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Junior Handlers

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 splashes #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

 

Requirements

  • Attend at least 1 Jr. Handler Regionals
  • Must be the same Dog/Handler team that competed at Regionals.
  • Only 1 Handler per Dog (Jr Handler can compete with more than 1 dog, but a dog can only compete with 1 Jr Handler)

Check-In

  • Check in at the admin table on Sat of Nationals. Let them know 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: 1st Tiebreaker – Second score of the two will be used in handicap to determine tiebreaker. 2nd Tiebreaker – There will be a jump off.

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