When I started in AKC competition back in the early 80s, low 90s could easily win Novice A competitions. Once you recieved your CD, you then couldn't show in Novice A anymore.Still the same for Novice A but nowdays, unless you have recieved a HIT (High in Trial) or a CDX title, you can continue to show in Novice B. That means lots of top competition trainers in Novice B.
I just receintly got back into it after not having been in a AKC obedience ring since 87-88. One of the biggesat things I've noticed is how big agility has gotten. That's all motivational training, yet, the obedienc ring is still so much yank and crank for the most part. They just don't seem to get the idea that a dog can learn anything you want it to for a reward instead of avoidance. Form my SAR training, obedience training, to Schutzhund training, it's been entirely motivational. At two yrs +, my GSD has had NO physical corrections for anything but bad manners. Never on the training field.