(Below are highlights
of the two meetings and Pre National cocktail party. More info will appear
in the January 2003 issue of Retriever F.T. News)
Saturday
is filled with meetings, contestant packet pick-ups, merchandise
buying and culminates with the pre National cocktail party.
Officers, Committees and others meet to decide last minute
details and plan for the future of the stake.
At
2 p.m. the first general meeting was that of the Retriever
Advisory Committee. There committee representatives
from AKC and the National clubs accept procedure and
rule change suggestions, discuss them with participants
and Club representatives who later vote on them. Three
proposed rule changes had been discussed earlier and
voting had begun. The remaining clubs have until
December 31st to vote on the propositions. They are:
The
issue of determining a pro from an amateur.
Creating
an Owner/Handler Qualifying Stake
Mandatory
elimination of a dog that handles in a Derby.
Although
the votes in favored passage of all three, there were
a large amount of clubs uncommitted and those could
change the final result.
Four
new questions would be addressed in 2003. Those are:
Can
a dog be run with a neoprene vest?
If
an amateur judges a trial his pro is running -
is this an unfairness to other contestants?
How
far and when should retired guns move?
After
a good deal of discussion, the the committee will address
all and report later.
The
meeting adjourned at shortly after 3 p.m.
After
a short recess the National Retriever Club began their
annual meeting. Following opening
business (roll call, etc.)
Tony Snow recognized several people for outstanding
achievements in the sport. The 2002 stake is dedicated
to Dennis Bath, a tireless worker and long time competitor
who received a standing ovation. Next, 2 senior pro
handlers, Bach Doar (retiring this year) and J.J. Sweezey
were warmly lauded by the crowd. Lastly, Charles
Bunn, retiring President and Editor in Chief of Retriever
Field Trial News was presented with a sculpture by incoming
President and Editor in Chief, Dennis Bath.
Several
donations were announced followed by the 2003 Club slate
of officers. They are:
President, Bill Daley
VP Jim
Cope
Sect/Treas.
Tony Snow
FT Chairman
Kirk Naisbitt
Zone
Rep, Judy Powers
Zone
Rep, Grayson Kelley
Dennis
Bath, Corporate liaison then thanked all the sponsors
and supporters, naming what each contributed. They are
Nestle Purina, Eukanuba, Tri Tronics Deskin Trailers,
Kent Cartridge, Dogs Afield, Dick Cook, Chris Smith,
Chris Chantland and newcomer, Dogtra.
These
wonderful sponsors/supporters enable the club to hold
a first class stake, not only through their donations,
but innovative and nutritional products for the dogs
as well.
The
2003 NRC will be held in Oakdale CA, from Nov 7-15.
Judges will be: Jackie Mertens, Larry Wharton and Myron
Chidester.
After
a number of stake procedural announcements, Charlie
Bunn drew the starting number. It was dog #19, FC-AFC
Candlewoods Court Jester.
The
first series will be a land double, first test dog at
6:45 Am.; first running dog at 7:15 a.m. (light permitting)
Shortly
after the meeting adjourned with an invitation to the
party starting at 6 p.m. in the same room
At
6 P.M sharp participants began to arrive at the Holiday
Inn Ballroom There had been an awsome transformation
-women in evening frocks, men in suits and ties- dramatically
different from the usual sweat shirts an pants!
While
these party animals were ready, the party was not. The
late meetings probably delayed set up and they were
held at bay outside the ballroom until 6:30. Once in,
participants were treated to a wonderful array of hot
and cold morsels, fruit and raw veggie trays, custom
sliced beef and ham roasts, and a variety of cheeses,
including several wheels of Brie.
The
bar did a brisk business and later, several items
were raffled off. It was a very pleasant evening but
the early Sunday start beckoned people to their rooms
in anticipition of the 4:30 wake up calls. (However
the hotel phones were "out" at HQ, so some may have
been late. (This report was a victim of the outage).
