What is Qualifying?

Among all the congratulations & great messages Bungee & I have received since I posted the video & results from her 1st trial, was the question: "What is qualifying?"

This question is in regards to Bungee's trial results Sunday where she earned "2nd place with a qualifying score" in her 1st Starter Jumpers round.

Note: Qualifying in No. America is often referred to as a "Q"

What qualifying means is that a competitor must earn a set number of qualifying scores (Q's) in any particular class in order to earn a title in that class and move up to the next level, and eventually earn their agility championship.

But, one need NOT win in order to earn a Q, a title, or move up in class. To earn a Q one only needs to "run clean" with no faults, within the standard course time.

Here in Canada and also in the U.S., our agility systems are described as "Q-based systems" vs. U.K./EU's "win systems". The Q-based system is also sometime referred to as a "title system" or "titling system".

Bungee earned 2nd place because she was the 2nd fastest dog in her height division in the Starter Jumpers class. In Bungee's case she was the 2nd fastest dog out of all the dogs in all the height divisions (the whole class :-))).

However so long as she did not "E" or "DQ" (eliminated or disqualified) she could have had 7,000 faults and still earned 2nd place as placements are made according to time!

So, when one looks at the rest of the world, and compares Canada and the U.S., where you can earn a 1st place and not have the best run or win, it's clearly a crazy thing!

Here, one can place and not qualify, or qualify and not place, or in Bungee's case - do both, place and qualify! But only the Q's count toward titles - not the wins and not the placements!

OK...the bit about 7,000 faults, is a big exaggeration, but a dog could have a lot of faults and as long as they didn't E or DQ they'd still be marked in placement order according to their time.

Many competitors train to be very competitive and always play to win with both fastest time and clean rounds. This is the way I like to play agility.

Others just want to be clean and run within the allowed time, (often quite generous time at that) basically playing it safe, so they can get their dogs the titles they are after and the ribbons that go with it. It's actually a big divide within the organization in some discussions that come up, but the titles & ribbons crowd probably outnumbers the "play to win" crowd by a lot. I have friends across the board and am just happy to see so many people out enjoying their dogs in the sport. My own opinion is there is plenty of room for all of us.

One of the biggest differences between a Q based system versus a win system is the way many of the handlers choose to play the game. Handlers can choose to hold back & play it safe and never really run a fast dog and still earn agility championships, or they can play to win and really push themselves to keep bettering their best. In my mind there is a 3rd area of teams who run "non-typical" agility breeds such as Bulldogs, Basset Hounds, or dogs not typically built or bred for agility or speed or who cover ground much differently. Our organization allows room for them to play too. It is no easy to task training some of these dogs to be skilled and competitive enough to earn titles. I really see these folks in a bit of a class by themselves with lots to be proud about. I'm glad our organization makes room for them too as some of them are our best friends. All in all, you see plenty of handlers who manage to earn championships in spite of their skills or speed, while others earn every Q they get because of their skills and speed. As the sport evolves here in Canada so does the competition.

National champions & Regional champions are quite a different situation, they are winning with the best runs all the way to the podium at each event and those are very prestigious wins, as they should be.

But regular titles are earned by Q's. In a Q-based or titling system, all you get out of having the fastest time is your own personal satisfaction, the fun of competing at the top of the game in your own backyard, and of course, leaving the door open to be competitive in agility at the national level or in other places too. While running "clean" (not making mistakes) is what gets you your Q's & titles. Quite a big difference to a win system.

Our regular, local, A.A.C. trials average cost to enter is about $17.00-$17.50 a run. C.K.C. is more expensive at $25.00 a run. Regionals & Nationals are a lump sum figure about $125.00+ per dog. Regular trials are almost always 2 days and some time 3 days. With all the standard, games & steeplechase & challenge courses in any given day (maybe 8 - 12 classes a day or more if there are 2 rings going), it's easy to rack up hugely expensive entries for just one dog, much less if you run 2 or 3.

That may have something to do with people wanting to play it safe and get those Q's!
Add to that, we don't have clubs in this area anymore, so training is never free either. You pay per training session or set of classes and the prices are pretty dear. Not as bad as Japan but still, it all adds up way too fast!

Hope this helps explain what qualifying is and a little bit about how we play here in Canada.


Special thoughts & prayers go out to our own dear little National Champion friend, Gabby!
God Bless Sarah & Gabby tonight.


Happy Training....It's About Love!