81. FC-AFC RAZOR’S PRICELESS CUTTING EDGE, “Allie,” BLF, Hunter Street

FC-AFC Razor's Priceless Cutting Edge

(Click the dog's name above to view history and stats! - Sponsored by Retriever Results)

Allie and Hunter came to the line at 8:59 am

F (Flyer) -  Allie arrived to the area and initiated a hunt - she committed to the area but covered the area thoroughly before locating the bird.

LR (Left Retired) - Drove to the area on a wide left line - got behind the holding blind - and worked her way right and to the bird.

photo courtesy of Mark Atwater

 

80. FC-AFC FIELD OF DREAMS WHATS ALL THE BUZZ ABOUT, “Buzz,” BLM, Craig Crook

FC-AFC Field Of Dreams Whats All The Buzz About

(Click the dog's name above to view history and stats! - Sponsored by Retriever Results)

Buzz and Craig came to the line at 8:55 am

F (Flyer) -  He stretched his neck to watch the birds! Headed out and straight to the bird!

LR (Left Retired) - Nice line to the area  - cut left and hunted under the arc - worked out the bird with some effort.

 

79. AFC SASSEVILLE’S DEUCES WILD, “Deuce,” BLM, Randy Spangler

AFC Sasseville's Deuces Wild

(Click the dog's name above to view history and stats! - Sponsored by Retriever Results)

Deuce and Randy came to the line at 8:49 am

F (Flyer) -  Out under the arc - started a hunt left of the fall - a few turns and he worked it out and got his bird.

LR (Left Retired) - Over the mound - circled behind the guns - a few loops - a little deep under the arc - extended his hunt between the bird and the guns - got it!

 

Pick-up 78. HEART ON FIRE, “Stealer,” YLM, Jerry Patopea

Heart On Fire

(Click the dog's name above to view history and stats! - Sponsored by Retriever Results)

Stealer and Jerry came to the line at 8:45 am

F (Flyer) -  Out to the field and returned without a bird ... 

Dog is a pick-up

 

NoBird 77. FC-AFC GONNA BEE DANGEROUS, “Bee,” BLF, JD Babb

Bee and JD came to the line at 8:43 am and had a No-Bird, they will be back after 6 running dogs

76. FC-AFC VIEWMARK’S GENE GENE THE SHOOTIN’ MACHINE, “Colt,” BLM, Danny Farmer

FC-AFC Viewmark's Gene Gene The Shootin' Machine

(Click the dog's name above to view history and stats! - Sponsored by Retriever Results)

Colt and Danny came to the line at 8:40 am

F (Flyer) -  Out to the area - quickly cut left and then quickly back and scooped up his bird.

LR (Left Retired) - Out and entered the area under the arc - turned right at the perfect moment and grabbed the bird.

74. FC-AFC HRK LEXINGTON, “Lexi,” BLF, Marcy Wright

FC-AFC Hrk Lexington

(Click the dog's name above to view history and stats! - Sponsored by Retriever Results)

Lexi and Marcy came to the line at 8:33 am

F (Flyer) -  Came in under the arc - started her hunt - took a few turns and worked it out and got it.

LR (Left Retired) - Out to where the guns had stood - turned left and quickly came back right to her bird.

73. FC DAC’S LAST ASSET, “Tessa,” BLF, Bart Peterson

FC Dac's Last Asset

(Click the dog's name above to view history and stats! - Sponsored by Retriever Results)

Tessa and Bart came to the line at 8:27 am

F (Flyer) -  Straight to the fall area and quickly got her bird.

LR (Left Retired) - Out to the right side of the mound - in front of the blind - extended hunt and then she got it.

72. FC-AFC DAYS END BOY NAME SUE QA2, “Sue,” BLM, Mark Medford

FC-AFC Days End Boy Name Sue QA2

(Click the dog's name above to view history and stats! - Sponsored by Retriever Results)

Sue and Mark came to the line at 8:20am

F (Flyer) -  Sue drove out and established an extended hunt - but he got it!

LR (Left Retired) - His line carried him to the left - came in right of the gunners and established a hunt - brought him under the arc - short and then to the area of the bird and got it.

71. FC-AFC OCTOBER SKY’S SWEET BABY BEAUREGARD, “Beau,” YLM, Chad Worsell

FC-AFC October Sky's Sweet Baby Beauregard QA2-QFTR

(Click the dog's name above to view history and stats! - Sponsored by Retriever Results)

Beau and Chad came to the line at 8:14 am

F (Flyer) -  Out to the area - started to hunt left of the fall - expanded his hunt right and located the bird.

LR (Left Retired) - Drove out to make a couple passes short - hunted the area - and got it!

