And the Winner is ...

The Winner of the 2026

National Retriever Derby Club Championship is...

#17 RIVERWOOD’S MIGHTY MIDNIGHT BLU

 “Indigo”

Owned by Mark Giese

Handled by Matt Miller

Breeder Matt Miller

Congratulations Matt and Indigo!!

2026 National Derby Judges

 

Judges L to R: Larry Morgan, Judy Rasmuson and Jeff Schuett

And the Finalists Are ...

Congratulations to the 2026 NRDC Finalists!

#4 GREEN RIVERS GET A GRIP, “Talon,” BLM
Owned by Jason Cyr
Handled by Jason Cyr

#6 CIMARRON’S GRASSY POND PEARL, “Pearl,” BLF

Owned by Jeff & Megan Meyer

Handled by Marc Patton

#13 R & M’S BLIZZARD IN THE BAYOU, “Enzo,” BLM

Owned by Loran Marmes IV and Bobby Raasch

Handled by Loran Marmes IV

#17 RIVERWOOD’S MIGHTY MIDNIGHT BLU, “Indigo,” BLF

Owned by Mark Giese

Handled by Matt Miller

#33 WATERMARKS SANDMAN, “Sandman,” BLM

Owned by Adam Coleman

Handled by Adam Coleman

#45 DUCKEDUP TAKETHECHANCE, “Chance,” BLM

Owned by Tom Stasierowski

Handled by Tom Stasierowski

#46 GREEN RIVERS I DO NOT FREE BASE, “Sally,” BLF

Owned by Rita & Frank Jones

Handled by Marc Patton

#53 WATERWHEEL’S HONEY IN THE ROCK, “Honey,” BLF

Owned by Michael Wallace

Handled by Jessie Landers

Winner's Party

 

Winner's Party!

Friday, October 9th

at the conclusion of the National!

Please Join Us to Celebrate!!

Test Complete - 10th Series

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!

53. WATERWHEEL’S HONEY IN THE ROCK, “Honey,” BLF, Jessie Landers

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!

52. I M A SUPER SLEUTH, “Holmes,” BLM, Connie Cleveland-Nolan

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

46. GREEN RIVERS I DO NOT FREE BASE, “Sally,” BLF, Marc Patton

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!

45. DUCKEDUP TAKETHECHANCE, “Chance,” BLM, Tom Stasierowski

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!

Pick- up 40. SUPERSONIC STARS AND STRIPES, “Banner,” BLM, Gary Mausolf

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

Pick-up 35. CAUGHT RED HANDED III, “Freeze,” BLM, Michael Demmer

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

33. WATERMARKS SANDMAN, “Sandman,” BLM, Adam Coleman

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!

17. RIVERWOOD’S MIGHTY MIDNIGHT BLU, “Indigo,” BLF, Matt Miller

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!

13. R & M’S BLIZZARD IN THE BAYOU, “Enzo,” BLM, Loran Marmes IV

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!

6. CIMARRON’S GRASSY POND PEARL, “Pearl,” BLF, Marc Patton

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!

4. GREEN RIVERS GET A GRIP, “Talon,” BLM, Jason Cyr

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!

2. RSK’S SILKY SMOOTH, “Kessie,” YLF, Brian VanEngen

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

Test Dogs - 10th Series

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

RIGHT - Rebel entered the water - crossed the pond and exited the water to drive up behind the gunners - made a couple loops and then he expanded his hunt to the fall area and located his bird.

MIDDLE - Out across the land bridge and into the water - exited the water to arrive behind the gunners - made a few loops deep and then moved on to the bird - got it

FLYER - Made a big splash into the water - his line went a little right - came up on the land bridge and ran along it for a bit before entering the 2nd water and angling across it to the flyer area - he ran up to the fall area and located his bird quickly.

Green Rivers Sexy Sidekick, “Polly,” BLF
Owner: Bob Johnston
Handler: Jacob Breaux

First test dog up was Polly and handler Jacob Breaux ... Polly came to the line at 9:04 am

RIGHT - Down into pond right of the bale over the point on a right angle - came in front of guns to the fall area and had a few quick turns and her bird

MIDDLE - Into the pond left of the bush - swam to the far right corner - handled over the right bank - still in the pond, turned and swam to the point by the guns - moved over - ran the water to the point and her bird

FLYER - In left of the bush - swam to the land bridge - over towards the middle bird - had the flyer guns out to help - worked hard to find it in the field

10th Series Set up

 

Test Description - 10th Series

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!

