The
​John O. Blackbird
​Memorial Award
Purpose:
The purpose of the John O. Blackbird Memorial Award is two-fold.  First, it is to honor, celebrate and perpetuate the life lived, the accomplishments, the lasting influence and legacy of John Blackbird.
 
Secondly, it is to honor a recipient who has demonstrated through their own work and efforts that they, too, have made significant contributions to the retriever hunt test program through training and handling retrievers as an amateur.  Also, working and judging local hunt tests, being a leader in local, and perhaps regional or national, clubs and mentoring and supporting others in the retriever games.
 
The award will be presented at the Master Amateur Invitational (MAI) and may reflect the work a person does to work within or for the Master Amateur Retriever Club (MARC) and MAI or the effort to bring a dog to a national event.  But, this award isn’t just about a single event.  This memorial award is to recognize those folks that are cut from similar cloth as John O. Blackbird.  An individual who not only shows up to an event and makes an impact, but also makes an impact on the retriever world throughout the years wherever they go.  A person who is dedicated to the local clubs at the grassroots level, a “worker bee” when needed or a chair or secretary, someone who is a mentor to others, a person who trains and handles their own dogs to the highest level. 
 
The work the individual does at the local level is perhaps even more important than what happens on the national stage. No person gets to a national event without going through a number of local weekend tests.  What people do in their own backyard is paramount to their future success regardless of what stage or venue it may be.
Criteria:
Please consider these criteria when making a nomination for this award.  All of these criteria need to be met for an individual to be considered for nomination.
  • An amateur handler.
  • Does not need to be a member of the MARC.
  • Active in the retriever hunt test program as an amateur handler.
  • Active in their local club(s) as a dedicated and reliable worker at events, serve in positions such as club officer, board member, event committee chairperson, secretary or committee member.
  • Active as a retriever hunt test judge.
  • Through ones individual efforts have made numerous and long lasting impacts for the betterment of the retriever sports/clubs/events.
  • Consider other qualities, characteristics and personality, deemed appropriate.
Award:
The recipient will be announced at the Handler’s Meeting/Opening Ceremonies of each MAI.
 
There will be a “perpetual” plaque to be displayed at each MAI that will outline recipients name and year awarded. An individual award will also be presented to the recipient.  The award recipient need not be present to receive the award. 
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See Below for Previous Award Recipients ...
In Memory of John O. Blackbird ...
How To Nominate:
​Any person(s), regardless of MARC membership, can nominate an individual for this award.  Multiple parties may nominate an individual and/or a club or group of clubs may submit a nomination.
 
Complete the Nomination Form located on the MARC website at www.masteramateur.com, the MARC Facebook page or contact any member of the Master Amateur Board of Directors. There are two (2) ways in which to submit the Nomination Form; 1) print, complete and mail the form to the contact outlined at the bottom of the Nomination Form OR 2) complete the Digital Nomination Form found on the MARC website.  (see the form links below also)
 
The Nomination Form shall include the name of the nominee, the nominee’s address, phone number and email, and list the nominee’s home club(s).  Also include a narrative of the accomplishments, leadership positions and other evidence, which supports the work, character and lasting impact the nominee has had on the retriever community.
 
The person(s) and/or club or group making the nomination must include their own personal contact information so the selection committee may reach out to them for further questions or details, if needed.
 
Nominations are due no later than January 1st.
 
Nominations will be submitted to the Chairman of the John O. Blackbird Memorial Award Committee as appointed by the MARC Board of Directors.
 
After all nominations have been received, the MARC Board of Directors, and/or special committee, will review the nominations and supporting evidence and may also make separate inquires vetting the nominees to determine the recipient of the award.

For More information click below to view the full John O. Blackbird Memorial Award Brochure:
Complete the Digital Form
​and Submit Online
Download the Form and Submit
​By Email or By Mail
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If you would like to mail the form, please print and Submit to:
Ed Sullivan
7213 Bellefontaine Ave.
Kansas City, MO 64119
[email protected]

AWARD WINNERS

The annual John O. Blackbird Memorial Award is a prestigious award presented to the person we feel truly represents the ideals, passion, compassion and other qualities emulated by the late John O. Blackbird. The following is a list of those that have been honored with this award.

2026 Award Recipient

Jack Combs

The eighth recipient of the annual John O. Blackbird Memorial Award, presented by Master Amateur Retriever Club’s Board of Directors, is Jack Combs.

