Crazy 8 Agility Skill Certificate is the invention of Laurie Ann Bone, President of Agility Cat Canada (ACC). Crazy 8 was first played at a Cat Agility Training Class in Port Moody, British Columbia, hosted by ACC, on August 21, 2005, and has become the favorite ICAT agility skill certificate.
Briefing
The goal of this agility skill certificate is to get 8 points by completing 8 obstacles – of which at least 1 must be a jump, 1 must be a tunnel, and 1 must be a footwork element (ladder or weave pole).
Any obstacle may be the starting point, and any combinations may be done to earn 8 points, as long as one each of jump, tunnel and footwork are done. Repeat any obstacles to achieve the other five points needed. Obstacles may be done more than once including in succession.
This agility skill certificate is primarily designed to be an accuracy event demonstrating mastery of the three essential elements of cat agility (jumping, tunnels, footwork), within a maximum time limit of 8 minutes, and a maximum of 8 faults (two refusals on an obstacle). (Note: at a future time, two more elements might be added to Crazy 8, namely climbing and balancing.)
The game can also be scored for day winners (ranked 1-3) by scoring the fastest times.
Eligibility
Kittens at least 3 calendar months old or any age adult may earn a Crazy 8 Agility Skill Certificate, whether or not the cat has a already earned a title at any Basic or Advanced Level. As with all ICAT ring activities, handlers may be adults or juniors age 10 or over.
Course Design
Crazy 8 may be done on these ICAT courses: Basic Level 1, 2, and 3, and Advanced Level 1 (with tunnels shortened to 3’ length, and only 3 pole and 3 ladder holes). The Advanced Level 2 course has higher jumps and the ladder raised higher, so it’s not suitable for Crazy 8 without resetting the heights to Level 1. It is suggested Crazy 8 obstacles (except weave poles of course) be moved to the edge of the arena, as a helpful aide to guiding the cats.
Crazy 8 Agility Skill Certificate
Scoring 8 points by completing 8 obstacles using at least one of each variety (Tunnel, Jump, Footwork) in less than 8 minutes with 8 or fewer faults (two refusals on an obstacle) qualifies for a Crazy 8 Agility Skill Certificate under ICAT rules. The AO mails a list after each event of cats and handlers who have earned certificates and completed clean runs on the various courses. Registration of the cat with ICAT as an Agility Cat is required in order to receive the Crazy 8 Agility Skill Certificate award, and this can be done by the owner the same day as earning it. The certificate is mailed to the owner after confirmation of completing the registration and ring requirements.
