Craig Stonesifer opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and then followed with a prayer to remember those we have lost in the retriever community this year.
Craig also made mention of the catalogs having misprints on Handlers names.
The Mayor of the City of Cheraw stood and gave a very gracious welcome to the Retriever Community. The Mayor invited us to thoroughly enjoy the beauty of this fine city and all it has to offer. The Mayor also commented, if any of the those associated with the retriever community had slight brushes with the law that he may have a couple "Get Out of Jail" cards available. The theater chuckled as Mitch Patterson asked if the Mayor could pass the cards out now.
Mitch Patterson gave the Retriever Clubs Role Call and established there was a quorum.
The 2012 of the National Retriever Club minutes were approved, as was the Treasurer's Report.
Charlie Hayes stood and gave recognition to Mitch Patterson whose Chesapeake Bay Retriever "Jesse," a Dual Champion, is being inducted into the Retriever Hall of Fame next year.
Tommy Parrish presented last year's 2012 National Winner, Steve Yozamp, with the oil painting of Steve standing next to NFC Pelican Pete, "Pete," commissioned by Chris Chantland.
The Mayor of Cheraw drew from the Avery decoy bag full of the white & black Teal Avery ATBs.
The Mayor drew the starting number of #39 who is Handler Don Remien and FC Fox Haven's Born To Run MH "Dash". The Avery Teal ATBs will be given to all the contestants with their corresponding number. Don Remien was instructed he will be running second after NFC Candlewood's Something Royal "Windy" who will pick up the first Flyer shot and then go into retirement after her 14th National qualification at 12.5 years old.
Joe Broyles will be the new National Board President.
Mitch Patterson will be the Field Trial Chairman and the Co-Chairman will be Mark Medford in Vicksburg, MS for the 2014 National Retriever Championship. The National event dates for 2014 will be Nov. 16-22, 2014.
At this point, Tommy Parrish thanked the Sponsors and handed out the commemorative plaques of recognition to the representatives.
Gifts to were Ginger Cope given in recognition of her years of service for being the Corporate Liaison to our Sponsors. Thank You, Ginger!
Craig Stonesifier gave a heartfelt "Thank You" to the landowners for the use of their land for this National competition.
The announcement of next year's Judges for the 2014 National Retriever Championship in Vicksburg, MS are: Gary Ahlgren, William Goldstein and Alan Madsen.
Tommy Parrish thanked this year's Judges for their sacrifice and hard work.
Marshals for this year are: Jeff Talley, Stevie O'Connell and Lyn Yelton.
Jeff Talley thanked the set-up workers and gave an extra special thank you to Jean Wu who has been sketching the tests descriptions.
The first series of the 2013 NRC will be held just North of the clubhouse at the Cooper Black area. The test will be a Land Double and a Blind. A Rooster Pheasant Flyer, a dead Rooster, and a Duck will be planted on the Blind.
Rules From The Marshal:
1. Every 23 dogs ran will be a gun change.
2. Rotation for the first four tests run will be 39, 62, 85, 16.
3. The first 26 dogs in rotation will be allowed to view the test from the line when first announced.
4. When the running dog is returning with the last bird in the test the Handler in the holding blind will be asked to take their dog off-lead to begin judgement.
5. First No-Bird Handler will go back five numbers and run sixth.
6. Second No-Bird Handler will go back five and run sixth.
7. Third No-Bird the Handler will run at the end of the rotation.
Test Dog will run at 6:30 am First running dog will run at 7:00 am. Mat instructions will be posted in the holding blinds. Worker's Caravan to the test site will leave at 5:00 am from the parking lot by Wendy's in Cheraw, SC. At 5:30 am the first 26 dogs will begin their caravan to the test site.
Test Dogs for 2013 were introduced and the rules for a split test were discussed.
Male: AFC Tucquan's Ode To Sweetness JH -- "Payton" Handler Samantha Thompson
Female: FC-AFC Carolina's Acoustic Storm -- "Sister" Handler Clint Joyner
Mitch Patterson was given an award for his years of service as well as Craig Stonesifer receiving an award as outgoing President of the NRC, the meeting was adjourned at 3:45 pm.