CAVY AGILITY RULES
CAVY AGILITY COMPETITION RULES & REGULATIONS
CHAPTER 1 - COMPONENTS OF CAVY AGILITY
1.1 Competitor/Handler
1.2 The cavy
1.3 Equipment
1.4 Warm up and general
CHAPTER 2 - COMPETITIONS
2.1 Prior to the event
2.2 Types of courses
2.3 Warmup area
2.4 Scoring
2.5 Final score
CHAPTER 3 - PERSONNEL AT COMPETITIONS
3.1 Judges
3.2 Show secretary
3.3 Time keeper
3.4 Steward
CHAPTER 1 - COMPONENTS OF CAVY AGILITY
§1.1 COMPETITOR/HANDLER
§1.1.1 Competitor and handler are used interchangeably and refer to the person controlling and handling the cavy.
§1.1.2 The handler must be:
a) a minimum of five (5) years of age. A parent should be nearby in case a youth needs help.
b) able to safely carry and control their cavy
c) able to follow the direction of the judge to be able to participate in an official event.
§1.1.3 Competitors with mental and/or physical handicaps may need special accommodations.
It is at the judge's discretion to allow adjustments. The organizers must be notified prior
to the event if physical adjustments are needed. If questions arise concerning the ability
of a handler to safely handle, carry or control their cavy, it will be the final decision of
the judge whether the handler may continue.
§1.1.4 If entering an event during an ARBA convention the handler must be a current ARBA member.
§1.1.5 The handler must show good sportsmanship and good behavior to all organizers, judges
and other handlers. The judge's decision is final when in accordance with the rules and regulations.
§1.1.6 If the handler is guilty of negligent treatment of a cavy, the judge and/or organizers may
make decisions about exclusion from the competition, as well as the whole event. Serious or repeating cases will be brought to the attention of the Board of Directors of AHARC for possible further disciplinary action. Negligence includes, but is not limited to, extreme care issues including sickness, malnutrition, sores, or abusive handling of
the cavy at the event (i.e. use of force, squeezing, catching the cavy harmfully)
§1.1.7 Handlers may not get verbal or physical assistance from spectators, parents or other competitors while on the course.
a) The handler will receive one warning
b) A second assistance will result in disqualification
c) If the help is coming from another competitor, he/she will be disqualified after one warning.
§1.1.8 Handler must be able to retrieve and pick up the cavy at the end of the course.
§1.2 CAVY
§1.2.1 All breeds, cross breeds, spayed, neutered, or intact cavies are eligible to compete.
§1.2.2 All cavies must be at least three (3) months old and weigh a minimum of 22 ounces.
§1.2.3 Cavies need to be healthy with no sign of disease. A cavy must not be pregnant and should be at least two (2) months postpartum. (not nursing). If a question of pregnancy or disease should be raised, the presiding judge or his appointee shall examine the cavy and his assessment will be final. Neither the judge nor his appointee need be a veterinarian.
§1.2.4 Cavies should have toenails clipped to prevent injury; Long hair should be clipped for safety and to prevent overheating.
§1.2.5 Cavies must be identified by a National Band Tag #1 number in their left ear. In addition, they may be named on the entry form.
§1.2.6 No leashes or harnesses are to be used with cavies on an agility course.
The cavy is to be carried by the handler at all times when it is not on the course or is in its carrying cage.
§1.3 EQUIPMENT
§1.3.1 Cavy agility should take place on a level surface that measures three feet by eight feet (3'X8’). Additional space may be used for a master course.
§1.3.2 The course shall be surrounded by a perimeter fence that is a minimum of 4”
taller than the tallest obstacle should surround the course to discourage escape
and to prevent injury when the course is on an elevated surface.
§1.3.3 All course surfaces must be maintained to reduce factors that could lead to injury. All paths, whether raised or flat, must have side "fences" to prevent the Cavy from going off the course. Minimum height of the "fence" is three inches. Obstacles that are raised off the level area of the course shall have the fence attached to the obstacle to prevent injury.
§1.3.4 The course consists of measured paths leading to and through various obstacles to a
finish that may contain a treat. The course shall be one way only. Measurements must be marked on the course.
