Triple Crown Disc Dog Championships: 200901

20090102

2009 Triple Crown Disc Dog Championships

2008 Triple Crown Toss/Fetch Winner .... "Goose"

Owned & Trained by Heather Gallagher (Ottawa, Ontario)

The purpose of this blog is to provide competitors, judges, sponsors, and vendors with pertinent information regarding the Triple Crown Disc Dog Championships.

2009 will see the Triple Crown Disc Dog Championships as a "two city tour".

The first two legs of the Triple Crown will be held on the August Holiday Weekend (August 2, 3), at the Chinguacousy Park in Brampton, Ontario. The disc dog competition will take place as part of the Brampton Summer Festival. The third leg of the Triple Crown will take place in Ottawa, Ontario on August 22nd/09. Details TBA

The Triple Crown Disc Dog Championships consist of three independent disc dog trials:
1) The Canadian National Disc Dog Championships
2) The Hyperflite/Skyhoundz Ontario Regionals (Worlds Qualifier)
3) The USDDN Nationals Canadian Qualifier

The Triple Crown Disc Dog Championship will be awarded to the dog/handler team with the highest overall score from all three trials combined. There will be a Triple Crown Freestyle Champion and a Triple Crown Toss/Fetch Champion. Competitors are not required to compete in all three trials. Competitors may enter the trial(s) of their choice. However, to be eligable to win the Triple Crown Disc Dog Championship you must compete in all three trials.

Competitors are not required to have any specific club or organization affiliation/memberships. The trials are open to anyone who would like to compete.

Triple Crown Trial Locations: Chinguacousy Park is located at Bramalea Rd & Queen Street in Brampton, Ontario. Enter the park from Bramalea Rd > first set of traffic lights north of Queen St. & turn left into the grounds and enter the park immediately to your left by the midway rides. Follow the midway around to the soccer fields. You cannot drive or park directly on the fields but will be able to park immediately adjacent to the fields. Link to mapquest http://www.mapquest.com/mq/6-fN3PUXR59nC8fzrc3_RC

Ottawa trial location TBA

Check each individual trial page for start times and entry information

Team K9 will be performing on Monday, therefore the disc trial schedule will have breaks to accommodate the shows.

The Triple Crown Disc Dog Championship Series is brought you by the Airborne Disc Dog Club Of Ottawa, and the Southern Ontario Disc Houndz Club.

To View 2008 Triple Crown Results and Sponsors click on 2008 in the archives

Camping & Hotels

Camping & Hotels
There are several hotels and motels just a short distance from the competition site. We have also found two campsites that are within a reasonable driving distance from the site. Please note that we have no personal experience with any of these facilities, the information is provided for your convenience. Be sure to ask about pet policies when you book your rooms or campsites.

Links for campsites:
This one is in Albion Hills and is about 40min away: http://www.soto.on.ca/accommodations/ca_albion_hills_conservation_area.html

This one is in Milton and is about 25min away: http://www.rvparkreviews.com/regions/Ontario/Milton.html#CGID3364

Hotels
Choice Hotels http://www.choicehotels.com/ This website is for Choice Hotels which are hotels that are part of the Choice Hotel group that offers discounts if you have AAA or CAA or Canadian Tire Auto Club. These Hotels also offer discounts for people who are 50+ . And you can book online. I usually use this site to book my hotels wherever I go. Just go to the website, type in Brampton as the location (& the dates you want to book for) and it will bring up a page with all the hotels available, their rates, rooms available, and whether or not pets are allowed.

Here are some other hotels I found on the web:

Econo Lodge Inn & Suites Toronto Airport (CN568) 6355 Airport Rd. , Mississauga, ON, CA, L4V 1E4 Phone: (905) 677-7331 Toll-Free: (800) 387-6955

Howard Johnson Express Inn And Suites Brampton 226 Queen Street East Brampton, ON Rooms Begin at $74.80905-451-6000

Courtyard By Marriott Toronto Mississauga 7015 Century Avenue Mississauga, ON Rooms Begin at $88. 46905-567-5566

Comfort Inn Meadowvale 2420 Surveyor Rd Mississauga, ON Rooms Begin at $89.44 (905) 858-8600

Super 8 Mississauga 6625 Kennedy Rd Mississauga, ON Rooms Begin at $78.52 905-565-2565

Comfort Inn Brampton 5 Rutherford Rd. S. Brampton, ON Rooms Begin at $93.54 Phone: (905) 452-0600

General Rules Of Competition

General Rules Of Competition

While each trial has its own set of rules regarding competition, there are some general "house rules" for the Triple Crown Events.

For rules specific to each trial please check that trial page for a link to those specific rules of competition.

