This tests the team's ability to work away from each other. At no time during the opening sequence may the team perform the obstacles in the gamble in the gamble sequence. This is a fun game and VERY frustrating. The team MUST complete a red jump, then an obstacle for points, a different red jump, an obstacle for points, the third red jump and an obstacle for points etc., and then do the closing sequence which is typically 5-7 obstacles in order, all within course time. Any violation of this order gets you whistled off the course and you are eliminated.
Agility is a TEAM event.
Both dog and handler must be doing well and in sync with each other in order to be successful. The dog must be able to pay attention to a constant, high speed set of instructions from a far less than perfect human and perform as asked. The difference between success and going off course is often in the tenths of a second. The handler must memorize the course, and then remember it while running full tilt and directing the movements of the dog. In addition, as the handler, you must KNOW your dog's tendencies and strengths and weaknesses and work around them during a run.