§1.3.5 The course shall be a minimum of 5” wide. All obstacles shall be as wide as the course so there are no gaps between an obstacle and a fence.
§1.3.6 The area of the course that the cavy’s feet come in contact with must be an acceptable surface throughout the course, including all obstacles. An acceptable surface must be non-slip, easily able to be wiped down to remove excrement, and must be sanitized between competitions.
§1.3.7 OBSTACLES
All obstacles must have a surface that is easily cleaned. Painted surfaces as well as PVC are acceptable.
CHAPTER 2 COMPETITIONS
§2.1 PRIOR TO THE EVENT
§2.1.1 The courses offered shall be listed in the show catalog. The obstacles shall be listed for each course level.
§2.1.2 Animals other than cavy may not be within the course area. Organizers must inform the
audience with animals of the rule and ask that they be considerate of cavies that are not familiar with their animal.
§2.2 TYPES OF COURSES
Courses vary from location to location, just as golf courses do. However, at all course levels there are standards that need to be met. Each level has specific requirements for that level that include the minimum/maximum distance, number of obstacles and time limit. A single type of obstacle may be repeated a maximum of 3 times. Example: The Master course may include up to 3 hurdles. Every effort must be made to offer the widest variety of obstacles.
§2.2.1 NOVICE COURSE
a) Must be a minimum of 140 inches long; maximum of 175 inches long.
b) Must include 6 obstacles of appropriate height as well as the starting gate
and ending gate. 1 texture allowed.
c) Time limit for the Novice course is three (3) minutes.
§2.2.2 INTERMEDIATE COURSE
a. Must be a minimum of 180 inches long; maximum length 215 inches long.
b. Must include 8 obstacles of appropriate height as well as the starting and ending gates and have 2 textures.
c. Time limit for Intermediate course is four (4) minutes.
§2.2.3 MASTER COURSE
§2.2.3.1 Must be a minimum of 220 inches long but not longer than 300 inches.
§2.2.3.2 Must include 10 obstacles of appropriate height and include at least 3 textures.
§2.2.3.3 Time limit for the Master course is five (5) minutes.
§2.3 WARM UP AND GENERAL
§2.3.1 The entire course must be available for handlers to familiarize their cavies before the competition begins. The warm up time is of the organizer’s choosing and does not have to be the day of the competition. The organizers may limit the individual time each handler has and how many handlers may be on the course at one time.
§2.3.2 Handlers must report to the show secretary before utilizing the warm-up and be fully registered receiving an exhibitor number to be worn on the handler's back.
§2.4 SCORING
§2.4.1 Timing begins when cavy is nudged from the start line by the handler and the back feet are over the start line. Time shall be calculated with a stop watch and measured in minutes and seconds (MM:SS) only.
§2.4.2 Treats, finger gestures and/or other incentives are allowed, but the cavy must not be touched. Touching counts as a nudge.
§2.4.3 After the cavy passes the start line, if he turns around, the handler is charged one pickup to correct him. A pickup is physically lifting or physically moving the cavy while on the course.
§2.4.4 Handler is allowed one free nudge and one free pick-up for the entire course.
§2.4.5 Each additional nudge subtracts one point; each additional pick-up subtracts 2 points.
§2.4.6 At no time will yelling or screaming be tolerated. Clapping at the end of a run is permissible.
§2.4.7 Each cavy may attempt 2 runs. If the handler is not pleased with the score in the first run, they may request a second run. If the competitor requests a second run, that score will be the official score (even if it is lower than the first). The cavy should rest at least 15 minutes between runs.
§2.4.8 If the cavy completes the course it is awarded 10 bonus points.
§2.5 FINAL SCORE
§2.5.1 The final score is calculated by inches run divided by minutes:seconds.
§2.5.2 Should the cavy complete the course, a 10 point bonus is added. Nudges and pickups are totaled and subtracted from the total of the time calculation and the bonus.
§2.5.3 The score should be calculated on an official score sheet.
CHAPTER 3 PERSONNEL AT COMPETITIONS
§3.1 JUDGE(S)
§3.1.1 Judges in all official competitions must hold a current Performance Judge Certification. They also must hold a current AHARC and ARBA membership.
§3.1.2 Judges at exhibitions and competitions should actively be involved in the sport.
