How to Evaluate a Rally Obedience Tournament – Step by Step

Scoring a Rally Obedience tournament with pen, paper and a calculator is error-prone and eats up the registration desk’s time – especially with tie-breaks, FCI score sheets and the separate youth ranking.

This guide explains how evaluation works under VDH/FCI rules step by step – and how the Dog Sport Tournament Helper automates it from starter import to certificate.

How does scoring work in Rally Obedience?

In Rally Obedience each team runs a course of numbered signs (stations). Every run is scored with points (0–100) and the time taken. The ranking is by points (descending); on equal points the faster time wins.

Handlers with a disability are not disadvantaged on time: within the same points block their time is set to the fastest time of a non-disabled team.

  • V (Excellent): 90–100 points
  • SG (Very good): 80–89 points
  • G (Good): 70–79 points
  • Best. (Passed): 60–69 points
  • Tg. (Participated): 1–59 points
  • nb (not rated): 0 points or time exceeded
  • FCI class: different bands – V/SG/G as above, below that directly nb (0–69 points).

Classes and maximum times

The Tournament Helper supports the classes RO B, RO 1, RO 2, RO 3, RO S and the FCI class. The maximum time defaults to 4 minutes for adults and 5 minutes for youth and can be adjusted per class and per starter (additional time).

If the effective maximum time is exceeded, the run is automatically rated “nb” (not rated) and sorted to the bottom of the ranking.

Evaluation step by step

From incoming entries to the award ceremony, evaluation in the Tournament Helper follows five steps:

  1. Import starters

    Import the entry list from a DVG PDF or OMA file – no manual typing. Classes, handlers and dogs are taken over automatically.

  2. Create start lists & score sheets

    When the tournament starts, the Tournament Helper automatically generates start lists, presence and chip-control lists, hurdle-height lists and the VDH score sheets per class as PDF.

  3. Score the runs

    Points and time for each run are entered on a tablet by the scribe – optionally with separate time keeping. The predicate (V, SG, G …) is derived from the points automatically.

  4. Ranking & tie-breaks

    The ranking is computed automatically. In championship mode genuine ties are detected and resolved via a run-off (Stechen); a run-off score sheet is generated for it.

  5. Result lists & certificates

    Finally you get result lists per class (including a separate youth ranking), certificates and a tournament archive file with all data.

Which PDFs does the Tournament Helper create for Rally Obedience?

All documents are generated automatically and in the official layout – from the registration desk to the award ceremony:

  • Start list per class
  • Presence list
  • Chip-control list (microchip check)
  • Hurdle-height list (for classes with hurdles – not RO B, RO 1, RO S)
  • VDH Rally Obedience score sheet per starter and course
  • FCI score sheet in two layouts for the FCI class
  • QR-code PDF with login links for staff and starters
  • Result list per class plus a separate youth result list
  • Run-off (Stechen) score sheet to resolve ties (championship)
  • Certificates with placement, points and predicate – with your own club logo and background
  • Per-starter labels and a tournament archive Excel with all data

Standard and championship mode

In standard mode the ranking is assigned automatically by the chosen ranking scheme (e.g. dense ranking 1-1-2-3 or standard ranking with gaps 1-1-3-4).

In championship mode a tie is decided first by time, then by the sum of previous qualifications; if it remains equal a run-off is held and a run-off score sheet is created automatically.

Import starters instead of retyping

The Tournament Helper imports starters directly from DVG PDF entry lists and the OMA format – for Rally Obedience and Hoopers. This saves the registration desk hours and avoids typos.

Common mistakes in manual evaluation

Typical pitfalls are miscalculated maximum times, a forgotten separate youth ranking, inconsistent predicate bands (especially in the FCI class) and ties that are not cleanly resolved. Automatic evaluation removes these sources of error.

Evaluate Rally Obedience faster with the Tournament Helper

The Dog Sport Tournament Helper handles import, score sheets, live evaluation, result lists and certificates in one continuous workflow – with real-time dashboards for scribe, time keeper and starters. Your first tournament is free.

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Frequently asked questions

How are ties resolved in Rally Obedience?

In standard mode the faster time decides on equal points. In championship mode previous qualifications also count; if it stays equal a run-off (Stechen) with its own score sheet is held.

Which predicates exist in Rally Obedience?

V (90–100), SG (80–89), G (70–79), Passed (60–69), Participated (1–59) and nb (0 points or time exceeded). The FCI class uses V/SG/G and below that directly nb.

Can I import starters from DVG or OMA?

Yes. The Tournament Helper reads DVG PDF entry lists and OMA files directly – no manual typing required.

Which documents are generated automatically?

Start, presence, chip-control and hurdle-height lists, VDH and FCI score sheets, result lists (incl. youth), certificates with your club logo, and a tournament archive Excel.

Ready to evaluate your next Rally Obedience tournament digitally?

Try the Dog Sport Tournament Helper for free – your first tournament is on us.

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