The Winner of the 2026
National Retriever Derby Club Championship is...
The Winner of the 2026
National Retriever Derby Club Championship is...
Congratulations to the 2026 NRDC Finalists!

Test Ended. Series 10 was completed and in the books at 12:45 pm.
That concludes the 2026 Derby National!
Finalists will be announced next and the Winner will be announced after that!
Came to the line at 12:29 pm
RIGHT - Through the water, over the point and angled straight up to her bird! Got it!
MIDDLE - She hit the land bridge and started to run for the flyer area - but made a smart move and turned to the middle bird - got in the pond and swam over directly to the area of the fall - up to the shore and pulled out her bird - Got it!
FLYER - Entered the water left of the bush - good line and carried it the full length - over the land bridge and onward - arrived left of the gunners getting out of the water just beyond the gunners - turned sharp right and got her bird!
Came to the line at 12:12 pm
RIGHT - Across the field and into the pond left of the hay bale - over the point and re-entered the pond - swam to the shore - nice line out under the arc - turned right for 1 pass and then back for the bird - got it!
MIDDLE - Rand the land bridge - into the 2nd pond on a right angle away from the bird - adjusted as he got closer to the shore - out at the right base of the point - went behind the gunners and established a hunt - worked his way back to the bird and he got it!
FLYER - Into the pond left of the bush - swam toward the far end of pond 1 - straightened out on his exit over the land bridge and into the 2nd pond - saw the middle gunners and headed that way - had to handle to this bird and gunners came to help
Came to the line at 11:55 am
RIGHT - Great line out to the fall and directly to the bird! Got it!
MIDDLE - Over the land bridge - angled through the water to the point on the far side - back into the water to the fall area - digs out her bird and she got it!
FLYER - Swam the entire 1st piece of water - holds the line - drives under the arc and makes an easy right turn to recover her flyer! Got it!
Came to the line at 11:41 am
RIGHT - Great line out to the area - and he quickly had his bird!
MIDDLE - Got the very corner of the pond - ran the land bridge and then into the 2nd pond towards the point - arrived in front of the gunners - 2 turns in front of the guns and then moved on to the bird and got it!
FLYER - Into the pond - all the way to the end - over the land bridge - over and into the 2nd pond - out on the far shore and circled behind the guns a couple times - moved right and scooped up his bird!
Came to the line at 11:27 am
RIGHT - Very nice line across the water - up the field to nearly the bird and he turned right - quickly changes direction however and goes back to the bird and got it!
MIDDLE - Out through the pond - Took the last point and jumped into the last piece of water and quickly grabbed his bird
FLYER - Squared off the point and ended up at the middle gun area - dog was picked up
Came to the line at 11:13 am
MIDDLE - Into the right corner of the 1st pond - over the land bridge and into the 2nd large pond - and then straight to his bird! Got it!
FLYER - Into the left side of the 1st pond - swam at an angle towards the far right corner - out and over the land bridge - got out of the water and headed right - back to the middle bird - dog was picked up
Came to the line at 10:59 am
RIGHT - Angled across the pond - up to the area of the fall and under the arc - he hunts left and recovers his bird quickly
MIDDLE - Nice angle across the water - continues his line with each water entry - arrives to the area under the arc near the gunners - turns right away from the bird but quickly recovers and turns back to the correct area and gets his bird.
FLYER - Adam takes his time making sure Sandman identifies the mark before sending him - Good line out through the water - came in around the back side of the guns - a little corkscrew set of loops and he had his bird!
Came to the line at 10:43 am
RIGHT - Out left of the bale and into the pond- over the point and back into the water - out on a straight line to the area - stayed in front of the gunners for 2 loops - moved left and then she got it
MIDDLE - Ran down the land bridge about 1/2 way out - then into the 2nd pond coming in to the point on-line with the guns - stayed in front of the guns - got out on the point and she got her bird
FLYER - Into the pond left of the bush - swam straight to the end - over the land bridge and back in the 2nd pond with a more right leaning angle towards the bird - got out of the water by the gunners and went out deep right but she had a short bird - 1 more loop and she found it!
