And the Finalists are ...

 Congratulations to the 2025 NRDC Finalists!

#2  SEASIDE’S FAMILY TRADITION, “Hank,” BLM

Owned by Wayne & Tracey Jensen

Handled by Wayne Jensen

#7  OUTBACK’S ALL-OUT GLADIATOR, “Spartacus,” BLM

Owned by Dan Wegner

Handled by Robbie Knutson

#8  HOLYOKE’S CARBON COPY ON THE BAYOU, “Quinn,” BLF

Owned by Scott Adams

Handled by Reid Jones  

#13  HYFLYER’S FOUR ON THE FLOOR, “Rev,” BLM

Owned by Mary & Randy Spangler 

Handled by Randy Spangler 

#17  MY STAR OF HOPE, “Stella,” BLF

Owned by Dana Hoeper
Handled by Dana Hoeper

#21  QTK’S MINNESOTA’S HOMETOWN HERO, “Maurer,” YLM

Owned by Vickie Towey

Handled by Robbie Knutson  

#25  LOUIE OF REDWILLOW, “Louie,” YLM

Owned by Naomi & Tyler Evans 

Handled by Naomi Evans 

#33  WIGHT’S FEAR THE DARK, “Nyx,” BLF

Owned by Tracy Wight 
Handled by Tracy Wight 

#35  JC’S GOD OF THUNDER, “Thor,” BLM

Owned by Carol & John Huddleston

Handled by Michael Cotten

#43. ARIAS GIGI, “G,” BLF

Owned by Rod King

Handled by Caleb Brown  

#49. PAIRADOC’S WHO’S THE WIZARD, “Tommy,” BLM

Owned by Wayne & Tracey Jensen 

Handled by Wayne Jensen  

#50  MARDI GRAS THIS IS HOW LEGENDS ARE MADE, “Legend,” BLF

Owned by Carol Lowe 

Handled by Carol Lowe 

#51  CALLBACK’S BIG CHOP, “Chop,” BLM

Owned by Rob Gaylord

Handled by Wade Cashion

#55  RISING STARS KAOTIC IDEA, “Tripp,” BLM

Owned by Joe Howard

Handled by Joe Howard

#57  BEAVER CREEK RETRIEVERS SAVE THE LAST DANCE FOR ME, “Callie,” BLF

Owned by Lance Flowers

Handled by Travis Echelberry

33. WIGHT’S FEAR THE DARK, “Nyx,” BLF, Tracy Wight

Nyx and Tracy came to the line at 12:22 pm

R (Right) -  Into the pond and over the levee - out to the fall area - looped and got it!

LF (Left Flyer) -  Got into the 2nd pond on a good line to be in front of the guns - over the land and back into the water - straight to the fall area and quickly got her bird.

33. WIGHT’S FEAR THE DARK, “Nyx,” BLF, Tracy Wight

Nyx and Tracy came to the line at 3:45 pm

L - Into the middle of the field, right between the guns - hunted close to the right bird but worked her way over to the left bird and got it.

R - Swam part of the way down - got out and backsided the guns and hunted left and right under the tree line - got it!

33. WIGHT’S FEAR THE DARK, “Nyx,” BLF, Tracy Wight

Nyx and Tracy came to the line at 12:38 pm

LF - Smack!

R - Into the pond - out and over the base of the hill - into the 2nd pond -  up the hill - 1 loop before the brush pile - circled the pile and she got it!

33. WIGHT’S FEAR THE DARK, “Nyx,” BLF, Tracy Wight

Nyx and Tracy came to the line at 9:20 am

LF - Out to the area - quick work and got it

R - Out to the area and got her bird for a nice job!

RERUN 33. WIGHT’S FEAR THE DARK, “Nyx,” BLF, Tracy Wight

Nyx and Tracy came to the line 

RF - Into the 1st pond - over the land bridge - into pond 2 and down the point - turned left and came to shore and drilled it!

L - Excellent line and mark!

No-Bird 33. WIGHT’S FEAR THE DARK, “Nyx,” BLF, Tracy Wight

 Nyx and Tracy came to the line and had a No-Bird - they will be back after 6 running dogs

33. WIGHT’S FEAR THE DARK, “Nyx,” BLF, Tracy Wight

Nyx and Tracy came to the line at 10:28 am

L - Very nice!

R - Great line left of the bush - turned right and down to the bird

33. WIGHT’S FEAR THE DARK, “Nyx,” BLF, Tracy Wight

Nay and Tracy came to the line at 12:13 pm

RF - Nyx worked the tree line before moving into the field to recover her bird.

L - Through both ponds - came out along the willows on the far side and had an excellent mark!

33. WIGHT’S FEAR THE DARK, “Nyx,” BLF, Tracy Wight

Nyx and Tracy came to the line at 8:42 am

Right side and close to the cedars - to the fall area and then to her bird

33. WIGHT’S FEAR THE DARK, “Nyx,” BLF, Tracy Wight

Nyx and Tracy came to the line at 5:07 pm

R - Wide left going over the rim - Nailed it!

L -  Good line into the pond and she drilled it!

33. WIGHT’S FEAR THE DARK, “Nyx,” BLF, Tracy Wight

Nyx and Tracy came to the line at 12:16 pm

Straight line up past the fall area - turned and came back down and got her bird

Contestant Survey:

When Did you begin competing in Field Trials?

2009

What Made you decide to compete in Field Trials?

The great grandmother of the puppy I am running was my EVERYTHING dog.  Poor thing had to try everything with me. We achieved so much HRCH UH Zucker's Wight Lightning MH QAA Super Retriever Series Crown Qualifier.  I wanted more so I bred her and kept a puppy!  My first FC AFC Wight's Goddess of Victory MH "Nike"!!!  I was HOOKED!!

Who are your training partners at home?

I am so BLESSED to have one of the strongest most talented training group with the most incredible piece of heaven that we train on!  My sincerest thanks goes to John and Martha Russell, Robby Bickley, Cindy Vinzant, Russ Hardy, Dave Cuthbertson, and Ron Aronoff.  It is a team effort to be successful!!

What is the origin of your dog's name?

Nyx is the powerful Greek goddess of the night who commands the darkness.  The fear associated with Nyx was not a fear of the goddess but of what the darkness might conceal - the unseen, the uncertain, and the unknown!

Tell us an interesting story about your dog ...

I have been using the same whelping box since 2007 and never had any puppies escape.  Starting at 5 weeks I could not keep Nyx in the box!!!  She did not even use the corners.  She was clever, super strong, and so smart!  I guess she want to hang out with me more than her littermates.

What Song and Artist would you want to hear playing as you come to the line:

Wild Thing by The Troggs