Can someone explain USDAA to me?

[MericoX]

I want to enter Kiba into a trial at the end of December (on my birthday too!). We've never done USDAA before, and still trying to make heads and tails of the rules and such.

Can anyone tell me which level is the one that we are suppose to enter? And what is the difference between Performance and Championship?

Thanks a bunch!
Mere

 

[BostonBanker]

Well, I do the performance classes with Meg as opposed to the championship. I think there are three differences - The dogs jump one jump height lower (Meg measures to jump 21", but competes in 16" performance), the a-frame is several inches lower (my main reason for doing performance), and you get a few extra seconds. Otherwise, the classes are the same and are run identically. Since we aren't aiming for worlds or anything, I choose to put a little less physical stress on Meg and do the lower heights.

If you are just starting out, you want to enter the lowest level. That would be either starters (if you are doing the championship classes) or PI (if you are doing performance). You move up a level in each class after getting three qualifying scores in it.

Good luck! I can't wait for spring to start trialing again!

 

[adojrts]

BB, the USDAA Preformance sounds the same as the AAC's Specials Division.
If we enter a dog in Specials that is the Division that they have to continue to compete in at every trial, until the dog is changed to Veterans. Is it the same for USDAA?

Thanks
Lynn

 

[MericoX]

I know for CPE, we could change at anytime. But not sure on the specific rules for each ones. I dont think Kiba would be able to jump at 16".. though may try her out in practice.. otherwise we'll just to Performance.

Thanks!!

 

[BostonBanker]

BB, the USDAA Preformance sounds the same as the AAC's Specials Division.
If we enter a dog in Specials that is the Division that they have to continue to compete in at every trial, until the dog is changed to Veterans. Is it the same for USDAA?

I'm actually not sure. I've never had any interest in moving her into the championship program (she has an old elbow injury, and I worry the higher a-frame would put too much stress on it), so I've never checked to see if you can move up.

I know for CPE, we could change at anytime. But not sure on the specific rules for each ones. I dont think Kiba would be able to jump at 16".. though may try her out in practice.. otherwise we'll just to Performance.

I started in CPE as well (and still do a bit). Be sure you look at the measurement cut-offs for USDAA, because they are very different. Meg actually measures to jump at 16" in CPE, but as I said, her "correct" measurement for USDAA is 21". You may also appreciate the extra time in the performance level. After getting used to CPE, the times seemed very tight at my first USDAA trial!

 

[MafiaPrincess]

The rules don't really specifically cover changing from one to the other. It only mentions if you want to compete in both at the same time you need permission of the USDAA, and the trial hosts.

I'd think if you started in performance and felt you'd improved to wanting to try championship you could ask, and maybe you'd start from the beginning in starters at the championship level like a newbie.

 

[Dasher's Mom]

BB, the USDAA Preformance sounds the same as the AAC's Specials Division.
If we enter a dog in Specials that is the Division that they have to continue to compete in at every trial, until the dog is changed to Veterans. Is it the same for USDAA?

Thanks
Lynn

You can run your dog in both Performance and Championship in USDAA but not on the same day or even the same trial. Some trials will allow you to compete in both Performance one day of their trial and Champion the next, but most don't. But that being said Performance and Championship are treated as two separate divisions. So if you earn your PII title and move into PIII which is basically the Championship Masters level, you cannot move your dog into the Masters level in Championship unless you have gone through the titling process in the Championship division. (Hope that makes sense) BUT if you are competing at the Masters Level in Championship you can move your dog into the PIII division without having to go through the PI, PII titlingg process.