To enter a USDAA event, you download and print the entry form, then mail it and your payment to the trial secretary. The schedule contains a lot of information, so be sure to read carefully.

I will outline our next trial entry so you can see from start to finish. What seems simple to others is not so simple to me so therefore, what seems simple to ME may not be simple to others.

Filling out USDAA entry form

How to Enter USDAA trial

Step ONE: Get Entry form

To download the entry form,  I went to USDAA.com / Event Calendar / Scroll down to the month you want to enter then click on the local event you are looking for. After clicking the link, the following information is available:

Dates | Club | Location | Closing Date | Second Closing Date | Event Secretary | Class Schedule | Judges

Once the entry form has been made available online, a link, “CLICK HERE” can be seen in the second paragraph of text. (If USDAA changes their website this info may change.) A PDF file will open. Print the document or save it to your computer.

Step TWO: Fill out form

Below are images with comments about filling out the form. All of this information is gathered from personal use and research at USDAA.com. A filled-in version is displayed.

Below is a slideshow that you can drag the images upwards/downward to read instruction for each section.

Section ONE : Personal Information

As you can see, this is pretty straightforward. Your dog's name and your contact information, along with your registration number. If you have not registered this dog with USDAA already, you can leave the number blank and fill in later that you want to register.

Section TWO : First Day

You choose what program you will enter, jump height, and which runs you want to run.  Since I've chosen to enter Bandit in the Performance program (because he's older) you can see all my entries, are in the Performance column. Each line represents a run.

I've chosen P1 for 3 runs and PII for one run. In USDAA, when you get a Qualifying run in a single category, you achieve a title for that individual category. He earned the right to run in the Advanced or PII level in Gamblers because we achieved 3 Q's in Gamblers runs. Read more about Titling Requirements at USDAA

For his running height, I selected 8" which is what 12" and under dogs are assigned to run if they are in the Performance program. If he was in the Championship program, he would run at 12" jump heights. Read more about Performance and Championship Program Differences.

I selected Standard, Gamblers, Jumpers, and Pairs run. Standard is as it indicates, your typical numbered agility run with all the obstacles. Gamblers is a strategy game where you create your own course building points with a finishing distance portion. Jumpers is a numbered course with mostly hurdles and tunnels. Pairs is a numbered course split into two sections that two handlers and their dogs run separately, one after the other, handing off a baton. Each class/run has it's own rules. Read about NonStandard Classes at USDAA

Pairs is also called Relay. If you have someone who's also entering at that same level and has agreed to pair up with you on your run, you can put their name in this space. If left blank, a pair will be picked for you.

On this day I did not enter any Tournaments: Challenge Biathlon (Championship and Performance programs)

Section THREE : Second Day

I entered 4 runs, Standard, Gamblers, Pairs, and a Tournament. Again, I chose the level that we are allowed to run at this stage. P1 for most because we need 3 Q's to be able to move up. Another option to move up is to get 3 Standard Q's and 1 of each of the other types (Pairs, Snooker, Gamblers, Jumpers). Once you achieve those 7 Q's you can move up across the board to the Advanced/PII level. Read more about Titling Requirements at USDAA

Anyone can enter a Tournament, no matter what your level. Even though currently, I don't expect to win a Tournament, I like the experience of running a more difficult course. So, I chose the Performance Speed Jumping. Read more about Tournaments at USDAA

Section FOUR : Third Day

On this day I entered 4 runs. Standard, Gamblers, Jumpers, Snooker. Snooker is another game type run that has special rules. Read more about Snooker 

In this section you can also see a section to register your dog if you haven't done that already. There is a registration fee of $25.00 There is also an additional form to fill out to register your dog with USDAA.

Add your entry fees for each run up and put the total on the TOTAL FEES line.

Section FIVE

The first part of this page deals with Pairs runs. The rules state that if you want to earn a title in Pairs, it must be with a different dog for each Q. So if you've already achieve a Qualification with one dog in Pairs, you would list the dogs name so as not to be paired with them this trial. Just leave blank if you haven't Q'd in pairs yet, aren't entering any of the Pairs runs.

Section SIX

Don't forget your signature and date.

Section SEVEN

Self check in section refers to the status of your height card. If you haven't been measured or received a permanent height card yet, leave blank.

To receive a permanent height card, you will need three measurements by a judge, at least one a CMJ (Certified Measurement Judge) and all three different. If you have your permanent height card, you would check this box and include a copy of proof of permanent height card status. Read more about Height Certification | List of CMJ 

More Pages

Typically, there are additional forms.  Pay attention to each of them and fill out, return with your entry as needed. Volunteer if at all possible, by filling out the form.

You can also volunteer at the trial by looking for the volunteer sign up sheet posted near the ring entry.

Thank you Heart of Texas Dog Sports for allowing me to use one of your entry forms as an example. Let me know if you have questions, comments or improvements to this information.

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