Cocktail Party

 A Few Photos from the Cocktail Party!

2023 Annual Meeting

National Retriever Derby Club

2023 Annual General Meeting

Sedalia, Missouri

Call To Order
3:07 pm – meeting called to order by Rita Jones, 2023 President of National Derby Club

Rita introduced the board:

• 1st Vice President – Bob West
• 2nd Vice President – Russ Hardy
• PRTA Director – Paul Sletten 
• Secretary/Treasurer – Steve Roegiers 

Rita welcomed all contestants and volunteers, and thanked our generous landowners.
Secretary/Treasurer Steve Roegiers came to the podium.

• Steve stated that the NDRC sent out 159 membership notifications and received responses from 137-member clubs (up 10 from last year)
• 61 clubs gave the quorum.
• In addition to membership statement, Steve announced that Dave Kress was elected SE Region Director, following Rita Jones.
• Rita motioned to accept minutes as read, Dave seconded. All in favor.

Financial Summary

• 2022 event revenue: $33,923 with 62 entries
• Approx. Expenses $30,000
• Cash Balance $58,180
• Total assets $75,000

Rita motioned to approve financials; Russ Hardy seconded. All approved.


Rita introduces 2024 officers:

• Bob West – President 
• Dave Kress – 2nd Vice President 
• Paul Sletten – PRTA Director
• Russ Hardy – 1st Vice President

Dave Kress came to podium

• Dave announced that Terri Curtis is the 2024 chairman.
• The trial is dedicated to Bob and Barbara Hayden. They have been incredibly generous by donating their property for the National Derby. The Hayden’s came to Sedalia in the 1980’s. In the 1990’s, after catching the retriever bug, he realized that there were no local training or trialing properties and set out to make the retriever paradise that is Wood Dale Farm. 
• Dave presented Barbara Hayden with a bouquet of flowers.

Bob West came to the podium to talk about next year’s event ...

• Bob wished everyone good luck and then introduced Terri Curtis – who has agreed to be the 2024 event chairman. 
• The 2024 event will return to Wood Dale Farm in Week 41, October 7-11, 2024

Judges are Set to Be:

• Bill Barstow – Western Region
• Chris Van Eimeren – NE Region
• Bubba Joiner – SE Region

Dave Kress invited Rick Stawski and Sylvia Lewelling up to the stage – Trainer and Owner of 2022 NDC Fineline’s Out Of This World and presented them with a beautiful painting of Bruno.

• Dave then welcomed Gwen Jones to the podium to recognize the sponsors of the 2023 event – Purina, Starline Brass, Avery, Kent Ammunition, Garmin.
• Dave presented gifts to the sponsors
• Dave then thanked all property owners, those hosting the event and those opening their facility for pre-National training.
• Our AKC rep in attendance this week is Jerry Mann. 
• Dave then welcomed and thanked the Retriever News, our event photographer, and announcers.
• Thomspon Hill is our official event veterinarian.
• Dave then introduced the 2023 Derby Judges – Dave Furin, Alan Madsen and Randy Whittaker and presented them with plenty of swag and a NRDC plaque. 

A summary of the dogs that have competed in the past few National Derby Events

From 2020 – 2022 events
151 total entries in 2020-2022 events
Of the 151 entries, 3 have become National Champions
Of the 151 entries, 33 Field Champions or Amateur Field Champions

Rita Jones took the podium next

Rita thanked event chairman Dave Kress for the work he has done in the past year. She then presents Dave Kress with a sterling silver logo mounted on a solid marble base.

Rita then invited Wayne Curtis up to the podium

Wayne took the time to congratulate all the contestants and spoke to the quality of the upcoming tests. Introduces our test dogs:

• Jacked Up, “Pup Pup” – Handled by Phil Heye 
• Oakpoint’s Miss Behavin, “Stinker” – Handled by Claudia Rosasco

• National Anthem 7:15 am, Test Dogs run at 7:30 am, first running dog at 8:00 am. 
• There will be a brief presentation by Retrieving Freedom in between 2 test dogs
• NW Gate, along Tanglenook – there will be plenty of signage
• 1st test is a Single, Rooster Pheasant Flyer
• We intent to run two tests each day

Wayne reminds us that:

• Controlled breaks are allowed at this level, and advises handlers to address breaking and keep running the test!
• Callbacks will be at the test site and/or on the blog
• Gun change on the 1st test, 26 dogs into the test
• Gun change and thrower change 26 dogs into the test

The 1st running dog for series one will be dog #6 is first – Joey Smith.
2nd series starts with #20, 3rd with 34 and 4th test with #48.
5th test starts with the 6th running dog still in contention after dog #6.

Rita motions to ajorn meeting.
Bitch check in parking lot

Last minutes entry - #53
Castile Creeks Hunter Runs Rip (Rip)
Owner: Lyle Steinman
Handler: Caleb Brown