Walk Through
The decision to have only one opportunity to walk each course was based partly on saving time and, more importantly, to keep things as fair as possible for all competitors. We feel that there is an unfair advantage to being able to walk a course again after watching people run it, especially for Gamblers, which is a strategy game. In agility we always have the advantage of watching others run. Competitors are able to change their mind about handling choices or gamble strategy after watching others run, but the unfair advantage is being able to walk the course again after others have already run it to practice these handling changes or new gamble strategy.
All competitors face the same issue of remembering the courses by the end of the day. This is not much different than being in a trial with multiple rings running at the same time, especially if you have dogs in different levels. There are several strategies that you can use to help you remember the course that include using your course map to mark down your handling decisions or other notes on the course and mental imagery.
In addition, the format of the Nationals will be a little different as it is over three days, and many competitors won’t be required to remember three courses each day. Since it is the Nationals we feel it is important to make things as equal as possible for everyone, especially now that every division is becoming more and more competitive.
For the morning walkthrough, there will be a schedule based on groups to ensure that everyone is able to walk each ring they are in (including if they are in multiple rings with different dogs) with a smaller number of people. This smaller group walkthrough will be well organized and there will be enough time allotted so that no one should feel rushed. Once this walk through is over, we are not planning on having another walk through later in the day. Details will be fine-tuned after the closing date when we know what the final entry is.
Regards,
2007 AAC Nationals Committee