70. FC CLADDAGH’S BLEACHER GIRL, “Murphy,” BLF, Lynn Troy

FC Claddagh's Bleacher Girl

(Click the dog's name above to view history and stats! - Sponsored by Retriever Results)

Murphy and Lynn came to the line at 8:07 am

F (Flyer) -  Straight to the fall area and quickly got her bird.

LR (Left Retired) - Over the right side of the mound - had an extended hunt  - got it!

69. FC TOPLINES EVERLASTING ROCK QA2, “Rocky,” BLM, Marc Patton

FC Toplines Everlasting Rock QA2

(Click the dog's name above to view history and stats! - Sponsored by Retriever Results)

Rocky and Marc came to the line at 8:04 am

F (Flyer) -  Across the field - in front of the guns - out to the area and started his hunt - made a big loop and got his bird!

LR (Left Retired) - Came in under the arc - hunted the fall area - left and right and he got it.

Info

 1st Rebird will be after Dog #74. No viewing the line.

68. FC RUNS LIKE A DEERE QA2, “Diesel,” BLM, Jason Baker

FC Runs Like A Deere QA2

(Click the dog's name above to view history and stats! - Sponsored by Retriever Results)

Diesel and Jason came to the line at 7:58 am

F (Flyer) -  Diesel angled out to the flyer - initiated a tight hunt in the fall area and he got his bird.

LR (Left Retired) - Arrived in the area of the fall - a slight right and he had his bird.

66. FC OUTBACK’S RISING STAR, “Champ,” BLM, Steve Yozamp

FC Outback's Rising Star

(Click the dog's name above to view history and stats! - Sponsored by Retriever Results)

Champ and Steve came to the line at 7:55 am

F (Flyer) -  Champ angled across the first terrace and then drove to his bird. Nice job.

LR (Left Retired) - Cutting through the heavy moisture in the air, he made a beautiful line to this bird.

65. FC-AFC DRY CREEKS TRU BLU, “Trudy,” BLF, Alan Pleasant

FC-AFC Dry Creeks Tru Blu

(Click the dog's name above to view history and stats! - Sponsored by Retriever Results)

Trudy and Alan came to the line at 7:50 am

F (Flyer) -  Out into the area between both gun stations - worked deeper and right and found her flyer

LR (Left Retired) - Out under the arc of the throw - hunted tight and got her bird

Photos

 

 Bubba Joiner and Danny Farmer in his 45th national open! more than anyone else in history

Watching the first test

64. FC-AFC COOLWATER’S COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF, “Trump,” BLM, Alex Washburn

FC-AFC Coolwater's Commander-in-chief

(Click the dog's name above to view history and stats! - Sponsored by Retriever Results)

Trump and Alex came to the line at 7:43 am

F (Flyer) -  Left of the bale - right of the gunners to the fall area - where he had 2 tight turns and then scooped up his flyer

LR (Left Retired) - Wide left going out over the mound - hunted deep and left - then worked his way back in to the fall area and the bird.

67. NAFC-FC BEAVER RUNS RAYMOND FOR SHERIFF, “Raymond,” BLM, Bert Windham

FC-AFC Beaver Run's Zig Zag Zeke

(Click the dog's name above to view history and stats! - Sponsored by Retriever Results)

Raymond and Bert came to the line as an Honorary Test Dog (they are a scratch in the rotation)

This is a Celebration of his amazing career!

F (Flyer) -  Very Nice!

1st Series Test Dogs

AFC Ridgecrest's Just For A Lark, “Whimsey,” BLF

Owner: Betsy Broyd
Handler: Betsy Broyd

The first test dog to the line was Whimsey with handler Betsy .... Whimsey came to the line at 7:02 am

Flyer (F) -  Nice line to the area of the fall - she initiated a hunt and was able to recover her bird

Left Retired (LR) - She went out and got deep of the area and was handled back to get the bird

Green River Floyd's Boy Earl, “Earl,” YLM

Owner: John Higgins
Handler: John Higgins

The next test dog to the line was Earl with handler John .... Earl came to the line at 7:15 am

Flyer (F) -  Good recovery of his bird

Left Retired (LR) - Arrived left as he drove out to the bird - puts up a hunt short of the hay bale holding the gunners - works the area and then drives to the bird and got it

1st Series Test Description

1st Series Test Description

1458 GA-308, Smithville, GA

Land Double with 1 Retired Gun and a Flyer

We arrived in the dark today with workers going in every direction! It is warm and foggy with a shower on the way. It is currently 66 degrees with mist and temps expected to go up to 80 degrees.

The mat for this test sits on the side of a hill facing Northeast. The dog and handler are looking out across a large rolling field with slight undulations. Hay bales are scattered around. There is a mound slightly left of the retired gunners.

