Demise of the Table
Amidst widespread online confusion about the meaning of “no longer require the pause table in the excellent and masters standard classes,” we sought clarity directly from the source in this week’s podcast. AKC Director of Agility, Carrie DeYoung, confirmed that the proposal indeed involves REMOVING the table as an obstacle in these classes.
While there’s no official announcement regarding the implementation date, there’s buzz suggesting judges have been advised against submitting courses for dates beyond July 1st, hinting at a possible timeline.
In the podcast, we also delve into the broader process of rule changes, including how competitors can effectively voice opinions on preferred issues. We also decipher other proposed changes, like the ambiguously phrased “bar” jump. What’s a bar jump, really?
CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO THE PODCAST.
Agility Dog Research Study
We’re passionate about data, science, agility, and particularly excited about academic research focusing on our sport. The Agility Dog Health Network, in collaboration with the AKC Canine Health Foundation and Washington State University, is inviting agility handlers to join a study exploring training load and injury risk.
For more information, check out their Facebook announcement HERE or visit the following link for detailed information and registration: https://labs.wsu.edu/agility-dog-health/phase-1-enrollment-information.
NFL Dog Plays of the Year
The American Kennel Club (AKC) has partnered with the National Football League (NFL) to put some of the top agility dogs into the hands of NFL stars, with the aim of broadening football’s appeal, especially among female viewers. Jennifer Crank and her Sheltie Bee were involved in the making of this show, which you can watch this Friday, February 2nd at 9:30 PM Eastern on ESPN.
Read about the collaboration here: https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/sports/watch-nfl-dog-plays-of-the-year/
It’s interesting to see how non-agility people view our sport: https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Articles/2024/01/29/american-kennel-club-nfl-espn
The Super Bowl and Taylor Swift
The stage is set for Super Bowl LVIII, where the San Francisco 49ers and Kansas City Chiefs will face off on Sunday, February 11, at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. The Chiefs, making an impressive fourth appearance in the past five seasons, are both the defending Super Bowl champions and slight underdogs against the 49ers. Patrick Mahomes, the youngest quarterback to start in four Super Bowls, and coach Andy Reid, marking his fifth Super Bowl appearance, lead the Chiefs. The 49ers are driven by the ambition to end a 29-season championship drought, with Brock Purdy at the helm.
The Super Bowl is a cornerstone of American culture with global viewership surpassed only by World Cup soccer. Tickets to the game are currently averaging around $12,700 each. It’s not just about the game–it’s about the halftime show, the commercials, the national anthem, and the Super Bowl watch parties. Country Music Hall of Famer Reba McEntire will deliver the national anthem, while Post Malone and Andra Day grace the stage with “America the Beautiful” and “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” respectively. Interestingly, Grammy winner Tiësto will debut as the Super Bowl’s first in-game DJ, energizing the crowd pre-game and during breaks. The halftime show, always the featured entertainment event of the Super Bowl, will showcase the talents of R&B icon Usher.
Super Bowl commercials have become almost as iconic as the game itself. For this year’s Super Bowl, the average cost for a 30-second spot is a whopping $7 million. A fair number of viewers watch the game just to enjoy and critique the commercials.
In a groundbreaking move, Super Bowl LVIII will be broadcast in two different formats. CBS will offer the traditional broadcast, while Nickelodeon presents a unique, kid- and family-friendly version. The CBS broadcast will also be available for streaming via Paramount+.
Super Bowl LVIII is a blend of sports and celebrity culture. The relationship between Kansas City Chiefs’ superstar tight end Travis Kelce and pop superstar Taylor Swift has sparked an extra surge in the NFL’s popularity. Their confirmed romance is drawing even more attention to the game, with fans eagerly speculating about Swift’s attendance. Among these fans is our very own dog agility superstar Jennifer Crank, a dedicated Swiftie, who has named her dogs Taylor and Swift in honor of the singer.
So tell me, will you be watching the Super Bowl for the game, the commercials, the halftime show, or the possibility of seeing Taylor Swift embrace Travis Kelce after a Chiefs win? Or will you boycott the game for some dog training? Email me at team@baddogagility.com and let me know what you think about the Super Bowl! I’ll probably be rooting (mildly) for the Chiefs, as I despise the 49ers franchise (as a Cowboys fan); and did you know that before 1963, the Kansas City Chiefs used to be the Dallas Texans?
Happy Training,