Came to the line at 10:29 am
RIGHT - Entered the water left of the bale and carried a direct line to the area across the point - continued in the water and then was up and out on the far shore arriving to the area under the arc - turned right and then quickly turned back to located his bird. Got it.
MIDDLE - Into the 2nd large pond and landed behind the gunners to establish a hunt deep working the area between the Middle and Right gunners - looped around the tree line and came back to the area behind the middle gunners for a couple more passes before changing his pattern to bring him down to the point and into the bird - got it!
FLYER - Held a good angle through the first and second ponds - banked just below the gunners - turned right and went up to locate his bird quickly. Got it!
Came to the line at 10:05 am
RIGHT - Into the pond left of the bale - swam to and then over the long skinny point - good angle toward the bird - crossed the 2nd piece of water - and arrived under the arc - turned in left and quickly got her bird
MIDDLE - Down and out over the land bridge - across the pond - up on land on the point - went behind the gunners for a few turns - then back onto the point with the bird and she got it!
FLYER - Into the pond left of the bush - swam a direct line through the water - out onto the land bridge - off the tip end towards the bird - swam to the end - cut in front of the gunners to the area just short of the fall to start hunting - expanded the hunt area both left and right and deep - got back in the water and continued to hunt - deeper and wider until finally locating her flyer!
Came to the line at 9:49 am
RIGHT - Into the water between the bale and the mound - nice angle across the water - out of the water and under the arc of the fall - turned right for a quick loop and then back to the fall and he got his bird!
MIDDLE - Nice line angling across the pond - arrived under the arc - drove deep for a turn and then he bent back into the fall area and located his bird.
FLYER - Into the pond - left of the bush - held his angle as he crossed the land bridge - his swim took him right along the shoreline - exited the water wide right - a loop to the right that had him bend back around and into the fall and then he had his bird!
Came to the line at 9:31 am
RIGHT - Left of the bale and into the pond - over the long skinny point and back into the pond - out on the far shore - stayed in front of the guns and then straight to the bird - Got it!
MIDDLE - Down the hill - took the land bridge out a little ways before she entered the pond - swam to the point - over the point and back out to the bird - got it!
FLYER - Came in right of the bush - swam 1/3 of the way across the pond and then got out onto the land bridge - down the land bridge on the far side - into the 2nd pond and swam to the middle bird and hunted - the flyer guns came out to help..dog was handled to this bird
Tall Pines Raging Rebel, “Rebel,” BLM
Owner: Nannette Hegerty
Handler: Wayne Curtis
First test dog up was Rebel with handler Wayne Curtis.... Rebel came to the line at 8:49 am
10th Series Test Description
Water Triple with a Flyer
It's FRIDAY and a beautiful day here in Sedalia, Missouri for the final day of the 2026 Derby National. The temperature at the start of our test dogs at 9:00 am is expected to be around 70 degrees. The sky is clear with wind gusts up to 16 mph.
The final test of this event will be a big Water Triple with a Flyer. This series is located at the "Technical Ponds" field on the Hayden property. The mat for this test is facing Northwest on a gentle hill, overlooking several technical ponds with points, land bridges and coves. 12 dog/handler teams have been called back to start this series. Good luck everyone!
Good Morning Everyone and Welcome to Day 5 (the FINAL DAY!) at the 2026 National Derby Championship!
This morning we are kicking off the 10th series of this event with the parade of dog and handler teams to the 10th Series! The test is being set up, test dogs will run at about 9:00 am and then we will begin with our first running dog of this final series. (dog #2)
This morning has started out similar to the rest of the week, with clear skies and temps currently at about 65 degrees. The expected high is in the upper 80's this afternoon again with sunny skies predicted! There is a slight breeze today, gusting around 8mph. But all in all, it should be another very pleasant and mostly sunny morning for our 10th Series at the National Derby. If there are any changes as the morning wears on, we will report it here!