The order of the birds will be as follows:

Bird #1 is the dead rooster located at 210 yards from the mat. The gunners come out from a well brushed blind on the right side. They shoot and then throw to the right, with the bird landing to the right of a large bale that is hip pocket to the flyer guns. (We will refer to this bird as LR for Left Retired)

Bird #2 is a rooster flyer. This gun station is located 225 yards out and to the right of the retired gun station. The gunners come out and throw the bird, then shoot left to right. This bird lands a little deep and right of the gunners. (We will refer to this bird as F for Flyer)

This test is taking approximately 5 minutes to complete per dog.

Dog #64 Starts this Series

View from the line

Good Morning – Day 1

Good Morning Everyone and Welcome to the 2025 National Open Retriever Championship! 

This morning we are kicking off the event at the 1st series test location. We have heard the National Anthem, test dogs are running and we will soon be ready for our first running dog of this event! 

This morning has started out rather dreary and cloudy with temps currently at about 65 degrees with a light drizzle. The expected high for today is 80 degrees this afternoon. Rainy and cloudy conditions are likely to persist this afternoon with showers possible on and off. We will update you with changing conditions as the day goes on. For now, stay tuned as we prepare to begin the 85th running of the National Retriever Championship!

116 Dogs Qualified for this event. 109 Dogs Entered. (3 dogs have Scratched: 12, 67, 75)

106 Dogs will Start this 1st Series. 

Note: You can view all the dog profiles entered in this event, brought to you by Retriever Results!

Thank you To Retriever Results for providing this for everyone during the National Events!

Retriever Results Sponsored Dog Profiles:

https://retrieverresults.com/free/nationalentered

Congratulations to everyone that has qualified to be here, and Good Luck to all the teams this morning!

2025 NRC General Annual Meeting

Friday, November 7th at 3:05 pm (ET) – Americus, Georgia

Meeting Start: 3:05 pm
Opening Ceremonies
Welcome to the 85th National Retriever Championship
Location: Wolf Creek Plantation, Americus, GA
Led by Mark Menzies

Mark Menzies opens the meeting by welcoming participants, volunteers and attendees to Americus, GA.

Honorary Test Dog - 2023 NAFC FC Beaver Runs Raymond For Sheriff (Runs after Test Dogs)

Veteran Recognition - Asked to stand and was applauded!

Pledge of Allegiance and Prayer

   - Pledge led by Bubba Joiner

   - Prayer led by Bubba Joiner

Trial Dedication

*Jeff Talley introduced Marhsal Dunaway to whom the trial is dedicated and in Memory of Tom Strickland and Bruce Hall.

Nomination of Club Officers for 2026

Any Nominations from the Floor? – No

Announcement of the 2026 Club Officers will be ...

       President: Mark Medford
       Vice President: Kirk Naisbitt
       Director: Wayne Stupka
       Director: Bert Windham
       Secretary/Treasurer: Tom Vaughn

 

Proposed all in Favor - Passed.

Announcement of the 2026 National Event Information:

Location: Paducah, Kentucky

Dates: November 7-14, 2026

Judges:

Mike Coutu – Atlantic Region

Sylvia McClure – West Central Region

Sonya Harrigfeld-Jackson – Pacific Region

AKC Representative

Russ Reavis introduced as the on-site AKC Rep for the event.

Russ gave a presentation on the AKC requirement to take the Darkness to Light or alternative to Judge. Course is still available. Only 45% of Judges have taken the course. (697 people) Dec. 30th is the LAST DAY - any judges that have not taken it by then will be moved to the inactive list.

AKC Economic Impact Study for dog events

2023   350 Field Trials   35,465 entries

2024   347 Field Trials   33,902 entries

2025   311 FT to date     27,524 entries

Sponsor Recognition presented by Mark Menzies and the Board.

Landowner Recognition - Landowners were called up to be recognized and receive gifts in appreciation for providing our grounds for the event.

• Pine Tree Retriever Club - Betty Hall
• Bert and Leigh Windham
• Wayne and Terri Curtis
• Jack and Larraine Unbehaun

Betty Hall

Secretary Report Given by Tom Vaughn

New Clubs, Returning Clubs with past dues.

162 Clubs currently, 4 clubs no longer there. There are 6 New Clubs going the the AKC process.

A motion to accept the Secretary's report

Financial Report Given

NRC Land Grants

Up to $10,000 for improvements to land to be used for a National

A motion to accept the Financial report

By Law Change Discussion

Workers lunches or snacks available

Roll Call conducted by Tom Vaughn

Quorum

Retriever Hall of Fame Update presented by Mark Medford

New Inductees for the Retriever Hall of Fame to be presented on Monday.

