The
​Sallie P. Sullivan
​Handler of the Year Award

Purpose:
The purpose of the Sallie P. Sullivan Handler Award is to honor Sallie, who was an institution in the hunt test community. Her love of the sport, dogs, and fellow handlers shined throughout her life. 

This award will be given to a recipient who has shown that training, testing and setting goals at the highest level are as much a part of their life as it was Sallie’s, continuing her legacy.

They must have participated as a handler in the Master Amateur Invitational and/or the Master National Retriever Club.

Supporting their local club as an active worker, encouraging other amateur handlers, and giving back to the sport are essential criteria as well.
​
This award will be presented at the yearly Master Amateur Invitational meeting and opening ceremony.

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
• A member of the MARC
• Has competed in the Master National and/or the Master Amateur Invitational
• Active working member in local club
• Sets goals for their dogs at the National level
• Gives back to the sport in many ways
• Is a role model for other Amateur Handlers

Award:
The recipient, who does not need to be present, will be announced at the Handler's Meeting/Opening Ceremony of each MAI.
 
An individual award will be presented to the recipient and the winner's name will be listed on the MARC website, on the Sallie P. Sullivan Handler of the Year Award page. The award recipient need not be present to receive the award. 
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See Below for Previous Award Recipients ...

In Memory of Sallie P. Sullivan ...

Past Award Recipients

• 2026 - Beth Trudel

• 2025 - Aurelia Carter

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 Online Nomination Form located on the MARC website, 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 (see button below for printable form) 

2) Complete the Online 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 Sallie P. Sullivan Handler of the Year 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.

Complete the Digital Form
​and Submit Online

Online Nomination Form

Download the Form and Submit
​By Email or By Mail

Download Printable Form

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If you would like to mail the form, please print and Submit to:
Gloria Nusbickel
5725 Palmer Rd.
Meigs, GA 31765

Contact Phone# (229) 224-5226
Email: [email protected]

AWARD WINNERS

2026 Award Recipient

Beth Trudel

Beth Trudel

This year's recipient is a member of the Master Amateur Retriever Club and a long time working member of the Muddy Waters Retriever Club of Wisconsin. She is an accomplished judge, having given back to our sport while supporting others in their quest to learn and grow. She keeps her tone light and makes her tests fun to run. 

Our new award winner began with sporting dogs in 1984. She has owned several breeds including Labradors, but eventually settled on her breed of choice, Chesapeake Bay Retrievers. While she was enjoying training and competing with her Chessies, God threw her a curve ball and cancer sidelined her for 6 years, but she was back  running hunt tests including the Master Amateur Invitational and the Master National by 2019. She has handled dogs at all levels and last year her HRCH Fox Island Lance’s Ziracuny obtained her 100th master pass. She achieved another of her goals by judging the Master National in 2025 in Texas.

Beth Trudel exhibits the qualities Sallie admired and she would have approved of this year’s 2026 Sallie P. Sullivan Handler of the Year Award recipient. Congratulations, Beth!

2025 Award Recipient

Aurelia B. Carter

​Aurelia, a retired first-grade teacher, met Sally Sullivan at a hunting test nearly 40 years ago, and they quickly formed a close friendship. Aurelia eventually relocated to Sally's cherished Borderline Plantation, where they engaged in daily training sessions alongside many others. She became a dedicated mentor to new amateur handlers, guiding several to success at the national level, many of whom are present at the 2025 Master Amateur Invitational.

Aurelia's experience in teaching young children, her unwavering desire for continuous learning and improvement, and her innate kindness have fostered strong connections with both dogs and their handlers. She particularly excels in working with puppies. Furthermore, Aurelia has served on the board of the Tallahassee Hunting Retriever Club in various capacities, including as president, and is also a member of the Wiregrass Hunting Retriever Club. As a junior, senior, and master judge, she has played a vital role in supporting and running hunt tests at all levels.

Dogs are her passion; she has participated in and qualified for Master National events, as well as the Master Amateur competition. Her beloved Borderlines Irish Whiskey is honored in the Master National Hall of Fame. At the age of 87, Aurelia handled her dog at the 2024 Master National in Paducah, Kentucky, and has made the journey to Maine to run her dog, Duncan.

It is with great honor that we recognize Aurelia as the recipient of the inaugural Sally P. Sullivan Handler of the Year award. I am confident that Sally would be proud.