NARC Annual Meeting

The 2019 National Amateur Retriever Club meeting was called to order at 3:02 pm by Secretary/Treasurer Mark Medford. He introduced a local veteran, Sgt. Trent Durks, that was in attendance with his service to dog lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance, then we had a moment of silence for all the dogs and people we lost the past year.

Service Dog, "Tracer"

Sgt. Trent Durk & "Tracer"

2019 NARC President Linda Harger

Paul Sletten then led us in a prayer for 2019 Qualifier Scott Leonesco who is currently in a coma.

Paul Sletten leads a prayer for Scott Leonescu

Sheriff Wade Nash came up to welcome us. He talked about the K-9 unit that has been formed, which includes a Labrador retriever and a German short hair pointer.

Polson Sheriff Wade Nash

2019 NARC President Linda Harger introduced Sgt. Trent Durk, combat Veteran from Afghanistan that has been diagnosed with P.T.S.D. Sgt. Durk talked about when he walked into Retrieving Freedom he could barely talk, his anxiety was so bad. He informed us that 22 veterans commit suicide a day. He then credited "Tracer," his service dog for saving his life. He thanked us for our support. He, along with another Veteran, will be at our cocktail party to answer any questions anybody may have.

Sgt. Trent Durk and "Tracer"

Linda Harger came back to the podium and introduced the board…

Randy Spangler, Cindy Howard and Alvin Hatcher

Linda Harger, Mark Medford and Andy Kahn

President: Linda Harger

1st Vice President: Alvin Hatcher

2nd Vice President: Randy Spangler

3rd Vice President: Andy Kahn

4th Vice President: Cindy Howard

Secretary/Treasurer: Mark Medford

Roll call was completed by Secretary/Treasurer Mark Medford after which he announced 90% of clubs were in attendance – a quorum.

John Stracka presented the Slate of Officers for 2020…

President: Alvin Hatcher

1st Vice President: Randy Spangler

2nd Vice President: Andy Kahn

3rd Vice President: Cindy Howard

4th Vice President: Charles Bearden

Secretary/Treasurer: Mark Medford

The slate was accepted.

Mark Medford presented the NARC financials (September 30, 2017 – September 30, 2018). Normal revenue of $90,000 plus with normal expenses of $80,000 plus.

A few questions were asked about an increase of charitable donations:

Since the NARC made a profit the suggestion was made to support Canine Health and the Retriever Hall of Fame? … Retrieving Freedom was also mentioned.

Hall of Fame Board Member, Mark Medford stated the Retriever side has a separate board. Some of the people in the room were members: Fred Kampo, Andy Kahn and Alvin Hatcher. We were all encouraged to go to the Hall of Fame.

John Stracka updated us on Canine Heath – Everyone who gives on Entry Express raised a total of $40,000 over the course of the last five years. This year a cruciate study will be their main focus. He also stated that individual clubs donate from their club events.

John Stracka

Linda Harger made announcements: Lots of packets were not picked up. They will be available at the headquarters until 5:00 pm. Second, the Cocktail Party will be at 6:30 pm at the Red Lion Inn & Suites. The final announcement was the Worker’s Party will be held on Tuesday, June 18 at the Ronan Community Center starting at 6:30 pm.

The 2019 Judges were introduced and presented their gifts…

Mike Coutu from the Eastern Time Zone

Jim Powers from the Central Time Zone

Gary Zellner from the Western Time Zone

2019 NARC Judges Gary Zellner, Jim Powers and Mike Coutu

A special Thank You was given to the 2019 Field Trial Chair, Cindy Howard.

Karl Gunzer advised the audience of Purina's significant financial contributions to the Retriever Community. He then presented a painting to Monte and Pam Wulf, last year’s winner. The painting was created by artist Ross Young.

Monte and Pam Wulf with Purina Rep Karl Gunzer

Alvin Hatcher announced the 2020 NARC Judges Panel…

Central Time Zone – John Stracka

Mountain Time Zone – Larry Morgan

Pacific Time Zone – Julie Cole

The Chief Marshal would be Craig Stonesifer and this Co-Marshals will be Rich Dresser and Michael Coutu.

