Scent Hurdling

Introduction

Scent Hurdling is a combination of Scenting & Flyball type jump hurdles.

Two dogs compete against each other on different lanes.

Each lane consists of a maximum of a 4 section scent tray and dummy dumbbells plus 4 flyball type jump hurdles.

One course is coloured Blue and the other Red.

Each course will be known as a “Lane.”

You will need to purchase a standard dumbbell from the organisers to ensure all competitors and dummy scent articles match.

All dumbbells will be the same at all shows. You should write your dogs name on the side of your dumbbell.

The handler will scent up their dumbbell, leave the dog at the start/Finish line and place the dumbbell on the scent tray along with 3 dummy dumbbells, the tray loader will then rotate the tray (as specified by the judge) to ensure the dog does not see where his/her dumbbell has been placed, the owner then sends the dog over the jump hurdles to retrieve their dumbbell and then encourage the dog back over the jump hurdles past the Start/Finish line.

If the dog does not return with the correct dumbbell then you may resend until the correct one is retrieved.

 

There will be two levels of competition.

 

Levels

•  Open: - For all Dogs over 15ins.

•  Mini: - For all Dogs (Measuring 15ins or under).

 

Jump Hurdles will be 8ins for all heights & classes.

(NB. The organisers may introduce other levels i.e. Pairs (depending on demand)

Dogs may only enter one Level (Pairs/Teams excepted)

 

Practice

Competitors will be allowed to practice at designated times, practice will not be allowed without prior permission. Competitors must bring their own scent dumbbell and it must be a standard wooden one purchased originally from ‘British Scent Hurdling'. This will ensure that all dumbbells are the same and the dog is not retrieving on sight.

 

Seeding : At each show, Entrants will be timed on three runs.

 

The top 16 Maxi Dogs and Top 8 minis will qualify to Race off in the Finals at the August Bank Holiday Finals Weekend. 

Racing at the Finals will be best of 3 or 5 runs, straight Knockout Competition.

NB. The organisers reserve the right to change the racing format at any given time.

 

•  Judges

• Head Judge

The Head Judge will signal the start of racing.

The Head Judge will signal any faults incurred by either dog/handler during racing.

The Head Judge will announce the winner of each race.

• Line Judges/Scribes

There will be two Line Judges/Scribes (one positioned on the Start/Finish line on each Lane)

The Line Judges will signal to the Head Judge any faults incurred by either dog/handler on their respective Lanes.

The Line Judges will assist the Head Judge in deciding the winner of each race. (Extra Judges may be used under certain circumstances)

 

(2) Rules of Racing

•  Dogs may wear a Flat collar or a snug fitting Flyball Harness. (Leads, choke chains or half check collars will not be permitted)

•  Handlers may not cross the start/finish line at any point during the race.

•  It is the handler's responsibility to ensure that they have someone to place the dummy dumbbells onto the tray when their race is due to start.

 

(3) Start

•  Dogs must start from behind the Start line.

•  Handlers may hold their dogs by the collar or harness only.

•  The head Judge will indicate the start with a verbal command (i.e. Ready Steady Go).

•  If the dog crosses the Start line before the word Go, it will be considered a false start, the Head Judge will blow a whistle and the race will be restarted

If the dog incurs a second false start then the leg will be awarded to the other side.

 

(4) Legs

Each race will be divided into “Legs” the best of three (3 or 5) legs decides the winner of that race.

 

(5) Finish

•  The first dog past the Finish line having completed all the elements correctly is the winner of that leg.

•  If the finish is very close and all three Judges cannot agree on a winner, that Leg must be rerun.

 

(6) Faults

(NB. Faults do not incur penalty points; if a dog incurs a fault then he/she must re-run until the correct dumbbell is returned.

 

The Scent Hurdle :

  The dog must go up over all four jump hurdles, collect the correct dumbbell and return over all four jump hurdles, if the dog fails to do this correctly, the handler must collect the dog at the Start/Finish line and resend him/her up the hurdles again to complete correctly, the handler must NOT run up and down the hurdles with the dog.

If the dog drops the dumbbell before crossing the finish line he/she must be sent to collect it to complete the run.

The tray loader must ensure that if the dog collects the wrong dumbbell that they replace the missing dumbbell with another dummy one. The tray loader must remain upright with hands behind back (whilst the dog is approaching, until after the dog has made the turn from the tray.) (All levels)

• The tray loader may use verbal encouragement only. (All levels)

 

(7) Qualifying

  •  A dog may be entered to qualify each day at each of the shows, (to try for the dogs fastest time)

 

• Finals

The top 16 Maxi Dogs and Top 8 Mini dogs will qualify to Race off in the Finals at the BAA August Bank Holliday Grand Prix Finals Weekend. At Asfordby Amateurs Sports Club, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire.

The Finals will consist of:

Mini dogs & Maxi Dogs.

The winner of each category will receive a Trophy

The Title of: “British Scent Hurdling Champion” goes to the winner of the Maxi Class.

The title of: “British Mini Scent Hurdling Champion” goes to the winner of the Mini class.

Rosettes will be awarded to 8th place in each division. Those who have entered qualifiers should check this site for an updated list of results,

It is the competitor's responsibility to inform the BAA of intention to attend the finals if qualified.

 

Have fun with your pet dogs