Thomas Merritt Award Recipients |
This trophy, now administered by the Retriever Field Trial News, will be awarded annually to the Field Trial Champion, as recognized by the American Kennel Club, who sired the greatest number of progeny which in the previous calendar year acquired points, in Open All-Age, Limited All-Age, or Special All-Age competition. In the event of a tie, the award will go to the sire (of those tied) whose progeny acquired the greater number of Open, Limited, and Special points in the previous calendar year. In the event there is still a tie, the award will go to the sire (of those tied) whose point acquiring progeny were whelped by the largest number of dams. In the event there is still a tie, the award will go to the sire (of those tied) who had the greatest number of progeny qualified for the National Championship Stake of the previous calendar year. This trophy is non-retiring.
2023 29 NFC-AFC WINDY CITY'S MIGHTY MOUSE – CHARLES HINES
2022 26 NAFC-FC CODY CUT A LEAN GRADE – CHAD BAKER
2021 32 NAFC-FC CODY CUT A LEAN GRADE – CHAD BAKER
2020 35 NAFC-FC CODY CUT A LEAN GRADE – CHAD BAKER
2019 48 NAFC-FC CODY CUT A LEAN GRADE – CHAD BAKER
2018 54 NAFC-FC CODY CUT A LEAN GRADE – CHAD BAKER
2017 44 NAFC-FC CODY CUT A LEAN GRADE – CHAD BAKER
2016 45 NAFC-FC CODY CUT A LEAN GRADE – CHAD BAKER
2015 39 NFC-AFC CLUBMEAD'S ROAD WARRIOR – FRANK & CHRISTINE KASHEVAROF
2014 42 NFC-AFC CLUBMEAD'S ROAD WARRIOR – FRANK & CHRISTINE KASHEVAROF
2013 36 NFC-AFC CLUBMEAD'S ROAD WARRIOR – FRANK & CHRISTINE KASHEVAROF
2012 30 NFC-AFC CLUBMEAD'S ROAD WARRIOR – FRANK & CHRISTINE KASHEVAROF
2011 22 FC-AFC NICK OF TIME LONE RANGER – CHARLES HINES & LINDA LANCASTER
2010 23 FC FARGO II – JANE & JERRY PATOPEA
2009 29 NAFC-FC-CNAFC EBONSTAR LEAN MAC – SHERWIN SCOTT & PAT SHAWVER
2008 43 NAFC-FC-CNAFC EBONSTAR LEAN MAC – SHERWIN SCOTT & PAT SHAWVER
2007 51 NAFC-FC-CNAFC EBONSTAR LEAN MAC – SHERWIN SCOTT & PAT SHAWVER
2006 62 NAFC-FC-CNAFC EBONSTAR LEAN MAC – SHERWIN SCOTT & PAT SHAWVER
2005 90 NAFC-FC-CNAFC EBONSTAR LEAN MAC – SHERWIN SCOTT & PAT SHAWVER
2004 104 NAFC-FC-CNAFC EBONSTAR LEAN MAC – SHERWIN SCOTT & PAT SHAWVER
2003 103 NAFC-FC-CNAFC EBONSTAR LEAN MAC – SHERWIN SCOTT & PAT SHAWVER
2002 76 NAFC-FC-CNAFC EBONSTAR LEAN MAC – SHERWIN SCOTT & PAT SHAWVER
2001 63 NAFC-FC-CNAFC EBONSTAR LEAN MAC – SHERWIN SCOTT & PAT SHAWVER
2000 46 NAFC-FC-CNAFC EBONSTAR LEAN MAC – SHERWIN SCOTT & PAT SHAWVER
1999 28 FC-AFC WILDERNESS HARLEY TO GO – JACK VAN DE BOOGARD & MARY HOWLEY
1998 36 FC-AFC WILDERNESS HARLEY TO GO – JACK VAN DE BOOGARD & MARY HOWLEY
1997 37 NFC-NAFC CANDLEWOOD'S SUPER TANKER – JOYCE WILLIAMS
1996 39 NFC-NAFC CANDLEWOOD'S SUPER TANKER – JOYCE WILLIAMS
1995 41 NFC-NAFC CANDLEWOOD'S SUPER TANKER – JOYCE WILLIAMS
1994 NAFC-FC TRUMARC'S ZIP CODE – JUDY AYCOCK
1993 NAFC-FC TRUMARC'S ZIP CODE – JUDY AYCOCK
1992 NAFC-FC TRUMARC'S ZIP CODE – JUDY AYCOCK
1991 NAFC-FC TRUMARC'S ZIP CODE – JUDY AYCOCK
1990 NFC-AFC SAN JOAQUIN HONCHO – JUDY AYCOCK
1989 NFC-AFC SAN JOAQUIN HONCHO – JUDY AYCOCK
1988 NFC-AFC SAN JOAQUIN HONCHO – JUDY AYCOCK
1987 NFC-AFC SAN JOAQUIN HONCHO – JUDY AYCOCK
1986 NFC-AFC SAN JOAQUIN HONCHO – JUDY AYCOCK
1985 NFC-AFC SAN JOAQUIN HONCHO – JUDY AYCOCK
1984 NFC-AFC SAN JOAQUIN HONCHO – JUDY AYCOCK
1983 NFC-AFC SAN JOAQUIN HONCHO – JUDY AYCOCK
1982 NFC-AFC SAN JOAQUIN HONCHO – JUDY AYCOCK
1981 FC-AFC AIR EXPRESS – AUGUST BELMONT
1980 NAFC-FC RAY'S RASCAL – RAY GOODRICH
