Friday, June 13th at 3:00 pm (CT) – Eau Claire, Wisconsin
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| Left to Right: Paul Hanson, Kyle Broussard, Jim Rickoff (standing), Joel Harris, Sonya Harrigfeld-Jackson and Mitch Brown. |
Meeting was officially called to order at 3:05 pm by Jim Rickoff.
Jim thanked everyone who has worked so hard on this National! This event brought together retriever enthusiasts, participants, and volunteers from across the country to celebrate this prestigious competition.
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| Jim Rickoff, President |
Jim then introduced our field trial Chairman Paul Hanson.
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| Paul Hanson, FT Chairman |
Paul thanked the Judges and advised the contestants that these Judges have devised 40+ tests for this national!
We then said the Pledge of Allegiance.
It was announced that this trial was in honor of Rick Van Bergen and Ron Ainley, and memorial honoree Richard Dallesassee
Kyle Broussard, our Secretary Treasurer began the roll call of 153 clubs.
We had a quorum and can proceed.
Kyle Broussard, Secretary Treasurer – doing roll call
President: Jim Rickoff
1st Vice President: Sonya Harrigfeld-Jackson
2nd Vice President: Joel Harris
3rd Vice President: Mitch Brown
Field Trial Chairman: Paul Hanson
Secretary/Treasurer: Kyle Broussard
Prayers were sent out to Andy Kahn who has taken a fall. Jim took a picture of the crowd giving Andy a thumbs up!
Jim introduced Retriever News newest full-time employee, Melinda Gustavson who was in attendance.
Jim also gave props to Sara Sommerfeld for her decades+ dedication to Retriever News.
The Officers for the 25-26 season were announced:
1st Vice President: Joel Harris
2nd Vice President: Mitch Brown
3rd Vice President: Paul Hanson
Secretary/Treasurer: Kyle Broussard
Four new amateur clubs were announced:
- South Minnesota
- Aggie RC
- LaCross Amateur
- Emerald Coast
The AKC only takes points from clubs that are approved by the AKC.
We were advised that the NARC is now divided into 4 new regions. The time zones west of the Mississippi had a very small judging pool - so they were redivided to give each zone an approximately equal number.
A questionnaire was sent to each club, 107 replied:105 yes – 2 no
Bylaws were rewritten and updated today to reflect the new zones.
An example of the old system had 44 % of the total judges living in the central time zone.
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| Gwen Jones, Corporate Sponsor Liaison |
Our Sponsors were introduced by Gwen Jones:
- Purina – Ray Voigt
- Avery – David Carrington
- Garmin – Pat Burns
- Dogtra – not in attendance
- Kent Cartridge - Curt Showalter
Gwen brought our sponsors to the front to thank them!
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| Ray Voigt, Purina |
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| David Carrington, Avery |
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| Pat Burns, Garmin |
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| Kent Cartridge - Curt Showalter |
This year’s judges were asked to come to the front, they were given hand drawn prints of their personal dogs, drawn by artist Hunter Johnston.
Landwoners were next called to the front, and received jackets which reflected the years they have been donating their land to this national event.
Dr. Love is doing a study on what injuries are occurring to the dogs in our sport. She asked for people to provide their email addresses so that she could send out a survey to discover what injuries are received, what is being done, and what has been the outcome. They are trying to come together with a protocol to treat the different sport related injuries to retrievers.
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| Dr. Sarah Love |
2026 NARC Details Announced
Location: The 2026 National Amateur will be held in Junction City/Creswell, Oregon
Dates: June 13th-20th, 2026
Judges:
West Central – Don Fregelette
East Central – Phil Heye
Atlantic – Jerry Younglove
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| Sonya Harrigfeld-Jackson |
It was announced that the bitch check would be done outside the main doors after the meeting.
Purina Presentation
Next Ray Voigt presented the Purina portrait to last years’ winner by artist Holly Dunn, it was given to Mark and Sussie Menzies and their dog "Fleurt."
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| Mark and Sussie Menzies with their portrait of "Fleurt" |
1st Series Location
Chris Brandl, Chief Marshall, announced the location to be Fox Hollow for 1st and 2nd series, it will be a Double and a Blind with Pheasants.
Caravan and First Day Schedule
5:30 am the caravan will leave headquarters hotel
6:40 am we’ll sing the national anthem
6:50 am prayer,
7:10 am test dog
7:30 am first running dog
Trial Procedures
Trial instructions were given for no birds:
- first no bird wait 6 dogs and you will be 7th to run.
- 2nd no bird wait 6 dogs you’ll be the 7th to run
- 3rd no bird you move to the end.
Test dog handlers announced:
Male Test Dog: Tom Hawley with “Morgan”
Female Test Dog: Dave Kress with “Fancy”
- There will be a gun change every 25 dogs
- The Marshals tent will be located in the parking lot and will have a Motorola radio tuned to station 5, you can pick up the channel on your own or see the Marshal for the running order
- Call backs will be given at 3 locations - RN blog, lobby of the headquarters hotel, and the Blackhawk club house
- We were asked to please be quiet in the gallery and also no smoking in the gallery
- The first 15 running dogs can park close to the house
- After the dog runs, you’re asked to move your vehicle to the Unbehaun house
- No non-competing dogs in the gallery please
- Contestants can air their dogs at the Blackhawk clubhouse or by the contestant parking area
- Watch out for the deer, Amish buggies, and children, especially on Sunday!
- The Mayo clinic donated and AED device and first aid kit, it will be located at the Marshal’s tent
- The Marshals need help on Saturday – once you see your number, they ask that you please come sign up for shifts
- All handlers must be on the mat for all sends
Starting Dog
Marni Sampair’s dog fetched our starting number bumper – the trial will start with #13. John Russell.
13, 34, 55, 76, 97
The meeting concluded at about 4 pm.
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