INFORMATION |
President: Gene Camargo Vice President: Chris McCorkle Treasurer: Lanny Luksik Secretary: Liz Shively HRC Hunt Test Secretary Stacy Archer AKC Hunt Test Secretary: Barbara Mains Field Trial Secretary: Ken Archer Board Member: Philip Shimerda Board Member: Ed Sloan Committees: Communications: Gene Camargo Reagan Tucker Education/Training: Barbara Mains Reagan Tucker Activities: Chris McCorkle Webmaster: Reagan Tucker Click on the following links for additional info: EQUIPMENT TRAILER POLICY |
| Officers |
| ARC History by Lee Washburn |
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Brags
The ARC has a long and rich history. The Alamo Retriever Club was founded in 1955 in San Antonio and chartered
by the American Kennel Club. (AKC).
The ARC's founding membership consisted of five members, al of who were WW II veterans. All of the members had
Chesapeake Bay Retrievers as their only dogs at the time. George and Carol Bray were the founding members and
stayed active in the club until their deaths.
The first field trial for the club found only five members present to organize staff and support the trial. Obviously,
many of the handlers, gallery members and walk-ons contributed to make the first event a success. Some of the early
field events were conducted at the Alamo Council of Boy scouts property on Military Highway and Locke Hill Selma.
From the mid 1960's through the early 1990's the ARC held the first field trials and hunt tests of the year in the U.S.
Hunt tests came into existence in the mid 1980's. The ARC, under the excellent leadership of President John Pecan,
established a precedence of outstanding tests that were held early in the year. This allowed professional trainers and
handlers to head south while the norther trial and hunt tests sites were frozen over or under show.
The ARC started early in March of each year with a D/Q (derby and qualifying) field trial, followed two weeks later by
the first hunt test of the year. After a month bread the ARC;s full field trial was held in May. After this exhaustive
schedule the hard working club members were allowed the rest of summer to recover. The Fall season consisted of
only a hunt test. Many of the early events were held at the Higgins Grass Farm in Sutherland Springs, then after
moved to Mike Coleman ranch outside Karnes City, Texas. A unique feature of the Coleman ranch venue was the
reclaimed uranium pit sites which required imaginative tests designed by the judges.
Tom and Meta Syfan have been granted Life Time Membership status by the ARC for their many years of faithful
service and generosity to the club. Many club events have been held at their 3 Mill Ranch in Mountain home, Texas
and the club's annual July picnic and fun day is still held at their ranch. One field trial held at the ranch saw a
number of renowned retriever trainers and handlers in attendance, including writer and artist Tom Quinn, author of
"The Working Retriever".
In years past, the club held the Chis Conrad event each May or June for ARC members only. Dogs were judged at
the Junior, Senior and Master Levels, and then an overall winner was determined. It was possible for an excellent
performance of a senior dog to win over a master level dog. The Conrad Cup was named after a much loved and
respected club member, Chris Conrad, who died of cancer at a young age. Chris was the son of Astronaut Pete
Conrad, the third man to walk on the moon.
Under the excellent guidance of Club President Michael Derry, the ARC became affiliated with the United Kennel
Club, and became a charted Hunting Retriever Club member. This allowed the ARC to conduct both AKC and HRC
hunt tests to include Upland Tests.
The ARC has presented numerous programs at public venues and made repeat appearances at Texas Parks and
Wildlife events, Texas Hunter's Extravaganza, and the Texas Sportsman Fair sponsored by Field and Stream
Magazine.
After its early formation and growth years, the ARC has sustained its membership between 30 and 50 members with
representations by all five retriever breeds, the dominant breed being the Labrador retriever.
by the American Kennel Club. (AKC).
The ARC's founding membership consisted of five members, al of who were WW II veterans. All of the members had
Chesapeake Bay Retrievers as their only dogs at the time. George and Carol Bray were the founding members and
stayed active in the club until their deaths.
The first field trial for the club found only five members present to organize staff and support the trial. Obviously,
many of the handlers, gallery members and walk-ons contributed to make the first event a success. Some of the early
field events were conducted at the Alamo Council of Boy scouts property on Military Highway and Locke Hill Selma.
