2021 MARC Annual Board Meeting Report
Saturday, May 15, 2021
Steve Ferguson Memorial Retriever Grounds 
Emporia, Virginia
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Larry Blasbalg, Chairman of the 2021 Master Amateur Invitational, introduced the MARC President Fred Nusbickel. The MARC President asked everyone to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance. Mr. Nusbickel then announced that as of today, the Commonwealth of Virginia is no longer requiring people that are fully vaccinated to wear masks. 

Mr. Nusbickel presented opening remarks: 

• Recognizing the Corning MARC team for a very successful event last month in California. At the conclusion of the MAI in California in April, a MAI had been held in all four regions. 
• Recognizing and thanking the many individuals who worked tirelessly to prepare for this event. Months and months of preparation have been done but it was not until March 8th that we knew we could hold this event. 
• Introducing the MARC Board of Directors. Eastern Region - Larry Blasbalg, Vice President, Mark Frederick, Director. Central Region - Beth Gerdes, Vice President, Wilson "Boogie" Lejeune, Jr., Director. West Central - Dave Christianson, Vice President, Charles Pugh, Director. Western Region - Laura Judd, Vice President, Ted de Looze, Director. Secretary and Communications Director - Nancy Bauer. Treasurer - Megan Baker. Corporate Sponsor Liaison - Elizabeth Pohl.
• Welcoming all MARC members running this event for the first time. 

Mr. Nusbickel introduced AKC Executive Field Representative Trish Jagoda. Ms. Jagoda congratulated everyone for qualifying for the MAI. She further presented the following information concerning AKC Hunt Tests:

• The Amateur Set Aside program is in effect now. Many clubs are utilizing the 25% and 35% set aside. If you submit an AKC Hunt Test application after April 1st this applies. If you hold a limited Master Test, you must select either 25% or 35%, if not it will default to 25%. Only one handler may be listed for this procedure and they must be an Amateur. If you enter and cannot run the entered dog another Amateur handler maybe substituted. 
• If you look at the entries on Entry Express before closing, you will see an A or W in front of the dog’s name. This indicates how the entry was processed (i.e. an Amateur or Worker). After entries close you can look at the handler and if there is only one name with an A it is an Amateur entry. 
• Beginning this fall, there will be a change to the waitlist regulation. After an event closes and up to the start of the event, a waitlist dog may be used to replace scratches. A waitlist is to be maintained by the club or their service provider for this purpose.  Entry Express will continue to use a waitlist and it will be visible until the start of the event. AKC will be providing more clarification on this new waitlist regulation. 
• Senior HT and Junior HT entries have increased in some regions; AKC is looking at the possibility of limiting the entries. An analysis is ongoing to determine if this is an appropriate means to help/protect small clubs that cannot handle the large entries. 
• Issues about the lack of availability of live birds and ammunition have been raised.  AKC will address this on a case-by-case basis. Please contact Russ Reavis directly if your club is having issues. 
• The Retriever Hunt Test Advisory Committee (RHTAC) is active; the Chairman is Mr. Jack Combs and it has a new East Coast Member, Mr. Bob Montler.  It is the responsibility of the RHT Advisory Committee to provide input to the AKC Performance Events Department with regard to the Retriever Hunt Test Regulations. This may involve clarification of existing Regulations or new Regulations that are felt to enhance the sport. Topics for Advisory Committee discussion may originate from RHT participants or from the Committee members themselves. The Performance Event Department may also direct ideas to the Committee for consideration.
• There are 25 AKC Hunt Test Judge’s Seminars on the schedule for 2021 and 6 Advance Seminars. New Judges and handlers are encouraged to attend an AKC HT Seminar. 
• There has been a rash of misconduct incidents recently, most having to do with harassing judges. Please treat others, as you would like others to treat you. Please talk to people in the same manner you would like to be spoken to. AKC takes misconduct incidents very seriously and they can result in suspensions and fines. 

Larry Blasbalg again welcomed everyone to the 2021 MAI. He thanked all the property owners who provided wonderful grounds for pre-event training. He thanked those people who have been generous in providing ATVs for setup and event week. ​

Event Chairman Larry Blasbalg with Property owner Patsy Ferguson (photo by Kelley Hall)

A very special presentation of the MAI crystal plate was made to Patsy Ferguson, the event landowner. Patsy remarked that her husband Steve was an avid retriever trainer and would be thrilled having this event being held here on the farm. 

Betsy Pohl, Corporate Sponsor Liaison thanked Avery Sporting Dog, Garmin, Gerbino & Associates, Purina, The Retriever News and Entry Express for their sponsorships.  

Betsy Pohl Thanking Sponsors (photo by Kelley Hall)

Nancy Bauer presented the Secretary’s report and Megan Baker presented the Treasurer’s report. 

Larry Blasbalg introduced and thanked the Hunt Test Committee. 

Dave Christianson provided election results of the Nominating Chair. Jeff Bundy won the election for the West Central Director Position. And running unopposed, Mark Frederick won the Eastern Director position and Rhonda Reed won for the Western Vice President position.

Dave Christianson acknowledged the following retired Master Amateur dogs:

Marquis Diamond Remy MH owned by Ted de Looze
Kilner Bay Heidi Deidi MH owned by Richard Adams 
Topbrass Gotta Lovett CD AXJ OF WCX MH QAA owned by Bob Swift
Kenai’s Kodiak King MH owned by Jim Martin
Surefire’s Nautical Enforcer MH43 owned by Chris Schram
CH Duckback Armbrook’s Indigo CD MH54 owned by Ellison Armfield
Armbrook Gierl with Diamonds MH36 owned by Ellison Armfield
GMPR HRCH Watermark’s Lean Perseuder MH owned by Stacy Ritchie
Run-N_Gun’s He’s So Fine MH owned by David and Vicki Christianson
Rippling Waters Shore Bird MH owned by Mary and Sydney Williams
Marverick de Tidewater MH owned by Robert and Annette Pacheko
Moonstones Frontier Indiana Jones MH owned by Brian Coty 

The afternoon concluded with Mr. Ed Sullivan presenting the John O. Blackbird award to Mr. Francis “Frankie” Prendergast.

Ed Sullivan presenting Frankie Prendergast the John O. Blackbird award. (photo by Kelley Hall)