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<<Back to 2021 MAI Event Page

2021 MASTER AMATEUR INVITATIONAL
Event Information


GENERAL INFORMATION:

DATES: Sunday, May 16 - Sunday, May 23, 2021
                  (Event Concludes at the completion of six series)


LOCATION: Steve Ferguson Memorial Retriever Grounds
                          Eastern Region – Emporia, Virginia and surrounding areas
Enter the 2021 Emporia MAI Event

Open to all Retriever breeds as specified in the Qualifying Standards
This Hunting Test will be held using the AMERICAN KENNEL CLUB regulations and guidelines for hunting tests.

WHERE: The fifth annual MAI will be held on the Steve Ferguson Memorial Retriever Grounds in Emporia Virginia.

WHEN: The event will begin on Sunday, May 16, 2021 and wrap up by Sunday, May 23, 2021

Entry Fee: $400
​
Enter online and view premium:  Entry Express

Duration: as stated in our By-laws the Invitational is scheduled to run in one week – Sunday to Sunday. Flights will be kept small enough to allow for a full six series within that time frame.  (Event concludes at the completion of six series which may be prior to Sunday)

Master National Qualifiers: The qualifying period for this Invitational began March 1, 2020 and will end February 28, 2021.
**NOTE: Dogs qualifying for the 2020 Invitational during the period of March 1, 2019 through February 29, 2020 are also qualified to enter this 2021 Invitational.
For full qualification requirements, click here.

ENTRIES: Entries will be handled by Entry Express. The event is open to amateur handled dogs that have met the qualifying requirements as stipulated by the Master Amateur Retriever Club, Inc. 
Entries Open: March 29, 2021
Entries Close: April 19, 2021


JUDGES:  
Flight A
   Mike Akeroyd
   Alan Bruhin


Flight B
    Rich Ellis
    Rob McNeill


Master AMATEUR Retriever Club 
Officers and Board of Directors

PRESIDENT:
Fred Nusbickel

    [email protected]
    Meigs, GA

East Region:
Larry Blasbalg, Vice President

    [email protected]
    Narragansett, RI

 Mark Frederick, Director
    [email protected]
    Smyrna, DE

Central Region:
Beth Gerdes, Vice President

    [email protected]
    Chenoa, IL

Wilson "Boogie" LeJeune, Director
    [email protected]
    Bell City, LA

West Central Region:
Dave Christianson, Vice President
    [email protected]
    Bellville, TX

Charles Pugh, Director
    [email protected]
    Scurry, TX

WEST Region:    
Laura Judd, Vice President
    [email protected]
    Sebastopol, CA

    Ted de Looze, Director
    [email protected]
    Portland, OR

SECRETARY:
Nancy Bauer

​TREASURER:
Megan Baker

COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR:    
Nancy Bauer
    [email protected]
    Hartford, WI

SPONSORSHIP LIAISON:
Elizabeth Pohl
    [email protected]
    Advance, NC

Hunt Test COMMITTEE:
Committee Chairpersons:
        Larry Blasbalg, Chair
        Beth Gerdes, Co-Chair


Hunt Test Committee:
        Larry Blasbalg
        Mark Frederick
        Beth Gerdes
        Linwood Potter
        Wilson Lejeune
        Dave Christianson
        Fred Nusbickel
        Gloria Nusbickel


Gun Captain:    John Dawber
Traffic:    Steve Davis and Linwood Potter
Bird steward:    Wilson Lejeune
Bird Petters:    Hilda Wood
Grounds & Equipment:    Linwood Potter & Frank Pendergast
Emergency Coordinator:    Fred Nusbickel
Hospitality:   Mark and Kim Frederick
Safety:    N/A
Official reporter:    Callbacks will be updated on the MARC website each evening HERE
Official Photographer:    Mark Atwater - upclosephoto.com
Corporate Sponsor Liaison:    Betsy Pohl

Emergency Information:    
    Emergency Police, Fire and Ambulance 911

Veterinarian
Dr Chen
Animal Hospital of Emporia
715 North Main Street
Emporia, VA 
434-634-3936


Headquarters HOTEL
    Hilton Gardens
    111 Carolina Crossroads Pkwy
    Roanoke Rapids, NC 27870
    ReservationDesk.com: (252) 519-2333


SCHEDULE of MEETINGS and social activities:
This is a tentative schedule. Watch for schedule updates here and on the MARC Facebook page.