Bird # 1 is located to the handlers left. This is a Drake Flyer station. The gunners will throw and then shoot their bird Left to Right angled back, landing approximately 350 yards from the line. On the way to retrieve this bird, the dog will enter the 1st pond near a bush and then cross a land bridge to then enter the 2nd large pond before exiting the water onto a flat field to locate their bird up off the shore. (FLYER)

Bird # 2 is a Hen Duck station located in the middle, directly in front of the handler. These gunners are positioned on a bank, near the shoreline behind a point in the 2nd large pond. This duck is shot and then thrown Right to Left landing at approximately 195 yards from the mat on a small point. The line to this bird will take the dog into the right side of the 1st large pond, over the land bridge, into the 2nd large pond, over a point and then they will need to locate their bird on the next small point. (MIDDLE)

Bird # 3 is a dead Drake station. This station is located to the right of the handler next to a young pinoak tree. These gunners will shoot and then throw their Drake from Right to Left landing at approximately 200 yards from the mat. They will throw towards the pinoak tree to their left. The line to this bird will take the dog down a slight hill to the 2nd big pond, where they will enter the water near a hay bale, swim out and cross a long narrow point, re-enter the water and swim past the gunners to exit onto the shore which leads them to a flat field to locate their bird near the trees. Just behind the gunners there is a gravel road that borders the entire right side of the test, and there is a large open field in the area that may be enticing to the dogs if they don't stay focused. (RIGHT)

This test is estimated to take approximately 13 minutes per dog to complete.

Fun Facts Coming into the 10th Series

Here are some fun facts about the Dogs heading into the final Series of this event ...

Sex
7 male dogs
5 female dogs


Color/Breed

11 Black Labs
1 Yellow Lab


Youngest Dog
#46 GREEN RIVERS I DO NOT FREE BASE, “Sally,” BLF

DOB 4/1/2025
Sire: FC Toplines Everlasting Rock QA2
Dam: Green River's Kountry Girl
Owned by Rita & Frank Jones
Handled by Marc Patton


Oldest Dog
#52  I M A SUPER SLEUTH, “Holmes,” BLM
DOB 10/8/2024
Sire: FC-AFC Rimfires Once Inna Blue Moon
Dam: FC-AFC My Dawg Miss M
Owned by Pat Nolan & Connie Cleveland-Nolan
Handled by Connie Cleveland-Nolan


Siblings (Littermates)
Sire:NFC-AFC Windy City's Mighty Mouse

Dam: FC-AFC SouthWindz Midnight Brees QA2

Breeder: Matt Miller

DOB 12/5/2024

Dog #13  R & M’S BLIZZARD IN THE BAYOU, “Enzo,” BLM
Owned by Loran Marmes IV and Bobby Raasch, Watertown, WI
Handled by Loran Marmes IV

Dog #17 RIVERWOOD’S MIGHTY MIDNIGHT BLU, “Indigo,” BLF
Owned by Mark Giese, Fredonia, WI
Handled by Matt Miller

Dog #40  SUPERSONIC STARS AND STRIPES, “Banner,” BLM
Owned by Gary & Cynde Mausolf, Tustin, MI
Handled by Gary Mausolf

Siblings (Same Sire)

Sire: FC-AFC Rimfires Once Inna Blue Moon

Dog #33  WATERMARKS SANDMAN, “Sandman,” BLM
DOB 1/3/2025

Breeder: Mary Tatum

Dam: Seaside Seashell
Owned by Adam Coleman, Sherwood, AR

Handled by Adam Coleman

Dog #52  I M A SUPER SLEUTH, “Holmes,” BLM

DOB 10/8/2024

Breeder: Patrick Nolan

Dam: FC-AFC My Dawg Miss M

Owned by Pat Nolan & Connie Cleveland-Nolan, Berryville, VA
Handled by Connie Cleveland-Nolan

Sire: FC Toplines Everlasting Rock QA2

Dog #4 GREEN RIVERS GET A GRIP, “Talon,” BLM
DOB 11/21/2024

Breeder: Marc Patton

Dam: FC B&B's Gossip Girl

Owned by Jason Cyr, Bolton, CT
Handled by Jason Cyr

Dog #46  GREEN RIVERS I DO NOT FREE BASE, “Sally,” BLF

DOB 4/10/2025

Breeder: Stacy Willis

Dam: Green River's Kountry Girl

Owned by Rita & Frank Jones, Vernon, FL
Handled by Marc Patton

Good Morning – Day 5

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!