2010 AKC Rally® Advisory Committee Information

To the AKC Rally Community:

As some of you are aware, the Companion Events Department actively seeks input from the sport fancy for each of our sports every four years; 2010 is the year for Rally.  The information received during this solicitation will be combined with other ideas and suggestions received over time for improvements to the sport and its regulations and presented to the Rally Advisory Committee.  The committee will review the information and format the collected data into recommendations to promote and help improve the sport.

The last Rally Advisory Committee met in 2006, just one year after the sport of rally became a titling event for the American Kennel Club.  The 2006 committee met to discuss and offer changes to the regulations and the sport in an effort to assist with and overcome some of the sport issues that had already developed.  Additional concepts and ideas were discussed, with some being added to test the direction and needs of the sport.

Four-years have elapsed since the Rally Advisory Committee met to review the sport and its regulations.  We are now asking you for input on how to further develop and improve upon AKC Rally.  Here are just a few questions to stir your thoughts:

  1. Which, if any, of our current regulations do we need to review, change or further define?
  2. What new aspects of our sport can we bring forward: new classes, changes to classes, etc?
  3. Are there new exercises and stations that we can bring into the sport to further test our dogs in each of the classes?
  4. What can we do to bring more junior competitors into the sport of Rally?

Your input need not be limited to just these questions – any and all suggestions regarding Rally will be welcomed.

In an effort to make the collection of suggestions a smoother process, we are implementing a new system this year.  This process automates the collection and filing process for each of your suggestions.  It also enables the review of your explanation and/or reasoning for the change suggested on a suggestion-by-suggestion basis. 

To submit suggestions for the Rally Advisory Committee, please go to the following link: http://www.tfaforms.com/134727. 

Once the link is open, you will need to choose the publication you are referring to, i.e. Rally Regulations, Rally Judges’ Guidelines, etc., the chapter and section you are referring to, your email address and finally your suggestion.  Once you hit submit, you will receive an online message that your suggestion has been submitted.  An email outlining your submission will also be generated to the email address provided.

This process does sound difficult, but we feel it will assist the Committee in receiving your recommendations word for word. 

Please note that if you would like to submit multiple suggestions, you must first CLOSE your web browser and then reopen the Rally Advisory Suggestions web form link: http://www.tfaforms.com/134727 !  DO NOT use the back arrow button to return to the form – it will not function properly.

We need your help and advice for the future of our sport and thank you in advance for your support and suggestions. 

Recommendations will be accepted through Tuesday, April 20, 2010.