EGC 2015

[Sharon Nelson]

Great comments!

What about X-Hoopers, Barrelers (using the Gaters course designs), and Combo for the three EGC classes??

Sharon

Sounds like a good solution and stills lots of fun!
I'd hate to see it become scored like the other NADAC courses though. I think part of the fun is the pedal to the medal, don't look back philosophy. I'd agree with the earlier poster that I would probably prefer to see other courses move more to the EGC scoring than the other way around.

Yes, Denise, I would love that........... but I am not ready to take on that battle!!  I love the EGC scoring and how it gives credit to the "live" run.  Yes, in hindsight, I wish NADAC had started that way from day 1, but no going back.

Sounds like the current EGC scoring will remain....... YES!!

Sharon

[Rebecca Kriz]

I honestly don't see the point of having X Hoopers AND a 'combo' that's the gate circle and barrels. (A point other than more runs.  Which I like, but it still seems a bit repetitive.)

Also super happy to hear that scoring will remain the same!

[Carole & Pat Daggett]

I'm one of the minority whose favorite EGC class is X-Chances, followed closely by X-Gaters, and wish that they could stay.  Of course I love regular Chances, so probably why I like X-Chances so much, and X-Gaters is just so much fun.  That said, I rarely have been able to run them because they are not offered around here.  It seems clubs offer X-Barrelers and X-Hoopers, and virtually nothing else.  I find Barrelers a bit boring, and even X-Hoopers, although to a lesser extent.  Anything that changes those two classes would be welcome.

Glad to hear that scoring will not change.

Carole Daggett

[Rebecca Kriz]

Will the titles/move up rate still be changed to match the rest of NADAC?  I think requiring the Superior titles benefits the dog/handler, because I think a lot of handlers would be over their heads and get discouraged in Elite EGC after cruising through Novice and Open.

[Wild Terriers]

I love the idea of Barrels in a Gaters type course.  I agree with your comment about it never feeling "right" having the dogs go around a flat obstacle like a gate.  And, a combo class sounds AWESOME!!!!  The most fun in a single run I've ever had running agility was the Combo class in Springfield at Champs - we didn't do it very well, but OMG, I still remember the rush of just "doing it". 

So, would there still be an Extreme NATCH?  Just curious and purely selfishly, since it's been a goal of mine with Sammi.  Oh my, I am getting so excited thinking about the evolution of EGC - fun, fun, fun!!!!  I really, really like the idea of Barrelers being like Gaters and I suspect I will have two VERY happy dogs!!!

Karen and the Wild EGC loving Terriers

Great comments!

I too agree that people love Gaters, but I think that it is because of course design, not because of gates.  If we removed the "gaters" class and then started doing Barrelers with the Gaters course design, I think we would have very happy people!!

What about X-Hoopers, Barrelers (using the Gaters course designs), and Combo for the three EGC classes??

Sharon

[Jeanne Allen]

Lots to think about here.  Here are my rambling thoughts in no particular order.

Scoring, I think it should remain as is.  I like the challenge of trying to keep my dog on the path and doing the obstacles correctly.  If the scoring is changed to the way a normal trial is scored, then why have the ECG classes.  I do not know if I will every do bonus lines, but I think because scoring in EGC is like running a bonus line, this could be a good start for those that want to work up to doing bonus lines. 

There is not a lot of EGC in my area.  The EGC I have done has been mostly X-Hoopers and X-Barrels.  I have run X-Chances and X-Gaters two or three times but clubs just are not offering them (one club did not like these classes so they did not offer them).  If there is one EGC class that could be dropped, I would say X-Chances.  As mentioned, Chances in a regular trial is challenging enough and the two or three times I ran it it seemed a lot like X-Gaters but with a line.

I really like X-Hoopers the way it is, with the lattice gates.  For me it comes down to a training issue.  When my young dog jumped over a gate the first time we did X-Hoopers, I went home and made regulation gates to teach him that he needed to go around, not over a gate. 

Yes I can agree with others that X-Barrels is hard to remember the course at times (and I am still in Novice with both of my dogs), but the idea of adding a tunnel to the class seems to me that it would be more like a X-Gaters class.  If there needs to be some way to break up the X-Barrels class I would sayh add some hoops.

I would love to have my club do EGC, but the equipment needed is one of the draw backs.  Like some clubs we store all of our equipment in a trailer and we do two different venues, so the trailer is almost stuffed to the gills as it is.  I and another die hard NADAC person in the area have offered to let the club borrow our barrels and gates to hold some EGC classes, but for what ever reason there still seems to be some resistance. 

It seems that there was something else I was going to say, but I have been working on this for awhile and do not remember what it is.

No mater what the final outcome is I will still enter the classes and continue to have fun with my dogs, as I am a NADAC junkie!!!

[Jeannie Biggers]

I have been one of the original lovers of EGC.  I think that one of the first demos you did was in my backyard!  I will admit that thru the changes that some things excited me and others really turned me off.  I love that it is fast and a handling challenge  

I do know that the reason that clubs are offering barrelers and x hoopers is because those are the points you needed for Champs....

