Tips and Tricks for Filling out an AKC agility entry form

Being a trial secretary is not that difficult; entering data, answering emails, printing all paperwork, collecting and sorting through all fees received. But it takes a lot of time.

AKC has requested that Trial Secretaries do not assume anything and that incorrect entries must be filled out correctly before the dog is entered in a trial. Each issue requires an email to the owner, each incorrect check requires a new one to be sent, and this is all without counting the errors that Trial Secretaries don't know about (accidentally selecting the wrong class/level/jump height)!

I've compiled a list of common issues that show up when trying to enter dogs:

• Using an old entry (2014 when it's 2015) or an online entry form service that you have to manually fill out fees, classes and days. I'm happy to receive these forms (easy to read!) but PLEASE double check! Fees sometimes change, all classes aren't offered on all days.
• Checks made out to the wrong person
• Incorrect Entry fees enclosed. Please double check, we all make mistakes... being put on a wait-list just because of a calculator mis-key or addition error really sucks!
• Forgetting to select classes/jump height. 
• Signing Page 2 - I must have this before I can enter your dog in the trial. Don't forget!!!

Please check your confirmations! Some fixes can be made after closing (Fixing the trial secretary's typo), but anything that was "your fault" cannot be changed after closing! Please double check and let us know before this date! Most common issue:

• Incorrect class selection - I don't know if your dog has/hasn't titled, so it's up to you to make sure you circle the correct class. AKC lets you check how many Qs your dog has received, making it much easier for you to know (Sign in, my AKC - Manage Dogs - Add a dog). Also www.dogshowscores.com is another resource you can use to try and track down how many Qs your dog has (sometimes slower to update). If you are entered and run clean in a class level that you haven't Qualified for (ex. Q in Excellent without your Open title), AKC will revoke the Q.

Please also double check your confirmation if you've selected a jump height that higher than what your dog measured for (ie. 26"), and double check you were entered in Regular/Preferred as requested (especially if you have recently made a switch). The database will automatically enter your dog in the last used/expected jump height or Class type.

Trial Secretaries try to enter your data correctly and get you a confirmation as soon as they can. Please be patient and kind :) Often we are not paid, paid in free runs. or paid in club coupons. 

This past weekend was the first AKC indoor agility trial in the area. Its a one ring show with one judge and will often fill, unusual for trials in our area. This year we were able to get Linda Robertson (from TN) and I think the exhibitors were pleased with the choice, I know I definitely was! She was efficient, friendly, and had some great courses. My gauge of a good trial is the number of smiles in and out of the ring, and I saw lots this weekend!

The ultimate title that can be achieved in AKC agility is the Agility Champion (MACH, "regular" stream that has 24" jump height for my size dog) and Preferred Agility Champion titles (PACH, "preferred" stream that has 20" jump height).  MACHs and PACHs require 20 QQs (2 qualifying runs in one day - Standard and Jumpers with weaves) and 750 points (one point for each full second under standard course time). The path to a MACH/PACH is long and some people never get there, while others seem to pick them up every few months. It really depends on how consistent a team is and how often they trial. One of the top 5 flat coated retrievers last year had 19 MACHs, while another had 17 MACHs!

Rosey and I aren't aiming quite so high, I would be delighted to get to 1 PACH (we are in the preferred stream), and I hope one day we'll get there. This weekend was the second weekend to work towards this goal, and I think we did not too bad :). We were able to snag our first QQ and 45 points two weekends ago at a local outdoor trial, and it sure felt good! This past weekend Rosey and I managed to get another QQ on Friday with some beautiful runs. Saturday we were able to put together two more awesome runs, but I ended up not cueing a jump properly after the table and so ended up not qualifying in our Standard run.
( JWW on Saturday - 19 points! ) Sunday seemed to continue the luck of refusals, but I think we had two of the best runs of our lives on Sunday. :) I'm still beaming and so proud of her and all the work we've done!

Current progress: 2/20 QQs, 83/750 speed points