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41st Annual Outstanding Retriever Awards Banquet Dinner and
​Free Workshop this year in Smyrna, Tennessee

​In Conjunction with the:
​Middle Tennessee Amateur Retriever Club ​Field Trial – April 25-27, 2025

FREE SEMINAR:
Workshop Presenters: Wayne Curtis and Ray Voigt

Workshop Date: Thursday, April 24, 2025

Workshop Location: 
Middle Tennessee Retriever Club Grounds
381 Old Jones Mill Rd, La Vergne, TN 37086

Details and registration:
Contact Kelsi Toth at [email protected]
Handler application deadline April 10th
8-10 handlers, unlimited observers

AWARDS BANQUET DINNER:
Banquet Date: Friday, April 25, 2025

Banquet Time: 6:30 pm

Banquet Location: 
100 Sam Ridley Parkway East, Smyrna, TN 37167
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Cost: $20 per person, payable at the door
RSVP for the Banquet and Workshop to:
Kelsi Toth at [email protected]

Everyone is Welcome to Join Us!

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The Nestlé Purina Outstanding Retriever Awards Banquet will be held Friday, April 25th, 6:30 pm at:
the Smyrna Event Center, 100 Sam Ridley Parkway East, Smyrna, TN 37167. In association with the banquet dinner, Purina is also presenting a free one-day workshop on Thursday, April 24th, 8 am - 4 pm at: the Middle Tennessee Retriever Club grounds. Please look for signs for the Seminar!

SEMINAR: “Transitioning from Hunt Test to Field Trials” 

• Tips for making the transition to Field Trials
• Training approaches to set your dog up for success
• Teaching vs testing
• Trial preparation

 
Ray Voigt has trained dogs professionally for 25 years, 14 of which were with Mike Lardy and Handjem Retrievers. During his time at Handjem he helped train and run 50 dogs to their FC-AFC’s, handled 13 National Open Finalists, coached 25 National Amateur and National Open Finalists, and helped train 3 NAFC’s and 1 NFC. Ray is a member of the PRTA and current board member. Ray is currently an Area Manager for Purina’s Sporting division and enjoys supporting the Retriever sports that have been his life since age 15. 
 
Wayne Curtis began training dogs in 1977 at age 17. In 1984 he married Terri and in 1988 they started Fox Hollow Retrievers. Wayne has assisted with or handled 5 National Champions, trained 5 top 10 Derby dogs, along with 2 National Derby finalists. He has trained or handled numerous dogs to their FC-AFC’s and National finalists. Wayne gives back to the sport in numerous ways. He has presented numerous seminars, offered grounds for events for almost 2 decades, including multiple National stakes. Wayne is also a lifetime member of the PRTA and past President. Wayne is the proud father of 3 sons and most proud to have 2 of his sons carry on the training tradition. In 2021 Wayne was inducted into the Retriever Hall of Fame.

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Calendar of Events

Thursday, April 24, 2025    
8:00 am – 4:00 pm Free Seminar with Wayne Curtis and Ray Voigt; 

• For details and registration information , please contact Kelsi Toth at [email protected] 
• Handler Application Deadline April 10, 2025.
• 8-10 handlers will be selected  /  Unlimited observers.

Friday, April 25, 2025    
Middle Tennessee Amateur Retriever Club Field Trial (April 25-27)
Purina Awards Dinner – 6:30 pm Cocktails, Appetizers and Dinner at:
The Smyrna Event Center, 100 Sam Ridley Parkway East, Smyrna, TN 37167.

• Please RSVP for the Banquet to Kelsi Toth at [email protected] 
• $20 per person payable at the door

Saturday, April 26, 2025    Middle Tennessee Amateur Retriever Club Field Trial

Sunday, April 27, 2025    Middle Tennessee Amateur Retriever Club Field Trial