11.15.06 – The following has been adopted by BCSA as the permanent format for the Obedience Invitational at the National Specialty.
Format for Invites:

The following procedure will be followed if stats are available from the BCSA Obedience Scoreboard published in Borderlines:

Combined Division:     
Round One: Invites will be issued to all UDX and OTCH dogs listed anywhere in the BCSA Scoreboard rankings. All UDX and OTCH dogs invited will be required to compete in the combined division.
Round Two: Invites will be issued to the top 20 ranked combined dogs once the UDX and OTCH dogs are removed.
Utility Division: Invites will be issued to the top 20 ranked Utility dogs once the UDX, OTCH, and combined invitees are removed.
Open Division: Invites will be issued to the top 20 ranked Open dogs once the UDX, OTCH, combined invitees, and utility invitees are removed.
Novice Division: Invites will be issued to the top 20 ranked Novice dogs.

The following procedure will be followed if BCSA Obedience Scoreboard stats are not available:

Combined Division: Entries will be open to all dogs holding a UDX or OTCH title.
Utility Division: Entries will be open to all UD titled dogs who have earned 3 qualifying scores of 193 in Utility at 3 AKC Obedience Trials.
Open Division: Entries will be open to all CDX titled dogs who have earned 3 qualifying scores of 193 in Open at 3 AKC Obedience Trials.
Novice Division: Entries will be open to all CD titled dogs who have earned 3 qualifying scores of 193 in Novice at 3 AKC Obedience Trials.
 
Competition format:
Combined Division: Entries will be required to perform all the exercises in the AKC Open and Utility classes.
Utility, Open and Novice Division: Entries will be required to perform all the exercises in their respective AKC class.
Division Champion: The highest scoring dog in each division will be named the “Division Champion” and will receive the Champion’s rosette. The next three highest scoring placers in each division will receive an “Award of Merit” rosette.

Division Champions
Run-off: The four division Champions will then have the honor of competing in a “Crufts” style heelwork run-off. This run-off will take place in a double-sized ring. It will be an extended (i.e. several minutes) heelwork pattern modeled after British obedience requirements. Included will be any move allowed per the UK Regulations at the Championship “C” level. For example, the pattern may include circles left and right; left about turns; angled turns, 270-degree turns, and double about turns. These elements may be called at normal, slow, or fast pace per the UK Regulations. This run-off will use a “steward” to call the pattern so that the judge can focus on scoring the teams. The run-off pattern will be clearly posted for all competitors to see.

BCSA Obedience Dog of the Year: The Invitational Championship rosette, prizes, and “BCSA Obedience Trial Dog Of The Year” honors will be awarded to the highest scoring dog in the run-off who posted a qualifying score to win their division [Note: combined division champion must have posted a qualifying score in at least one of the two combined classes]. If no dogs in any division have posted a qualifying score then the winner of the “Crufts” style run-off will be named the Invitational Champion.