Report of the New Zealand Kennel Club
Agility Committee
Held at the Holiday Inn Wellington July 5th 2009
Present: Lyn Sayers, Susan Tansey, Paul Taylor, Paul Remon, Dyson Beasley, Ron Frater, Vickie Byford, Brian Priest
Apologies: Steve Chester
Matters arising from Previous Minutes:
1. Clean Run Course Design units – There are a limited number of copies available for sale
2. Unmeasured dogs competing – Owners who have agility dogs registered that are unmeasured have been contacted. Most were unaware that they had to have an actual millimetre measurement (as opposed to a height class measurement) and will rectify this.
3. Rates of Travel – The USDAA procedure will be adopted which measures the course length on the dog’s path. A set of protocols will be written on how to measure courses using this system and this will be sent to judges for comment, before it is officially adopted.
4. Height Issues/ Poll Results – The poll was very successful and it was agreed to use this method regularly to canvas opinion from the agility community. Following the results of the poll, it was agreed that there will be four height classes. The next step will be researching whether four heights for dogs could fit into existing hurdle heights. Clubs will be asked to provide data in regards to measurement of current jump lugs and spreader bars, to find out what heights could easily be introduced at minimum interruption to clubs. It is hoped that we can find a suitable height separation so that dogs in all height classes will not be jumping any more than 130% of their wither height. Once the committee has agreed on a possible way forward then it is recommended that regional meetings be held to canvas opinions.
5. Jumpers Challenge certificates are now available as are JD and JDX Certificates
3. Financial report
1. New initiatives – it was agreed to look at using funds to promote agility in the community while supporting clubs to help assist in this area. A list of annual community events where promotion of agility is a possibility will be compiled. Links to such events will be put on the website.
4. Correspondence
The report was presented. This included all correspondence received through the official channels
5. Regulations
1. Rewrite of Agility Regs – The rewrite of the existing regulations in plain English withoutambiguity and including “Show Regulations” that are applicable to Agility is progressing.
2. Rewrite of Reg 5.3.5. - When enacted, Executive Councillors will then be able to compete in any agility fixture provided that they are not officiating in the particular class. This regulation will be included in the regulation changes coming into effect January 1st 2010.
6. Judges
1. Treatment of judges' by clubs – the guidelines for clubs on minimum expectations when hosting a judge is progressing.
2. Twice yearly promotion – There will now be twice yearly entry to the Judges’ Panel on 1st April and 1st October. This will allow people to sit the exam (in February) and complete probationaries in any order.
3. Jan Koortse – is now on the senior panel
4. Prospective judges –A form will be placed on the website that prospective judges can fill in to indicate their interest in becoming a judge.
5. Retired Judges’ Panel –It was agreed to invite retiring judges to go on the roll if they wish, as and when retirements occur.
6. Updating status of judges on the panel – A check will be completed on the current status of all judges currently listed on both agility panels.
7. Publicity
1. Pet World advert –an ad promoting agility will be in the next magazine
8. Communications
1. Website updates –Updates over the month have included Ribbon Trial flyers, catalogues, poll information, reports etc
2. Official Procedures –The published message over the Nala list has enlightened the general public on our official methods.
3. UCOL redesign –UCOL will be asked to look at redesigning the website in the new year. This will be at minimum cost.
4. Appealing to general public –The front page of the website will be changed to better engage general members of the public with a view to their participation in Agility
5. Results and schedules on website – These will appear on the website once buttons to allow for this.
9. Clubs
1. Excluded Dogs – Brian Priest requested the Agility Committee supply a protocol pertaining to the assessment of dogs of concern prior to their being permitted to enter the NZKC
“Observation” Protocol.
10. Calendar
1. 2010 South Island calendar – is almost complete
2. 2010 North Island calendar – a few clubs are still to confirm
Future calendars will be prepared within a set protocol, which all clubs will receive with the final calendar for this year. This will involve all currently held dates being rolled over without exception. Clubs wishing to apply for currently free weekends can do so at a set time. Clubs wishing to place an event on a weekend that another club holds, can only do so if the date is given up by the club (regional issues excluded). A list of exceptions due to movable dates which impact clubs (such as Easter) will be given to all clubs.
