Long awaited rule changes announced, including tournament changes for 2011 season.

The USDAA Board has released the following approved rule changes effective July 1, 2010, unless otherwise stated -

• Weave poles specifications have been expanded to provide for greater tolerance in measure of spacing. It is important to note that existing weave pole sets that meet the 2009 specification will also meet the new specification. Effective immediately, poles shall be set officially at 22" (55cm) spacing when measured center to center, with tolerance in construction permitted of plus or minus 2" (5cm).  Weave poles under these new specifications are effective for events whose closing dates fall after the effective date.  Any event as of July 1, whose closing date is prior to July 1 must comply with rules in effect at the time of closing (i.e., 21" plus or minus 1").
  
  
• The tire jump definition has been expanded to permit an option to use a "displaceable" tire under a particular set of specifications stated below:
  
  
  • "Displaceable" shall mean that the tire may be separated or displaced upon impact with forces of no less than 18 pounds (18#).  Tires that displace or separate with less force are not permitted.    
  • For such a design, bungees and other flexible cables shall not be used as it would change the dynamics of the "break" force.
  • The tire components must remain suspended within the frame when separated or displaced so as not to have flying debris that could cause injury to the dog or handler.
  • When the tire is displaced or separated, a penalty of five standard fault points shall be assessed.
  • Other designs for displaceable tire jumps may be permitted provided designs are submitted for approval and it can be demonstrated that the designs are both functional under the rules above and safe. Such designs shall be submitted at least six months prior to their intended use. (Submission does not assure approval is forthcoming.)

• For the tire jump in general -

  • Cabling on any tire jump, displaceable or non-displaceable, should not create a web in which a dog could become entangled.
  • The aperture of the tire shall measure approximately 20" (51cm), within standard tolerances (i.e., plus or minus 1" or 2.54cm). (This specification previously stated the aperture could be between 17" and 20".) To be effective January 1; earlier adoption is encouraged.
  
  
• Time for a round shall be measured to the point where the dog crosses the finish line following performance of the last obstacle on a course that has a defined sequence (e.g., standard, jumpers, or relay classes), whether timed electronically or manually. (The measure of time was previously not stated in the rule book except with respect to the use of electronic timing; this rule is to establish consistency in measuring time between the two methods.)

Effective for the 2011 and subsequent tournament and/or calendar year -

• Title name changes will be made in the Performance Program to more closely align titles between the Championship and Performance Programs (e.g., Performance Dog, Advanced Performance Dog, Master Performance Dog, Performance Dog Champion, etc.) Name changes will be implemented no later than January 1, 2011. Note that class names will remain unchanged (i.e., using levels 1, 2, 3 designations in correlation to Starters, Advanced and Masters levels, respectively). This is to avoid confusion in administration of entries in the classes of the two programs.
  
  
• A new Veterans Program will be introduced for the primary titling classes. Details will be published on the new Veterans Program by October 1 to allow for class offerings beginning 2011.
  
  
• The Performance Speed Jumping tournament will introduce Regional Championship classes and a Championship Quarterfinals class in the annual Championship event beginning in the 2011 tournament season (beginning September 13, 2010).
  
  
• For the 2011 tournament season, a competitor/dog team must qualify in at least two of the three tournaments within a Program (Championship or Performance), in order to advance to the annual Championship event.

Previously announced and implemented rule changes -

• The Standard Course Times for the Starters Jumpers Class shall be based upon the following table:

Jumping Heights	Standard Course Time Rates
	Operating Range	Absolute Minimum Rate
12"	3.00 - 3.25 yds/sec	3.00 yds/sec
30cm	2.75 - 2.95 m/sec	2.75 m/sec
16"	3.25 - 3.50 yds/sec	3.00 yds/sec
40cm	2.95 - 3.20 m/sec	2.75 m/sec
22" & 26"	3.50 - 3.75 yds/sec	3.50 yds/sec
55cm & 65cm	3.20 - 3.40 m/sec	3.20 m/sec

The rule book text is nearing final stages of drafting with amendments dating back to 2005.  Charts and tables are presently being updated.  The targeted publication date is late July.  

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