VALOR PROJECT

VIRTUAL AGILITY LEAGUE^™
THE VALOR PROJECT

BASIC REQUIREMENTS

· Dog must be at least 12 months of age to participate. Dogs may jump as low as 1/3 their shoulder height.

· Handler should be at least 8 years of age to participate

Dogs may wear a collar in the ring while running. Dogs may also wear a head halter and/or a Thundershirt (anxiety wrap) while running.

· Dogs that have a Novice or Starters Level Title in AKC or USDAA may begin at the Intermediate level

Dogs that have at least an Open or Advanced or CPE Level 3 Title may begin at the Expert level

QUALIFYING PERFORMANCE

· Run is free from faults; including off courses, missed down contacts, or knocked bars (refusals and run-outs are not judged or faulted)

· Dog performs run off leash and wearing only a regular buckle or snap collar or head halter

· Handler performs the run without using treats, toys, or other training aids in the ring during the taped performance (unless in the Training Division)

· Handler performs the run without touching the dog or the obstacles (unless in the Training Division)

· Handler performs the run using verbal praise, but without any harsh verbal corrections

· Set-up video clearly shows all obstacles and ring markers, along all four sides of the ring

· Video of run clearly shows both handler and dog at each obstacle and is taken by a 2^nd person, who also acts as a witness for the performance

· Video has display on with time and date showing (if possible)

· Dog performs all jumps at a height that is no less than half the dog’s shoulder height and no more than the dog’s shoulder height

· Dog performs all contacts at a competition height as described by the regulations corresponding to the sanctioning organization that the equipment specifications match (Performance & Preferred heights encouraged)

DIS-QUALIFYING PERFORMANCE

· Test run footage that has been edited in any way

· Agility test run performed in an unapproved agility facility

· Agility test run does not include ring set-up footage or the ring set up is incorrect

· Agility video that does not clearly show both the handler and dog at each obstacle

· Video footage that does not include actual sound track from the test run

· Handler that uses physical or harsh verbal corrections

· Handler touches gives dog a treat, or touches dog or obstacle (unless in the Training Division)

· Dog is wearing choke, pinch, or shock collar

· Dog is obviously jumping higher than its shoulder height

· Handler uses profanity or shows unsportsmanlike conduct

· Dog bites or growls at the handler or videographer

· Dog stops working for more than 30 seconds during the performance

· Dog performs obstacles in an unsafe manner during test run

· Dog eliminates in the ring during the taped performance

ENTRY FEES & REQUIRMENTS

· $15 for Standard Run; $10 for Jumpers Run

· Junior Handlers (under 18): $10 for Standard Run; $5 for Jumpers Run

· Entry fees cover entry processing, customer service time, video review, rosettes, certificates, prizes, medals, mailing costs, and web listing of all VALOR title holders

· At least two new tests are offered each month at each of the 3 levels of competition, in both Standard & Jumpers. As long as a course is posted on the Course Maps page, or on the Yahoo Group, it can be chosen and run. There is NO expiration date on submitting a course.

· If a handler believes she/he has finished a title at one level, the handler may opt to also submit a run at the next level up on the same course. However, if that previous level run is incorrect for some reason, the more advanced run will be “held” until a qualifying run from the previous level is earned.

· Dog should participate only at the level they are qualified to run in

· Test run videos are reviewed as they are received, in no more than 2 weeks from date of submission of both entry and URL.

· Handlers are encouraged to get their test run videos submitted no later than the 15^th of the month for most efficient processing of results

· Videos will not be reviewed without a pre-paid entry or video set-up footage

· Only one handler per dog per run - but there is no limit to the number of runs per month a handler may submit - nor is there a time limit to sumbit a run. VALOR Courses are now available online and any posted course may be run for credit one time at each level per dog.

· Titles are awarded to the dog, so handlers can vary from run to run.

· Title Certificates will be sent out within a month of receiving the 3 qualifying scores.

· Medals will be awarded for Expert and Exceptional titles. Trophies will be awarded for VALOR-DICTORIAN titles.