PRTA Update presented by Becky Eckett

New Land Grants will be announced on Sunday after the PRTA Meeting on Saturday Evening.

2024 Grant Recipients

• Madison Retriever Club
• Del Bay Retriever Club
• Mid Florida Golden Retriever Club

The PRTA hopes to award 5 grants this year for $3000 each.

Announcers Recognized 

Mark Menzies thanks Alex Washburn and Kathy McGinn

Gwen Jones who works with our Sponsors

Judges with their judges gifts - Joel Harris, Missy Bell, Mitch Patterson

2024 National Champion Recognition presented by Ray Voigt, Purina

Ray presented a portrait to the owners and trainer of the 2024 National Champion '22/24 2xNFC-3xCNFC-AFC Truline's Just Floyd

• Owners: John and Amie Henninger
• Handler: Amie Henninger

Ray Voigt presenting portrait of "Floyd" to Amie Henninger

Close up picture of the portrait

Dog #64 will Start

Rotation will be 64, 91, 9, 36.

Meeting was adjourned at 5:45pm

RAC Meeting

2025 Retriever Advisory Committee Meeting

Friday, November 7, 2025

John Russell, President RAC, called the meeting to order at 2:03 pm

#1 Sport is at 42% compliance on taking the Darkness to Light training - we have to start figuring out how to make this work. It will be addressed at the General Meeting also.

#2 Question: Looking at the Scratch Policy. Mandatory is what it is and the balance is up to the club. Current rules are 90 years old. No one is monitoring it now. The AKC has contracted clubs. AKC only gets a fee on starters.

#3 The rules state that a dog should be able to see in air. Change would say "shall" instead of should. We have excuses for illusionary stuff. It is an issue.

#4 Complaint about distance retiring guns move. Common sense does not seem to prevail, so the suggestion is made that a distance should be put in the rule book. "Intentionally deceive the dog" is a concern and they will address it.

#5 Stronger field trial committees need to be addressed. Better command of the rules and confidence in their decisions. As a contestant - you can write a note and the FT Secretary can submit it with their report.

#6 Increase in past few years - gunners retiring while the birds are still going down. Common sense is not showing up at Field Trials.

John has affirmed that we (we as contestants) should write to him about what a rule change should look like.

Meeting closed at 2:42 pm.

Retriever Advisory Committee - Bill Goldstein, Larry Morgan, John Russell, Missy Bell and Rus Reavis (AKC Field Rep Director)

Jim Rickoff and Randy Spangler

Front: Joel Harris, Sammie Thompson and Mitch Patterson

L to R: Bente Kongsore, Randi Johannis, Delma Hazzard and Phil Heye

L to R: Michael and Paula Wallace, Kathy and Johnny Armstrong

Photos

 

Joel Harris and Sue Reynolds

Videos from Registration

 

AKC Presentation

NRC –  AKC Presentation

First from AKC, congratulations on Qualifying for this year's NRC and being here to compete, good luck to all!

There are a couple of topics I want to give you an update on.

The updated current trends in Retriever Field Trials

Events Held    2023   350

                         2024   347

                         2025   311 have been approved to date

Entries            2023   35,465

                         2024   33,902

                         2025   27,524 to date

Here are the current status and paths forward with the Stewards of Children course requirement for Judges by the AKC Board.

The deadline of September 30, 2025 has passed.

For any applications received after this date with a judge that has not taken the course, the application will be put in a pending status until they have taken the course or been replaced.

Any approved events and judges prior to this date will not be disapproved nor rescinded.

The course is still available to judges and will be in the future. New judges will be required to take this course before they can judge. Apprentices are not required to take the course.

Any judge who has not completed the course by December 30, 2025, will be placed on the inactive list.

You can contact Performance events to see if a judge has completed the course. Connie Thomas at 919-816-3907 or Christy Silkas at 919-816-3308.

There is a shorter version to take that is less than an hour to complete and is called From Bystander to Upstander. Contact Chelsea Horton at 919-816-3457 or judgecompliance@akc.org for an access code.

As of September 30, only 45% of the 1549 eligible FT judges have take the course. (697)

Good Luck This Week Everyone!

Photos From Registration Day!

 

Blog Team Ready to Go! Becky Eckett and Gwen Jones

Terri Curtis and Mary Spangler

Sammie Thompson - Chief Marshal

L to R: Linda Rickoff, Trudy Kuka and Denise Sejalon

Julie Kobach and Leigh Windham

Trudy Kuka and Pat Barstow

Brenda Neil - Merchandise

Mary Spangler and Leigh Windham

Julie Kobach - Hostess Committee

L to R: Brenda Neil, Linda Rickoff, Trudi Kuka, Pat Barstow, Denise Sejalon and Kim Holbrook.