The Kennel Club has recently approved changes to the regulations for rally.
With effect from 1st January 2018, the following amendment to the regulations has been made to allow the introduction of capped classes at rally competitions. This aims to help clubs with limited space and make it easier for them to run competitions:
Amendment to Regulation S5
TO:
Regulation S5
TO:
5. Classes at Rally Competitions
c. Capped classes
1. Organisers of Open Rally competitions and Limited Rally competitions may set a capping level on the entries to be accepted in any standard or special class, and may decline entries received after the capping level has been reached.
2. Wins and places in standard classes capped in accordance with this Regulation will count towards progression.
3. The capping level must be set at a minimum of 40 entries received. There is no maximum level at which a cap may be set. Capped classes may be split into two or more divisions in accordance with Regulation S19f.
4. The capping level for each capped class must be clearly specified in the competition schedule.
5. The capping level applied may be adjusted upwards by a maximum of 10% after the closing date of a competition at the discretion of the competition organisers. Capping levels may not be adjusted downwards after publication of the schedule except with the prior permission of the Kennel Club Board. Where total entries received exceed a capping level, entries must be processed in the order received. Processing of entry forms, and of online entries where applicable, must be managed so that the date of receipt of each entry is recorded. (It is permissible to set different opening and closing dates for online entries from those applying to postal entries.)
6. Entry fees for entries which are received after the capping level has been exceeded must be refunded in full.
7. Entry forms must allow competitors to specify, if their entry for any capped class is declined because the capping level has been reached:-
8. (i) that they wish the dog to remain entered in all other
classes, or
(ii) that they wish their entire entry for the dog in question
to be cancelled, or
(iii) that they wish their entire entry for all dogs they have
entered at the competition to be cancelled.
In such cases the relevant entry fees must be refunded in full.
(Insertions underlined.)
With effect from 1st January 2018, the following amendment to the regulations has been made to slow down progression through the levels and ensure competitors are in the correct level for their ability:
Amendment to Regulation S(A)
TO:
1. Levels
Rally handler/dog teams compete at one of six levels, in their lowest eligible class from Level 1 to Level 6. They may also compete at the subsequent level. Progression to the next Level does not require either wins or places. Qualification is by achieving a score of at least 170 out of 200 on three occasions under three different judges. Progression is dependent upon gaining three Excellent scores, under three different judges, or six qualifying scores under four different judges.
Levels 1 - 4 have a qualifying score of 175 out of 200.
Levels 5 & 6 have a qualifying score of 180 out of 200.
Scores of 170 or greater equivalent to these qualifying scores (or greater) earned at Limited Rally Competitions do not count towards Progression, Rally Level Titles or Excellent Titles.
In all levels a qualifying score of 190 or above equates to an excellent score.
2. Eligibility
When entered for a competition in a standard class, a dog must be entered at the level for which it is eligible as defined below. The dog may also, if desired, be entered in up to two additional classes, either one further standard class at the subsequent higher level, plus one additional special class, or two additional special classes. A dog may be entered in special classes only, up to a maximum of 3 classes. Special classes do not count towards progression.
The dog may also, if desired, be entered in two additional classes, either one further standard class at the next level up, plus one additional special class, or two additional special classes. In the following definitions, ‘achieved a Level 1 Title’, ‘achieved a Level 2 Excellent Title’ and so on mean that the dog meets the requirements for those Titles as defined in paragraphs 3 and 4 below.
Level 1
- Open to dogs which have not achieved a Level 1 or Level 1 Excellent Title.
Level 2
- Open to all dogs which have achieved a Level 1 or Level 1 Excellent Title, except those that have achieved a Level 2 or Level 2 Excellent Title. Dogs eligible for and entered at Level 1 may also enter at this Level.
Level 3
- Open to all dogs which have achieved a Level 2 or Level 2 Excellent Title, except those that have achieved a Level 3 or Level 3 Excellent Title. Dogs eligible for and entered at Level 2 may also enter at this Level.
Level 4
- Open to all dogs which have achieved a Level 3 or Level 3 Excellent Title, except those that have achieved a Level 4 or Level 4 Excellent Title. Dogs eligible for and entered at Level 3 may also enter at this Level.
Level 5
- Open to all dogs which have achieved a Level 4 or Level 4 Excellent Title, except those that have achieved a Level 5 or Level 5 Excellent Title. Dogs eligible for and entered at Level 4 may also enter at this Level.
Level 6
- Open to all dogs which have achieved a Level 5 or Level 5 Excellent Title. Dogs eligible for and entered at Level 5 may also enter at this Level.
3. Titles
(Only the highest Level title achieved should be used after the dog’s name. The title is designated as ‘RL1’, ‘RL2’, ‘RL3’, ‘RL4’, ‘RL5’, or ‘RL6’ and appears after the dog’s name).
Level 1 Title
Requires three six qualifying scores of170 175 or better, earned under three four different judges at Level 1.
Level 2 Title
Requires three six qualifying scores of 170 175 or better, earned under three four different judges at Level 2.
Level 3 Title
Requires three six qualifying scores of 170 175 or better, earned under three four different judges at Level 3.
Level 4 Title
Requires three six qualifying scores of 170 175 or better, earned under three four different judges at Level 4.
Level 5 Title
Requires three six qualifying scores of 170 180 or better, earned under three four different judges at Level 5.
Level 6 Title
Requires three six qualifying scores of 170 180 or better, earned under three four different judges at Level 6.
Transitional provision a dog which has achieved a Level 2 or a Level 3 Title before 1 January 2014 (under the previous definitions) shall be entitled to the designation RL3 or RL5 respectively on and after 1 January 2014.
4. ‘Excellent Titles’
No change.
5. All qualifying scores earned before 1 January 2018 will count towards progression.
(Deletions struck through, insertions underlined.)