A Clarification from the Chief Marshal …

No bird policy for the 2019 National Amateur Championship will be, if you have a no bird without having  a flyer thrown, you will come right back to the line.  If you have a no bird after a flyer is thrown, you will go back six dogs and be the seventh dog to run.  If you have three no birds after seeing a flyer thrown you will run at the end of the test.

For test dogs, please stay clear of the judges tent and holding blinds.  After the test dogs have run, the first 10 handlers may view the test from the line for approximately 5 minutes, then the remaining handlers in the segment before the next gun change may view the test from the line.  If time permits, others may be allowed to view the line.  You need to wear your numbered bib.

During Gun changes, or for a test dog on a split test, the next three dogs to run must be in the holding blinds.  The handlers may leave their dog with a holding blind marshal and view the line.  The same procedure will be followed, with the next 10 handlers viewing the line during gun change, and the remaining handlers in that segment viewing the line as time permits

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.                                                                                                                                                                

Retriever Advisory Committee Meeting

Loren Morehouse and Larry Morgan

John Russell and Russ Reavis

The Retriever Advisor Committee was called to order at 2:00 pm by President John Russell.

In attendance was John Russell, Larry Morgan, Loren Morehouse and AKC Rep Russ Reavis.

John brought up a proposal regarding scratches. The rules that are currently in place offer a full refund for injury, illness and bitches in season.

The petition wants to extend the scratch refund. A person can scratch any test prior to the the start of the trial and receive a partial refund of 60% of the entry fee and 40% will be retained by the club and Entry Express. No reason for your scratch would be required. The people who submitted the proposal are not in attendance today.

A number of clubs have a printed policy on refunds … some fees are refunded upon approval of committee.

The discussion ensued and a current club president thinks weather should not be a reason for scratching a dog.

1. The ensuing conversation was such that no one in attendance thinks refunds be given for weather-related reasons. It was felt that contestants might start "field trial shopping."
2. We were advised by one person to be careful of what we make mandatory. Easy scratch policies would really affect small clubs if dogs started pulling out.

Entry Express gives clubs the option to give refunds with the “OK” of the Field Trial Committee. 

The vote in this room today was the the rules should stay should stay as it is, because lots of clubs have no stated policy. Allowing scratches for no reason may increase multiple entries issues, and really affect the Derby stakes.

It was decided that everyone in attendance did not want a blanket policy that allows scratches for no reason and it could endanger clubs with fragile economics or small entries. A survey of the group gives this proposal NO Support.

Next Topic: At the National Open the discussion was about mandatory marking of blinds.

Joe Broyles stated the marker does not have to be an obvious orange marker, “but due to our age, we need bushes or some specific marker.” He feels it’s easy to mark without giving the blind away.

A question was asked – “How do we define marking a blind?” It is hard to define … At the meeting in Paducah, almost everyone agreed it should be marked. Something that should be encouraged is to make it easy for the “average” person to see the end of the blind.

Suggestion: Say “SHOULD” mark the blind so the handler can see it. nThe question was asked if there was anything in the Rules about seeing the blind, and the answer was NO.

We are asking judges to make a common sense decision to see a blind … to make it recognizable and be cognizant that circumstances change with weather and wind. The thought was that rule changes are not great for identifying the end of the blind.

A request was made for a blind planter to stand over the bird so that the contestant can see. Again, use common sense, put a stick, weed, etc. – something found in the field as a definitive marker.

John then asked if anyone had another subject they wanted to bring up. Nobody did, so with no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 2:40 pm.

It was announced that new Rule books available on the stage.