The performance of this game is conducted under the ANKC rules
of the Rules for Agility and Jumping Trials.
1.
Introduction:
1.1.
The
gamblers game specifically showcases a dog’s willingness and
skills to work at an appreciable distance from the handler.
1.2.
Gamblers
is a two (2) part game consisting of two (2) periods: A ‘Point
Accumulation Period’ and a ‘Gamble Period’.
1.3.
The
objective of Gamblers is for the dog and handler team to accumulate
as many points as possible in the 'Point Accumulation Period',
then to perform a designated Gamble, within the ‘Gamble Period’.
The Gamble consists of sequence of obstacles that requires the
dog to work at a distance apart from the handler.
1.4.
'Point
Accumulation Period':
The length of the 'Point Accumulation
Period' is determined from the scoring table. The time begins when
the dog crosses the start line or leaves the designated starting
position. The handler is allowed to lead out. The dog earns
points for each obstacle successfully performed. An obstacle
can be performed only two (2) times for points. The judge will call
out the point value for each obstacle after it has been successfully
completed. Scoring for the 'Point Accumulation Period' ends when
the timekeeper signals. This signal announces the beginning
of the ‘Gamble Period’.
1.5.
‘Gamble
Period’:
The ‘Gamble Period’ begins on the signal
which indicates the completion of the 'Point Accumulation Period'.
During the ‘Gamble Period’ period the dog is required to perform
a series of obstacles, The Gamble, in a certain amount of time and
in the direction and sequence indicated by the judge. The handler
is required to remain behind the Gamble line. A further signal from
the timekeeper indicates the end of the ‘Gamble Period’. The
time is stopped when the dog crosses the finish line or performs
the finish obstacle.
1.6.
‘Designated
Starting Position’: The
judge may nominate an obstacle in the course where the handler will
position the dog to start. The timing will begin when the dog leaves
this area or crosses the plane of the start obstacle. E.G.
This may be when the dog leaves the table, or when the dog crosses
the plane of jump.
2.
Qualifications:
2.1.
To
achieve a Gamblers qualification, the dog must achieve the minimum
appropriate score within the 'Point Accumulation Period' and
perform the Gamble without fault and within the ‘Gamble Period’.
Qualifications
Level
|
No
of qualifications required
|
Number
different judges
|
Title
|
Novice
|
3
|
2
|
Gamblers
Dog (GD)
|
Excellent
|
5
|
2
|
Gamblers
Dog Excellent (GDX)
|
Masters
|
7
|
3
|
Gamblers
Dog Master (GDM)
|
3.
Scoring:
3.1.
The
dog must cross the finish line to receive a time and complete
the course.
3.2.
On
the judge’s signal that a Gamble fault has been committed, or other
fault as described causing scoring to cease, the dog should be directed
to the finishing line as quickly as possible to complete the course
and record a time.
3.3.
Placings
will be determined ranking qualifying scores above non-qualifying
scores.
3.4.
The
dog with the highest points will be ranked first.
3.5.
The
dog with the next highest score will be ranked second etc.
3.6.
The
dog with the faster time will be ranked higher where dogs achieve
equal points scores.
3.7.
The
judge will call the point value of each obstacle correctly performed
during the 'Point Accumulation Period' and the ‘Gamble Period’.
3.8.
Point
values for obstacles are listed in the ‘Obstacle Point Values’ table.
|
Obstacle
Point Values
Active during the 'Point Accumulation
Period'.
|
|
Obstacles
|
Points
|
|
Hurdles/jumps
– single
|
1
|
|
Tunnels
– Flexible and Collapsible Hoop, broad jump, 4 weave
poles, spread hurdle
|
2
|
|
Contact
obstacle – dog walk, A-Frame, See Saw, 8 weave poles.
|
3
|
|
12
weave poles
|
4
|
4.
The
Gamble:
4.1
Obstacle
Points:
4.1.1.
