Cocktail Party Photos!

 

2024 National Retriever Derby Club Annual Meeting

The Annual Meeting was called to order in Sedalia, MO at the headquarters hotel at approximately 3:00 pm on October 6, 2024 by President Bob West. 

Bob West, NRDC President

President Bob West welcomed all to the 2024 annual meeting and led the assembled members and competitors in the Pledge of Allegiance and a Moment of Silence for the people and dogs that are no longer with us. 

Bob then introduced the NRDC Officers and Directors, and thanked them for their work leading up to this event. Special thanks was given to Terri Curtis (Event Chairman) and the “driving force” behind the success of this week! 

2024 Officers

President – Bob West

1st Vice President – Russ Hardy

2nd Vice President – Dave Kress

PRTA Director – Rick Stawski

Secretary / Treasurer – Steve Roegiers

Bob mentioned that this is this highest percentage of Qualifying Dogs that have Entered this National trial. Clearly, the event is growing and is well respected by all!

Secretary Steve Roegiers took the podium next and conducted a roll-call. This year, 147 clubs were billed, and 138 dues received. To reach a quorum, 25% of the member clubs must be present. 63 return membership applications with a vote/proxy, so a quorum was reached. 

Steve put forth a motion to accept the 2023 Annual Meeting minutes as read, and President Bob West provided the second to motion. The vote to approve was carried by the members present. 

Steve put forth a motion to accept the 2023 Financial Statement as read, and President Bob West provided the second to motion. The vote to approve was carried by the members present again. 

Bob West announced the 2025 NDRC Officers:

President – Russ Hardy

Vice President – David Kress

2nd Vice President – Randy Spangler*

PRTA Director – Rick Stawski*

Secretary/Treasurer – Steve Rogiers

The 2025 Chairman will be Derrick Smith.

*new to board

Bob then recognized Dennis Bath, whom this trial is dedicated to. His “heart of gold” left a lasting impression on the retriever community and was instrumental in the creation of the National Derby. 

Next, Bob announced that the NRDC club applied for, and was granted, a grant from the Sedalia Convention and Visitor’s Bureau in the amount of $2000. Thank you to the city –  and please support the local businesses in Sedalia while you’re here!

2025 NRDC Announcement

Bob then announced that the 2025 National Derby Championship will be held October 6 – Oct 10, 2025, at Wood Dale Farm in Sedalia, MO.

The Judges will be:

West – Sonya Jackson 

South – Bill Goldstein 

North / East – Dave Robertson

Bob took a moment to thank the Hayden Family, who is incredibly generous with their property and hospitality. 

Up next, Corporate Sponsor Liaison Gwen Jones took the podium to thank our sponsors. From monetary donations to equipment that we use in the field, we could not do this event without Purina, Avery, Garmin, Kent Ammunition. The Sponsors were then presented with gifts and thanked with a standing ovation. 

Gwen Jones, Corporate Sponsor Liaison

Last year’s winner was then introduced by Bob West. Dave Kress presented Paul and Susan Young and “Edge,” Mileage Hone A Fancy Saber with a portrait that was sponsored by the Hayden family and painted by Stephanie Schafer.

Paul and Susan Young with "Edge"

Terri Curtis took the podium to thank our landowners, Jerry Mann of the AKC, announcers Kathy McGinn and Alex Washburn, Retriever News and the official photographer Hannah Wren.  

Terri then introduced our 2024 Judges. 

Northern Region – Chris Van Eimeren

Southern Region – Bubba Joiner

Western Region – Bill Barstow

Terri emphasized that the Judges worked incredibly hard this week to plan challenging and fair tests. We look forward to the week!

Bob West with Terri Curtis

Hospitality Announcements!

• Tonight’s cocktail party – doors open at 5:30 with light appetizers, dinner begins at 6. All are welcome!
• Tuesday Night – 5:30 (or after last test) Participants Party! At Bob Hayden residence, our traffic committee will be providing signage and directions. 
• Winner’s Party – at Sweed’s Hill at the conclusion of the 10th Series. 

