How the points are calculated

Dog of the Year Tables

All scheduled individual events in all BAA Shows up to the 31st August 2009 (excluding the Finals) count towards the BAA Dog of the Year Tables

Points are awarded for top 20 places and for Clear Rounds in all Introductory, Primary, Novice, Graduate and Masters classes as shown in the table below
Each dog is automatically entered into one of 20 Leagues based on Dog Level (Introductory, Primary, Novice, Graduate, Masters) and Dog Height (Maxi, Medium, Mini, Micro) and will accrue points in that League
Where dogs are competing at separate Levels for Jumping and Agility, they will earn the points for that Level in each discipline and their points will be recorded in the League Table corresponding to the higher Level, e.g. a Maxi dog competing in Primary Agility and Novice Jumping will earn Primary points in Agility and Novice points in Jumping and will appear in the Novice Maxi League Table
Dogs that are promoted during the course of the season will take their points with them to their new level. Only points subsequently gained at the new level will be added to those already earnt
The highest placed dog in each League at the end of the season will be awarded the title BAA Dog of the Year in that category
The winners receive a perpetual shield which must be returned before the August show of the following season

Jumping & Agility Leagues
All scheduled individual events in all BAA Shows up to the 31st August 2009 (excluding the Finals) count towards the Jumping & Agility Leagues

Points are awarded for top 20 places and for Clear Rounds in all Introductory, Primary, Novice, Graduate and Masters classes as shown in the table below
Each dog is automatically entered into one of 5 Leagues in each discipline based on Dog Level (Introductory, Primary, Novice, Graduate, Masters) independent of Dog Height (Maxi, Medium, Mini, Micro) and will accrue points in that League
Points for the Jumping and Agility Leagues determine the dogs that qualify for the BAA Finals in August and those that qualify for automatic or voluntary promotion
The Top 10* Introductory and Primary, 8* Novice and 5* Graduate Plus dogs in each discipline on the closing date for entries for the BAA Grand Prix Finals will qualify automatically for the BAA Finals to be held at the EMDAC Show on 29th-31st August 2009. All other competitors meeting the show schedule criteria will get the chance to try to qualify on the day
*subject to change
Final positions in each League on August 31st 2009 will determine who qualifies automatically or voluntarily for promotion to the next Dog Level for the following season. For more details on Promotion, click here

Junior Handler of the Year League
Introducing the BAA Junior Handler of the Year League for all Handlers aged 16 and under!

A special class for Handlers under the age of 16 will be run on each day of as many BAA Shows as possible.
They will all be run as a Pay-on-the-day class to encourage all Juniors at the show to take part.
Please check the schedules for availablility of Junior Classes.
The results from these classes will count towards the BAA Junior Handler of the Year Awards, of which there will be one for the under 12 Handler of the Year and one for the under 16 Handler of the Year.
In addition a Junior Handlers Grand Prix Final will be held for the top handlers as part of the BAA Grand Prix Finals weekend hosted by EMDAC in August.
Registration for the League can be done at any BAA Show.

Rules 2008

All handlers must be aged 16 or under to take part.

Only points obtained in the special Junior Classes will count towards the Junior Handler of the Year League
All handlers will compete against each other in a single special Junior Class at participating BAA Shows up to, and including, the BAA Grand Prix Finals in August. Check the schedules for details.
Each handler will only be allowed to run a maximum of two dogs, but points towards the Junior Handler of the Year League will only count from their highest place in that class.
Any one dog cannot be entered in each class more than once
There will be one League for all Junior Handlers
At the end of the season the highest placed U12 and U16 handler will receive the title BAA Junior Handler of the Year in each category*
Handlers born after 1/9/96 are eligible for the under 12 BAA Junior Handler of the Year Title
Handlers born after 1/9/92 who are not eligible for the under 12 title are eligible for the under 16 BAA Junior Handler of the Year Title
*** 2008/9 Series

The junior classes will be structured as follows for the 2008/9 series:-

Under 12 Elementary Juniors
12 to 16 Elementary Juniors

Under 12 Advanced Juniors
12 to 16 Advanced Juniors

Elementary and advanced will be run over seperate courses.

