitive jump height is. There will be no “preferred” or “performance” splits. All dogs running in X jump height will be scored together.
***Heights may be combined if entries warrant.***
WHAT DOES “FCI STYLE” or “INTERNATIONAL COURSES” MEAN?
FCI is the main organization that runs agility competitions in Europe. Their courses are typically longer than ours--both in physical layout and total yardage. It has been said that the courses in Europe typically have better “flow” for the dog. Spacing between jumps is larger, and backsides will be included in each course. These courses are NOT the same as AKC Premier or USDAA Masters Challenges courses. The dog path is long and flowing, and the handlers will have to bring their “A game” to the ring!
CAN I TRAIN IN THE RING?
Yes and no. First and foremost, this is NOT a fun run. This is a competitive event, and no toys or treats will be allowed in the ring, EXCEPT in the warm up round (toys only). However, “fix and finish” WILL be allowed for all runs as per current USDAA rules. As in, a team may correct a short sequence, or a repeat a contact and provide verbal praise, touch and/or play as reward and then go on with the course. Once a team has elected to train a sequence or obstacle the run will be scored as an elimination. Verbal praise alone will not be cause for elimination; it will be at the judge's discretion if the team has chosen to end their competitive run to train. Teams are expected to be respectful in their choices about training in the ring, and NO harsh corrections (verbal, physical or otherwise) will be tolerated.
WHAT EQUIPMENT WILL YOU BE USING?
We are using AKC-legal equipment. All contacts are rubberized. ALL single jumps will be wings, with stand-alone, displaceable stanchions. All single jumps will have 4’ bars. All tunnels will be affixed and bagged properly. We are HIGHLY aware of the safety of the dogs, that is our number one priority!
WHEN WILL THE PREMIUM BE AVAILABLE?
The premium will be out no later than mid-April, and the close date will be mid-June. Don’t worry, we’ll make sure you see it!
Please be sure to keep up to date via our Facebook page;
https://www.facebook.com/califiaagilitycup/
Did we miss anything? Please just ask!