• Briefing – this happens before you walk the course. The judge gathers everyone in the ring and “briefly” goes over some things you need to know. Such as when to enter the ring with your dog. What her table count sounds like. She may give you a few reminders like you have 3 times to try the weave poles and then you need to move on.
  • Scribe sheet Otherwise known as your score sheet. There is a scribe sheet for each dog in each class.  At PawPrint Trials, we always have carbonless scribe sheets. After you run your course, the white copy of your scribe sheet is given to the trial secretary to score. The yellow copy goes in a basket near the score table. That copy is for you. Try to pick up your copy shortly after you run. If there is a question regarding your run, you will have a better chance of the judge remembering your call shortly after your run, rather than 2 hours later.  If possible, please have someone video your run. Though a judge may only use a video for if there is a timer malfunction, it is helpful for you for training purposes. You may also write notes on the yellow scribe sheet about your run.
  • Volunteer Measuring Official (VMO) If there is a Volunteer Measuring Official at the trial, it will be listed in the confirmation letter.  If you do not have an AKC Agility Height Card, you will need to be measured prior to your first run.
  • Standard Course Time (SCT) Your judge designed a course, meeting the requirements for a Novice course. She submitted it to the AKC for approval. After the course is set up, she will wheel it to determine the yardage.  Then she uses a formula to determine how much time you have to run the course. That is referred to as the Standard Course Time.  She will tell you how much time you have at the briefing.
  • Gate Sheets This a listing of each dog in each class. They are separated by class (Standard, Jumpers with Weaves etc) and by level (Novice, Open, Excellent and Masters). The day before the trial, from noon-5pm, you will be able to check in online for the following day. If you can’t check in online, you will check yourself in on the gate sheets the morning of the trial.
  • Maps The judge has designed a course for each class offered. A map of the course for that day will be available for download from my website after midnight of the day of the trial. There will also be copies posted on the wall. Most trials do not have printed course maps for exhibitors. You can print a copy before you leave for the trial or take a photo of the map with your phone once you arrive at the trial.