Be sure to stay tuned today as we launch into the 10th Series this morning and find out who will be our 2026 National Derby Champion!
12 Dog teams will Start the 10th Series, starting with dog #2 ...
Best of Luck to Everyone Today! And Way To Go Getting to the 10th!
12 dogs were called back: 2, 4, 6, 13, 17, 33, 35, 40, 45, 46, 52 and 53.
2 dogs dropped: 3 and 25
Dog #2 will Start the 10th Series
10th Series Instructions:
Test Ended. Series 9 was completed and in the books at 5:46 pm.
**Callbacks to come shortly here at this location**
Came to the line at 5:40 pm
SHORT LEFT - Into the pond - charged up the hill and came around the bush right and left around the bush and then he got his bird
LONG RIGHT - Drove the right shoulder of the road over the hill - crossed the road and drove to the right of the guns - circled the bush and came to grab his bird from the back - got it
Came to the line at 5:37 pm
SHORT LEFT - Out through the pond - across the road and right to her bird - got it
LONG RIGHT - Down the hill- left side of the pond and out early - drove the left side of the hill and went back to the old fall area - dog was picked up
Came to the line at 5:31 pm
SHORT LEFT - Into the left corner of the pond - drove across the road to the bush and her bird - got it
LONG RIGHT - Across the middle of the pond - ran the right side of the road - over the hill - hunted under the arc and got it!
Came to the line at 5:25 pm
SHORT LEFT - Down the hill and a big splash into the pond on the left side - up the hill behind the bush and he came back out with his bird
LONG RIGHT - Across the middle of the pond - rand the right side over the hill - out of sight for a while - came back into view up by the gunners and he located his bird
Came to the line at 5:18 pm
SHORT LEFT - Left side of the pond - crossed the road - up the hill - a short hunt on the left of the bush and she got her bird
LONG RIGHT - Across the left side of the pond - out across the road - up to the thick cover - lost sight going over the hill - hunted way up there on the right side of the guns at the top and circled the bushes - but she got her bird
Came to the line at 5:13 pm
SHORT LEFT - Across the left side of the pond - straight out behind the bush and grabbed his bird!
LONG RIGHT - Across the middle of the pond and across the road before the left hand bush - drove the hill on the left, but moved right up and hunted deep - moved left and located his bird
Came to the line at 5:05 pm
SHORT LEFT - Down the hill and into the pond on the left side - up the hill - circled the bush right to left and then located the bird
LONG RIGHT - Into the pond and across on a left angle - crossed the road - circled the bush - had to have the guns come out to help him get the bird - dog is picked up
Callbacks will be given here at the 9th Series Test Site after the test is complete
Came to the line at 4:56 pm
SHORT LEFT - Into the left corner of the pond - over the road and angled up to the back of the bush and got her bird
LONG RIGHT - Across the middle of the pond - took a right line up the hill - crossed the road after the crest of the hill - lost sight of her - saw her next at the gunners station - crossed the field and went for her bird - got it
Came to the line at 4:50 pm
SHORT LEFT - Into the corner of the pond - crossed the road - drove the hill - behind the bush and back out with her bird - got it
LONG RIGHT - Crossed the middle of the pond - across the road and ran the right side up the hill - hunted right and deep - moved left and had a short hunt and then she got it
Came to the line at 4:43 pm
SHORT LEFT - Into the left corner of the pond - crossed right to left by the bush and straight for the bird - got it
LONG RIGHT - Down the hill across the pond - up the right side of the road - topped the hill and crossed the road - held the line right of the gun - hunted deep and then back to the left side and located his bird
Came to the line at 4:38 pm
SHORT LEFT - Big splash into the pond - out and drove the hill straight to her bird and got it
LONG RIGHT - Into the pond again - across the middle - up the right side of the road to the top of the hill - crossed and came out right of the guns for a hunt - came back across to grab his bird by the tall cover - got it
Came to the line at 4:32 pm
SHORT LEFT - Into the left corner of the pond - over the road - right of the bush - came back to front and left to the bird - got it
LONG RIGHT - Into the pond - across the middle of the pond - up the right side wide right - started to turn a little left at the top of the hill - came out right of the guns for a little hunt and then left of the guns by the bush - moved left to the bird and got it
Came to the line at 4:27 pm
SHORT LEFT - Into the left corner of the pond - crossed the road and drove right of the cedar - circled and was on his way back with his bird!
