Re-tries in Rally

            Rally competition allows you to re-try an exercise if the first attempt was not successful in meeting the requirements of the station.  But, should you always attempt a re-try and just how should you do it?

            An incorrect performance of a Rally exercise is commonly called an IP.  Some IP’s are quite obvious.  For example, if the station calls for a 360 left and you do a 360 right, this would constitute an IP and 10 points off.  Others are not quite as obvious to the handler, such as the Moving Stand exercise where a pause prior to the handler walking around the standing dog is also an IP as the Moving Stand exercise specifically says the handler will immediately walk around their dog. 

            When to do a re-try can be a tricky thing for the handler to decide, but we will all agree that the 3 point assessment for the re-try is a whole lot better to have as a deduction than 10 points for an IP.  There are times though, when a re-try may actually cost you points. 

            If the station calls for a Halt/Sit, for example, and your dog sits very slow, or very crooked, you would be assessed a 1 point deduction for this.  If you, as a handler, decide that you want to re-try that exercise, rather than loosing 1 point, you would have an automatic 3 point deduction for the re-try and also any other points that you would loose for the completion of the exercise. 

            Determining whether to re-try the exercise calls for the handler to think on their feet, while running the course, to determine if the performance of the dog/handler team calls for a re-try.  This is the challenge of maneuvering the Rally course with your dog, much like the split second decisions you must make when running agility.

            If you do determine that a re-try is in order, such as going the wrong way listed above on the 360 exercises, it is necessary to take a few steps back from the sign and approach it again, to demonstrate to the judge that you are attempting a retry.  I would also suggest that you verbalize your intent.  Remember, in Rally, you can talk in the ring, so it is perfectly permissible to say to your dog, and the judge who should be within hearing distance – “let’s try that again!”.    If you do not approach the sign a second time, the judge could easily determine that you are adding additional movements to the exercise and could IP you for that – again a 10 point deduction.

            The rules have also changed as of October 1, 2005 and now only 2 re-trys are allowed at a sign.  The 3^rd re-try would constitute an NQ for your run.

Are you ready to Rally?  Don’t miss out on all the fun!