National Retriever Championship Blog


2022 National Retriever Championship Blog

Friday, November 11, 2022

Retriever Hall of Fame Inductees for 2022!!

 2022 Retriever Hall of Fame Inductee Announcement

People:
Laura Parrott
Jack Vollstedt

Dogs:
FC-AFC Bayou-Star Beyond Independent, "Tia", Owned by Suzan Caire
FC-AFC Lock Five's Got Her Blue Genes On, "Baby", Owned by Bill & Jamie Woodson






2022 National Open General Meeting

 

General Meeting 2022

Meeting called to order at 2:06 pm by Mitch Patterson.

This is the 82nd National Retriever Championship held for the 2nd time in Kentucky!

President Mitch Patterson welcomed all in attendance and then asked the Veterans in attendance to stand and lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Rev. Tim Burton, Retriever Hunt Test Ministry led us in prayer

Mitch acknowledged that the Local Bourbon Distillery has made a special Bourbon to our event as a special fund raiser.
 
Mitch thanked Area Manager Tim Kreher and his wife. Tim has worked with Mitch for over a year in the preparation of our grounds for this event! He also thanked the Department of Tourism led by Lynda Peters Jones (Paducah Travel Bureau).
 



Chairman Mark Medford was commended for putting together a solid team.
 
He announced Phil Heye as the Chief Marshal. Once the trial starts, any issues that arise shift from Mitch
to Phil. Kyle Broussard and Stacy Rick will be assisting Phil.

Mitch told the crowd that there would be a police presence and that the Gunners Guild given a place by
the Paducah Gun Club.

A moment of silence for people and dogs lost in the past year ...
 
The dedication to Dennis Bath for all his years of service and accomplishments was presented by Mitch. 
Mitch told us that he could not be here today, but would hopefully be here later in the week and he 
encouraged us to visit him later in the week. The standing ovation and cheer was videoed to be sent to 
Dennis.

The NRC 2022 Board of Directors was introduced:
Mitch Patterson
Mark Menzies
Rob Reuter
John Caire
David Opseth
Mark Medford
 
There was a motion for the 2023 Slate of Officers that would have Rob Reuter as the President, John Caire as the Vice President, Mark Menzies and Mark Medford and Tom Vaughn as the new Secretary Treasurer. It was accepted.
 
Mitch then recognized the great contribution made by David Opseth who has been on the Board since 2014 and will mentor Tom Vaughn through his transition.

The new Retriever News Board of Directors was Introduced by Jim Rickoff

Recognition of John Stracka and Tina Styan

BOARD OF DIRECTORS
President & Editor In Chief – Jim Rickoff
Vice President – Paul Hanson
Secretary/Treasurer – Bubba Joiner
ESMC C0-Manager – Tommy Parrish
Board Member – Steve Bireley
Board Member – Alvin Hatcher
Board Member – Mark Medford
Board Member – Kirk Naisbitt
Board Member – Randy Spangler
Board Member – Jeff Talley

Mitch talked  about Tina Styan, Managing Editor of Retriever News. In her 15 years of service, she has put out over 130 editions and Tina has tracked over 900,000 dogs over the years.

  • John Stracka has also resigned his position as Editor of Retriever News. He is a very difficult man to replace.
  • Tina and John have provided a great deal of information for the RN team moving forward.
  • Jim Rickoff, the new Editor of Retriever News presented Tina Styan with a gift for her many years of service. A gift was also presented for John Stracka for his years of service and was accepted by David Kress.
Tina Styan was presented a Retirement Gift from Jim Rickoff for her many years of service as Managing Editor of Retriever News and Vice President. 
Dave Kress receives gift on behalf of John Stracka from Jim Rickoff for his years of
service as President and Editor-in-Chief of Retriever News.


Next David Opseth announces role call … established a quorum
 
Outgoing David Opseth NRC Sec'y/Treasurer

Secretary statements
Lost 2 clubs in 2022
Reinstated 2 clubs in 2022

Gained 3 clubs in 2022, largely due to the revised bylaws which allowed the approval to rest with the BOD

Motion to approve Secretary’s report
Secretary report approved.

