Help me make my decisions! AAC Regionals

[Sekah]

Help! I'm having trouble making decisions for regionals. I want to mail in my registration today. Maybe you guys can help.

Basically, I'm going to attend the regional agility competition in June. It's outdoors and probably about an hour away from where I live, so I'll be able to drive there/back each day. Regional runs are Saturday/Sunday. There's an orientation, warm up runs and an actual trial the Friday before the competition. WHAT DO I SIGN UP FOR???

I'm going Saturday/Sunday for sure. Do I go Friday? We could pretty much only run in Steeplechase on Friday since we're not in Masters in anything else. There are 2 Steeplechase runs.

And what are warm up runs? When are they held? Are they just Friday?

I guess I should probably go all 3 days and make the most out of my registration, but for some reason I'm worried that ... I don't know... that I'll waste my time or something. Regionals seem like a big deal and I don't know what I'm doing, registration-wise. HELP!

 

[yv0nne]

I'm not sure.. Regionals vary a lot from one place to another. For us, we have Regionals Sat/ Sun then Steeplechase both mornings as a 'warm up'. There is nothing going on Friday at all but we are Nova Scotia/ Newfoundland so pretty tiny and everyone from NS already knows everyone aha

I say go Friday and make the most of it Make sure you get 350 and head to Nationals so we can do a giant meetup with all Canadian agility Chaz folks in NB!

 

[Sekah]

My regional competition is supposed to be out near Kingston (ON East) but the one I want to go (ON West) to is several hours closer, just a bit south of Barrie. I'm really, really hoping I get in. I hope I've not left it too late.

 

[Ozfozz]

Hope you make it into the Barrie one! Seems a little ridiculous that we've only got 2 sites for regionals in Ontario. And the drive from your place to Kingston...ugh.

I (sadly) wont be there once again....maybe next year. Poor Cobain is going to be ancient before I make it lol.

No idea what Warm-Up Games are, but from what I can tell they're just Friday. Either way, I'd say it's probably a good idea to go all 3 days, even if you don't sign up for much on the Friday. Get the "whole" regional experience ya know? That way you know for next year.


I know I'm so not helpful with this haha. Good luck! Hopefully someone here is able to shed a bit more light on things.

 

[MandyPug]

It depends on what you want to do. You could run FEO the Friday runs too. The warm ups are useful if you want to get your dog playing at the venue or on the specific equipment the host is providing.

I don't run the warmups, I like to save the pug for the actual event but like I said it's a total personal decision.

A lot of people also set up their benching on the Friday though so I do recommend going to do that unless you can get someone to reserve you a good spot. Nothing worse than being at regionals with a crappy benching spot for your dog.

 

[MandyPug]

Also regional events cannot deny entry. At least as far as I know. We are hosting and there is no cap on entries.

 

[Sekah]

Okay... I opted to do just one Steeplechase on Friday. No warm up runs. My mindset is that it would be lovely to take the day off from work, wake up in my own time and head out to the trial to relax and take in the atmosphere in a more relaxed manner. General anxiety + getting up early for trials + not eating when anxious = general feeling of illness at just about every trial. SO! I'll try to head that off at the pass by getting sufficient rest. Maybe!

Exciting! Not exactly sure that I'll travel out to NB if we qualify for Nationals (not likely with my bar knocker!) but I'm really looking forward to it. Clearly this is my first time.

 

[Sekah]

Also regional events cannot deny entry. At least as far as I know. We are hosting and there is no cap on entries.

That's interesting to know. I spoke to the secretary for the trial which I want to go to and she said they were 75% full at this point. I'm given the impression that they accept everyone within the region first and then see if they have room for out-of-regioners. Maybe I'd be guaranteed a spot if I were heading to Kingston, but it was suggested that I hurry and get my registration in if I want to go to Barrie.

 

[MandyPug]

That's interesting to know. I spoke to the secretary for the trial which I want to go to and she said they were 75% full at this point. I'm given the impression that they accept everyone within the region first and then see if they have room for out-of-regioners. Maybe I'd be guaranteed a spot if I were heading to Kingston, but it was suggested that I hurry and get my registration in if I want to go to Barrie.

Perhaps for the sanctioned trial they're almost full? I don't know how the split regionals are but I think it's a rule that everyone is accepted for regional events. They can't put a cap on say 300 entries and be like "sorry better luck next time" because it's equal opportunity from all levels.

 

[MandyPug]

 

[Sekah]

Well, that's good to know! Thanks for posting that for me. I'm awfully confused about the split regionals thing (clearly). But I guess I've never heard of someone being turned down for attendance yet.

Good luck at hosting your trial too! I bet that's no easy feat.

 

[adojrts]

Gezzz I hate the split regionals, really hoping it is back to being one instead of two by next year. Most folks are not happy with it for a lot of reasons.