Scores n More Agility Trials: How It Works

“Scores n more agility trials” is not a single official rulebook or scoring system; it refers to the scoring and results-tracking software used by many dog agility clubs and trial organizers, most commonly the product called “Scores n More” by K9 Event Software. In short, it is a computer program that calculates placements, points, and titles from raw trial data (times, faults, and refusals) using the rules of the sanctioning organization (e.g., AKC, USDAA, UKI, or CPE). This article explains how the software works, how to read its output, and what it means for competitors.

What “Scores n More” Actually Does

“Scores n More” (also written as “ScoresnMore”) is a trial management program used by agility clubs to enter runs, record times, faults, and refusals, and then automatically compute results. It supports many venues, including AKC, USDAA, UKI, CPE, and others. The software handles class schedules, entry lists, running order, and result sheets. For competitors, the most visible output is the “score” or “placement” that appears on the trial results page.

It is not a scoring system itself—it applies the rules of the venue you are running under. For example, in AKC Standard classes, a run with no faults and under the standard course time (SCT) is a “clean” run; in USDAA, a clean run earns points toward a title; in UKI, times are compared directly with no fault penalties for time over. The software simply does the arithmetic.

How Scoring Works in Common Venues

While the exact formula varies, most agility scoring uses a combination of time and faults. Here are the typical components:

• Time faults: If your time exceeds the standard course time (SCT), you get a fault—usually 1 fault per second over, sometimes rounded to the nearest second.
• Course faults: Knocking a bar, missing a contact, or taking a wrong course can add 3 or 5 faults depending on the venue.
• Refusals: A refusal (dog stops or turns away) typically adds 3 or 5 faults, and a second refusal may eliminate you.
• Clean runs: In AKC, a clean run (0 faults) with a time under SCT is a qualifying score. In USDAA, you also need to be under SCT and have no faults to earn points toward a title.

For example, in AKC, a run with 5 faults and 2 seconds over SCT would have a total of 5 + 2 = 7 faults (if time faults are 1 per second). In USDAA, the same run would be 5 + 2 = 7 faults, but you would not qualify for a title if you have any faults. In UKI, there are no time faults—only course faults and refusals—so a run with 5 faults and 2 seconds over would still be 5 faults, but you might still place if others have more faults.

Reading Your Trial Results

When you get a result sheet from a trial using Scores n More, you will see a table with columns like:

• Place: Your rank in the class (1st, 2nd, etc.).
• Time: Your actual course time in seconds.
• Faults: Total faults (course + time + refusals).
• Score: Some venues use a point system (e.g., USDAA points for qualifying runs).
• Qualifying: “Q” or “NQ” indicating whether you met the requirements for a title.

In most venues, the dog with the fewest faults wins; if tied, the fastest time wins. So a clean run with a time of 30.5 seconds beats a clean run with 31.2 seconds. If you have faults, your time still matters for placement among those with the same fault count.

How to Choose a Scoring Method (If You Are a Club)

If you are a trial organizer, you might need to decide which scoring rules to use. The choice depends on your sanctioning body and the type of class. For example, AKC has Standard, Jumpers, and FAST classes, each with slightly different scoring. USDAA has Standard, Jumpers, Gamblers, and Snooker, with different point systems. CPE has its own set of classes. The software lets you select the venue and class, and it automatically applies the correct formulas.

For a casual fun match, you could use a simple system: time only, with faults added as time penalties. But for official titles, you must follow the venue’s rules exactly.

Common Mistakes and Misconceptions

• Mixing up time faults and course faults: Time faults are always per second over SCT, but course faults are per infraction. Some people think a bar knock is 5 faults, but it is often 3 or 5 depending on the venue.
• Forgetting that a refusal is a fault: A refusal is not just a “no” from the dog—it adds points to your score and can eliminate you if repeated.
• Assuming a clean run always wins: If two dogs have clean runs, the faster one wins. If you have a clean run but a slow time, you might lose to a dog with faults but a much faster time (if the venue uses time penalties).
• Rounding errors: Times are usually recorded to hundredths of a second. Make sure your timing equipment is accurate.

Costs and Alternatives

“Scores n More” is a paid software product, but there are free alternatives such as spreadsheets or online trial management tools. For a small club, a simple spreadsheet can work, but it lacks the automatic title tracking and result posting features. For large trials, using dedicated software saves hours of manual calculation.

If you are a competitor, you don’t need to buy the software—the trial secretary uses it. You just need to understand the scoring rules of your venue.

Safety and Fairness

Scoring software does not affect safety, but accurate scoring is essential for fair competition. Always double-check your time and faults on the results sheet before leaving the trial. If you think there is an error, ask the trial secretary immediately. Keep your own records of your runs (times and faults) to verify.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does “Scores n More” stand for?

It is just the name of the software product—it means you can score and do more (like manage entries and titles). It is not an acronym.

How do I calculate my score if I have 5 faults and 3 seconds over time?

In AKC, that would be 5 + 3 = 8 faults. In USDAA, it would also be 8 faults, but you would not qualify for a title because you have faults. In UKI, there are no time faults, so you would have only 5 faults.

What is a “clean run”?

A clean run means zero faults and a time under the standard course time. It is a qualifying score in most venues.

Can I use the software for fun matches?

Yes, the software can be set to any scoring system, including simple time-only or custom fault penalties.

Why did I get a “NQ” even though I had no faults?

In some venues, you must also be under the standard course time. If you were over time, you get time faults, so you would not have zero faults. If you had no faults but were over time, you would have time faults, so it would not be clean.

How do I become a trial secretary?

Typically, you need to be a member of an agility club and learn the rules of your sanctioning body. Many clubs train secretaries through workshops or mentorship.

Related

• Free Steam Games: Do They Stay in Your Library Forever?
• KSA to IST Time Converter: Saudi to India
• Calculate Concrete for Driveway: Formula & Cost

in t | Course time (s) | s | 50 | 0
in f | Faults | pts | 0 | 0
in r | Refusals | count | 0 | 0
out score | Total score | pts | f + r * 5 | 0
out place | Place (1=1st) | - | 1 | 0