Donations were made to RHOF and CHF
Review club donations to the Workers’ Party – They were provided $3700

Motion to approve Treasurer's report
Treasurer's report approved.
 
Corporate Liaison report
Gwen Jones called to the podium to recognize sponsors
  • Purina – Exclusive Dog Food Sponsor (Ray Voigt, Kelsey Toth)
  • Avery (David Carrington)
  • Garmin (Patrick Boyman, Missy Lemoi)
  • Kent Cartridge for shells
Please express gratitude as you see these sponsors!

Presentation of Portrait of 2021 NRC Winner (Funded by Purina, Painted by Ross Young)
Purina Representative (Ray Voigt) to podium for unveiling.
Alvin and Laura Hatcher, and Alan Pleasant called to podium to receive portrait
       
Painting presented to 2021 Winner Alvin Hatcher for NFC Holland Cliffs Play It Again, "Luke"


2023 NRC

Introduce NRC Board and proposed Board for 2023
Rob Reuter introduced the 2023 Chairman Kirk Naisbitt
Kirk told us that the location moved from Corning, CA (Corning has no water) to several properties near Cresswell and Junction City, OR will be the new location.
 
2023 NRC Chairman Kirk Naisbitt
 
Event Date: November 11-18, 2023

Judges:
   Ray Vreeland – East Central
   Bill Kennedy – Atlantic
   Monte Wulf – Central

Steve Kompf & Andy Kahn will be Chief Marshals

PRTA
Call Wayne Curtis (PRTA) to speak about their Grants, Purina & Trials
  • $3000 to Hall of Fame
  • $63,000 Club Land Grants
  • $5,000 Workers' Party

The Club Land Grants were given to Sagehens RC, Stampede RC, Lincoln RC, Central Minnesota RC and West Nebraska RC.

Meeting at Stricklands Seafood tomorrow night for the PRTA.
 
Mitch Patterson received a gift and asked that it be a donation to the AKC CHF.

2022 NRC 
Mark Medford presented Judges gifts for this year's Judges: Wayne Stupka, Alvin Hatcher and Andy Kahn.

(L-R) Andy Kahn, Alvin Hatcher and Wayne Stupka

Chief Marshal Phil Heye

Chief Marshal Phil Heye takes the podium. He welcomed the contestants and he said that any questions should be addressed to the Marshal's tent. This year the Marshals will all be using Motorola radios on "Channel 7." Handlers should tune in for running order and all updates. We will have an average of three holding blinds per stake. There will be no caravan. There will be a food truck on site starting about 7 am. Chief Marshal Heye said that the first test would be a Double and a Land Blinds using Rooster Pheasants. 

First test dog at 6:00 am
First running dog on the line at 7:00 am
 
The first ten handlers will review the line before the Test Dog. Then the first Test Dog will run. The handlers for the next 50 running dogs can view the line. Then the second Test Dog will run. Then the  rest of the handlers will view the line.

No-bird policy:
  • 1st No-Bird – Moves at least 5 back, if birds have been thrown, if no birds haven't been thrown then you can come right back.
  • 2nd No-Bird – If birds are thrown, go back 10
  • 3rd No-Bird – If birds are thrown, move to the end.

Trail Grounds for Day One of the National

1st Series will be at CP9 Field

10535 Ogden Landing Rd.
Kevil, Kentucky (and it will be clearly signed) 
 
Test dogs will be:
FC Armo’s Cold Water Running Strong – “Steel,” LM
Owners Joe James and Sarah Shelton-James, Handler Joe James

AFC Step On It Margaret – “Gretta,” LF
Owned and Handled by Mark Jenson
 
We were cautioned that the Flu bug is in some local schools, just wanted everyone to know.
 
