National Derby Club General Meeting

National Retriever Derby Club 2018
Annual Business Meeting Sedalia, Missouri

The meeting was called to order at 3:00 pm by President Ray Vreeland. He welcomed those in attendance to Sedalia, MO for the second running of the National Derby. He wished everyone “Good Luck.” Following the Pledge of Allegiance, there was a moment of silence to remember those people and canines we lost over the last year.

The Pledge of Allegiance

Chief Marshal Bobby Lane, Co-Chief Marshal Mike Robicheaux and Secretary/Treasurer John Stracka

The NRDC Field Trial Committee

Chairman Robby Bickley, PRTA Director Becky Eckett and 1st Vice President Larry Morgan

The NRDC Directors were introduced:
President - Ray Vreeland
1st Vice President - Larry Morgan
2nd Vice President - Michael Robicheaux
PRTA Director - Becky Eckett
Secretary/Treasurer - John Stracka

Following the introduction of the Directors, there was a Roll Call of Member Clubs. Secretary John Stracka stated that there was a quorum. There were 102 clubs present by membership or proxy.

The next order of  Club Business was the Report of Officers for 2019 given by John Russell.
President - Larry Morgan
1st Vice President - Michael Robicheaux
2nd Vice President -  Jeff Lyons - Elected Northern Region
PRTA Director - Becky Eckett
Secretary/Treasurer - John Stracka

The current slate of officers moved up with the addition of Jeff Lyons from the Northern Region in the position of 2nd Vice President. Becky Eckett has agreed to stay on as the Professional Retriever Trainers Association (PRTA) Director.

The presentation of the 2017 Financial Statement and the 2017 Annual Meeting Minutes were made by Secretary/Treasurer John Stracka and approved.
Report of 2018 Nominating Committee – John Russell
President – Larry Morgan
1st Vice President – Michael Robicheaux
2nd Vice President – Jeff Lyons
PRTA Director – Becky Eckett
Secretary/Treasurer – John Stracka (term ending 12/19)

Report of 2019 National Championship Event Nominating Committee was presented by Larry Morgan. The National Event will be held October 7-11, 2019. It will once again be held in Sedalia, MO on the Hayden’s property.

The Judges for the 2019 event will be Mitch Patterson from the Northern Region, Phil Heye from the Southern Region and Rob Reuter from the Western Region.

The 2017 Winners Painting Presentation was made by Dennis Bath and was sponsored by Starline Brass. Maplepond Great Expectation owned by Charles Bearden and handled by Jason Baker.

Dennis Bath and Corporate Sponsor Liaison Gwen Jones talk about the Sponsors (1st VP Larry Morgan – PHOTO BOMB!)

Dennis Bath presents the painting by Stefanie Sattler of last year's winner to the Beardons and Jason Baker

Handler Jason Baker with Vicky and Charles Bearden

Gwen Jones reminds people to thank the Sponsors when we run into them.

Gwen Jones acknowledged the Sponsors Purina, Avery Sporting Dog, Starline Brass, Garmin, Dogtra and Kent Ammunition.

President Ray Vreeland acknowledged and thanked the land owners for the use of their land for both the test grounds and the pre-National training and also our onsite AKC rep, Jerry Mann. He thanked the Retriever News Team of Tina Styan and Gwen Jones. He mentioned our Official Photographer, Deana Wolfe and told folks to be sure to get their photo taken after the First Series. Ray also thanked our Official Vet, Thompson Hills Vet Clinic and Dr. Chad McNeil.

The 2018 Judges were introduced and presented with the Derby plaque mounted on a piece of granite: Northern Region – Jeff Lyons; Southern Region – Clint Joyner and Western Region – Steve Kompf. Chairman Robby Bickley was also presented with an appreciation gift.

President Ray Vreeland presents a gift to Judges Jeff Lyons and Clint Joyner

Judge Steve Kompf and Ray Vreeland

Judges Clint Joyner, Jeff Lyons and Steve Kompf

A special announcement was made that the Cocktail Party time was changed to Monday at 6:30 pm at the Hayden Liberty Center, 111 West 5th Street. The Workers Party was at Wednesday 6:30 pm Best Western in the upstairs ballroom.

John Russell made an announcement about special raffles that were to be made at this year’s event. There will be large items that will be part of the Silent Auction and would include a Louisiana duck hunt, a Dave Rorem seminar and a Pat Burns seminar and a custom-made ice chest with the Derby logo. Smaller Silent Auction items included a Derby logo doormat and cutting board from Brenda Neil of Lucky Lab Pins and a Retriever News 3-year subscription. There will also be a daily raffle:
Guns Up Tosser
Stick man by Magee Products
Bird boxes by Ainley and Deerskin
Assorted Training Videos

Special Committee member John Russell

There will also be raffles at the Workers’ Party and there will be a selection of e-Collars and whistles to be won.

Silent Auction Item from Brenda Neil of Lucky Lab Pins

Silent Auction Item from Brenda Neil of Lucky Lab Pins

Custom-made ice chest with the NRDC logo

Judges Jeff Lyons, Steve Kompf and Clint Joyner

Chief Marshal Bobby Lane introduced the Test Dogs
Vinson’s Nez Boueux Noir Zeke, “Zeke,” LM
Owner James Vinson
Handler James Vinson

Macomo’s Queen of Fall, “Queen,” LF
Owners Jonathan & Heather Stenger
Handler Dave Donahue

Chief Marshal Bobby Lane

He proceeded to make procedural announcements. After the Test Dogs run, the first ten handlers would be allowed to view the line. Then the next ten may approach and so forth until everyone has had the chance to view the line.

If a test is scrapped and rerun the same day, the next running dog will start the test. If a test is scrapped and starts the next day, the original rotation applies.

The definition for a no-bird is any reason to halt the test. The rules for no-birds are as follows: first no-bird, go back six; second no-bird, go back six; and third no-bird, go to the end. You will receive your dog to one side and upon the release of the bird, you should immediately put your dog on lead.

Day One, Test One will be a land double using ducks with one flyer. The first and second series will both be in the same general location. An informal caravan will leave at 6:30 am from the Headquarters Hotel. The National Anthem will be at 7:30 am, Test Dogs start at 7:45 and the first running dog will be at 8:00 am.

Dog #12 is a scratch. Dogs 42, 43 and 44 were added to the running order as they were last-minute Qualifiers at this event.

Chairman Robby Bickley brought a custom-made ping pong ball machine to choose the starting dog number. The first ping pong ball sucked out was to be the starting dog. Unfortunately, there was a minor malfunction as ping pong balls were tossed from the machine in various directions throughout the room. It was quite hilarious. After gathering the numbered balls, and reloading the machine, number 19. Top Line Ranger Leads the Way, “Ranger,” owned Sallie and Mark Flavin and handled by Marc Patton.

Chairman Robby Bickley tries to pick the starting number …

Chief Marshal Bobby Lane pitches in to pick the starting dog …

The rotation is as follows: 19, 30, 41 and 8. The Callbacks will be posted at HQ and on the Official Retriever News Blog.

The bitch check would follow the meeting. The meeting was then adjourned.