Obstacle
points during ‘Gamble Period’ begins with the first obstacle
valued at two (2) points. Each subsequent obstacle increases
in value by two (2) points. I.E. The first obstacle is valued
at two (2) points, the second obstacle at four (4) points, the
third obstacle at six (6) points etc. to the end of the Gamble
sequence. A Gamble with 4 obstacles will be worth 2 +
4 + 6 + 8 = 20 Points.
|
Scoring
Table
|
|
Accumulation
Period
|
Gamble
|
|
Level
|
Time
allowed for 'Point Accumulation Period' (sec)
|
Points
to be gained in 'Point Accumulation Period'
|
Gamble
distance (metres)
|
Number
of obstacles required
|
Obstacle
permitted in gamble.
|
‘Gamble
Period’ (sec)
|
|
Novice
|
45
|
20
|
3
|
4
|
Single
Hurdles, Flexi Tunnel (1), Collapsible Tunnel (1), 4
weave poles (1).
|
20
|
|
Excellent
|
40
|
25
|
5
|
4
to 5
|
Single
Hurdles, Flexi Tunnel (1), Collapsible Tunnel (1), 8
weave poles (1), Hoop (1), Spread Hurdle (1), Contact
Obstacle (1) selected from A-Frame or Dog Walk.
|
18
|
|
Masters
|
35
|
30
|
7
|
5
to 7
|
Single
Hurdles, Flexi Tunnel (1), Collapsible Tunnel (1), 12
weave poles (1), Hoop (1), Spread Hurdle (1), Contact
Obstacle (1) selected from A-Frame, Dog Walk or See
Saw.
|
15
|
4.2
Gamble
Faults:
4.2.1
There
are no refusal faults in Gamblers
4.2.2
A
Gamble fault will be incurred if:
4.2.2.1
The
dog exceeds the ‘Gamble Period’.
4.2.2.2
The
dog faults an obstacle in the Gamble sequence.
4.2.2.3
The
dog negotiates an obstacle out of order.
4.2.2.4
The
dog negotiates an obstacle in the wrong direction.
4.2.2.5
The
handler steps on or over the Gamble line.
4.2.3
No
points for the Gamble will be awarded if:
4.2.3.1
The
handler loiters near the start of the gamble whilst time remains
in the 'Point Accumulation Period'.
4.2.3.2
The
dog performs any two (2) obstacles of the gamble sequence in any
order during the 'Point Accumulation Period'.
4.2.3.3
The
dog or handler dislodges or interferes with an obstacle in the Gamble
sequence during the 'Point Accumulation Period', making the correct
performance of the obstacle during the ‘Gamble Period’ impossible.
5.
General
rules:
5.1.
The
dog and handler will be disqualified if the judge considers any
performance during the game is unsafe.
5.2.
Back-to-back
performance of obstacles is permitted during the 'Point Accumulation
Period'.
5.3.
The
Seesaw must only be negotiated in the correct direction.
5.4.
The
table, if used, will have no score value in the 'Point Accumulation
Period'.
5.5.
The
dog must have reached the contact zone of a contact obstacle when
the 'Point Accumulation Period' expires to gain points for that
obstacle.
6.
Timing:
6.1.
Time
starts when the dog crosses the start line or leaves the designated
starting position
6.2.
The
timekeeper will signal when the 'Point Accumulation Period' expires.
6.3.
The
signal indicating the expiration of the 'Point Accumulation Period'
starts the beginning of the ‘Gamble Period’.
6.4.
The
timekeeper will signal the expiry of the ‘Gamble Period’ unless
the gamble has been successfully completed prior to this time.
6.5.
The
timekeeper will stop the time when the dog crosses the finish line
or performs the finish obstacle as defined by the judge.
7.
Equipment:
7.1.
Equipment
for the event will include the following as indicated;
7.1.1.
Single
hurdles
7.1.2.
A
Frame
7.1.3.
Dog
walk
7.1.4.
Seesaw
(not to be used in Novice)
7.1.5.
Spread
Hurdle
7.1.6.
Broad
Jump
7.1.7.
Flexible
tunnel
7.1.8.
Collapsible
tunnel – Optional
7.1.9.
Table
– Optional
7.1.10.Weave
poles
7.1.11.Hoop
8.
The
Course:
8.1.
The
judge may specify that an obstacle can be taken in either direction.
8.2.
The
course should not be flowing in design.
8.3.
High
scoring obstacles should be well separated to remove the opportunity
to perform them sequentially.
8.4.
The
order of the obstacles in the gamble is decided by the judge.
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