Entry in the Janet Larson Versatility Competition at the 2024 National Specialty can be found here

The Janet Larson Award recognizes the dog that exemplifies true versatility by successfully competing in herding and performance competitions. Dogs must qualify in herding and two other venues. You MUST be pre-registered and you MUST be a BCSA Member to compete. Pre-registration deadline is September 15th and the cost is $35. Participants must submit a form with their acquired points at the end of each day.

HERDING: HIGHEST QUALIFYING SCORE FROM THE TRIAL CLASSES, SHEEP OR DUCKS, ANY COURSE OFFERED. STARTED THRU ADVANCED. Pre-Trial & Herding Test do not count.

 If a dog qualifies on more than one type of stock or course, the highest score will apply, with additional points awarded for the additional qualifying scores (as noted below). Each trial, each day, will be available for earning points, however only 1 score will count towards the weighted score, each additional qualifying score will be counted as detailed below. All scores used must be earned on the same day. 

Versatility Scores will be computed as follows:

Started: raw score

Intermediate: raw score plus 5 points

Advanced: raw score plus 10 points

Additional Qualifying Score Points will be computed as follows:

Started: 5 Points

Intermediate: 7.5 Points

Advanced: 10 Points

OBEDIENCE: 50% OF HIGHEST QUALIFYING SCORE FROM A REGULAR CLASS, NOVICE A & B, OPEN A & B, UTILITY A & B.

 Dogs may enter any combination of rally and/or regular or preferred obedience, however only 2 scores will count toward the versatility score. 

Versatility Scores will be computed as follows:

Novice or Preferred Novice: 50% of raw score

Open or Preferred Open: 50% of raw score plus 5 points

Utility or Preferred Utility: 50% of raw score plus 10 points

RALLY: 50% OF HIGHEST QUALIFYING SCORE FROM A REGULAR CLASS, NOVICE A & B, ADVANCED A & B, EXCELLENT A & B and MASTERS.

 Dogs may enter any combination of rally and/or regular or preferred obedience, however only 2 scores will count toward the versatility score.

Versatility Scores will be computed as follows:

Novice: 50% of raw score

Advanced: 50% of raw score plus 5 points

Excellent: 50% of raw score plus 10 points

Masters: 50% of raw score plus 12.5 points

AGILITY: HIGHEST QUALIFYING SCORE FROM A STANDARD or JUMPERS CLASS. Only one qualifying run will accrue weighted points toward the total and only one additional score will count for additional points.

Versatility Scores will be computed as follows:

Novice or Preferred Novice: raw score

Open or Preferred Open: raw score plus 5 points

Excellent/Master or Preferred Excellent/Master: raw score plus 10 points

Premier: raw score plus 12.5 points

Additional Qualifying Score Points will be computed as follows:

Obedience Novice, Rally Novice, Agility Novice (including preferred classes): 5 Points

Obedience Open, Rally Advanced, Agility Open (including preferred classes): 7.5 Points

Obedience Utility, Rally Excellent and Agility Excellent/Masters (including preferred classes): 10 Points

Rally Master, Premier Agility: 12.5 points

CONFORMATION: Points are earned by entering Working Sweepstakes or the National Specialty Conformation show.

Versatility Score will be computed as follows:

Compete in Working Sweeps or National Conformation: 5 Points

Win sweepstakes class or national conformation class: 7.5 Points

Win major award (BOB, BOS, BOW, AOM, etc): 10 Points

TIES: The entire stock score will be used to break any ties. If the stock scores are even, then the rules to break a tie from the Herding Regulations will be used: (score from centerline on A course and score from outrun on B course). Exhibitors should keep their herding score sheets.