2025 Award Recipient
Ed Sullivan

The seventh recipient of the annual John O. Blackbird Memorial Award, presented by Master Amateur Retriever Club’s Board of Directors, is Ed Sullivan.

Ed Sullivan was introduced to the retriever world in the 60's and had his first dog trained by D. L, Walters. 
 
After moving to Kansas City in the early 80's he joined the Kansas City Retriever Club and got involved in Field Trials with dogs trained by Bill Eckett, Bobby George & Greg Bartlett. As a member of KCRC he held positions of Director and VP. He also started judging Field Trials and Hunt Tests. To date he has judged over 75 Master tests and two nationals, one in 2008 and one in 2015 as well as numerous Senior & Junior Tests.

He helped start up and run Northwest Missouri Retriever Club and served as VP & President.

He is a founding Board member of the Master Amateur Retriever Club and served as a Director  & VP of the Central Region. He was responsible for the set up and running the Master Amateur  in 2018 in Sedalia Mo. and did the ground work for the 2022 MAI also in Sedalia.

He has competed in field trials and qualified dogs in all levels of the hunt test program up to & including MNH. He has had both Labs and Goldens and has done most of the training on the dogs he runs in tests.  He plans to keep training and running dogs as long as the good Lord will let him.

2024 Award Recipient

Dave Christianson
The Sixth recipient of the annual John O. Blackbird Memorial Award, presented by Master Amateur Retriever Club’s Board of Directors, is Dave Christianson.

Dave Christianson is a long-standing member of many hunt test clubs in Texas (Rose County RC, Tejas RC, Waterloo RC, Bluebonnet RC) but considers Bryan-College Station Retriever Club (BCSRC) his home club. Dave has mentored many hunt test clubs and has helped them to be successful. He has served as a board member of BCSRC several times over the years and is currently serving on the board again. He has been Hunt Test Chairman and Secretary numerous times, too many to count. Dave has lined up judges for many hunt tests from Alaska to Mississippi. He helps on Hunt Tests weekends whenever he is around or is needed.

Dave has served as a judge for the Master National two times, was a Director in 2005 and 2006, has titled several dogs with a MNH, run test dog, and worked on Hospitality in 2017. He is always ready to help with whatever is needed even though he is running his dogs.

David has been very involved with the MARC from the beginning of time. He’s brought the information to the BCSRC and we voted to be a Charter Member Club and he is now the MARC representative to keep us informed about MARC events.  Dave was the MARC Vice President for West Central Region and has served as stakes chair, has been on many subcommittees, was the MARC Chief Marshall, and the MARC Hunt Test Secretary for many events.

2023 Award Co-Recipients

The fifth co-recipients of the annual John O. Blackbird Memorial Award, presented by Master Amateur Retriever Club’s Board of Directors, is Sam Ferguson and Ellison Armfield.

Sam Ferguson

​Sam Ferguson has had a life long passion for hunting and dogs.  Sam has been an active member of the Tallahassee Retriever club since 1996.  He gives of his time each Saturday to coordinate a training session for the members.  He takes time to explain the set up and help new handlers with their dogs.  He has judged across the country, judged Master Nationals, served on the Master National Board of Directors and held the President’s position in 2015.  As the 2023 Master Nationals will be held in Boston, Georgia, Sam will be working hard behind the scenes to ensure its success.  Sam is also a charter member of the MARC and run his dogs in five of the first six Invitationals.  Proud to have this military veteran in our sport!

Ellison Armfield

​Ellison Armfield embodies the spirit of this award in many ways.  She is and has always been an Amateur handler, training her dogs on her own, running her dogs in weekend tests, The Master Amateur and Master Nationals.  She is active in several clubs, key in starting up the Carolina Retriever Association.   She has judged both at the regional tests as well at Master Nationals.  Notable is her dedication to the dual-purpose Labrador, raising dogs that perform in the ring and in the field.  She has also been integral in mentoring others to do the same.  Lastly, her unselfishness in helping other handlers to improve and succeed puts her at the top of our list!

2022 Award Recipient

Jace Tramontin
The fourth recipient of the annual John O. Blackbird Memorial Award, presented by Master Amateur Retriever Club’s Board of Directors, is Jace Tramontin.

Jace Tramontin has been a part the retriever dog sport community for the past 16+ years. Jace certainly has not been in the sport as long as some other well known faces but his impact within the sport has been just as prominent. He really took off with his participation when he met up with John Blackbird. From there on he jumped in with both feet and 4 paws beside him. 