Property Draws:
Sunday, May 9, 5pm: 

First Property Draw for Monday, May 10th

Monday, May 10, 5pm:
Second Property Draw for Tuesday, May 12th & Wednesday, May 13th

Wednesday, May 13, 5pm:
Third Property Draw for Thursday, May 14th and Friday May 15th

Training grounds will be allocated by a random draw which will take place at the Hilton Gardens in Roanoke Rapids, NC. (111 Carolina Pkwy, Roanoke Rapids (252) 519-2333)
The Program & Training Guide will be available at the draw.


SCHEDULE:
SATURDAY, May 15, 2021 – Steve Ferguson Memorial Retriever Grounds
         8:00 am  -  Handlers Drive up - Check-in and Registration / Bitch check for Sunday start
         10:00 am - 3:00 pm - T-shirt sales, raffle tickets sold
         12:00 am -
Mandatory Handlers Meeting
         2:00 pm -   MARC Annual Meeting

SUNDAY, May 16, 2021
        7:30 am    Introductions (Test Grounds)
        7:45 am    Test Dogs
        8:00 am    Dog to the Line

Scratch Policy:
See event premium.

Running Order:
The draw will be conducted by Entry Express. The first running dog number will be determined at approximately 3:30 pm, during the handlers’ meeting Saturday, April 17, 2021, the day before the Invitational starts.

Courses and Birds:  Mallard Ducks will be used.

Training Birds:  


Drawing:
 The electronic draw will take place on April, 20th, 2021 at 12:01 Central Time and will be posted online for viewing upon final approval by the Master Amateur Retriever Club.
 
There will be a rotation in the Running Order

Food:  
Lunches will be available on the grounds  
 
Closing Ceremony:
TBA

PRIZES:
Event Pin – Awarded to each participant
AKC Rosette – Awarded to all Qualifiers
Goose Band – Awarded to all Qualifiers
Master Amateur Invitational Crystal Plate – Awarded to all Qualifiers


AIRPORTS:
Richmond International Airport
1 Richard E Byrd Terminal Drive
Richmond, VA 23250
 
Halifax Northampton Regional Airport
700 Gregory Farm Rd
 Halifax, NC · (252) 583-3492
 
Emporia Greensville Regional Airport
139 Airport Dr
 Emporia, VA · (434) 634-3696

 

ACCOMODATIONS:
HOTELS located in the immediate area of the grounds:

Hilton Gardens Hotel, 
111 Carolina Crossroads Pkwy
Roanoke Rapids, NC
252-519-2333

Hampton Inn
85 Hampton Blvd
Roanoke Rapids, NC
855-516-1090

Quality Inn
1914 Julian R Allsbrook Hwy
Roanoke Rapids, NC 27870
 (252) 537-9927

Sure Stay Plus (Best Western)
Roanoke Rapids, NC 27870
(252) 536-2300

Country Inn & Suites
107 Sadler Lane
Emporia, VA
844-225-0052

 
RV PARKS 
RV Resort @ Carolina Crossroads
(Cabins with patios)
415 Wallace Fork Rd.
Roanoke Rapids, NC 27870 
800-246-8357  

Cattail Creek Campground
3901 Ferry Rd
Skippers, VA 
(252) 207-1281

​Lake Gaston RV & Camping Resort
561 Fleming Dairy Rd
Littleton, NC 
(252) 586-4121

Sherwood Forest Campgrounds
110 Nottingham Circle
Henrico, NC
(252) 537-2526

Enfield / Rocky Mount KOA
101 Bell Acres, Enfield, NC
(252) 445-5925

NOTICE
NO RV VEHICLES OR OVERNIGHT CAMPING WILL BE ALLOWED ON THE STEVE FERGUSON MEMORIAL RETRIEVER GROUNDS DURING THE EVENT.

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email: [email protected]  •  www.masteramateur.com
Copyright ©2025  Master Amateur Retriever Club  •  Photography by Mark Atwater – UpClosePhoto.com

  • Home
  • How it Works / FAQ
    • MARC History
    • How it Works >
      • MARC By-Laws >
        • By-Law Change
      • Tracking Amateur Results
      • Qualifying Standards
      • Definition of an Amateur
      • Sport, Weekend Events, National
    • Public Document Links
    • Region Information
    • Our Mission
    • FAQ
  • Membership
    • Member Login
    • Become a Member
    • Current Membership Lists
  • 2025 MAI
    • 2025 MAI Event
    • 2025 MAI Qualifiers
  • Master Amateur Invitational Events
  • Invitational Hall of Fame
  • John O. Blackbird Award
    • 2023 Award
    • 2022 Award
    • 2021 Award
    • 2020 Award
    • 2019 Award
  • Sallie P. Sullivan Award
  • Newsletters
  • Links
  • Store
  • Contact Us