For those of you who attended the rally session at the Welsh Springer fun weekend , here are the notes I promised you.  They may be interesting even if you didn’t attend!

Year Book 2017

Basics

  • You must use a collar with a buckle (or quick snap) and without embellishments.
  • You must declare, before you start the round, whether you will do the Bonus Exercise.  (The steward will ask you)
  • Levels 1 & 2 are on lead. Level 3 and above are off lead.
  • You are free, at all levels, to talk your dog as much as you wish to encourage it. However, remember that this cannot include anything that could be construed as a command or you will be penalised for an additional command.
  • Rally is not “stewarded”. You make your own way through a course at your own pace.  The maximum time for a round is so long as to not be relevant 99% of the time.

Scoring

  • You start with 200 points (or 210 if you choose to do the Bonus exercise). From this total points are deducted.
  • The most common reasons for losing points are
    • AC (1) – Additional command (every time you give it)
    • TL (1) – Tight lead – often goes with AC (every time it happens)
    • OP (1) – Slightly out of position. The definition of “out of position” is much relaxed from the definition used in competitive obedience
    • FM (2) – Failure of dog to move with handler
    • LA (2) – Lack of Attention
    • NC (5) – Exercise not complete
    • IF (5) – Incorrect finish
    • KC (5) – Knocking over a cone or exercise sign (by dog or handler)
    • NQ – Non-qualifying (for the whole round) – Deductions totalling ten or more points on any exercise or missing a sign.
  • Full details of scoring can be found in Rally S Regulations (http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/media/97375/rally_s_regulations.pdf) , Page 18 – which is Annex B, 5 Scoring.
  • If your final score 170 or is more, you will Qualify. If your final score is 190 or more, you will Qualify Excellent.  Three Qualifiers will take you to the next level.
  • If you have a dog that is even reasonably obedient, it is very easy to get a Level 1 Qualifier.  You may, therefore, want to space out the times you compete so that you have done enough training for higher levels when your and your dog qualify to move up to the next level.
  • As you progress up the levels, they become considerably more challenging, both in the exercises and the level of obedience required.
  • If you want to ensure you don’t qualify, probably as the dog is not yet ready for the next level, you can do something which would result in a NQ, such as walking straight past a sign!

 

Signs

  • There are 3 sets of signs for Lvls 1/2, Lvls 3/4 and Lvls 5/6. All levels can, and do, contain signs from previous levels.  The difference between the pairs of levels is that the lower will be easier in its layout and severity of marking.
  • Signs should be on your right as you pass them.  Level 1/2 exceptions –
    • Turn signs that you turn in front of
    • Serpentine & Straight Figure of Eight – enter with sign on your left
    • Spiral Left, Dog Inside
  • Signs can be found online. The Level 1/2 link is http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/media/352541/level_1_signs_with_explanations_a4.compressed.pdf
  • This is my simplified version with all the L1&2 signs on one page – Rally Signs – L1&2
  • This is the Lvl 1 course I used for the fun day – Lvl 1 Course – WSS Fun weekend
  • Whilst you can stop and read a sign before performing the required exercise, it is sensible to become familiar with the signs for the level you are working.

Training

  • Whilst the number of classes available around the country are limited, more groups are always being formed.
  • If you want to progress through the levels, you may find that a competitive obedience club will be able to help you. Many of the static exercises in obedience can be found in Rally.  Details of training clubs can be found at http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/services/public/findaclub/training/Default.aspx

More info