§3.1.3 Judges may not exhibit in a show that they are judging. Immediate family members may not show under a judge. Immediate family members include mother, father, son, daughter, spouse, or anyone living at the judge’s residence.
§3.1.4 Judges may not officiate where a cavy that belonged to them or was housed by them within 30 days is entered.
§3.1.5 The judge must evaluate the course and approve that it meets AHARC standards for the type of course.
§3.1.6 The judge will announce the rules, scoring, and remind competitors how much time is allowed for the course type at the start of competition.
§3.1.7 The judge will call for the first handler to place the cavy in the start box. The judge will record nudges and pick-ups and inches run on his score sheet and will give the scorecard to the show secretary at the end of the run.
§3.1.8 It is the responsibility of the judge to judge in accordance with applicable rule and regulations. The judge must be active and engaged in the judging. A judge must be "visible" and can walk around the course, but not obstruct the handler.
§3.2 SHOW SECRETARY
§3.2.1 The show secretary accepts entries for a competition. He/she is in charge of all paper work and will distribute handler numbers and awards.(if applicable)
§3.2.2 At the end of each competition, the show secretary will collect the score cards from the judge and the time keeper and calculate the final scores
§3.3 TIME KEEPER
§3.3.1 The time keeper must have a stop watch. Time is recorded in minutes and seconds
(MM:SS). Time is recorded to the nearest second.
§3.3.2 Time begins when the cavy's back feet cross the start line.
§3.3.3 Time stops when the allotted time ends OR when the cavy finishes the course.
§3.3.4 The time keeper shall inform the judge of the handler’s time after each run is complete in addition to completing the official time card. The official time card is turned in to the show secretary after the competition is complete.
§3.3.5 The time keeper shall announce when 30 seconds and 15 seconds remain available in the run. A final announcement is made when time allowed for a run has expired.
§3.4 STEWARD
§3.4.1 The steward will watch over the course making sure all is in good order; straighten obstacles if necessary; move spectators if they would hinder competition. There should be at least 24 inches of clear space around the course for the handler to move.
GLOSSARY
Starting Gate: The starting gate is considered a starting line. It may be a low hurdle (not more than 1”) an open box with a door, or a line on the course. Time starts when all 4 feet touch the course after the starting gate. The starting gate is required on all courses.
Ending Gate: The ending gate is much like the starting gate. It signifies the end of the course. A plastic hut, low hurdle, or open box may be used. Treats, such as a carrot, may be placed at the ending gate to entice the cavy to complete the course. Time ends when all 4 feet touch the course surface after the ending gate. The ending gate is required on all courses.
Tunnel: The tunnel may be round, as in PVC, or square, as in a wooden tunnel. The minimum inside diameter is 5”. The minimum length for beginner is 6”, intermediate is 8”, and master course is 10”.
Teeter Totter: The teeter totter is a long board (minimum of 15”) that pivots on a center fulcrum. The height at the fulcrum is to be a maximum of 2”.
A Frame: The A frame consists of an up ramp and a down ramp. Each ramp is to be no less than 18” long. The center of the A Frame shall be 6” high.
Bridge: The bridge consists of an up ramp, a flat surface, and a down ramp. Each of these 3 sections shall be no less than 12” in length. The horizontal part of the bridge shall be no more than 5” in height.
Maze: The maze is a series of turns that requires the cavy to navigate through in order to proceed on the course. The minimum number of turns in a maze are: novice 2, intermediate 3, and master 4.
Weave Poles: Weave poles require the cavy to move left and right to continue forward on the course. The minimum number of zags the cavy must execute is 3. The distance between the poles must be a minimum of 5”
Hurdle: A cavy hurdle is unlike a rabbit jump in that the rails do not fall freely. The cavy is required to go over the hurdle to proceed on the course. The minimum height for novice is 1 ½”, intermediate is 2”, and master course is 3 ½”.
Pause Box: The pause box is an area that is at least 5” wide x 5” long. The maximum height is 2”. The cavy is required to stop at the pause box for a specified number of seconds.
Textures: Different textures of acceptable surfaces must be considered when assessing course difficulty. This includes the course on and off obstacles. Novice courses may not have more than one texture. Intermediate courses may have 2 textures. Master courses must have at least 3 textures.