Jr Handler Program for Regionals & National Championship

 

NADD Jr. Handler Regionals & National Championship

Distance Jumping Competition Rules & Requirements

GENERAL OVERVIEW

Junior Handlers have multiple opportunities to compete in Distance Jumping during both Regional and National Championships. Please read carefully to ensure proper registration and qualification.

REGIONALS

Eligibility

  • The team must consist of a Junior Handler and Dog.

  • To qualify for Regionals, the Junior Handler must be the handler of record (must throw the toy) for the dog in at least 10 splashes during the regular season.

  • A signed verification form (available in the NADD rule book) confirming this requirement must be presented at check-in.

  • A Junior Handler may enter multiple dogs, but each Jr. Handler/Dog team must meet all eligibility requirements independently.


Event Options

  • Juniors can compete in:

    • The Junior Handler Regional Event

    • The Regular Regional Distance Jumping Event

    • Both events if desired

Qualifying for Nationals

  • To qualify for the Junior Handler National Championship, juniors must:

    • Compete in at least one Junior Handler Regional Event

    • Be the handler of merit in that event

  • Juniors participating only in the Regular Regional Event will compete with adults and may earn a regular DJ Nationals invite, but not a Junior Handler invite.

REGISTRATION

  • Pre-registration is required for all events.

  • No day-of registration will be accepted.

  • Only register for 1 day (1 splash) at a Jr. Handler Regionals

CHECK-IN PROCEDURES

  • Upon check-in, Junior Handlers must:

    • Inform admin of their participation in the Junior Handler or Regular Regional event

    • Submit the signed 10-splash verification form if participating in the Junior Handler event

  • This ensures proper tracking for National Championship invitations.

COMPETITION FORMAT

Junior Handler Regional Event

  • Run order is posted on the Wednesday before the event

  • Junior Handlers will jump between Distance regular Regionals splashs #1 & #2 for that day 

  • Junior Handlers may have an additional adult handler on the dock, but must throw the toy themselves

  • All standard Dock Jumping rules apply

SCORING & PLACEMENTS

Junior Handler Regional Event

  • No competitive placements

  • Each participant receives a Qualifier Ribbon

  • All Junior Handlers in this event earn an invite to the Junior Handler Nationals

 

NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

Check-In

  • Inform admin at check-in that you’re competing in the Junior Handler Nationals

  • Pre-registration is required — no on-site registration accepted

Competition Format

  • Held on Saturday Finals

  • No Finals round for Junior Handlers

  • Only Distance Jumping is scored 

SCORING AT NATIONALS

  • Each team's score is based on their best jump in the Junior Handler Nationals

  • A handicapping system is used:

    • The dog with the highest seasonal average sets the benchmark score

    • Other dogs receive additional inches to their score based on their season average compared to the dog with the benchmark score.This to create a fairer ranking

  • Tiebreaker: Second score of the two will be used in handicap to determine tiebreaker

AWARDS

  • Awards will be presented at the Saturday Awards Ceremony

  • If unable to attend:

    • Awards can be picked up after the ceremony

    • Awards will not be mailed

 

Scroll to Top