Promotion will be by

1. Choice to move up on 3 wins in a season
2. Promotion via the league tables at the end of the season.

BAA Veterans League
All scheduled Veteran events in all BAA Shows up to the 31st August 2009 (excluding the Finals) count towards the BAA Veteran Dog of the Year
Points are awarded for top 20 places and for Clear Rounds in all Veterans classes as shown in the table below
Place in Veterans Class Points

Over 60's Leagues
Following the successes of the BAA Junior League the BAA are pleased to announce the launch of the BAA Ladies Over 60's League and the BAA Gentlemen Over 60s League. Both Leagues will run throughout the BAA Season and are specific to handler/dog partnerships, i.e. a handler with more than one dog will score separate points for the different dogs rahter than accrue one set of points for all the dogs they run. To enter the league, you must have turned 60 before the start of the current BAA season. Simply let us know at any BAA Show that you qualify and your name will be added to the league with each of your dogs. Good luck and have fun!

Points Scheme

Points are awarded depending on places/clear rounds obtained in all BAA classes except Pairs/Teams and pay-on-the-day classes as shown in the table below

The points awarded are independent of the Level at which the Handler/Dog partnership is competing

Alternative Handlers League
It is with pleasure that, with the continued support of the British Agility Association, the Alternative Handlers League, celebrating the successes of agility handlers with disabilities, now enters it's second season. The league is open to any agility competitor that may have a long or short term disability, which has an effect on their everyday life, entering a BAA show. All they will have to do is register with the Alternative Handlers by contacting Rowena Beall , who is creating a database of names for the points system.

Points Scheme

Points are awarded depending on places/clear rounds obtained in all BAA classes except Pairs/Teams and pay-on-the-day classes as shown in the table below
The points awarded are independent of the Level at which the Handler/Dog partnership is competing

About The Alternative Handlers

The Alternative Handlers started up in 2005 as the idea of Rowena and Steve Beall, with the help and guidance of Angela Lucas, in Littlehampton contacting agility enthusiasts with various degrees of disability. The Alternative Handlers aim to act as a support group to those with a disability that has an effect on their everyday life. We like to hear from anyone who has an interest in dog training.

Agility has popular spectator appeal. By being available to provide demonstrations of our skills, the Alternative Handler group hope to promote disability awareness and understanding, as well as encouraging potential enthusiasts to agility.

The name “The Alternative Handlers” came about because it was felt to be very restricting with the word “disabled” in the title. Rowena and Steve Beall have been the forerunners in beginning this group that aims to celebrate and promote the skills developed. As people who may have additional difficulties to overcome when it comes to training our dog, we seek alternative ways to achieve the same result. Another hope for the future is that our group will be of interest to other people involved with dogs, such as obedience or heelwork to music.

In November there was a special invitation to put on a display at “Discover Dogs” at Earl's Court and judging from the video, we played to a packed house and our slot was very well received. We were all pleased with our efforts on the day and the fun we had. One of our aims is to continue with demonstrations and so far there have been two further invites: one at All About Dogs at Brentwood Essex in May, and another at the Guide Dog Open day in August at Milton Keynes . Founder members have also made offers to arrange agility training sessions in all parts of the country, so that The Alternative Handlers can have opportunities to train and meet together.

The Alternative Handlers are affiliated with the Disabled Handlers group in Europe PAWC (paragility world cup) and a future objective would be to send a competing team to represent our disabled agility community abroad.

A disability is not always obvious from first sight: it could be anything: heart-related illnesses, arthritis, asthma, visual or hearing impairments, recuperation from surgery or intensive treatments. Someone could have a disability from their birth, or as a result of illness or accident.

Rowena, Steve and Angela are in the process of composing a website for The Alternative Handlers, so ideas and thoughts of content will be welcomed.

The Alternative Handlers' Aims

To act as a support group to agility and other dog training enthusiasts who have a long or short term disability
To promote disability awareness and understanding by providing demonstrations at public events and holding training gatherings
To encourage potential enthusiasts into agility
To celebrate and promote the training skills, methods and competition success of our members by providing a points league
To raise a team for the PAWC competition in Europe
To have a website to keep members informed of issues and events
Information provided by Angela Lucas