11. Health and Safety
1. Dog Control Act –Section 62 of the Dog control Act was presented, which states that if an owner knows its dog is dangerous, it must be muzzled in public. This makes it impossible to participate in agility. All handlers participating in agility activities should be aware of this. A copy of this Act will be sent to all clubs for display to its members.
12. Equipment
1. Jump uprights trial – This trial has been dropped due to there being no positive outcome in regards to safely attaching taller uprights to existing jumps.
2. COF progress – The South Island COFs will be completed by the deadline. There are a small number of North Island clubs with matters of concern. All requests received nationwide this month have been organised. It was agreed to sign all clubs off on their gear at the date of their examination. After this a certificate would be issued. Following on from this it is the responsibility of the club to maintain their gear, and judges to check gear as part of their responsibility as stated in the regs.
3. COF certificate – this is still to be designed.
4. Wing Jumps – It was agreed to approve the existing wings made to the specifications outlined in Jason Hughes letter as compliant. This will not apply to any future production of wing jumps made to those specifications.
5. PVC Moulding of Jump Strips –A grant application for the die for future use will be completed.
6. New equipment standards guideline –The equipment subcommittee will discuss and consult with agility gear manufacturers on a proposal that has been received.
7. AD Courses – There was some discussion about whether AD courses need to be redesigned. Prospective new designs will be completed for presenting at the next meeting.
13. National Events
1. 2009 NDTA – Progress is excellent. YKC is on the Saturday. Evening function is $27.50. Marquees for shelter have been organised. A plan for placement of toilets etc is currently underway.
2. 2010 NDTA – It was reported that Hickory Park is the favoured venue and is awaiting approval from the Taupo Council for use of this park.
3. Placement of future NDTAs –A letter will be sent to all clubs explaining that it is the intention of the AC to maintain the status quo. This is in response to the official discussion documents sent to obedience members from the Obedience Committee regarding changing to a three yearly rotation based on the obedience regions.
14. Young Kennel Club
1. A link from the YKC website will go to the dog agility website and back again. YKC events will appear on the official calendar and on the website.
15. General Business
1. A profile of Dave Jollie (international judge NDTA 2009) was presented. This will be placed on the website.
2. Unrecognised qualifications of dogs being listed in catalogues - an email will be sent to club secretaries advising them to cease this practise.
3. Ribbon trials being held on the same weekend as the NDTA, in another island - it was agreed that this is allowable.
Meeting Closed at 4.45pm
Tasks Assigned:Clean run units offers / Paul R / Steve
Unmeasured dogs competing / Paul R
2010 Calendar / Dyson / Susan
COF certificate design / Susan
COF - judges reporting non compliance / Susan
Elementary jump heights- AC website / Susan
Rewrite of Agility regs / Regs SC
Inappropriate behaviour by judges / Dyson / Judges SC
Treatment of Judges by clubs guidelines / Susan / Judges/Clubs SCs
How to Run a Show booklet / Steve / Paul R
Skid test protocols / Steve
Accident form / Steve / H&S SC
Camping NDTA 2010 / Steve
Rates of Travel protocols / Ron
Jump lug data from clubs / Susan
Updated dog height list to AC members / Susan
Calculate possible new dog heights / All
Dog event research / Vickie
Links to dog events on website / Vickie / Susan
Excluded dogs protocols / Lyn / Fiona Hodgson
Letter to owners of dogs currently excluded / Susan
Expression of interest in judging form / Dyson
Letters to retired judges re inclusion on roll / Susan
Reply to K Spicer / Susan
List of retired judges and questionable status of some judges to be compiled / Lyn / Susan
Dreamweaver purchase / Susan
UCOL contact / Lyn
Calendar procedures / Susan/
Dyson
Dog Control Act sent to clubs / Susan
Approval of J Hughes wings letter / Susan
New equipment standards / Equipment SC
New AD Courses / Dyson
Letter to clubs re future NDTAS / Susan
Dave Jollie profile on website / Paul R / Susan
Unrecognised qualifications of dogs in catalogues / Susan