Break - 8. FC-AFC Tanks For The Magic, "Maggie" BLF, Jim Beck

8. FC-AFC Tanks For The Magic, "Maggie" BLF, Jim Beck/Pro - Qualified Week 43 @ Dardenne RC 

7:53 am

Maggie came to the line with wisps of her breath condensate in the air.

As the flyer went off, Maggie stepped out. She had to be picked up.

Test One – A Close-Up View

First Series Land Triple with Two Retired

L to R: Flyer and    Long Middle Retired – 310 yards

Right hand Short Retired – 168 yards

Flyer – 170 yards

Good Morning Texas

 Good Morning Texas...

The 2020 National Retriever Club Championship has officially started. Remember to keep refreshing your browser to get all the latest post and updates from Giddings, Texas.

If you have picture of the beautiful Giddings area or of your pre-National training please send the to tstyan@theretrievernews.com so we can post them

7. FC Hidden Acres Polly Wants A Quacker, "Polly" BLF, Rob Erhardt

7. FC Hidden Acres Polly Wants A Quacker, "Polly" BLF, Rob Erhardt/Pro - Qualified Week 35 @ Mission Valley RC

7:46 am

Flyer - long bird - Polly went under the arc and deep. She hunted the area hard but she did not get wide left enough. Polly did work it out and got to her bird.

Right Retired - Perfect Mark!

Long Middle Retired - Polly came in close to the guns, then go behind them. She circled to come back out to the fall area where she hunted up her bird.

 

No Bird - 6. Stillwater's Smooth Sailing, "Glide" BLM, Kirk Naisbitt

7:44 am

Glide and Kirk received a no bird on the flyer. They will go back 5 spots and have their rerun in the 6th spot.

No Bird - 5. Semper Mt Hood Maci QA2, "Maci" GF, Lee Herskowitz

7:42 am

Maci and Lee received a no bird on the flyer. They will go back 5 spots and have their rerun in the 6th spot.

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No Bird - 4. FC Three Rivers Soaring High, "Hawk" BLM, Andrew Curtis

7:40 am

Hawk and Andy received a no bird. They will go back 5 spots and rerun in the the 6th spot back.

3. FC Rocket Blasts For Blue, "Rocket" BLM, Chris Ledford

3. FC Rocket Blasts For Blue, "Rocket" BLM, Chris Ledford/Pro - Qualified Week 44 @ Southwest Georgia RC

7:35 am

Flyer - Rocket came in under the arc and got a little deep. He came back to the fall area to quickly find his bird.

Right Retired - Perfect line to the rooster.

Long Middle Retired - Rocket drove out between the retired guns and birds crates. He made a quick stop in the mowed area, then turned left in go into the heaver cover and went straight to the dead rooster.

 

Weather - 1st Series

Our morning has started at 54 degrees. But by early afternoon we will be in the mid 70’s.  

No Bird - 2. FC-AFC 3R'S Mr T Smoken Joe, "Smokie" BLM, Ty Rorem

 7:32 am

Smokie came to the line and received a no bird on the flyer. 

Smokie and handler Ty Rorem will go back 5 spots and have a rerun in the 6th spot.

1. FC-AFC Rimfires Once Inna Blue Moon, "Blue" BLM, Al Arthur

1. FC-AFC Rimfires Once Inna Blue Moon, "Blue" BLM, Al Arthur/Pro - Qualified Week 44 @ Palmetto RC

7:27 am

Flyer - Blue went straight to the short bird.

Right Retired - He came in under the arc and made a quick turn back to the fall area but missed the rooster. He circled the tree, then going back to the fall area and his bird.

Long Middle Retired - Perfect line to the fall area and Blue quickly found his bird.

 

 

Test Dog Two - Razor’s Buckshot, BLM, “Shooter” owned and handled by Larry Vaske

Razor’s Buckshot, BLM, “Shooter” owned and handled by Larry Vaske

Shooter and Larry came to the line at 7:06 am.

The fog has dissipated and is only sitting a top the pond behind the flyer gunners.

Flyer - Lovely high flyer - Shooter made quick work of his bird.

Right Retired - Shooter went out deep in the area. A couple loops deep, he came back to get the rooster.

Long Middle Retired - His initial line put him angling right of the gun station. shooter made a great correction prior to the gun station and moved towards the area of the fall to retrieve his bird.

The test took Shooter 5 minutes and 15 seconds.

