2020 NRC: 11/06/20

President, Ginger Cope calls the meeting to order at 2:05 pm for the 80^th running of the National Retriever Club Championship. There was a moment of silence for those we lost during the past year. Next, the Pledge of Allegiance to the U.S. Flag. Pam Wilson to lead us in prayer.

NRC President Ginger Cope

Pam Wilson leads us in prayer

Secretary/Treasurer David Opseth and Board Member Mitch Patterson

Board Member Rob Reuter and Vice President Jeff Talley

Chief Marshal Wayne Stupka and FT Chairman John Caire

Social distancing …

The NRC Board of Directors were introduced…

President: Ginger Cope
Secretary/ Treasurer: David Opseth
Directors: Jeffrey Talley, Mitch Patterson, Rob Reuter
Field Trial Chairman: John Caire

Ginger gave the podium to Secretary/Treasurer David Opseth who gave the role call of the clubs and established quorum with proxy. A motion was made to approve the minutes from the 2019 General meeting.

Dave stated the dues were collected from the member club and club donations to Worker’s Party have been received despite no request for contributions. Dropped Clubs: Michiana, Pike’s Peak, and Tennessee Valley Retriever Club; Add Clubs: Back Bay Knotts Island

Treasurer’s report had been distributed. Dave stated there was $242,153.10 of equity plus $42,000 but $20,000 was paid out for the 2019 event. However the event still made a profit. He then asked if there were any questions. Then a motion to approve the Treasurer’s report was given.

Jeff Tally presented a by-law change that any previous winner of a National stake would be qualified for life for any future Nationals. Mitch Patterson then explained the wording; “Winner of ALL previous national stakes qualified for life.” This was voted on and passed.

Ginger invited Paul Sletten to podium for PRTA update. Paul Sletten announced the PRTA grants for 2020. This year there is upwards of $20,000 raised and several $3,000 grants will be awarded. There have beeen 11 applicants this year, but they will be determined at the PRTA meeting to be held on Saturday night.

PRTA President Paul Sletten

Purina's Ray Voigt presents the painting of last year's NRC Champion to owner Lauren Hays Curtis.

COVID-19 Coordinator Marcy Wright explains the COVID Policies & Procedures.

Ginger invited Purina Representative Ray Voigt to the podium to present the 2019 NRC winner owner/handler Lauren Hays Curtis a portrait of NFC-AFC Bayou Teche Swing For The Fence “Foxx.” The painting donated by Purina is by artist Ross Young.

Ginger presented the nominations for the 2021 National Board President and Board Members…
President: Jeffrey Talley, President
Directors: Mitch Patterson, Rob Reuter, John Caire and Wayne Stupka
Secretary/Treasurer: David OpsethA motion was made to close the nomination and to approve the board as presented.

The COVID-19 Coordinator, Marcy Wright discussed the rules and policies for COVID-19. She stated to be able to host the event, they needed permission from the Lee County. The rules were listed out according to the Texas health protocols…
·         When you are unable to social distance, a mask must be worn
·         Anyone entering event will be subject to COVID questions
·       If you do not comply, you may be asked to leave.
·         Obviously, do not attend if you are sick or have any systems
Traffic will be the first check for these COVID guidelines, so allow extra time for parking. While in the gallery or viewing the test, face coverings are required. Handlers can remove their masks once at the line. One viewing of the line per handler. You will have 15 seconds to view the line and it will be only one person at a time.

John Dowell, Mayor of Giddings took the opportunity to welcome all the guests to Giddings, Texas.

Mayor John Dowell of Giddings, TX

Next year's FT Chairman Mark Menzies gives us the details about next year's event held at Cooper Black in South Carolina – "It's a great day in South Carolina!"

Corporate Sponsor Liaison Gwen Jones thanks the Sponsors and presents their gifts!

Gwen presents David Carrington of Avery Sporting Dog a personalized cooler bag.

The Judges receive their appreciation gifts.

Russ Reavis, AKC Performance Events Rep stated that a total of 245 retriever events were cancelled this year. 130 being hunting tests and 115 field trial events. 355 events were held in 2020 including the National Derby which went off with no problems.

Mark Menzies was introduced as the Chairman of the 2021 event and came to the podium to announce of 2021 National Retriever Club Championship information…
Location: Cooper Black, Cheraw, SC
Date: November 13-20, 2021
Chairman: Mark Menzies
Chief Marshal: Bert Wyndom
Judges…
East Central Zone: Mark Medford
West Central Zone: William Burks
Pacific Zone: Chris Hatch

Gwen Jones (Corporate Sponsor Liaison) went to the podium and spoke how this was a special year and some our sponsors had to get special dispensation to be here. She also informed the group that the Avery materials have not arrived. In addition, Garmin and Dogtra did not allow their reps to travel this year due to the pandemic. She asked us all to continue to support our sponsors throughout the year.
2020 NRC Sponsor are…
Nestle Purina
Avery Sporting Dog
Garmin
Kent Ammunition
Dogtra

FT Chairman John Caire

John Caire stepped back up to the podium to announce the details of the 2020 NRC.
He invited the Judges to podium and present a trophy to this years judges and thanks them. The judges are…
Atlantic Zone – Mark Menzies
Pacific Zone – Michael Moore
East Central Zone – Marty Kirby
He then thanked landowners, the Fullers and Parrotts and presented them with a token of our appreciation. He then presented an award of recognition to Ginger Cope for efforts on this year's event as NRC President.

