VERSATILITY COMPETITION 2023

Enter the Versatility Conformation Class using the ACDCA specialty premium list on and compete in designated performance events.

$1,000 in prize money

NEW VERSATILITY RULES

Check Specialty Premium List for Current Rules

REMEMBER!!

Participants must bring all score sheets (including Agility) to Shannon Murphy at the end of each day.

Cell: 904-338-6640 or check for Shannon at Deb Mintzer’s RV - parked on the Grounds.

Versatility Award Overview

The winner of the national specialty versatility competition shall be designated as "NATIONAL VERSATILITY CHAMPION". If sponsored, a belt buckle will be awarded to the NATIONAL VERSATILITY CHAMPION. Otherwise, a plaque will be awarded in addition to the other prizes noted here in.

A versatility competition shall be held in conjunction with each National Specialty Show to recognize those dogs best demonstrating combined herding ability, trainability & representation of the breed standard. Rules for this competition shall be included in the published premium list. Copies of these rules must be available upon request & be on the show grounds during competition. The person(s) responsible for record keeping for the duration of the Versatility competition shall be named by the ACDCA Awards/Performance Committee & shall be identified to the ACDCA Board & the National Show Coordinator prior to the start of the National Specialty.

Versatility Competition Rules

To be eligible for a Versatility competition placement, each dog entered must compete in the Versatility Conformation Class, must qualify in a regular Herding Trial Class, and must qualify in at least one of the following performance divisions:

a. Obedience
b. Rally
c. Agility

AKC rules determine eligibility for all individual performance classes. The Versatility competition must have a minimum of five (5) entries in-order to be held.

The Versatility entry fee shall be $25.00, collected through the entry fee for the Versatility Conformation Class, plus the regular entry fees for Herding, Obedience, Rally and Agility.

Eighty (80%) of entry fees collected will be paid back as follows:

1st = 40%
2nd = 30%
3rd = 20%
4th = 10% Ribbons shall be awarded for 1st through 6th place.

Ties for placements will be broken using the highest Herding score as calculated for Versatility points. If a tie still exists, the dog with the highest number of scores in all events will prevail. If the tie is still not broken, duplicate placements shall be awarded. In the event of duplicate placements for 1st through 4th, paybacks for the tied placement and the corresponding number following the placements will be combined and divided equally between the tied competitors.

Computed Versatility scores and standings shall be posted as soon as possible after each eligible competition is completed in a location provided by the Specialty Show host. It is the owner/handler’s responsibility to check the scores as posted and report any suspected errors to the designated points keeper at least one hour prior to the scheduled awards presentation. Awards for the Versatility competition shall be final once presented.

Only the dog’s highest computed Versatility score from each of the performance divisions (Herding, Obedience, Rally and Agility) will be used for Versatility calculations at full point value.

Any and all additional qualifying scores within the same performance division will be valued at five (5) points each.

Division class eligibility and point determinations for the Versatility competition shall be as follows:

Conformation (Note-Check in with Show Sec’y to make sure scores are posted correctly)
Class is open only to those animals entered in the Versatility competition. Class shall be held immediately following the sweepstakes classes and judged by the Sweepstakes judge.
All animals will be judged together.
Class will be judged by the same criteria as a regular conformation class with exception that spayed or neutered animals are also eligible.
All entries shall be placed with points scored as follows:

1st …….100 points 6th…….. 50 points
2nd ……..90 points 7th……..40 points
3rd ………80 points 8th……..30 points
4th ………70 points 9th……..20 points
5th ………60 points 10th…….10 points

Herding (Note-Check in with Trial Sec’y to make sure scores are posted correctly)
The highest qualifying score from the Advanced, Intermediate or Started trial classes shall be used to compute Versatility points as follows:

Advanced……………………Score, plus 100 points
Intermediate ………………..Score plus 80 points
Started ……………………...Score plus 70 points

Highest score in the Herding performance division is defined as the score that will results in the highest number of Versatility points. All other qualifying scores in the Herding performance division will result in an additional ten (10) points. Only NATIONAL SPECIALTY classes count towards your scores.

*Note: Although AKC allows “exhibition only” entries under certain circumstances, such entries cannot receive qualifying scores. Therefore, “exhibition only” entries are not eligible for participation.

Obedience (Note-Check in with Trial Sec’y to make sure scores are posted correctly)
Regular Obedience - The highest qualifying score from the regular trial Utility, Open or Novice classes shall be used to compute Versatility points as follows:

Utility ………………..….……….Score less 50 points
Open ………………………………Score less 75 points
Novice or Veteran ………….. Score less 100 points

Highest score in the Obedience performance division is defined as a qualifying regular obedience score or the Veteran’s obedience score over 170, that will result in the highest number of Versatility points. All other qualifying scores in the Obedience performance division will result in an additional five (5) points.
*Note: Obedience scores have points deducted to equate to attainable scores of the other performance divisions.

Rally (Note-Check in with Trial Sec’y to make sure scores are posted correctly)
The highest qualifying score from the Masters, Excellent, Advanced, Intermediate or Novice Rally trial classes shall be used to compute Versatility points as follows:

Masters ………………..…………..Score plus 10 points
Excellent…………………………..Score plus 5 points
Advanced …………………..……. Score
Intermediate ………………..…..Score less 5 points
Novice ……………………….….… Score less 10 points

Highest score in the Rally performance division is defined as a qualifying Rally score that will result in the highest number of Versatility points. All other qualifying scores in the Rally performance division will result in an additional five (5) points. Team Rally and Rally Choice scores do not count towards this award.

Agility (Note-Check in with Trial Sec’y to make sure scores are posted correctly)
The highest qualifying score from the either the Standard or Jumpers With Weaves Agility trial classes, whether masters, regular or preferred classes, shall be used to compute Versatility points as follows:

Qualifying Score in Excellent/Masters, JWW or Standard....................100 Points
Qualifying Score in Preferred Excellent/Masters, JWW or Standard......95 Points
Qualifying Score in Open JWW or Standard............................................90 Points
Qualifying Score in Preferred Open JWW or Standard...........................85 Points
Qualifying Score in Novice JWW or Standard.........................................80 Points
Qualifying Score in Preferred Novice JWW or Standard.........................75 Points

Highest score in the Agility performance division is defined as the qualifying Agility score that will result in the highest number of Versatility points. All other qualifying scores in the Agility performance division will result in an additional five (5) points.