Chances Class—Gamblers Certification

During the 2006 year, handlers may complete Gamblers certification titles via the Chances class.  This class will be set for Novice, Open and Elite separately.

The goal of  the Chances class is to test the distance, directional and 
discrimination skills of the dog and handler team.  The dog shall  compete in
the Chances class at the same level as they are currently competing  in for
the Gamblers class.  All Gamblers points earned will be transferred  over to
Chances points and will continue to accumulate from the dogs current  Gamblers
class points status.

The Chances course shall consist of 10-15 obstacles which has been 
numbered by the judge.  On each course there shall be a distance test, a 
discrimination test, and a directional test.  At the Elite level, all three  tests will
be required.  At the Open level, the judge shall select two of  the tests to be
performed.  At the Novice level, the judge shall select one  test to be
performed.

On each course, the dog and handler team shall have 40 seconds to complete 
the course.  All obstacles on the entire course must be performed cleanly  for
a qualifying score.

At the Elite level the "distance" test shall be set at a minimum of 20 feet 
and the discrimination and directional tests shall be set at 12-14 feet.   At
the Open level the distance test, if used, shall be set at a minimum of  15
feet and the discrimination and directional tests, if used, shall be set  at
8-10 feet.  At the Novice test the distance test, if used, shall be  set at a
minimum of 10 feet and the discrimination and directional tests, if  used, shall
be set at 5-6 feet.

The handler may not touch the line at any time.  Once the dog has been  sent
across the line to perform one of the required tests, they will be faulted  if
they return back across the line with all four paws before the completion of 
that test.

There shall be no more than one performance of a set of weave poles on the 
course and it is possible that there will be courses will no weave pole 
performances.

There shall be no more than one required contact performance during the 
course.  The contact obstacle could be the dog walk, A-frame, or  teeter.  It is
possible that some courses will have no required contact  obstacle performance
required.  There may be more than one contact obstacle  on the course, but not
more than one performance that is required on a  course.

The dog may be alongside the handler during the performance of any  obstacles
that are not designated as part of a test sequence and therefore  marked by
lines on the ground.

The class is a Pass/Fail class, with no class placements given.

The dog may be entered in the Standard, Veterans, or the Junior Handlers 
Divisions.       
In the Veterans and  Junior Handler Divisions, the dog must jump their valid
veteran or junior  handler jump height.

A dog may be entered in only ONE division and only ONE level per  class.

For a clean, non-faulted run, under 40 seconds, the dog shall earn 10 
points. In all divisions and categories, certification in the Wild  Card Class
requires 30 points.