by Maureen Cooper » Wed 18 Feb 2004 7:59 pm
In NSW and ACT, as Gareth has pointed out, we struggle to have a Restricted Stake and having gained three wins over a year ago, I have got to the second run in All Age once!! Both I and my dog are somewhat disillusioned! I have run non-competing and several times have been well and truly beaten so as Kirsty points out, a three win dog does not mean it will still win. I think that 3 wins for the RRD and then continuing for 5 wins would be a good benchmark as those experienced handlers who aspire to All Age will probably not hang around anyway as Peter says.
I think folks reading do not realise that in the States mentioned, Novice and Restricted are judged by the same judge,usually. The judge will select a run for Novice and then add another mark, two bird,double rise, blind etc for Restricted. This means the Novice handlers are there to help at Rest. and also get an idea of what is required at Restricted level and then Rest. handlers help at Novice. Yes, it also means one cannot enter in both Stakes with the same dog. The Novice run is done first.
I am just wondering, does the idea of being allowed to run non-competing even come into the rule book, can clubs have their own criteria? I think being allowed to win up to 5 Restricteds with the RRD granted at 3 wins would have to go into the rule book but non-competing?? I do think ALL dogs should be scored, it is helpful to a new judge as 'practise' but also it lets you know what the judge thought of your dog's work.
Jason, a friend got into strife several years with the 'wins/placing in higher classes' when she applied for, and received, her RRD with a second in All Age. She was later told by a prominent judge that only a win in the higher Stakes merited the titles and the 'placing' (Note no 's') referred to a second in a Championship which of course, gave one 6 points towards the RT Ch. Our Canine Council staff are not always fully aware of the criteria required and so if you apply, they assume you are correct.
TTFN
Maureen