APES Debut in Region 5!

This weekend, region 5 used our new APES (Automated Pass Evaluation System) at our tournament. For those who don't know what it is (probably everyone but Sheep), it's a program that uses cameras to capture the dogs' passes at the start/finish line, and then displays them on a tv screen at the end of each heat. This is really nice because you can evaluate your passes and make adjustments to get better ones. Usually, people stand at the start/finish line and eye the passes and hold up fingers for how many feet you were off (which isn't always the most accurate), or they use iPads to record the passes and review at the end of the heat, let the handlers know, which can take up time during a race. The APES does all the work for you, you just have to go look at the screen. They had this system set up in 2 of the rings at CanAm, and my club really enjoyed it. Mike (club owner, judge, hosts his own tournaments, barely sleeps) decided to buy the system.

It was really fun! Our team ran so well while using it. I am super bad at passing because I'm still learning, but the APES really helped me this weekend. I got several line to line passes and Missy's times were excellent! It was really funny because a lot of people who previously didn't think a pass was that bad, finally got to see that their dog wasn't even on the screen (because it was so wide). Everyone really enjoyed it!

The website is posted below so you can see some pictures of it.

http://flying-nerd.com/