USDAA thoughts

[auseez]

I really enjoy the USDAA courses and some of the games classes. I like that you can make progress toward goals with individual q’s.

What I don’t like is that the venue is becoming so monopolized by one breed. There are hardly any other breeds and very few little dogs.  Some of this could be due to the jump heights. Whatever the reason -  it is

Comments

[sclmarm]

I think, no matter what you're doing, get a bunch of women together and you'll get cliques. I've noticed it in other things I've done, like teaching school. I haven't noticed it as much because I end up working a bunch and if one of my kids comes along, I have my own family clique:) So, I guess I have a score keeper and family cliques I hang out with.

It is weird how many border collies there are, although I added a mixed breed and a little breed to my own house to play USDAA. There isn't a lot of incentive to draw different breeds because the AKC people could really give a rip about USDAA titles, so why spend the money on USDAA trials.

[gordongirls]

I don't think that AKC people don't care about USDAA titles -- many people (not all, but many) enjoy different courses and different challenges.

However, it is very hard to get excited about a venue where you feel like an outsider, people tell you to go back to AKC if you dare complain about not qualifying in Steeplechase or Super Qing in Snooker because of the huge contingent of screaming Border Collies at the top of the class (I have been told this) or the organization itself doesn't really give a rip about you.

I am proud of my USDAA titles and championships, but I'm glad I'm self-motivated since we really are "out of our element." Well, not really out of our element since we can clearly do the agility, we are just not valued participants. We are sort of a quaint novelty.

[sclmarm]

I've seen many AKC people that I know play USDAA don't list those titles, just the AKC ones.

I've had the Border Collies, so kinda in the in crowd that way, but was on the outside because I had kids and little ones at that. A lot of dog people are very anti kid no matter what venue you play.

[gordongirls]

Nobody who met them would be anti- Zach or Meagan. Those are great kids!

(But then again, they were running Jacks rather than BC's when they were young so maybe that was the issue rather than their ages.)

[nosemovie]

Come to ASCA!!! nicest venue EVER!
Honestly. I've done at least a bit of everything, NADAC (gasp!) CPE, ASCA, USDAA and AKC. I've never really noticed that the cliques were any worse or better in any of the big venues. I feel CPE and ASCA were the most friendly and welcoming. I love how ASCA is dominated by the aussies, but other breeds are so welcomed and even cheered for. CPE is friendly to the slower, and even dogs with disabilities. It's a very cool thing, but it also drives me crazy because I feel like this (for me) is a sport about speed and drive and watching peeps drag their dogs around a course is sometimes hard to do.

Then AKC, sometime bitchy, but mostly fun. USDAA seems more competitive to me. I never do well there, but I also don't worry if people don't think we "belong" It's not important to me. I've played agility in venues in other states (WA, CA, UT) and not a single person knew who I was (cept for Anne. hehe) and I still had a great time. Mostly it's me and my dog. The others are just "extra"

[auseez]

I've also competed in many venues: NADAC, ASCA, AKC, USDAA. I have been to CPE trials and the atmosphere feels so much more friendly and welcoming. ASCA, too, tho it's been awhile since I've competed. :-)

I guess I don't notice the same vibe in AKC becuz there are so many different breeds competing. That is one thing I really like about AKC!

[agilityfrk]

I wish I could say cliques don't exist, but I'm sure they do. I realized a while ago that I was losing touch with a lot of the people I started agility with when Vic moved up the ranks and have made a point of staying in touch in recent years. That said, I think cliques exist everywhere, it's our choice as individuals to reach out. :-)

[borderpap]

I dunno, there were five 12 inch dogs in steeplechase. I had several students there with a mixed breed dog, a sheltie and a mini aussie (plus several border collies). Some competing in USDAA for the first time. Mixed breeds have been welcome in USDAA for several years.

I see people clapping for runs that are well done, don't see that in AKC. I like the courses, they are fun and challenging.

I think cliques are around no matter where you are. I stay away from them.

[gumbypuppy]

Wow, this shows how much perception can vary. I see people clapping for good runs in AKC all the time, and didn't particularly notice any at this recent USDAA trial. In fact, I particularly noticed the absence. This is not a complaint, but I found it interesting how at sea I was without the feedback I'm accustomed to. Particularly noticed it with Pirate's runs. After his first Standard run, I wondered if I'd NQd somehow. I got more used to it after that. But Tess finals run in Steeplechase, I had no idea I'd E'd until the scores were posted. I was happy with the run, and was a little surprised at the relative silence after our run, but I figured it had been like that all weekend (including our Q in the first round), so it didn't mean anything. I did know it was possible she had popped the last weave, I was not watching at that point. Could have asked someone, but I don't know as many people at a USDAA trial, and it wasn't that important, I was really happy with the run.
Again, not complaining. I figured it was because I didn't know

[auseez]

Sarah: That was exactly my experience (and usually is). There was very little clapping for anyone (even on great runs) unless you were in a certain group of people. Like I said, it is amusing and disheartening at the same time!

[minnathered]

I walked around a little bit at Ridgefield last weekend and thought I saw an unusual number of Aussies there. It may be that my eye is caught by Aussies far more than it is by other breeds, though.

[redwoodranch]

I'm working hard at that .. therefore I brought 4. ;)

[minnathered]

But I don't think I saw you or yours, so the others must've been caught in your wake and drawn in? :-)

[auseez]

I didn't see you, Judi - darn it!