For those competitions taking place at Chinguacousy Park, the City Of Brampton does have a leash law in effect, therefore all dogs must be leashed or crated when not competing on the field.

No Shock Collar use (either bark or remote) allowed on the competition site

All Local and Provincial ordinances must be adhered to and all dog owners are subject to the Dog Owners Liability Act

Please Be Aware that Ontario does have Breed Specific Legislation banning Pit Bulls, American Pit Bull Terriers, American Staffordshire Terriers, and Stafforshire Terriers.

Poop And Scoop is in effect > please be respectful of the venue and clean up after your dog

As a courtesy to other handlers, please ensure that dogs with 'space issues' regarding either dogs or people are kept at a safe distance from those things that will cause them to react.

Please be respectful of other peoples dogs and do not allow "friendly" dogs to get up in other dogs space.

Nature Breaks on the playing field >> Skyhoundz & SODH rules allow for time to be stopped while clean up is done, and then the round continues. USDDN gives point deductions

No fabric discs allowed in competition in any of the trials

All competing dogs should be in good physical condition and health, current on all innoculations as deemed necessary by the veterinary profession, and free from communicable conditions. It is not recommended that dogs under one year of age be competing at a high level > vaulting etc.

Female dogs in season not permitted on trial grounds

Remember this is a family festival so please avoid use of foul language & unsportsmanlike behaviour.

Thank You for your cooperation

Trial #1 > Canadian National Disc Dog Championships (The Canada Cup)

The Canadian National Disc Dog Championships offers competition in Toss/Fetch and Freestyle.

At this competition toss/fetch and freestyle are "stand alone" events, meaning that there is no toss/fetch round as part of freestyle.

Competition Start Time = 11am
Sign In Starts at 10:15am

This competition follows the Skyhoundz judging format >> 60 seconds for toss/fetch; and 90 seconds for freestyle. And the PAWS scoring system for freestyle. The one difference is that you may use "up to" seven discs for freestyle.

All brands of plastic discs that are safe for dogs are allowed.

This competition offers many divisions within each of the two classes (toss/fetch & freestyle)

Toss/Fetch offers the following classes:
> Novice A > for experienced handlers with novice dogs
> Novice B > for beginner handlers with novice dogs
> Open > for experienced handlers/dogs
> Youth > for handlers 14yrs of age and younger
> Veterans > for dogs 9yrs of age or older
> MicroDog > for dogs 16.5" at the wither or smaller
> MicroMini Dog > for dogs smaller than 13" at the wither
> NEW! Tether Class > dogs can wear long lines

Freestyle offers the same divisions with the exception of the *MicroMini division & the **Tether division.
*MicroMini is only offered in toss/fetch because in distance throwing the tiny tots have a marked disadvantage against the larger than 13" dogs
**Tether could be dangerous in freestyle

The Canadian National Disc Dog Championships will offer specialty awards for Innovation & Best New Player. Competitors in all divisions will be eligable for these awards

Competitors participating in the Open divisions of toss/fetch and freestyle will be eligable to win the Canada Cup. The Canada Cup goes to the competitor with the overall highest combined score (toss/fetch and freestyle combined)

Our judge for this trial is Mr. Ray Lowman from Maryland.

For full competition regulations go to http://sodhrules.blogspot.com/

This Trial Is Now OPEN to accept Entries
Enter via Snail Mail OR Online using PayPal > Click here for an entry form http://2009NRF.blogspot.com/

Entry Fees:

Toss/Fetch

(SODH, ADDCO, YFDDC, MADDogs club members)

Dog 1 = $15 for first class entered > $10 for all subsequent classes entered

Dog 2 = $10 for first class entered > $5 for all subsequent classes entered

All Subsquent Dogs = $5 per dog per class entered

Non-Members

Dog 1 = $20 for first class entered > $15 for all subsequent classes entered

Dog 2 = $15 for first class entered > $10 for all subsequent classes entered

Dog 3 = $10 for first class entered > $5 for all subsequent classes

All subsequent dogs = $5 per dog per class entered

Trial #2 > Skyhoundz Regional (Worlds Qualifier)

The Hyperflite/Skyhoundz Ontario Regional Championship is also the Worlds Qualifier. Competitors participating in the "Expert" class of Distance/Accuracy; Freestyle; MicroDog; and Pairs are all eligable to earn invitations to compete at the World Championships.

The top four placing dogs in Distance/Accuracy, and Freestyle; the top two placing dogs in MicroDog; and the top two placing dogs in Pairs, will all receive invitations to compete at the World Championships in Chattanooga, Tennessee in September of 2009.