The 2020 NARC dates are June 13-20, 2020 in Cheboygan, MI. The headquarters will be the Fleetwood Inn, Cheboygan, Michigan.

Next, Gwen Jones presented gifts to our sponsors…

Purina – Karl Gunzer accepting. Gwen announced that Dean Reinke is retiring after the National Open, and please give him your regards when you see him.

Avery – David Carrington accepting

Garmin – Rehan Nana got married and will be presented his gift later in the week.

Dogtra – No rep present

Kent Ammo – No rep present

Corporate Sponsor Liaison Gwen Jones

Cindy Howard introduced the following…

Russ Reavis – AKC Rep

Tina Styan, Gwen Jones, Becky Eckett and Alice Woodyard – Retriever News Blog

Mark Atwater – Official Photographer; it was announced to go see him behind the line the First Series to get your portrait done.

Ed Nesselroad & Richard Chavez – Co-Announcers

Southshore Veterinary Serives – Official Veterinarian

Cindy thanked the landowners – Thank you…

Craig Averett & Tim Averett

Greg & Cynean Bartlet

Jim & Shon Garrison

Breck & Cindy Howard

Richard & Leigh Larson

Bill & Christina McKnight

Dennis & Diann Miller

Luann Pleasant

Judy Rasmuson

Don Remien

Cecilia & Janell Richardson

Carol Snodgrass

Three Dog Creek: Lynn Nelson, Florence Sloane, Russ Steward and David & Laura Morrison

Van Voast Farms & Big Sky Sporting Clays

Western Montana Retriever Club

Gordon Wistrom

Alice Woodyard

The 2019 NARC Dedication: Western Montana and Mission Valley clubs have several gentlemen who were a large part of the Retriever Community.

Larry Calvert – wife Anna received gift

Rick Arnold

Dave Hangus

Roger Fangsrud

The Test Dogs were announced…

Third Creek’s Little Sister, “Kelly Lee,” LF

Owners: Larry & Lori Morgan; Handler: Lori Morgan

Rimrooks Double Shot Of Go, “Boomer,” LM

Owners: Keith & Jeri Bingham; Handler: Keith Bingham

The Chief Marshal is Christine Anderson with Co-Marshal Breck Howard.

Chief Marshal Christine Anderson

No Bird Policy – 1^st without flyer immediate return to the line; with a flyer they go back 6 and run in the 7^th spot. The second no-bird, you go to the end.

1^st Series will be held on the property belonging to Luann Pleasant – go through main gate – watch and follow the signs.

Caravan leaves at 5:45 am with the 1^st 10 competitors from the Red Lion. The First Series will have a re-bird before gun change.

Schedule for the Day 1 of the 2019 NARC…

7:00 am – Opening Ceremony

7:15 am – Test Dogs called to the line

7:45 am – 1^st Running Dog to the line

The 1^st 10 running dogs can view from the line.

No following Series will start before 7:00 am.

1^st three running dogs in a split series are to report to the  holding blind before the test dogs run.

Callbacks will be given in the field when between two tests, then at headquarters and on the Retriever News Blog if the test is concluded on a particular day..

Our guest Veteran, Andrew Hoffman with "Wilson" his service lab from Retrieving Freedom did the draw for the starting dog.

# 37. FC-AFC GLENHOMA'S EL CHUPACABRA, "Chupa" LM, Richard Davis will start the 2019 National Amateur Retriever Club Championship.

The first test is a Double with a live rooster and dead rooster with and retired gun.

The rotation for Series 1 through 5 is as follows…

1 – 37

2 – 63

3 – 89

4 – 115

5 – 11

Dog #117 WHITEWATER'S SUSITNA SUSIE with handler, Bill Barstow, has officially scratched as well as Dog #100 FC-AFC SLICK WHEN WET III, with handler Ken Jackson.

Gun changes will be announced once all the scratches are entered.