Hi Fellow NRHRC Members:
If I haven’t said it before, let me now thank you for choosing the Navesink River Hunting Retriever
Club as your place to train, test and meet new friends (both 2 and 4 legged). I’d also like to thank
you for entrusting me with the responsibility of representing you as your Club Representative (CR) to
the North American Hunting Retriever Association (NAHRA).
It’s a real pleasure to see all of you at our training sessions as well as helping in the field during our
tests. Without your continuing support of these events, we would be “just another club” going
nowhere. Through your efforts and spreading the word, the NRHRC continues to grow in both
numbers, experience and reputation.
NAHRA News
http://www.nahra.org/
New NAHRA Patch Available
As you may be aware, NAHRA has a new logo and has now approved the development of a new
patch bearing the recently adopted logo. The patches have been produced and are available from
the NAHRA Office for $10.00. This will allow our members to sport the new logo on the clothing of
your choice and hopefully advance the NAHRA name. If you are interested in one of the patches,
please let me know…….
100 Point Judge Club
Congratulations are in order to Navesink River Hunting Retriever Club’s own Debbie Brennan who
has joined the 100 point judge club and becomes only the 7th NAHRA judge to attain that status.
Debbie’s dedication to the club and her fair and consistent style of judging has earned her a spot on
the 2015 NAHRA Invitational Judging Panel.
Congratulations Deb, and thank you so much from all of us for your generosity in offering your time
to the NAHRA Program!
2016 Regional
The 2016 East Regional will be hosted by Eastern Shore on the weekend of May 21 (this is not
Memorial Day weekend). A discussion was held regarding the use of East Regional funds to defray
the cost of entries for Regional qualifiers.
The Regional Test Committee will consist of one member from the host club plus 2 from elsewhere in
the Region. Dave Mellender will represent the host club in 2016. Club Reps were asked to poll their
clubs for volunteers and submit names to the Regional Director.
Responsibilities of Committee:
 Promoting the Regional Event and Rewarding participation
 Identify the Regional Qualifiers
 Maintain contact and communication with the Host Test Secretaries for all Regional
matters
 Recommend where Regional Funding can be utilized
2015 Invitational
The 2015 Invitational will be held on August 5-8, 2015 in Baldwinsville New York at the Three Rivers
Wildlife Management Area and hosted by the Leatherstocking Hunting Retriever Association [LHRA].
The NAHRA Invitational showcases the skills of NAHRA's finest retrievers and handlers. It is a three
day test incorporating all of the elements of the NAHRA Senior testing program.
If anyone is interested in helping, LHRA could still use a few more workers for the Saturday Test.
Subsidizing (accommodations / meals) is still available, so contact Dave Combs [[email protected]]
or (315) 521-0442
As I am sure you know by now, I am still holding a few 2015 Invitational raffle tickets that support the
NAHRA Invitational Event. A donation of $10 gets you 1 chance or $20 gets you 3 chances to win 1st
prize Winchester Super X3 (20 ga. Max4 camo) or $650 Cash, 2nd prize K2 Summit 70 series cooler or
$150 cash and 3rd prize 1 Duck Mount from FishWish Taxidermy
New Levels of Recognition for NAHRA Dogs & Handlers
High Point Dog:
NAHRA has established a high point dog program to reward participants in each level of
testing per region. High point dogs for each region will receive a T-shirt indicating that they
are the "NAHRA High Point Dog" for the calendar year. So get out there and get those
qualifications!
500 Point Club
NAHRA has established a 500 Point Club that awards all senior level dogs a certificate of
achievement for earning 500 lifetime senior points [that’s 25 qualifying tests]. This award was
established for those handlers who aspire to achieve higher recognition beyond the GMHR
level [300 points] but may not have the means to attain the GMHRCH title [1000 points]
within the dog's lifetime. It's a great way to stay in the game and to earn a special award for
an already special retriever!
HuntSecretary becoming Mandatory
The NAHRA EBOD has made a business decision to make on-line test entry via HuntSecretary
Mandatory starting October 1, 2015. This is a change from our August target date to accommodate
test plans already in the pipeline. HuntSecretary is experiencing some growing pains and it’s up to us
as a user, to communicate any issues to your NAHRA representatives in an attempt to fine tune the
process. The future is an ON-LINE future.
Future Retriever Program
NAHRA is offering a 1 year FREE Membership to ANYONE who has never been a member. Simply fill
out the form on the site [http://www.nahra.org/images/stories/PDF/FutureRetrieverProgram.pdf] or
ask your NAHRA representative for the form. It’s a great way to introduce people to the NAHRA
program and to promote more participation in the NAHRA events.
Membership Dues:
NAHRA is looking into what it will take to have all dues expire on December 31st, so dues will be
renewed at the beginning of the year for everyone. This will most likely NOT be happening this year
but I’ll keep you posted.
NAHRA Regional Director:
The Regional Director [RD] Position (2 year term) will be vacant come end of year. If anyone is
interested in serving, the Regional Director Responsibilities are 1) to be a conduit for communication
between the Region's clubs & the NAHRA BOARD, and is responsible for scheduling clinics, tests, &
events in the Region, as well as providing oversight for Regional functions (Meetings, the Regional
Tests & judging clinics, etc.), 2) to be involved in dispute resolution, and to represent the NE Region's
position on the NAHRA BOD and 3) to be the Club Rep’s point of contact when there is an issue for
the entire Region to consider or if there is something that requires the BOD's action.
Any NAHRA Member in “good standing” is eligible and does not have be a member of any individual
club
If anyone is interested, provide the name(s) to your club representative and it will be forwarded to
the current RD.
A NAHRA Nominating Committee will provide the names of the candidates to ALL NAHRA Members
as well as voting instructions.
Thanks for your support of the NAHRA program.
Paul Zurka