Chief Marshal Wayne Stupka

Wayne Stupka, Chief Marshal, was introduced. Wayne thanked the set up crew for their hard work – 8-10 hours per day. He also announced the committees will be meeting after the general meeting and all chairs need to meet with Marcy for COVID guidelines. Wayne warned that Highway 21 is 65 mph speed limit and to watch when pulling out.
1.       There will be a gun change every 20 dogs.
2.       No Bird – No Shot, the dog will come right back
3.       If shot and there is a no-bird, handler will go back 5 and run 6th.
4.       Second no-bird handler will go back 5 and run 6th.
5.       Third no-bird handler will run at the end of the rotation.
6.       After the test dogs, the first ten handlers will have 15 seconds on the mat to view the test.
7.       There will be no viewing of the line during the gun change if you already seen it.
8.       There will be no viewing the line during gun change if you have already seen the test.

The test dogs are…
Female test dog: FC-AFC LJ’s Renaissance Queen; “Bess” handled by Mark Littlejohn
Male test dog: Razor’s Buckshot; “Shooter” owned and handled by Larry Vaske

The First Series of the 2020 NRC will be a Land Triple with all Roosters, 2 Dead and 1 Flyer.
Introduction Ceremony at 6:15 am; Test Dogs will run at 6:30 AM.
Worker’s Caravan to the test site will leave from Walmart at 5:30 AM

Clint Avant thanked all the land owners for the training grounds.

Special Instructions: The handler can put the bird in a bucket or hold in their hand, but all birds must be removed from the bucket and hung on the bird rack when the test is completed. If the flyer is still alive, the Game Stewards will be watching and take the bird from the handler. This is to limit the judge’s exposure.

Wayne also stated how he is ready to put on a quality trial and that Giddings made a significant donation to the National Open to the hold the event.

Mayor Dowell picks the starting dog: "Number One!!"

Mayor Dowell was asked to come up and do the selection of starting dog out of a crystal bowl filled with numbers.

The first running dog is #1. FC-AFC Rimfires Once Inna Blue Moon, "Blue" BLM, with handler Al Arthur
Rotation for the first four series will be 1, 16, 31 and 46. (See page 22 in the catalog for rotation rules)

Bitch Check will be outside of the meeting.

Dog #56. FC-AFC Trumarc's Mad Money, "Maddy" BLF scratched.

The meeting adjourned at 3:06 pm.

Photos to follow …

The Retriever Advisory Committee meeting was called to order by Chairman John Russell at 1:09 pm.

Chairman John Russell

First topic of interest was frozen birds. It was discussed that frozen birds should not be presented for the dogs to retrieve in a field trial. The best birds to use should be dispatched up on Thursday before the trial was set as an example. Just remember it is all about the dogs …

Next topic was concerning the judge’s lack of contact with the birds during an event. It was stated that the judges need to make sure unfit game birds do not go back out into the field. More talk about the handling of the birds at a trial was discussed. Birds have to be handled respectfully to keep optics good and they should also be handled humanely.

Further conversation started about birds not being visible when thrown, i.e. - backgrounds, using ribbons on birds, not seeing when it's thrown and as it falls. Birds should be visible and conspicuous. Dogs need to see the test and clubs need to police this. You should be able to see even if you have a short dog. Contestant should stand up, be self-policing.

A question from the audience was asked, “What do I do as a competitor if my dog cannot see the marks?”

John answered, “Let the club know through the marshal. Use the chain of command, marshal, field trial secretary to show that there was a complaint.”

Question from the floor: What happened to the Judge's critique sheets?

John’s reply was that the sheets may not give specific enough information. The AKC reps are considering bringing judges sheets to field trials. It was also mentioned that there are always some variables that are not with in the judges control.

The next question was whether there was to be a rotation in minor stakes:

John’s reply: Not mandatory. If stated in the premium there is a rotation, then the club has to do so. Any club employing electronic entry service will use the DOW and Entry Express should indicate the starting dog in all the stakes. There was further discussion on this topic and it was asked if there should be a vote taken to make minor stakes rotate. It was decided to debate this issue that it should be taken to the clubs for a vote.

The next topic was concerning that good event management should be the responsibility of the club. Getting the stake marshals to work through any issues … it was also stated that it is best to decide the night before or the morning before the start of the event the way you want people to line up.

The last issue of discussion was about holding competing field trials during Nationals. It was stated by Mark Menzies that he believed that there should not be a trial that is held during the time of the Nationals. This issue was tabled.

Meeting adjourned at 1:44 pm.