2021 MAI Mandatory Handlers’ 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 judges for this event. Flight A judges will be Alan Bruhin and Mike Akeroyd. Flight B judges are Rich Ellis and Rob McNeill. 

Left to Right – Rich Ellis, Rob McNeill, Mike Akeroyd, Alan Bruhin (photo by Kelley Hall)

Alan spoke on behalf of all four judges, encouraging all participants to relax and have a good time! The judges asked all handlers to adhere to the following:

• All handlers to demonstrate gun safety by using both hands and shouldering the gun. 
• If desired, all handlers may use their own guns due to COVID. 
• Handlers are responsible for placing birds in the provided buckets and must hang all birds prior to departing the line.  
• There will be no “creep line.” Judges will ask you to reheel if needed if your dog is in an unsafe position. Creeping is considered a minor fault that if repeated can become a serious fault. 
•  For blinds - please challenge the blind. 
•  For walk-up - keep walking while the bird is in the air and use one whistle or one verbal sit to sit your dog. 
• If a no-bird is called, the test stops, and the handler will be asked to go back 3 dogs. If that same handler receives a second no-bird, the handler will go back 6 dogs. If the same handler is unfortunate enough to get a third no-bird, the handler will go to the end. 
• Judges will have lengthy discussions at the end of each series; don’t assume you are called back if you honor off leash. 
• If the judges offer a rerun, the handler will go to the end to rerun. 
• Judges kindly ask everyone to silence electronics. If you are at the line or in the field and your cell phone is heard, you will be asked to clean the port-a-pot for the remainder of the week. 
• Handlers will be provided the opportunity to ask questions after the scenario is given at the beginning of each series.

Alan then again encouraged all handlers to relax and have fun. 

Larry presented each judge with gifts of appreciation from the event sponsors and a MAI Judges Crystal Plate.

Gloria Nusbickel asked AKC Executive Field Representative Trish Jagoda to draw first dog to the line. Trish made the draw and announced Dog Number 28. 

In Flight A, Rockerin St Brennan Rathtrillick MH, Owned and Handled by Scott Baker will be the first dog to the line. 

In Flight B, Texas Troubador’s Lady Piper BB of Riverside, Owned and Handled by Andy Anderson will be first dog to the line. 

Scott and Andy were presented commemorative MAI 5th anniversary handler guns. If Scott or Andy receive a no-bird, the handler gun will be passed to the first handler whose dog is released by the judges to retrieve the birds. 

Based on dog 28 being drawn to run first, the rotation is:  28, 44, 60, 76, 92, 12

Flight A - Scratches: 9, 20, 43, 76, 90, 95

Flight B - Scratches: 2, 43, 62, 68, 72, 75, 82

**NOTE – Flight A dog 72 has been moved to Flight B and will run as A72. ​

The crew that ran dogs at both the Corning event and the Emporia event. (photo by Kelley Hall)