As a judge, while spending many long attentive hours in the sun, I tend to amuse myself by studying the exploits of the handler. What is his strategy? How does he execute? Are his cues subtle or overt?

I speak much of movement, and the capacity of movement to influence the dogs understanding of motive and direction. This beguiles some into thinking that I must advocate a system of spinning and twirling like a dingledodie through the course. But, in fact, I recognize that the main drama of competition is simple meat and potatoes handling. The handler should constantly support his dog, move with a purpose, and give focus to the obstacle the dog is working and the path the dog is to be set upon.

The dog tends to move in a path parallel to the handler’s path.

Trigility

Briefing

Trigility is a game of strategy and daring in which three dog and handler teams complete three types of agility tests: A standard numbered course; a jumper’s course; and, a gamblers course. Teams may be composed of dogs of mixed height, but competing at the same level.

For more information on Trigility go to: www.docna.com

Handler Rules

· The first member of the team does a mini Jumpers course. When the dog has cleared the last obstacle on this course and crosses the finish line, the second dog and handler team may start their course.

· The second member of the team does a mini Standard Agility course. When the dog has cleared the last obstacle on the course and crossed the finish line, the third dog and handler team may start their course.

· The third member of the team will complete a Traditional Gamblers course. Once the dog has cleared the final obstacle and crossed the finish line, the course is complete.

· In this team event there are no batons to pass. The next run starts as soon as the previous dog has crossed the finish line for his part of the course.

· If a dog crosses the start line before the previous dog has finished his course he will be penalized 10 faults.

· If the previous dog skips the last obstacle in his course the next team may start without fault when it is obvious that the previous team has decided not to correct.

· All obstacles must be attempted. Deliberately skipping an obstacle will result in Elimination.

· For the team to earn a qualifying score the gamble must be completed without fault.

Ring Administration for Trigility

· If a substitution is needed for an absent team member the replacement team member may not run the same section of the course that they previously ran.

· The SCT will be based on the Select Standard Course Time plus some additional time for the exchange between teams.

· Should the team consist of dogs of multiple jump heights the highest height will be used for SCT calculation and team placement.

· Gate stewards may adjust the running order to limit the amount of pole setting

Course Design

The Jumpers course consists of 7 to 11 obstacles. These may be set among other non-jumpers obstacles as the jumpers course may weave in and out of the other two parts of the Trigility course. In addition to jumps the course may have tunnels (which aren’t usually included or allowed in DOCNA jumpers.)

The Standard Agility course consists of 7 to 11 obstacles. The course may include jumps, tunnels, contact equipment, and weave poles.

The Traditional Gamblers course consists of 7 to 11 obstacles. The course may include jumps, tunnels, contact equipment, and weave poles. In general the design should lend itself to the dog’s natural impulsion carrying into the distance challenge.

Strategies

Clearly the most important thing that the team can do is assign the three elements of the game to those on the team most capable of that element. The Gamblers part, for example, probably should go to the dog most capable of working at a distance.

The second two teams should attempt a running start rather than wasting time with painful over-controlling lead-outs. Explosive boldness wins contests.

Scoring

Trigility is scored Time Plus Faults. Any team that has completed the gamble and is under course time with any faults they might have earned added to the time, each member of the team will receive a Qualifying Round.

Qualifying and Titles

Trigility is an eligible qualifying game for play in both Dogs on Course in North America (DOCNA), the Teacup Dogs Agility Association (TDAA), and C-WAGS.

Questions comments & impassioned speeches to Bud Houston: dogwoodbud1@earthlink.net. And Check out my new publication the Idea Book – Agility Training for a Small Universe available at www.dogagility.org/store.