Youth Handler of the Year Awards

Master National Retriever Club Foundation (Foundation)

“Youth Handler of the Year Award” Policy

The “Youth Handler of the Year Awards” (Awards) were established by the Foundation in 2015 at the suggestion of an active supporter of the annual Retriever Hunting Test conducted by the Master National Retriever Club under the current American Kennel Club (AKC) regulations and guidelines. The support is in memory of beloved Master National Retriever Hunting Test (MNRHT) dogs lost, in honor of dogs competing in MNRHT and in the prospects of upcoming pups for future MNRHT events, as well as in memory and honor of all handlers who have sacrificed so much to experience such an awesome event and in unending support of those still to come. Our future lies not only with future retriever breeding’s that compete at the highest level of our sport, but also in the hearts and abilities of future handlers that share in the love and sportsmanship of MNRHT’s. 

The primary purposes of the Award are to honor and continue to encourage a youth handler in each bracket to step up to the line not only at the weekend AKC tests but also at the MNRHT. There shall be two award categories; a 12 year old and below and a 13-17 year old. The primary purpose of having two categories is to be fair to participants in each age group. Each award consists of a plaque and check in the amount of $1,000.

The recipients shall be selected by the Foundation Board of Directors (Board) who have final authority on the selection of the awardees and whether or not the Awards will be given in a particular year. The Awards may not be awarded each year. In considering potential awardees, the Board shall, among other things consider the following criteria:

1.     The age of the handler; must meet above requirements;

2.     The handler must handle a dog(s) in all eligible series (any series where the dog is ‘called back’) at the Master National Retriever Club’s annual Retriever Hunting Test;

3.     The dog(s) does/do not have to “qualify” (get a plate)at the MNRHT for the handler to be eligible for the award;

4.     The handler must have trained, or at least participated in the training of the dog(s) handled;

5.     The handler must successfully control the dog from the holding blind to the line at the tests;

6.     The handler must exhibit expertise in handling the dog(s) during the tests;

7.     The handler must have knowledge of the AKC’s current Regulations and Guidelines applicable to the event;

8.     The handler must apply the AKC’s current Regulations and Guidelines applicable to the event;

9.     The handler must exhibit an ability to handle the dog(s) to the AKC Standards;

10.   The handler must exhibit knowledge of how to properly care for the dog(s); and

11.   The handler must exhibit personal & professional conduct at the event.

12. The handler must be in good standing with the MNRC and AKC.

13. A handler of a dog that is owned by any member of the MNRC or MNRCF board of directors or their family is ineligible for this award.

To nominate an individual for the awards, submit a legible, written description of how/why the individual meets the above criteria and why they should receive the award. The submission must include all necessary contact information for the submitter and the name and age of the candidate. Hard copies or e-mail copies will be accepted and must be received within 30 days of the completion of the MNRHT in which they participated. Hard copies must be mailed to MNRCF, 734 CR 630, Nacogdoches, Texas 75964. E-mails sent to ta9@hughes.net. For further information, contact Bill Teague at ta9@hughes.net or 713-252-3918, Central time.

September 30, 2015