Hoopers - Competing
Starting to compete in any new sport can be mind blowing, not only do you have to actually go in the ring and compete, but before you even get to that stage you have to figure out where the shows are, how to enter, and what the rules are.
In the UK at the moment there are three competitive organisations, it’s absolutely fine to compete at all of them. However they do come with different registration, entry systems, rules and progression.
|
Canine Hoopers UK (CHUK) |
Hooperholics UK (HUK) | UK Hoopers | |
| Website | www.caninehoopersuk.co.uk | www.hooperholicsuk.com | www.ukhoopers.com |
| Registration |
Sign up by clicking on the join link on the CHUK website. Registration is £5 per handler renewable every 5 years, and £5 per dog |
Sign up on - www.agilityleagues.co.uk/hoopers/default Registration is £5 lifetime membership per handler and £5 per dog under 9 |
No registration needed |
| Entry | Varies - find shows on the website or on the Facebook page or hoopers competitions Facebook page. Many are capped (number of entries limited) and will sell out quickly. Each show schedule will tell you how to enter | Shows will be posted mainly on Facebook, on the Hooperholics UK page or Hoopers Competitions page. Entry is normally by post or email to the show secretary, schedule will tell you. So far shows have not been capped | Shows will be on the website and on the UK Hoopers Facebook page. Show schedule will tell you how to enter. So far entries haven’t been capped and may include pay on the day |
| Class Types |
Hoopers - just hoops Barrellers - hoops and barrels, may include tunnels Tunnels - mainly tunnels, will include hoops and likely barrels Touch and Go - includes a Touch and Go (TanGo) mat, and any other equipment |
Hoopers - just hoops Mixed Lot - a mixture of hoops, tunnels and barrels Barrellers - mainly barrels, will include a start and finish hoops, can include more hoops / tunnels Tunnellers - mainly tunnels, can include hoops and barrels |
Hoopers - just hoops Parcours - can include all equipment (hoops, tunnels, barrels, TanGo mat) |
| Dog Categories |
Small - ulna measurement under 15cm Large - ulna measurement 15cm and over Veteran - any dog over 7 years old. Sizes are not split. You don’t have to opt in to veteran, but once you do your dog stays at veteran |
Small - ulna measurement under 15cm Large - ulna measurement 15cm and over Large veteran - large dogs over 9 Small veteran - small dogs over 9 |
Small - ulna measurement under 15cm Large - ulna measurement 15cm and over Veteran 7-10 yrs Veteran + over 10yrs |
| Scoring |
Obstacles missed are scored at 5 faults, 3 missed is an elimination Bonus boxes and challenge lines are added and scored as directed by the judge, these will give you extra points If you achieve a section from a bonus box but later get eliminated, you still gain the bonus box progression points FASTEST clear round wins regardless of points gained |
Obstacles missed are scored at 5 faults, 3 missed is an elimination Bonus boxes and challenge lines are added and scored as directed by the judge, these will give you extra points Only clear rounds gain progression points regardless of whether the distance section was clear HIGHEST POINTS clear rounds will win. Points are taken in to account first and then speed |
Each run starts with 200 points. Your time is taken off as are any obstacles missed, and bonus points from boxes or challenge lines are added on Wrong courses will gain elimination The highest score wins, this scoring system will take into account speed and distance handling |
| Progression |
200 points in EACH category to progress to the next level Half of those point shows must come from Qualifying rounds, not just bonus box points |
200 points OVERALL to progress to improvers | 2000 points in EACH category to progress to the next level |
Each show will vary slightly in terms of how it runs on the day, for example running orders, check show schedules and never be afraid to ask once you’re there. I highly recommend reading the rule book for each organisation though, each can be found on the organisations website.
If you are going to your first show and haven’t competed in anything similar before, tell your trainer first! I am always happy to recommend good shows to start at, to come and support where I can or if I can’t to let you know about anyone else who’ll be there and answer your questions before.
This document just gives some simple advice about preparing for your first show.
Hoopers Competitions in the South -
We are so lucky to have a good number of CHUK shows in the South throughout the year, check out the Canine Hoopers UK website for the full list on the show diary. And for entry, register on www.agilityplaza.com