1979 NAFC-FC RAY'S RASCAL – RAY GOODRICH
1978 NAFC-FC RAY'S RASCAL – RAY GOODRICH
1977 NFC-NAFC SUPER CHIEF – AUGUST BELMONT
1976 NFC-NAFC SUPER CHIEF – AUGUST BELMONT
1975 NAFC-FC-CNFC RIVER OAKS CORKY – MICHAEL FLANNERY
1974 NFC-NAFC SUPER CHIEF – AUGUST BELMONT
1973 NFC-NAFC SUPER CHIEF – AUGUST BELMONT
2022 26 NAFC-FC CODY CUT A LEAN GRADE – CHAD BAKER
2021 32 NAFC-FC CODY CUT A LEAN GRADE – CHAD BAKER
2020 35 NAFC-FC CODY CUT A LEAN GRADE – CHAD BAKER
2019 48 NAFC-FC CODY CUT A LEAN GRADE – CHAD BAKER
2018 54 NAFC-FC CODY CUT A LEAN GRADE – CHAD BAKER
2017 44 NAFC-FC CODY CUT A LEAN GRADE – CHAD BAKER
2016 45 NAFC-FC CODY CUT A LEAN GRADE – CHAD BAKER
2015 39 NFC-AFC CLUBMEAD'S ROAD WARRIOR – FRANK & CHRISTINE KASHEVAROF
2014 42 NFC-AFC CLUBMEAD'S ROAD WARRIOR – FRANK & CHRISTINE KASHEVAROF
2013 36 NFC-AFC CLUBMEAD'S ROAD WARRIOR – FRANK & CHRISTINE KASHEVAROF
2012 30 NFC-AFC CLUBMEAD'S ROAD WARRIOR – FRANK & CHRISTINE KASHEVAROF
2011 22 FC-AFC NICK OF TIME LONE RANGER – CHARLES HINES & LINDA LANCASTER
2010 23 FC FARGO II – JANE & JERRY PATOPEA
2009 29 NAFC-FC-CNAFC EBONSTAR LEAN MAC – SHERWIN SCOTT & PAT SHAWVER
2008 43 NAFC-FC-CNAFC EBONSTAR LEAN MAC – SHERWIN SCOTT & PAT SHAWVER
2007 51 NAFC-FC-CNAFC EBONSTAR LEAN MAC – SHERWIN SCOTT & PAT SHAWVER
2006 62 NAFC-FC-CNAFC EBONSTAR LEAN MAC – SHERWIN SCOTT & PAT SHAWVER
2005 90 NAFC-FC-CNAFC EBONSTAR LEAN MAC – SHERWIN SCOTT & PAT SHAWVER
2004 104 NAFC-FC-CNAFC EBONSTAR LEAN MAC – SHERWIN SCOTT & PAT SHAWVER
2003 103 NAFC-FC-CNAFC EBONSTAR LEAN MAC – SHERWIN SCOTT & PAT SHAWVER
2002 76 NAFC-FC-CNAFC EBONSTAR LEAN MAC – SHERWIN SCOTT & PAT SHAWVER
2001 63 NAFC-FC-CNAFC EBONSTAR LEAN MAC – SHERWIN SCOTT & PAT SHAWVER
2000 46 NAFC-FC-CNAFC EBONSTAR LEAN MAC – SHERWIN SCOTT & PAT SHAWVER
1999 28 FC-AFC WILDERNESS HARLEY TO GO – JACK VAN DE BOOGARD & MARY HOWLEY
1998 36 FC-AFC WILDERNESS HARLEY TO GO – JACK VAN DE BOOGARD & MARY HOWLEY
1997 37 NFC-NAFC CANDLEWOOD'S SUPER TANKER – JOYCE WILLIAMS
1996 39 NFC-NAFC CANDLEWOOD'S SUPER TANKER – JOYCE WILLIAMS
1995 41 NFC-NAFC CANDLEWOOD'S SUPER TANKER – JOYCE WILLIAMS
1994 NAFC-FC TRUMARC'S ZIP CODE – JUDY AYCOCK
1993 NAFC-FC TRUMARC'S ZIP CODE – JUDY AYCOCK
1992 NAFC-FC TRUMARC'S ZIP CODE – JUDY AYCOCK
1991 NAFC-FC TRUMARC'S ZIP CODE – JUDY AYCOCK
1990 NFC-AFC SAN JOAQUIN HONCHO – JUDY AYCOCK
1989 NFC-AFC SAN JOAQUIN HONCHO – JUDY AYCOCK
1988 NFC-AFC SAN JOAQUIN HONCHO – JUDY AYCOCK
1987 NFC-AFC SAN JOAQUIN HONCHO – JUDY AYCOCK
1986 NFC-AFC SAN JOAQUIN HONCHO – JUDY AYCOCK
1985 NFC-AFC SAN JOAQUIN HONCHO – JUDY AYCOCK
1984 NFC-AFC SAN JOAQUIN HONCHO – JUDY AYCOCK
1983 NFC-AFC SAN JOAQUIN HONCHO – JUDY AYCOCK
1982 NFC-AFC SAN JOAQUIN HONCHO – JUDY AYCOCK
1981 FC-AFC AIR EXPRESS – AUGUST BELMONT
1980 NAFC-FC RAY'S RASCAL – RAY GOODRICH
1979 NAFC-FC RAY'S RASCAL – RAY GOODRICH
1978 NAFC-FC RAY'S RASCAL – RAY GOODRICH
1977 NFC-NAFC SUPER CHIEF – AUGUST BELMONT
1976 NFC-NAFC SUPER CHIEF – AUGUST BELMONT
1975 NAFC-FC-CNFC RIVER OAKS CORKY – MICHAEL FLANNERY
1974 NFC-NAFC SUPER CHIEF – AUGUST BELMONT
1973 NFC-NAFC SUPER CHIEF – AUGUST BELMONT
About Thomas W. Merritt
Tom's interest in field trials was all encompassing. He judged in excess of 50 trials plus having judged the first National Amateur Stake in 1957, and was a National Open Judge four times. He was a National gunner. He had starting dogs in eight Nationals, and was an interested breeder. His great dog, Dual Ch. Grangemead Precocious, appeared on the pedigrees of many top dogs.
