Clean Run Magazine -May 2010 - 74

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In devising a path, do not discount two important rules of the game. First, there is the required minimum number of obstacles of each point value. Getting the prescribed obstacles influences the route you choose. Many NQs have resulted from a course plan that included only two bar jumps or that included a mere three bar jumps, only to have an awesome run foiled by the dog’s knocking a bar or running around a jump. While the inclusion of a fourth bar jump in the path doesn’t guarantee a Q, it does provide some margin for error just in case the dog drops a bar. It may also eliminate the now-what-do-I-do quick thinking required if the run doesn’t go as planned. It might also be wise to get the jumps in earlier rather than later. The second consideration is the loss of points if the dog’s time exceeds the total game time. Taking the scenic route around the course or a path that is predominantly in the far reaches of the ring away from the table poses a potential for exceeding allowed time and loss of points. If the best obstacles for your team lurk in the back of the field, design a path that gets you there sooner rather than later so you are heading toward the vicinity of the table in the last part of the run. One way to maximize points in the least amount of time is to perform as many obstacles back-to-back as possible. This strategy reduces the time spent on the flat between obstacle performances, making the time on the course more valuable in terms of point accumulation. Suppose there are two 15' tunnels facing each other with a transition distance of 20' between them. Doing one tunnel twice, then running to the second tunnel and performing it twice is more efficient since the 20' transition distance is crossed only once during the four tunnel performances. Alternating between the tunnels requires three transitions between them. At a speed of, say, 3 yards per second, the second approach requires about 4.5 seconds in additional, unproductive effort, which represents about 15% of the allowed point-accumulation time. That time might be better kept in reserve in case the dog faults a contact, requiring an unplanned repeat of a time-consuming obstacle.

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In looking for potential paths, the handler might look for loops that produce the biggest bang for the running buck. A loop that includes the required elements in one or two cycles is worth at least 14 points 2 and provides a substantial portion of CPE FullHouse All Levels Pawsitively Awesome the qualifying requirements. Finding Freeville, New York January 17, 2010 one loop that can be repeated and then 5-point Judge: Jeff Boyer combo = used as a launching pad to another loop A+B or sequence might enable faster accumulation of points than running a larger B loop spread out over more territory. Consider the loops shown in Figure 2. If performed twice, the red path results in A 20 points and performance of all the required obstacles. Like the red loop, the orange one consists of only jumps and tunnels and includes the required elements, but yields 30 points if performed twice. The green loop, although about the same length as the red one, provides the opportunity to accumulate 28 points S S after two successful laps—but be aware, only two bar jump performances are inT F F cluded. The obstacles taken on the way to these paths can add to the team’s score. The loops described in Figure 2 can be expanded or combined. For example, adding back-to-back performances of the second tunnel in the back of the ring on the first pass of the red loop will add 6 points, for

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Three possible loops on one FullHouse course: Each loop offers different obstacles and points toward a qualifying score. The loops illustrate one strategy for successful completion of the game, defining a path compatible with the team’s strengths and the number of points required to qualify.

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Clean Run Magazine -May 2010

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Clean Run Magazine -May 2010