Selection of first running dog – Tina Styan drew the starting number: Dog #50

Tina Styan selects the starting dog number   – # 5 0 –

Lucky Dog #50 will be the first running dog of the 2022 National Retriever Championship!
FC Black Lager Eleven "Lager"
Owner: Rich & Jodi Charrier
Handler: Jerry Patopea
 
Rotation is 50 – 75 – 1 – 26

Announcement: Retriever Ministries will hold a service at 6:00 am on Sunday at the Headquarters

Bitch check will follow the meeting.

Motion to adjourn
Meeting adjourned at 3:19 pm

AKC CHF

AKC Canine Health Foundation – Presentation

Advancing the Health of All Dogs

Presented by:
Darin Collins DVM – Chief Executive Officer AKC CHF

Darin Collins DVM – Chief Executive Officer AKC CHF

Why is the AKC Canine Health Foundation important to you?
– Educational Grants encouraging/supporting new clinician scientists
– Training specialists
    • Reproductive medicine
    • Research training programs

Accomplishments from CHF-funded Research
– Contributed to the research and publication of the canine genome
– Discovered the genetic mutation responsible for exercise-induced collapse in the Labrador Retriever
– Developed a DNA test for copper toxicosis in the Bedlington Terrier
– Developed a DNA test to identify the genetic mutation responsible for dwarfism in the Great Pyrenees

What is One Health?
– A collaborative effort between doctors and veterinarians who recognize that the health of people is closely connected to the health of animals and our shared environment.
– Links the medical and veterinary worlds to researchers and public health workers to form a holistic approach to world health.
 
The results on the cruciate test will be published in 2023, then development and disbursement of tests would follow. The meeting concluded at 2 pm.









Results on cruciate test will be published in 2023. Then the development and disbursement of tests will follow.

Research Program Areas
  • Behavior
  • Blood
  • Blood Disorders
  • Cardiology
  • Dermatology & Allergies
  • Endocrinology
  • Epilepsy
  • Gastrointestinal
  • General Canine Health
  • Hepatic
  • Immunology/Infectious
  • Kidney/Urology
  • Lung/Respiratory
  • Musculoskeletal
  • Neurology
  • Oncology General
  • Oncology/Hemangiosarcoma
  • Oncology/Lymphoma
  • Oncology/Osteosarcoma
  • Ophthalmology
  • Reproduction
  • Tick-borne Disease
How Can you help?
– Cash Gifts
– Planned Gifts
– Pledges to Give
– Tribute Donations (memorials and honors)
– Memberships
– Bricks
– Facebook Fundraisers
– AmazonSmile

THANK YOU!
Dr. Fran Smith
John Russell
John Stracka
Mitch Patterson
Retriever News/Entry Express
The Labrador Club, Inc.
& the Retriever Community

Meeting Concluded at 2:00 pm

Retriever Advisory Meeting

Retriever Advisory Committee Meeting 2022

John Russell called the meeting to order at 1:05 pm
 
The additional Board Members present were Larry Morgan and Loren Morehouse.

Rule Book, Chapter 14 – Stakes not carrying points – Minor Stakes
Mitch Patterson stated he wished that the AKC would put in a rotation rule for minor stakes. John Russell suggested that that the first step was to get 1/3 clubs to sign a petition that they are in favor of this change. Then the RAC will look into this issue.
 
Next, Alex Washburn stated that the Rule Book says that  blinds should be clearly marked with conspicuous objects. She thinks that the blind should be visible to all handlers, not just those with 20/20 vision.

Mitch Patterson pointed out that the Rule Book says a marked retrieve is of primary importance. If that is the case, then why is white tape put on the bird for visibility. If the tape makes it visible then they are seeing white tape and not marking the bird. John Russell stated that white tape is NOT used at National Events.

Chris Ledford questioned why can't Entry Express separate dogs like EE did in the past? Versus how the club secretaries do it now. When questioned, Entry Express said that the AKC wanted wanted it left to the club secretaries. AKC rep will advise.

Dave Furin advised that cable spools are being used like a hay bale to disguise bird boys like a holding blind. This may be a bad thing ... not real responses given at this time.

Meeting Concluded at 1:38 pm

(L to R) John Russell, Larry Morgan and Loren Morehouse