Jace got his first exposure to the sport when his wife wanted a new dog, and had a dream to campaign it in hunt tests. Jace eventually got dragged into helping her train their dog in the form of birdboy. He soon learned many training tips and tricks while he worked the field as she trained. In the years that followed their dog soon reached Master level. It was in 2006 that Jace wished to compete in a Master National Retriever Club event. This was the wish that initiated his journey as an amateur handler. In the year to come Jace and his dog, Tip, accomplished working together as a team. Over the next 6 years Jace and Tip went on to earn numerous titles and achievements: An AKC Master Title, 3 MNRC plates, and Tip was inducted into the MNRC Hall of Fame. After laying Tip to rest, Jace has continued to compete with his current dogs at the Master level and acquire MNRC and MARC plates.

Jace is involved in several different capacities at a local retriever club level. In the term years of 2007-08 and 2013 thru 2017, he served as president of the Minnesota Iron Range Retriever Club (MIRRC). He also served as Vice President over the years and sat on many field trial and hunt test committees. He now in the past and present serves as the MIRRC’s Hunt Test Secretary. Jace also instituted a fundraiser program which helps bring in revenues in order to purchase new land for the MIRRC and develop existing land that the club has acquired thru the years. He is an invaluable and influential member of the MIRRC.

When John Blackbird took Jace under his wing, Jace found in John a mentor that would encourage him to change the course of the hunt test community. In 2006 John brought the MIRRC proposal to become the host club site for the upcoming 2008 AKC Master National Hunt Test. Jace would be the reigning MIRRC president and host club co-chairman. With the opportunity to host the Master National the MIRRC gained several new memberships and local community interest due to Jace’s efforts. 

Jace acquired new skills while hosting the Master National and being co-chairman allowed him the ability to share his knowledge and experiences to help the 2009 Host Club run smoothly. His expertise shone brightly when he was appointed to the Master National Retriever Club (MNRC) as the Region 2 Director. In 2011, lace’s proficiency was again recognized as he was elected Region 2 Vice President within the MNRC. Jace continued to serve on many MNRC committees during 2012. It was during this time the MNRC began expressing growing pains as a new challenge emerged in the retriever sport of how to handle the increasing number of entries due to the ever growing Master National Event, which came to be AKC’s largest performance event of the year. Over the next couple years strategic planning went into place on how to handle the ever expanding interest and competing at the Master National Event. It was here, that the Open and Amateur concepts came to light. In 2015, Jace founded a steering committee in attempt to discuss and explore a solution for the Open and Amateur concept. lace’s spearheading and brainstorming resulted in the creation and appointment of the first Master Amateur Retriever Club Board. The rest you could say is history, as the Master Amateur Retriever Club came into being in the year 2016. Jace is still very much involved in both MNRC and MARC. He currently serves as 2018 Safety Chairman for the MNRC. And let’s not forget he served as MNRC’s Director of Region 2 throughout the entirety of his residency as MNRC president in 2016 during their 25th anniversary event. 

Looking back, Jace has given a lot to the dog sport of retrieving, from studying to become a judge to instituting brand new policies and clubs! He continues to judge 3 to 4 events a year and is approved to judge all levels of the AKC hunt test realm. His help is not just limited to judging and governing at a club board status. Jace can often be found helping throw birds in the field, cooking lunch in the clubhouse, or helping new members learn how to train their dogs. Recently, Jace broadened his hunt test venues when he and a group of dedicated MIRRC members came together to create the Arrowhead Hunting Retriever Club (AHRC) affiliated with the United Kennel Club and Hunting Retriever Club. It was his intention to have the AHRC be a sister club to the MIRRC, thus bringing new memberships back to the sport as a whole for both clubs. It worked! As many new members have been gained by re-introduction of the retriever dog sport! Thanks to Jace many people not only have a place to train but have multiple venues to enjoy their dogs!

2021 Award Recipient

Francis C. Prendergast "Frankie"
The third recipient of the annual John O. Blackbird Memorial Award, presented by Master Amateur Retriever Club’s Board of Directors, is Frankie Prendergast.