Test Dog One - FC-AFC LJ’s Renaissance Queen, BLF; “Bess” handled by Mark Littlejohn

FC-AFC LJ’s Renaissance Queen, BLF “Bess” handled by Mark Littlejohn

Bess and owner/handler Mark Littlejohn came to the line at 6:58 am.

Bess got a no bird on the left retired bird. They sent her to the holding blind until the gunners got it picked up.

With the light fog beginning to settle Bess was back up to the line at 6:59 am.

Long Middle Retired - Hard to see the bird, but the muzzle flashed visible. Bess launched and went down the line to pick up the rooster perfectly.

Right Retired - She angled nicely through the mowed strips to come into the area under the arc of the fall. She held the area for a tight hunt to grab her bird.

Flyer - Bess's initial line was to the right. She corrected it by making a couple of early whistles that moved her towards the flyer. Another whistles and she was in the fall area for the rooster.

This test took Bess 6 minutes 28 seconds.

 

 

1st Series - Land Triple with all Roosters - 2 Dead, 1 Flyer

Test One is a Land Triple. This test will have a rooster pheasant flyer and two dead rooster retired birds. The mat sits facing southwest in a field that has been mowed with long swirls of short grass and equal swirls of taller cover. The field is also dotted with hay bales.

 

Bird One is a long middle retired mark (Long Middle Retired). This dead rooster pheasant is thrown from right to left landing 310 yards in front of the mat. The gunners retire behind a group of hay bales.

 

Bird Two is on the handler's right (Right Retired). This dead rooster pheasant is thrown right to left, landing 168 yards from the mat. This bird falls in the heavier grass deep and left of the hay bales. The gunners then retire behind a clump of trees.

 

Bird Three is a rooster pheasant flyer (Flyer) shot to the left and landing approximately 170 yards from the mat on the handlers left side.

 

This field has been groomed for difficulty. The strips that have been mowed are about 20 feet wide. The taller or heavier grass strips have been left are approximately 15 feet wide. These strips run lengthwise through the field in a wavy pattern designed to make the line to the bird more difficult. This test is tight with the short rooster flyer making it very enticing.

 

 

Diagram and Drawing by David Morrison

 

2020 National Retriever Club General Meeting

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 …

Retriever Advisory Committee

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.

RAC Member Larry Morgan and AKC Rep Russ Reavis

RAC Chair John Russell and Member Loren Morehouse

SOCIAL DISTANCING!!!!

RAC & General Meeting Starting Soon!

Everybody is starting to arrive at the The Homestead (1146 Private Road 5018, Giddings, TX 78942) for the Retriever Advisory Committee Meeting at 1:00 pm with the General Meeting to follow at 2:00 pm.

After the General meeting all committees will meet and the bitch check will be done.

Where Have They All Traveled From?

As we get everything finalized to start the 80th Running of the National Retriever Club Championship here in Giddings, Texas, let's take a look at where our 60 entered dogs have traveled from.

We have 26 states and Canada represented at this years NRC Championship. 

Alberta Canada has 1 dog represented in this year's competition. 

14 dogs have come from the following states...

AL, FL, IA, KS, LA, MD, MI, MS, ND, NE, NJ, NV, VA, VT 

The following five states has 2 dogs from each listed...

AR, AZ, CO, SD, WA

The following three states produced 3 dogs from each...

GA, MT, SC 

The heavy hitter states that produced more than three entrants are...

Tennessee - 4 dogs

Oregon - 5 dogs

Wisconsin - 6 dogs

Texas - 11 dogs

Good luck to all the competing dogs and their handlers, and thank you for your dedication to our sport and making the trip to the great Giddings Texas area!

Contestant Packets & Meetings

Just a reminder to all of the contestants at the 2020 National Open. Contestant packets will be ready to pick up after the General Meetings on Friday! See the schedule of events for Friday below… See you all there!

Friday, November 6, 2020

8:00 am    NRC Board of Directors and Field Trial Committee

                  The Homestead, 1146 Private Road 5018, Giddings, TX 78942 – Subject to change 

                          • Merchandise will be sold

                          • Contestant’s Packets will be given out

1:00 pm    Retriever Advisory Committee Meeting

                    The Homestead, 1146 Private Road 5018, Giddings, TX 78942

 

2:00 pm    NRC Annual Meeting

                   The Homestead, 1146 Private Road 5018, Giddings, TX 78942

                          • At the Conclusion  –  Bitch Check

                          • At the Conclusion  –  All Committee Meetings  

6:00 pm    Cocktail Welcome Party – There will be no traditional Cocktail Party due to COVID-19 restrictions.