What I would think would be cool is to have the clubs able to offer S-hoopers, #-hoopers, or X-hoopers.  There choice all the same points basically like you are doing now.... my suggestion would be ...... Round Six 2013 Champs Speed Round... add barrels   That course was so flipping FUN!!!  It was totally about speed and handling.... EGC.  I think if people could see that kind of course added on a normal weekend it would be amazing to watch a round just like it at Champs again.  I would think you could still do the same type of scoring maybe just make it as simple as possible... dog passes the plane of the obstacle... move on.... you just lost your points.  Keep up the momentum, dont correct the dog as they probably went exactly where you sent them.... I think it would be fun for everyone.... young dogs, old dogs, and handlers... and I think the course designers would come up with some way wicked stuff for us to do.... yet still be really fun   My other opinion is to not make Elite basically just a memorizing game with too many obstacles.... I think you could get some amazing challenges just like in regular NADAC with 20-22 obstacles.

Just my thoughts

[Laurel Manning]

We like  XGaters and XBarrelers.  My old dog loves these.  XBarrelers with Gaters' course design would be even better.    Prefer to keep the current scoring, to work the Path and reduce redo's.  Never enter XChances (reg Chances is hard enough).  XHoopers is just ok, but there is a lot of skill work involved for dog and handler.  Laurel Manning

[Heidi Konesko]

I like the way EGC is currently scored too.  The difference in attitude and enjoyment is huge when there is a disincentive to going back and "fixing" it.  Thanks for keeping it that way!
I love X Hoopers the most.  Barrelers is good fun now that I have a dog that enjoys doing it.  I never liked X gaters and X chances much.
I like strategic hoopers better than numbered hoopers fwiw.
-Heidi in NH

[Koralee]

I love the extreme games, all of them.  First of all I totally agree with the scoring as too much in agility the dogs are receiving mixed messages when they are redirected with poor body position.  Extreme games makes you really focus on your handling and really shows what the dogs are directed to do. 

I also have three large breed dogs in my classes who can participate in ECG, but do not participate in regular agility (due to the contact equipment and weaves).

I am new to VT stuff, but I am working on having this in my area (Northern Alberta) in the summers.  Unfortunately our building is not big enough to host in the winter.

Love, love, love XHP as it has taught me so much about handling my dog and how much "push" I have to give.

Koralee

[Koralee]

Having read all the comments now, I am not sure about adding barrels to the XHP course as I like it with hoops.  Combining XBR and XGT makes the most sense to me.  I remember a while back that you had the gamble/chances line within the regular course.  What about that in EGC for XBR (with the added tunnels) and XGT?  If you can do it from distance perhaps you get a bonus point or less deductions?  It's a thought.

All in all, I know I am in good hands with NADAC and Sharon will do what is best for the dogs.

Koralee

[Deni]

Just a few questions related to this topic;

1) If/when these classes change what would happen with the dogs existing points? Would they be credited to another similar class or just count towards the dogs overall lifetime points or ??

2) What's your anticipated timeline for the changes to happen? Sounds like I may need to adjust the classes scheduled for our March trial, since we have all 4 existing EGC classes planned.

3) What's the future for Strategic and Numbered Hoopers?  I noticed Hoopers wasn't mentioned in your post about having three (TTW) games. Would they continue to be offered as a separate class from XHP or maybe just be 3 versions of Hoopers for clubs to pick from?

[Cindy]

All in all, I know I am in good hands with NADAC and Sharon will do what is best for the dogs.

Koralee

I couldn't agree more!!

[leeanne]

I got many opportunities to run EGC while in Southern California, and Drifter and I loved it.  Once he figured out that "those things" were also obstacles... 
Yes, it took some extra training, but that's the fun for me.  The comment I wanted to make about the removal of some (or all) of the EGC classes is:  Although there are 2 classes at regular trials that do not have jumps, contacts or weaves, EGC offers more of these.  I have had students in classes whose dogs can not do these obstacles for one reason or another and they are so very happy to have another option to compete with their dogs.  I have also spoken with people over the years who did not think it was possible to do agility because of their dog's disability....they were overjoyed when they found out about the classes NADAC offered that they could do, and signed up for classes that day!
Another side of EGC that I have seen is the confidence booster in many dogs.  I think EGC has done wonderful things for lots of handlers and dogs, and we have NADAC to thank for that!

Lee Anne & Drifter
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada (Where there is no NADAC....  )

[Lynne Almeida]

I love love love all the extreme games classes!  They're a great place to start with my more beginner dog, and as my more experienced dog gains in years, it'll be a way for her to keep playing in a lower-impact way.  They're her favorite classes now, anyways, and provide both of us a good change of pace from the 'regular' classes that is good for both of our brains ... Both in the course designs and path challenges offered, and in the way they are scored.  I am very happy with the program as it stands ... In fact, EGC being offered now weighs heavily when I am considering attending a trial.  However, I'm game to try something new if you decide to change it up!!