Frankie is extremely dedicated to the retriever sport and all who participate. His involvement includes far more items and areas than I have listed below.
  • Instrumental & founding committee member of the Master Amateur Retriever Club (MARC).
  • Served as Region One Director on the first slate of officers for MARC. 
  • Attended and worked the first five MARC events as stakes chair, equipment Mgr., stakes set up chairman etc.
  • Has attended, chaired and worked at the last 25 Master National Retriever Club (MNRC) events. 
  • Has offered his property & time to help many Amateurs improve their handling skills.
  • He belongs to and supports several AKC retriever clubs. He serves on their committees & has held office in many.
  • Was responsible for creating and running The Frankie Party held at the MNRC annual event. This event brings all the parties together who spend their time, effort & money to make the MN a success.
  • Frankie is an US Marine and a career Fire Fighter for the City of Boston. He has demonstrated unselfish dedication & commitment to his civic responsibilities. 
  • He is a man of faith dedicated to God his Country & the Retriever community. 

2020 Award Recipient

Julie with Semper Austin Mini Cooper MNH BN**WCX

Julie Cairns
The second recipient of the annual John O. Blackbird Memorial Award, presented by Master Amateur Retriever Club’s Board of Directors, is Julie Cairns.

Many hobbies and interests have come and gone in Julie’s life, but the one constant passion has been the love for her retrievers and field training.  Ever since she was a teenager, Julie has had golden retrievers and fate would step in the day she found herself with one that wanted to retriever ALL THE TIME.  She soon discovered a local retriever club and after a phone call and a club meeting she became involved in the Redwood Empire Retriever Club (RERC).  RERC was primarily made up of hunters who ran field trails on the side and with their encouragement she and her husband began hunting in the fall.  

The Redwood Empire Retriever Club held the first sanctioned hunt test on the West Coast in 1984 and a year later Julie judged the Junior stake at the first licensed AKC hunt test on the West Coast. Soon she was judging all test levels, as well as field trials. 

Julie has judged the Master National three times - 1995, 1998 and most recently in 2019.
She also judged the 2018 Master Amateur Invitational in Sedalia, Missouri in 2018.

For some time now, Julie has served as a leader on the national stage.  She was also on the original Board of Directors of the Master National Retriever Club in 1991-92 when the name of the organization was selected and the By-Laws were drafted.  She served another stint on the MNRC Board in 2006 when she was President.For ten years she was the editor/publisher of the "Hunt Test Know How" newsletter, a publication to help improve the understanding of hunt test training, testing and judging. 

She continues to be active with the RERC, as well as the NorCal Golden Retriever Club. 

Over the years she has had many wonderful Goldens that she has trained and titled at all levels. Currently, she has a female black lab Master Hunter. 

Julie retired a few years ago after 30 years with the U.S. Postal Service as a rural letter carrier.  She is a ceramic artist, does volunteer work in the community and enjoys her role as grandmother to her three-year-old grandson.

2019 Award Recipient

William (Bill) M. Blochowiak
Meeker, OK

​July 20, 1942 — July 4, 2022
The inaugural recipient of the John O. Blackbird Memorial Award was presented to Bill Blochowiak in recognition of His Dedication, Support and Success In the Retriever Hunting Test Community.

Bill’s interest in retrievers began in the 1970’s. In 1976, Bill became involved with Sooner Retriever Club and through the years has held every position from hunt test chair to President. To say he is committed to his beloved club is an understatement and his dedication is stronger than ever to the membership and it’s mission. Bill routinely offers his 190-acre property for club training days, hunt tests, field trials and to club members and friends to train. The Master National was also hosted on Bill’s property in 2001. 

As an owner/trainer/handler, Bill qualified dogs for the Master National in 1991, 1993, 1998, 1999, 2001 and 2017. As a Judge, Bill has over 50 points from across the country including the Master National in 1995, 2000, 2010, 2014 and 2018. 

He is also a charter member of both the Master Amateur Retriever Club and the Master National Retriever Club and served as MNRC Vice President 2002-2004 and MNRC President in 2005. In 1998 at the MNRC Business Meeting, Bill proposed to the Retriever Hunt Test Advisory Committee what we now know as “Billy’s Rule.” Allowing youth, disabled and elderly participants to run a fully trained Master Hunter or Senior Hunter dog in the Junior Stake. 
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Beyond his life in the retriever world, Bill is active in his community serving the United Cerebral Palsy Association of Oklahoma City, a number of affordable and low income housing boards, his local Ducks Unlimited Chapter and his church. Bill also served an admirable career in the U.S. Air Force at the rank of Chief Master Sergeant. Most importantly, however, Bill is dedicated to his wife Brenda of nearly 40 years and his family and grandchildren.
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