LONG RIGHT - Across the pond - out and across the road - over the hill - right of the bales - out of sight - up and out of the water to go under the arc - then from the bush left and located his bird
Came to the line at 4:20 pm
SHORT LEFT - Down into the left corner of the pond - crossed the road and went straight for his bird - got it
LONG RIGHT - Swam across the pond - ran parallel to the road - over the hill and crossed the road - right of the water - drove up right of the gunners for a brief hunt - went to the fall area and missed it - back around and then in again for his bird - got it!
Tall Pines Raging Rebel, “Rebel,” BLM
Owner: Nannette Hegerty
Handler: Wayne Curtis
Next test dog up was Rebel with handler Wayne Curtis.... Rebel came to the line at 4:09pm
9th Series Test Description
The 9th Series is Sponsored by Mark and Suzanne Medford
Land and Water Double
The 9th Series test will be a Land and Water Double here at the "Middle Lakes" Field. 14 dog/handler teams were called back to start this series.
This field has a gravel road that runs the length of the test on the right side and a field of tall heavy cover on the left forming a narrow cooridor. The mat for this test is facing Northwest on the side of a hill. At the base of this hill there is a large pond that is on-line for both birds.
14 dogs were called back: 2, 3, 4, 6, 13, 17, 25, 33, 35, 40, 45, 46, 52 and 53.
5 dogs dropped: 9, 18, 27, 55 and 56
9th Series up next today!
Test Ended. Series 8 was completed and in the books at 3:19 pm.
**Callbacks to come shortly here at this location**
Came to the line at 3:10 pm
FLYER - Down the hill and into the 1st small pond - crossed to the land bridge - ran around a little before getting into the 2nd pond - swam across to the far shore and stayed in front of the guns and located her bird quickly
LONG LEFT - Into the pond - swam past the point - swam past the guns and got out - missed on her first pass and then got it on her second pass!
Came back to the line at 2:59 pm for a rerun
FLYER - Into the 1st small pond and over the land bridge about 1/2 way down - into the 2nd pond -swam past the gunners and angled up and out of the water to the area about 1/2 way up the hill - missed the bird - made 1 big loop and was back to the fall area and he got his bird.
LONG LEFT - Long entry across the near shore of the big pond - swam past the point and stayed in front of the gunners - established a hunt on the hill after getting out under the arc - worked his way down to the bird and got it.
Came to the line at 2:47 pm
FLYER - Direct line to the bird - a couple quick loops and she was on the bird - got it!