From the mid 1960's through the early 1990's the ARC held the first field trials and hunt tests of the year in the U.S.
Hunt tests came into existence in the mid 1980's. The ARC, under the excellent leadership of President John Pecan,
established a precedence of outstanding tests that were held early in the year. This allowed professional trainers and
handlers to head south while the norther trial and hunt tests sites were frozen over or under show.
The ARC started early in March of each year with a D/Q (derby and qualifying) field trial, followed two weeks later by
the first hunt test of the year. After a month bread the ARC;s full field trial was held in May. After this exhaustive
schedule the hard working club members were allowed the rest of summer to recover. The Fall season consisted of
only a hunt test. Many of the early events were held at the Higgins Grass Farm in Sutherland Springs, then after
moved to Mike Coleman ranch outside Karnes City, Texas. A unique feature of the Coleman ranch venue was the
reclaimed uranium pit sites which required imaginative tests designed by the judges.
Tom and Meta Syfan have been granted Life Time Membership status by the ARC for their many years of faithful
service and generosity to the club. Many club events have been held at their 3 Mill Ranch in Mountain home, Texas
and the club's annual July picnic and fun day is still held at their ranch. One field trial held at the ranch saw a
number of renowned retriever trainers and handlers in attendance, including writer and artist Tom Quinn, author of
"The Working Retriever".
In years past, the club held the Chis Conrad event each May or June for ARC members only. Dogs were judged at
the Junior, Senior and Master Levels, and then an overall winner was determined. It was possible for an excellent
performance of a senior dog to win over a master level dog. The Conrad Cup was named after a much loved and
respected club member, Chris Conrad, who died of cancer at a young age. Chris was the son of Astronaut Pete
Conrad, the third man to walk on the moon.
Under the excellent guidance of Club President Michael Derry, the ARC became affiliated with the United Kennel
Club, and became a charted Hunting Retriever Club member. This allowed the ARC to conduct both AKC and HRC
hunt tests to include Upland Tests.
The ARC has presented numerous programs at public venues and made repeat appearances at Texas Parks and
Wildlife events, Texas Hunter's Extravaganza, and the Texas Sportsman Fair sponsored by Field and Stream
Magazine.
After its early formation and growth years, the ARC has sustained its membership between 30 and 50 members with
representations by all five retriever breeds, the dominant breed being the Labrador retriever.
Rascal handled by Phil Shimerda: Senior Title
Archway's C U Later handled by Stacy Baker: Senior Pass
Nitro handled by Kathleen Jaksik: Two Junior passes
Doc Holiday handled by Reagan Tucker: Seasoned Pass, Started Title
Faith Handled by Liz Shively Golden Retriever Club
Triathlon, Flyball Champion
Congratulations to these folks and their dogs. To post your brags contact:
Webmaster.
Archway's C U Later handled by Stacy Baker: Senior Pass
Nitro handled by Kathleen Jaksik: Two Junior passes
Doc Holiday handled by Reagan Tucker: Seasoned Pass, Started Title
Faith Handled by Liz Shively Golden Retriever Club
Triathlon, Flyball Champion
Congratulations to these folks and their dogs. To post your brags contact:
Webmaster.
ARC Objectives
The objectives of the ARC are: to encourage and promote quality breeding
in all types of purebred retrievers and to do all possible to bring their natural
qualities to perfection. To protect and advance the interest of the retriever
breeds by encourage sportsmanlike competition at dog shows, obedience
trials, tracking tests, agility tests, field trials, fly ball, dock diving, field trials
and hunt tests. To conduct field trials and hunt tests sanctioned under the
rules and regulations of the AKC and the United Kennel Club.
in all types of purebred retrievers and to do all possible to bring their natural
qualities to perfection. To protect and advance the interest of the retriever
breeds by encourage sportsmanlike competition at dog shows, obedience
trials, tracking tests, agility tests, field trials, fly ball, dock diving, field trials
and hunt tests. To conduct field trials and hunt tests sanctioned under the
rules and regulations of the AKC and the United Kennel Club.