If you choose to compete in the Expert class, you ARE attempting to qualify for Worlds. If you qualify and choose not to go, your spot does not roll down to the next competitor in line. The spot is lost completely.

At this competition freestyle rounds are 90 seconds long and you may use "up to" five discs. Any plastic disc of your choice is allowed as long as it is safe for the dog. In the Pairs freestyle division you are allowed "up to" ten discs.

Distance/Accuracy (aka toss/fetch) rounds are 6o seconds in length. The thrower must stand behind the throw line when throwing but may be anywhere on the field at other times. You can choose which end you want to throw from, but once your round is underway, you may not change direction.

Freestyle is judged based on the Skyhoundz PAWS Scoring System. For a full description of this scoring system go to www.skyhoundz.com

This competition also offers a Novice division in Distance/Accuracy and Freestyle. To eligable to compete in the Novice division the dog and handler must not have placed (either together or separately) fourth or higher in a previous Regional Qualifier. There will also be a Masters class offered. To be eligable to compete in the Masters class the dog must be 9yrs old or older. The Youth class is for handlers 14yrs of age and under.

Round One is an elimination round. The top six placing dogs move onto the second round. There is also a Recreational division offered featuring Time Trial & Team Time Trial. For details/rules go to www.skyhoundz.com

Our judges for this trial will be Peter Bloeme from Atlanta, Georgia; and Ray Lowman from Maryland. For full Skyhoundz rules and regulations go to www.skyhoundz.com

Trial Start Time = TBA

Sign In Starts at TBA

Official Photographer = Len Sylvester, TTL Action Photography, www.ttlphoto.com/wp

On Site Registrations will be accepted but Pre-Registration is encouraged and there will be a discounted entry fee offered to those who pre-register

NEW THIS YEAR ..... Enter Online and pay through PayPal
Or enter via snail mail if you prefer
To receive an entry form click here:

Entry Fees:
Pre-Registration
(SODH, YFDDC, MADDogs, ADDCO members)
$18 for first dog entered in first division/class; & $10 for each subsquent division/class for that dog
$15 for second dog entered in first division/class & $10 for each subsequent division/class for that dog
$10 per dog per division/class for all subsequent dogs entered

(non-members)
$25 for first dog entered in first division/class; & $12 for each subsequent division/class for that dog
$20 for second dog entered in first division/class & $12 for each subseqent division/class for that dog
$15 for third dog entered in first division/class & $12 for all subsequent division/class for that dog
$10 per dog per division/class for all subseqent dogs entered

On Site Registration
No Membership discounts offered for on site Registrations
$35 for the first dog entered in first division/class; & $17 for each subsequent division/class for that dog
$30 for second dog entered in first division/class & $15 for each subsequent division/class for that dog
$20 per dog per division/class for all subsequent dogs entered

Trial #3 > USDDN Nationals Canadian Qualifier

The USDDN Nationals Canadian Qualifier will be held in Ottawa this year on August 22nd, and will be hosted by the Airborne Disc Dog Club Of Ottawa

Information will be posted as it becomes available.

Contact Pat Nadarajah at nadarajah@sympatico.ca

Official Photographer = Len Sylvester, TTL Action Photography

www.ttlphoto.com/wp

FAQ's

Frequently Asked Questions

This quick Q&A will hopefully answer most questions that might arise concerning the Triple Crown Disc Dog Championships > and address any concerns not covered on the other pages in this blog.

What Is The Triple Crown? The Triple Crown presents three separate disc dog trials. The three trials are "stand alone" events, which means that they are independant of one another. Each trial runs by its own organization (or club) rules and is not governed by, or affiliated with, the others. Competitors may enter one, two, or all three trials. But as an added bonus for those who choose to compete in all three, we decided to create a Triple Crown Award for the highest overall scoring team. The Triple Crown Award will be presented at the conclusion of the USDDN competition in Ottawa on August 22/09

Is This The Only Skyhoundz Qualifying Event In Canada?
At this time .... Yes. Under Skyhoundz rules and regulations you must compete in the Regional Qualifier in your own region of residence in order to earn a spot at the Worlds. This is the ONLY Canadian Qualifier at this time. However, U.S. competitors are allowed to compete for placements/awards, but are simply not eligable for qualifying spots. So just to clarify .... if there are 4 qualifying spots available and a U.S. competitor(s) wins first and second place, the qualifying spots roll down to 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th place Canadian teams.

How Many Qualifying Spots Are There At The Skyhoundz Regional Qualifier?
There are 4 qualifying spots in D/A; 4 qualifying spots in freestyle; 2 qualifying spots in Pairs; and 2 qualifying spots in MicroDog. If you compete in the "Expert" division you ARE competing for a qualifying spot. The only way not to compete for a qualifying spot is to compete in either novice or veterans. To be eligable to compete in Novice you have to have not placed 4th or higher in another qualifier. If you qualify and you choose NOT to attend the World Championships in Chattanooga, your spot does not roll down to the next person in line. The spot is lost completely.

