On September 28 and 29 we will be hosting our annual autumn Fast CAT trials, this time at K9 Splash Zone, 9386 National Road in Brookville, OH. (More on K9 Splash Zone here.) We’ve attached three documents below– the Premium List in a “read only” version, in a “print version” (so the pages come out in the right order) and just the stand alone entry blank, if you just want to read the premium list and only print the entry blank.
There will be four tests, two each day, with a limit of 125 dogs per test. Entry fees are $20 per test if you send them in postmarked before September 23. Day of trial entries will be $30 each, and we can’t promise that we’ll have them available, as sometimes the tests do fill up!
If you’re wondering, what is this Fast Cat stuff? Do they chase cats? No, no, no, goodness, no! The “cat” stands for “coursing ability test” and a Fast Cat is simply a 100-yard dash for dogs. You do have to have a “number” from the AKC to participate, but it doesn’t have to be a registration number– as any “Canine Partner” is welcome to participate. (Though mixed breed dogs must be neutered to do so.) More on the AKC’s canine partnership program here.
TESTS , TITLES & TIMING
How Does a Fast CAT Work?
Fast CAT is a timed straight race of 100 yards. Dogs run by themselves and the time it takes to complete the 100 yd dash is converted into miles-per-hour. (My dog likes to stop midway and look at butterflies.) A handicap system is applied to a dog’s miles-per-hour to determine the number of points earned. (The handicap system is based on the height of the dog at its withers: a. 18”or greater = handicap is 1.0 b. 12” up to less than 18” = handicap is 1.5 c. Below 12” = handicap is 2.0) Then the miles-per-hour is multiplied by the dog’s handicap for their point total.
Fast CAT suffix titles are earned at designated milestones: a. BCAT = 150 points b. DCAT = 500 points c. FCAT = 1,000 points d. FCAT# = every additional 500 points
The time to complete the 100 yard dash is recorded to the nearest 1/100th of a second (e.g. 9.11). The club may use stopwatches or break-the-beam electronic timer to obtain the time. If stopwatches are used, two timers are positioned at the finish line. An individual at the start line signals with an arm drop the moment the nose of the dog crosses the start line. The timers start their stopwatches at the bottom of the arm drop and stop their watches when the nose of the dog crosses the finish line. The times from the two stopwatches are averaged to determine the recorded time.
The area of the course is fenced with a large secure “recovery” area where the handler is reunited with the dog. The dogs chase a “lure”– generally a white grocery bag on a continuous loop– though many dogs are so excited to run to their owners, they don’t much notice the lure. Dogs of all sorts compete in Fast Cat: tiny dogs, giant dogs, bulldogs, fast dogs and slow.
If you just want to come out and watch, it’s free for spectators, and we’ll get started about 8 in the morning and then again around noon on both Saturday and Sunday.
If you’re interested in entering, check out the Premium List below. If you have questions, please feel free to give us a shout and we’ll do our best to answer them.
Larkin Vonalt
Trial Secretary, (937) 781-6561 (you can text to this number too.)
larkinvonalt@earthlink.net
Fort St. Clair Kennel Club 