Retriever trials, as we know them today, are indebted to men of Tom’s insight and devotion. One of the original incorporators of the National Club in 1941, he served as its President for three terms. He was also a past President of the Labrador Club. The “blue” book changed its color to red and then orange, but through the years Tom guided the Retriever Advisory Committee, developing the principles and language by which trials should be conducted. During his many years as a director of the American Kennel Club, retrievers enjoyed a strong and respected voice in AKC affairs. Because of his vast experience and knowledge, he was a frequent panelist at retriever conferences.
In 1954 Tom was the recipient of the Martin Hogan award honoring the person in the Midwest who, in the opinion of the awards committee, made the greatest contribution to the advancement of any or all retriever breeds and retriever trials.
When asked in 1965 to assume the positions of President and Editor-in-Chief of Retriever Field Trial News, he provided a firm and steady influence on the News in its transitional period. His constant attention and quiet guidance reflected his dedication to the best interests of the News and the retriever fraternity.
Members of the Midwest Field Trial Club and friends of the late Tom Merritt worked on presenting a suitable award in memory of this man who did so much for our retriever game. Many friends made donations towards this handsome award, the Thomas W. Merritt Memorial Trophy.
Tom's interest in field trials was all encompassing. He judged in excess of 50 trials plus having judged the first National Amateur Stake in 1957, and was a National Open Judge four times. He was a National gunner. He had starting dogs in eight Nationals, and was an interested breeder. His great dog, Dual Ch. Grangemead Precocious, appeared on the pedigrees of many top dogs.
Retriever trials, as we know them today, are indebted to men of Tom’s insight and devotion. One of the original incorporators of the National Club in 1941, he served as its President for three terms. He was also a past President of the Labrador Club. The “blue” book changed its color to red and then orange, but through the years Tom guided the Retriever Advisory Committee, developing the principles and language by which trials should be conducted. During his many years as a director of the American Kennel Club, retrievers enjoyed a strong and respected voice in AKC affairs. Because of his vast experience and knowledge, he was a frequent panelist at retriever conferences.
In 1954 Tom was the recipient of the Martin Hogan award honoring the person in the Midwest who, in the opinion of the awards committee, made the greatest contribution to the advancement of any or all retriever breeds and retriever trials.
When asked in 1965 to assume the positions of President and Editor-in-Chief of Retriever Field Trial News, he provided a firm and steady influence on the News in its transitional period. His constant attention and quiet guidance reflected his dedication to the best interests of the News and the retriever fraternity.
Members of the Midwest Field Trial Club and friends of the late Tom Merritt worked on presenting a suitable award in memory of this man who did so much for our retriever game. Many friends made donations towards this handsome award, the Thomas W. Merritt Memorial Trophy.