Is There Anywhere Else I Can Go To Qualify For The Skyhoundz Worlds?
Yes. There are 4 Open Qualifiers held in the U.S. Go to www.skyhoundz.com for information on dates/locations

Do I Have To Compete In THIS USDDN Qualifer To Qualify For National Finals?
No. You can compete in any USDDN Qualifer in Canada or the U.S. to earn a qualifying spot for the USDDN Nationals. And you can compete in as many USDDN Qualifiers as you like. For example, if you don't qualify at one trial, you can try again at another trial. The closest U.S. Qualifier to Ontario will be in Conneticut, hosted by the Yankee Flyers Disc Dog Club. However, there are several others to choose from as well.

How Many Qualifying Spots Are There At The USDDN Qualifier?
There are 5 qualifying spots in the Super Open Freestyle division, plus 2 alternate spots. In the Super Pro Toss/Fetch there are 5 qualifying spots plus 2 alternate spots. Nationals competition spots that are not filled by qualifying teams, will be offered to alternate teams.

Do I Need To Do TWO DIFFERENT ROUTINES If Competing In Both Skyhoundz & USDDN?
No. A good freestyle routine will encompass all the necessary elements required by the USDDN. And these elements, although not specified by Skyhoundz, are the same things that will score you well in Skyhoundz. The main difference is going to be the allotted time for your routine (2min for USDDN and 90 seconds for Skyhoundz) and the number of discs that you are allowed to use. In Skyhoundz you are allowed "up to" five discs, while in USDDN you are allowed "up to" ten discs.

Are There Other Differences That I Should Be Aware Of?
Yes.In Skyhoundz there is a MicroDog division for dogs 16" or under at the wither or under 25lbs in weight. If you enter the MicroDog division you MUST use the smaller discs. However, you are not required to enter the MicroDog division. You can enter the regular division and run with the big dogs. And in the regular division you can still use the smaller discs if you so wish. Any size of dog can use any size of disc in the regular divisions in Skyhoundz. Additionally any make/model of plastic disc that is safe for the dog, is allowed in Skyhoundz competition. In the USDDN there is not currently a small dog division. However, dogs that are 15" or smaller at the wither are allowed to use small discs. They are not required to do so because it is not a separate division, but they have the option to do so. Skyhoundz allows all makes and models of plastic discs that are considered safe for the dog. In the USDDN there are some disc restrictions. You are allowed Fastbacks, Hero Discs, Dogstar Discs, and Hyperflite K-10 (aka Competition Standard) Discs. The heavier model discs such as Jawz, Hero Extras, and Euroblends are not allowed in competition. Skyhoundz D/A (aka toss/fetch) is 60 seconds to score as many points as you can. USDDN Super Pro Toss/Fetch gives you 90 seconds to score as many points as possible and only your five best throws count towards your final score. This is just a scoring difference > the game is the same for the competitor ..... just stand and throw

Do I Have To Be An Advanced Player to Participate In These Trials?
No. The Canadian National Disc Dog Championships will offer several competition divisions again this year. Novice A for novice dogs with experienced handlers; Novice B for novice dogs with novice handlers; Open; Veterans; Youth; MicroDog; and Mini MicroDog. Skyhoundz also offers a novice division and a veterans division. And the USDDN will also be offering both novice & qualifying divisions.

If I Choose To Compete in the additional FDDO trial on the August weekend, Will My Dog Be Too Tired To Compete Three Days In A Row?
Only if he/she is really out of shape. Let's face it > even if not competing, you are going to practice everyday before the trial. And most of us practice longer than we are out on the trial field. You are looking at having your dog out on the field for a maximum of five and a half minutes per day (7 if you are competing in Pairs on Monday) spaced out. So 2min here. Maybe a minute an hour later. And a couple of minutes an hour or more later. Those who do demo's know that is MUCH easier than doing three or four demos a day in which the dogs are performing in multiple events in each show. And many of our Ontario competition dogs are involved with these demos & shows and do just fine for days running. Not to mention running multiple flyball races per day over the course of a weekend or multiple agility runs. So this should not be a concern at all. We will have baby pools available all day long for the dogs to cool off in; and the hose will be available all day long as well.

What Should I Bring To The Show Site To Make My Day More Comfortable? Well most of us travel and trial in many dog sports during the summertime & will already have a good idea of what we need to bring. But for the novice's here are some suggestions: