…the fastest growing performance event in the nation.  Agility trials are competitions where a handler guides a dog around a course filled with jumps, weave poles, teeters, tunnels, and other obstacles; typically courses have between 14 and 20 obstacles. Both accuracy and speed count in the score. Agility is a test of communication between handler and dog as well as of a dog’s athletic ability as dogs run off leash with no touching, food, or toys as incentives. The judge determines time allotted for running the course based on level and difficulty. Once the dog crosses the start line, time begins counting down. As the team moves through the course, the judge calls out mistakes and faults which reduce the team’s score or can even result in a disqualification. The top four high scores receive a ribbon, others received their Q (Qualifying Score).  KSSC members participate in both AKC and CPE agility trials.