2011 NARC Report: Jun 18, 2011

Staffing Retriever News and MCS Tables--To the Meetings

After a morning spent at the Retriever News table, it's time to shut down and head to the meetings, beginning at 2 p.m. in the Victor room.

Contestants have been busy all morning in picking up packets and viewing and buying merchandise, and the tension is beginning to mount!

Meeting of the Retriever Advisory Committee -- 2 pm

The meeting of the RAC was called to order by Nelson Sills. Kate Simonds announced that the RAC was not proposing any new rules, but proposing a clarification of the rule for the early Amateur Stake starts. The rule does not apply to the clubs with a Friday start. The rule found on page 23 of the Rulebook as well as the clarification applies only to those clubs wishing to move their Amateur start to an earlier time if they have more than 65 dogs.The purpose of this clarification is to insure that the amatuer who is not able to attend the trial on Friday is allowed to run his dog in the Amateur Stake. The proposal is for the clarified rule to read this way:

"Anytime a trial giving club finds that the number of starters in its Amateur All-Age Stake or its Owner/Handler Amateur All-Age Stake is likely to exceed or exceeds 65 in number, the club may elect, at its option, to move the starting time of the stake to not earlier than 9:00 AM of the first day of the trial. Regardless of whether this change is made by the club with or without a contingency stated on the premium any handler who cannot, for whatever reason, be present at the trial until the original starting time announced in the premium shall be permitted to run after the original starting time stated on the premium."

During 2010 it has come to the committee's attention that in some cases field trialers are either not familiarizing themselves with the rules or ignoring them. One case that is becoming frequently ignored is setting blinds where the line to the blind requires the dog to be out of sight for substantial periods of time. The Rulebook is very clear about this on page 42; the dogs are supposed to be in sight for the entire time.

At this point, Kate wanted to discuss diversionary birds. The rule book is very clear about the fact that you cannot shoot three birds and then run a blind. You can shoot two birds, then run a blind, then shoot the third bird. The point is that this trend in training and set-up takes the emphasis off the marking and puts it on the control with the blind. "The basic point is that our rules are designed for common sense."

The next discussion point was layout blinds. The basic point is that we need to be cautious about the blinds...with regards to the person inside becoming overheated. These also pose a dangerous threat as obstacles in the field for the dogs. This raises the point of the possibility of a liability issue. The Minnesota Iron Range Club has discontinued the use of layout blinds for two years and now use turkey blinds which work better for them.

At this point, Kate discussed an incident involving an intimidation tactic by someone in the sport to a witness at a field trial. The witness was going to be part of a field trial committee meeting regarding this incident until they were threatened by phone. After this, the field trial committee chairman received the same threatening call. Kate wanted to stress that we participate in a self-policing sport based on common sense and ethical behavior, and there is no place for this kind of behavior in the sport.

The NARC General Meeting -- 3 pm

We were greeted by the mayor of Polson, Montana who thanked us all for being here and offered us best wishes and good luck to all the dogs competing. She wanted us to see two things: the Kerr Dam, which was fully open because of all the rain they have had, and advised anyone that had time to take advantage of the Farmer's market in town this Friday.

The roll call of the clubs occured and we have a quorum. They accepted the annual meeting notes and treasurer report from 2010.

The NARC has donated 10,000 dollars for the last two years to the AKC Canine Health Foundation to aid various health care funds. The AKC representatives with us today were Doug Ljungren, Lisa Carroll and Wayne Bleazzard.

Chief Marshal Linda Harger wanted to pay tribute to a dog that we lost in training last week who had qualified for this event owned by Dianne and Dennis Miller FC-AFC Jazztime's Dust Devil Max. In a poignant moment, Linda said "Once they pass over the rainbow bridge, every day is a National and every dog is a winner."

Charlie Hayes from the Retriever Hall of Fame congratulated Jack Volstedt on the induction of his dog Molly into the hall of fame and also Lance Brown for being inducted as a handler. Charlie Hayes reminded everyone that the nominating ballot was in the June issue of Retriever News and please do vote. This year, the addition of a choice of a pro is available.

The Nominating Committee report announced the new slate of officers. Fourth Vice President (East): Randy Whittaker; Third Vice President (Mountain): Tom Vaughn; Second Vice President (Pacific): Arnie Erwin; First Vice President (Central): Laura Parrot; Secretary/Treasurer: Fred Kampo, and the new President Duncan Christie.

Brad Clow thanked the land owners in Mission Valley. He gave special thanks to Rick VanVoast who's allowing us to use his 7,000 acre wheat farm.

Then they thanked the Corporate Sponsors:

The Official Sponsor Nestle Purina -- Ann Vicklund

Tri-Tronics -- Alice Woodyard

Kent Ammunition

Eukanuba Performance -- Rick Dirmeyer

Chris Chantland -- Official Artist

Dogtra

Avery Sporting Dog -- David Carrington

Information was given for the 2012 National Trial

Location: Onaway, Michigan including the Buffalo Ranch, Roger Magnuson and Randy Whittaker properties

Headquarters: Indian River

Field Trial Chairman: Randy Whittaker

Judges: Western Time Zone- Chris Willett, Mountain Time Zone- Bill Freuling, Central Time Zone- Carl Ruffalo

Rick Dirmeyer from Eukanuba presented the Chris Chantland painting of last years winner Buster to his owner Pete Hayes.

The 2011 National judges, Mitchel Brown, Mary Howley and Pat Nicholls, were presented with a bronze sculpture. Roger Fangsrud, the field trial chairman, was also presented with a gift.

Brad Clow opened the floor to new business. Connie Cleveland expressed a certain level of indignation by her club and members of others concerning the new pricing structure of Entry Express, which eliminiated the free paper entry. Judy Rasmuson voiced a similar comment.

Linda Harger took the floor to give us rules and information concerning this years event:

The first series will be held north of town at the VanVoast ranch.

The workers carivan departs at 5:30 a.m.

At 6 a.m., the first 23 running dogs and the two test dogs will carivan to the site.

The first series will consist of a double with a blind. Both the flyer and the dead bird are rooster pheasants. A hen duck will be used for the blind.

The Handler should be on the mat.

When there is a gun change, the next 10 handlers will be allowed five minutes to view the test; the rest of the handlers will be allowed five minutes for viewing; the gallery will recieve five minutes or whatever time is left--a total of 15 minutes for each gun change.

To eliminate stress on the handlers on opening day, they will all be allowed to view the test dog and then get their dogs ready. After that, in each series the dogs will be required to fill up the holding blind while the test dogs are running.

A huge emphasis has been placed on cell phones at this trial. No cell phones on the line. Due to the recent weather, there are cramped conditions and the gallery will be closer to the line than usual. No ringing cell phones in the gallery; please put yours on vibrate.

First no bird you move back six dogs and will be the seventh dog to run. Second no bird the same rule applies. If you recieve a third no bird you move to the end

Test dogs will run at 7:30 a.m. First running dog will be at 8 a.m. each day.

Dog number 68, Candlewoods Aphrodites Jazz handled by Tom Brian, will run first.

Cocktail Party -- 6:30 pm

We are off to the cocktail party! Well, the party is in full swing...along with the entertainment provided by Bob, the owner of Three Dog Down....he serenaded many tables as he strolled through the room. The food was plentiful as were the drinks. Everyone enjoyed visiting with each other and catching up since the last time. The gentlemen are in sport coats and the ladies look fine in their cocktail dresses. Everyone finished eating and then the famous "Calcutta" began with Swede Anderson as the auctioneer. We heard a rumor that it was a very successful event!