Been waiting on this since Carrie DeYoung discussed possibilities related to the Premier classes on a Bad Dog Agility podcast earlier this year. We found out how the Premier classes will impact the NAC requirements and now we have the Agility Grand Champion - AGCH.
AKC will start awarding the titles July 6, 2016 with qualifying legs grandfathered back to July 1, 1999. This is a lifetime achievement title and qualifying legs can come from any combination of regular or preferred. Legs must be at the highest level for each class. The following are the requirements:
- 100 Master Standard
- 100 Master JWW
- 75 Master FAST
- 75 T2B
- 50 Premier Standard
- 50 Premier JWW
Here is a link to the board minutes http://cdn.akc.org/Board_Meeting_Minutes/December-2015.pdf
This will help clubs get additional entries for the optional classes and of course the AKC will get additional fees (it was unanimously approved by the board). It probably means that we will not be seeing any new classes from the AKC in the near future.