Big Air
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Laser sighting determines the distance of each jump, measured at the point at which the dog's hind quarters enter the water. The longer of the two jumps will be the dog's official distance. The dog with the longest jump in the final round wins.
The event is one of the simplest and yet most exciting at the ESPN Great Outdoors Games. Handlers pitch a dummy decoy into the water. They are hoping their dog locks in on that dummy so they can retrieve it.
When the command is given the dog races down the dock and makes its jump. Amazingly, the top dogs in the competition will eclipse the 20 foot mark. Now that's hang time. Something about the jump and that big splash into the water really gets the crowd going. In 2002 at Lake Placid, N.Y., Little Morgan, handled by Mike Jackson of Shakopee, Minn., blew away the field with a world record jump of 26 feet, 6 inches in a gold medal Big Air performance.
But the popularity of Big Air dogs is on a sharp upward trend, and more competitions are being held each year, so records may not hold up for long in this growing sport.
Twelve dogs will make three separate jumps from a dock in to the water. The distance of the jump will be determined by electronic sighting of the point at which each dog's hind quarters (not including their tail) enters the water.
The eight dogs with the longest jump distances will advance to the Semifinal Round and will take two additional jumps.
The four dogs with the longest Semifinal Round jump distances will advance to the Medal Round and make two additional jumps, with the longest of those jumps counted for final ranking.
Qualifying Criteria
Twelve teams will be invited based on the following criteria:
Big Air terms
Bumper(s)or Training Dummies
They get their name from the bumpers that boats often hang over the side to keep them from bumping against other boats or docks. They are cylindrical in shape, and range in sizes from about the size of a cucumber that puppies use, to larger versions about 12 inches long and diameters of 1" to 2 1/2" inches. They are typically made of plastic or stuffed canvas. They have a rope attached to them to make it easier to throw them farther distances. When training in the field, handlers will often "scent" them with duck scent purchased in outdoor shops to help reinforce the dog's ability to find the "bird" or "bumper" by using their natural tracking abilities.
Dock
A dock is a long walkway extending out into water. Boats are parked and tied next to the dock to make it easier for people to enter and exit their boats.
Handler
This is the human competitor in the Big Air team. The person that throws and encourages the dog to run and leap off the end of the dock. Usually this is also the person who has trained the dog for competition, but not always as some people will have their dogs trained by another person and then "handle" them in the competition.
Jump Distance
Dogs in Big Air will run and leap off the end of the dock, most often in pursuit of a bumper thrown by their handler. The Jump Distance is measured from the end of the dock to the closest point where the dog breaks the water (not including their tail).
Line
The place from which the handler sets his dog up and releases him from.
Mark
A dog will "mark" the bumper where it falls, or memorize exactly where it is and run straight to it and then back to the handler.
Running the Dog
Term used for working with a dog in competition. Handler's often ask things each other things like, "Which dog are you running today?" or, "How did Lady run for you?"
Steady
The term used to describe a dog that will stay in place, watching the bumper or bird fall, until released by the handler. This is very hard for the dog, especially retrievers, who want to retrieve very badly. It is Very hard for them to stay still and wait to be "released". This is usually a sign of a well-trained dog. Often, retrievers will whimper or even bark waiting to be released, such is their desire.
Titles
Example: "Zolotia's Topsy Turvy" — UD SH MX MXJ WCX
To break this down: Zolotia's Topsy Turvy is this dog's AKC registered name. The initials indicate different levels of difficulty in various events that this dog has achieved. As per AKC rules, these initials become part of the dog's name upon achievement.
FC -- Field Champion
AFC -- Amateur Field Champion
MH -- Master Hunter
SH -- Senior Hunter
JH -- Junior Hunter
MX -- Master Agility
MXJ -- Master Agility Jumper
WCX -- Working Certificate Excellent
WC -- Working Certificate
UD -- Utility Dog
Great Outdoor Games