| National Retriever Club Announcement |
| NEWS UPDATE FROM THE NATIONAL RETRIEVER BOARD OF DIRECTORS July 1, 2020 Since our last news release in April we have continued our planning towards the November 2020 National Retriever Open Championship in Giddings Texas. Although none of us can accurately predict where the future of the COVID-19 situation will lead us, rest assured that we will take the necessary steps and consider all options to ensure that the event can be held safely. We will continue to keep you informed about the decisions that are made as we grow closer to our event and please feel free to contact any of the Board Members with any questions, comments, and/or concerns. We expect to see you in Texas! In the meantime, keep your spirits up, good luck in the fall field trial season, and we ask that you stay safe |
there are approximately 16 weeks left, even at two qualifiers per weekend that leaves them right at your projected number...But would it be fair to say that Failsafe date is Sept 1 based on the current events in the country concerning travel restrictions...theoretically speaking of course
MN trial cancelled today at midday due to Covid 19 positive worker I was told, there goes the possibility to qualify one this weekend.
No matter what they decided, it could be argued its "unfair"....IMO it would be unfair to penalize a dog/handler that qualified in a conventional manner and not be allowed to run. Retriever careers are short enough as is, asking them to sit out a year is not fair either...The NARC wasn't run this year with 80 qualifiers, there is a mathematical possibility that next year's NARC will have a record number of qualifiers
Fairness to the pros? That is not a reason to cancel the National Retriever Championship, the marquee event of the retriever world. Field trials are much about tradition and nothing is more traditional than the Championship Stake in November. The COVID 19 situation is/was certainly a legitimate reason to cancel however the BOD of the NRC has decided the threat to participants is insufficient to cancel the Championship. Pros do and have traveled outside their area to compete, this summer there have been numerous trials in AK, ID, CO, MT, MN, WI, MI, and OR with many more coming up from coast to coast.
What would be the most fair decision in your opinion?
Wait until next year. Do what the NARC did this year as far as qualifying for next year.
all about the pro's.
Thank you for your reply.
Canceling the NARC was, in hindsight, a poor decision IMO and shouldn't set a precedent for the NRC or anything else.
Wait until next year when some of those worthy dogs are one year older and perhaps past their prime? Everyone has the same chance to qualify so while the entry may be small the best dogs are likely to be there. As to any influence the PRTA had on the decision you are absolutely wrong. Not sure what your source for that comment was but it is incorrect. As to your comment that “the NRC is all about the pros” last time I checked amateurs were paying the bills and putting on the trial. Professional trainers have stepped up in the last 10-15 years and have provided grounds, help, and equipment for numerous weekend trials every year and for that they should be applauded but it is in their best interest. I was an officer of the NRC from 1992-2004, I can assure you that PRTA was never mentioned in any discussion regarding the Championship Stake.
Well said. I agree 100% on that. I'm sure it wasn't an easy decision to make. It appears there are 39 qualified now with the oldest dog at 10+ years old and 5 at 9+. It is likely some of these dogs would not be physically able to run next year. It'd be a shame to take that away. It would also be a shame to take it away from a dog in its prime that is killing it right now. That doesn't always stay that way.
