If you are planning to attend Cynosport, you better plan for early mornings! Day 3 began just as early as the previous two days of the event. Once again course maps were set out around 6am and walk-throughs began at 6:40am. The shear number of competitors entered at this event requires the early start times and organized walk-throughs.
Friday, Day 3, consisted of DAM Team/PVP Gamblers, Grand Prix/Performance Grand Prix Semifinals, and later in the evening, the 2015 USDAA Hall of Fame Inductee presentation, the Junior Handler Showcase and the Finals for Performance Grand Prix.
The excitement from the previous two days was even more palpable as the competitors neared the first of the Finals’ classes. This year, the number of dogs admitted into the GP/PGP Finals was as follows:
Performance Grand Prix:
8” – maximum of 8
12” – maximum of 10
16” – maximum of 12
20” – maximum of 10
Grand Prix:
12” – maximum of 10
14” – maximum of 8
16” – maximum of 14
18” – maximum of 8
22” – maximum of 20
26” – maximum of 14
Each year the number of dogs admitted into Grand Prix/Performance Grand Prix Finals is affected by the number of dogs competing in the Semifinals round multiplied by 15%. If the number of entered dogs multiplied by 15% is less than six, then USDAA applies their minimum competitors addendum which requires 6 dogs minimum in the Finals class for GP/PGP. However, the general tournament class rules still apply, which means only dogs with a clean round in Semifinals are eligible to compete in the Finals class.
In my opinion, the Finals’ classes are the most exciting part of the USDAA Cynosport World Games. Watching the competitors put everything they have into the run is incredibly impressive, and hearing the audience cheer for each dog and handler as they navigate the challenge of the Final’s course is an experience like no other.
The schedule went off without a hitch thanks to great planning by the Show Chair, Tom Kula, and the Event Secretary, Helen McNenly. Their ability to organize such a large number of competitors into a seamless schedule is beyond amazing!
Congratulations to the competitors who earned their way into the Grand Prix and Performance Grand Prix Finals as well as those who made the podium!
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