LONG LEFT - Through the pond - she pulled herself up onto the point and then back into the water holding her line to the far shore - out of the water and established a hunt along the hillside - eventually working her way to the bird and she got it
Came to the line at 2:36 pm
FLYER - Direct line to the fall and the bird and she got it
LONG LEFT - Into the pond and over the point - landed right of the gunners - drove the hill to establish a hunt deep of the gunners - worked his way down to the bird and she got it
Came to the line at 2:24 pm
FLYER - Through the 1st small pond, across the land bridge, through the tullies of the other ponds, maintained her line - across the next pond and the she drove the land up the hill and grabbed her bird
LONG LEFT - She entered the big pond and swam to the point - over the point and continued on a great line - lands and begins to hunt - her hunt extended up the hill nearly to the flyer when she turned to hunt closer to the shore and she found her bird
Here is a link to all of the videos we are uploading to Youtube from this National event:
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEAUIBACC73U&si=5EtEOisCnSzOvPvt
Came to the line at 2:08 pm
FLYER - Into the 1st small pond - out on the land bridge - ran half way to the shore - got into the 2nd pond - swam to the gunners - stayed in front of the guns up to the fall area and then back to the water - swam little further out and out to to the fall area and got her bird
LONG LEFT - Into the big pond - swam past the point - continued her swim to get close to the fall area - got out and then went right back into the water - swam alittle more - got out and grabbed her bird
Came to the line at 2:01 pm
FLYER - Into the 1st small pond - crossed the land bridge - into the big pond - back over the land bridge and crossed the 2nd small pond - up and out of the water to take 1 big loop through the fall area - then took a 2nd loop and got his bird
LONG LEFT - Good angle across the shore - into the big pond - swam and touched the tip of the point - relaunched into the pond and swam all the way to the bird
Came to the line at 1:50 pm
FLYER - Into the 1st pond and over the land bridge to the 2nd pond - swam past the gunners and then got out and ran a little wide left - made a circle and then she got her bird
LONG LEFT -Into the large pond - over the point - swam past the gunners to the bird and got it!
Came to the line at 1:40 pm and had a no-bird, they will be back after 6 running dogs
Thanks to our Blog sponsors that help make this blog possible!
Came to the line at 1:33 pm
FLYER - Straight line through the 1st pond and through the tullies below the dam - and then into the 2nd pond and out on the far side and he went directly to his bird and got it
LONG LEFT - Direct line out and got to the fall area - came up for a quick look and then back to the lily pads for his bird. got it.
Came to the line at 1:23 pm
FLYER - Through the 1st small pond - keeping a straight line he moved through the cover of tullies on a direct line to the bird - across the next pond and out in front of the gunners - he did one loop and grabbed his bird
LONG LEFT - Into the large pond and just brushed past the point and then turned to head to the gunners - came along the shoreline and grabbed his bird
Came to the line at 1:07 pm
FLYER - Into the 1st small pond - over the land bridge and into the 2nd pond - out and up in front of the gunners - brief hunt around the fall area and he got his bird
LONG LEFT - Into the large pond - over the end of the point and stayed in the water in front of the guns - came out for a loop deep down to the water and retrieved his bird
Came to the line at 12:56 pm
FLYER - Into the 1st small pond - over the land bridge and into the corner of the 2nd small pond - out and straight up the hill - circled the cedars and hunted deep - to the fall area and the bird
LONG LEFT - Down the hill and into the large pond -swam and then landed right of the guns at the dead tree - drove through the lily pads around the back of the guns and deep on the hillside - back and forth on the hillside - very extended hunt but she worked it out and got it
Came to the line at 12:49 pm
FLYER - Short bird - Envy went into the 1st small pond - down the land bridge and into the 2nd pond - out in front of the guns - hunted all around the cedar - got left and deep - but worked out the short fall area and she got it
LONG LEFT - Into the large pond - over the point - on a straight line to the guns - staying in front of the guns - got out and ran the bank and scooped up her bird
Special Thanks to Pat Burns of Elite Retrievers for supplying the blog team with Drone Images, Extra Test Diagrams and Test Dog Videos for each test! Thank you Pat we all appreciate it!
If you see Pat - tell him thanks! ;)
Came to the line at 12:32 pm
FLYER - Into the 1st small pond - out on the land bridge - ran it to the shore - hunted deep behind the guns - dropped down and hunted the hillside and around the cedar - finally got to the fall area and had a tight hunt and located his bird
LONG LEFT - Ran the bank wide left - swam wide left of the point to go around it - swam down the shore to the Lilly pads until he found his bird without ever leaving the pond! (he is the 1st dog to do it!)