Terri Curtis then introduced our Chief Marshal, Randy Spangler. 

Randy took the podium, and thanked his committee who worked tirelessly to put on this National. In addition, Randy thanked our land owners, Judges and the set-up crew who have positioned us to have a wonderful event. 

Special Thanks to Jimmy Darnell and William Forbes for set-up! 

Randy addressed our handlers/competitors, and advised: 

1. Take your time, and breath!

2. Enjoy the experience and treasure the memories

3. Don’t rush yourself or your dog – don’t get caught up in the fast pace at the line

4. Stay focused on picking up one bird at a time. 

5. Have fun. Everyone that is involved in putting on this trial is rooting for you!

6. Wear your bib!

Randy Spangler, Chief Marshal at the podium

Test Logistics and Procedures:  

The 1st Series – Test 1 will be at the Terrace Field at the Bob Hayden property. Follow the signage, property is off Highway EE. Entrance N of main gate into property. 

The test will be a land double, consisting of a Pheasant Flyer and a Dead Rooster Pheasant. 

National Anthem will be sung at 7:30 am, followed by the Retrieving Freedom presentation. 

Randy Spangler introduced the Test Dogs: 

Male: Ebony’s Call Be The Breeze. Owned/Handled by Wayne Turczi

Female: Hurricane Lake Holy Roller, Owned/Handled by Kody Reynolds

15 min after we run the two test dogs, the 1st handler must be in the last holding blind. There will be three total holding blinds set up for this series. If we can’t keep holding blinds full, we will add more to following series.

Delma Hazzard is our holding blind Marshall and will ensure the holding blinds are full, and has organized logistics should there be a no-bird, etc. 

Important: After you run your dog, you’ll exit left of the tent. Put your dog on lead, cross the road and head to the Purina Tent and Photographer station. 

Bitch check will be done immediately following this meeting, held in the NW corner of the Best Western Host Hotel. All females must be checked.

After we run test dogs, first 6 handlers will be allowed to view the test from the mat. They will then be dismissed,  and the rest of the competitors will be allowed to view the test. 

Viewing of the line will be allowed every 15 dogs – these will be short and sweet! Handlers MUST be wearing their bib in order to be allowed to view the line.

Randy emphasized that this event relies heavily on volunteer help. Please chip in, help wherever you can! Marshals, bird throwers, grounds, etc need help! 

Contestants that are in contention that have not yet run are not allowed in the field, or as final holding blind attendant. 

An exercise and airing area has been set up near Tangle Nook road, past the Retrieving Freedom facility. Look for signage, “Airing.”.

Once you’ve been moved into the final holding blind, wait there until you are called to the line. We will play several seconds of your song and introduce your dog before calling you. You may bring your dog to the line on leash if you like, BUT you are not allowed to point out gun stations with the leash attached. 

No Bird Procedure

• 1st no bird –  Go back 6 dogs, will be 7th to run
• 2nd no bird – Go end of rotation, last dog to run
• If you have a no-bird, please check in with Delma to ensure running order is correct. 

Scrapped Tests

If a test is scrapped, and another set up that day, the dog that was in final holding blind waiting to run will be first to run the next series. 

If a test is scrapped and a new test is started the NEXT day, the original starting dog # starts. 

Other Notes

In the spirit of good sportsmanship and fairness,  do not view the test and leave the grounds to go train on it. 

All flyers shot over water will be sluiced. 

In closing, Randy would like to make a special request. Mr. Bob Hayden has not yet been conducted into the Retriever Hall of Fame. His contributions to the sport are significant. Please consider him in future nominations. 

Paul Young with 2023 National Derby Champion "Edge" was called to select the 1st series running dog. 

Dog #49 will start!

2 Scratches have been reported - #31, #46

The Rotation will be: 

1st Series - 49

2nd Series -4 

3rd Series - 19

4th Series - 34

President Bob West called for a motion to adjourn, which was given, seconded and the Annual Meeting was concluded.