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

35. JC’S GOD OF THUNDER, “Thor,” BLM, Michael Cotten

Thor and Michael came to the line at 12:31 pm

R (Right) -  Thor swam the 1st pond and exited at a perfect spot! He drove to the fall area and made a couple check downs in the area and located his bird.

LF (Left Flyer) - Nice line through the water and over the land bridge - good angle to finish his swim - on the far shore he made a great line to the bird!

35. JC’S GOD OF THUNDER, “Thor,” BLM, Michael Cotten

Thor and Michael came to the line at 3:53 pm

L - Across the small pond  - going up - got deep and did a great job!

R - Into the large pond - swam parallel to the shore - got out right at the gunners and went straight to the bird.

35. JC’S GOD OF THUNDER, “Thor,” BLM, Michael Cotten

Thor and Michael came to the line at 12:45 pm

LF - Leaving his handlers side on the right - he crossed the water -charged up the hill and quickly grabbed his bird

R - He exited the 1st pond and went across the point to continue swimming parallel to the shore - at the base of the upper dam he climbed and caught a corner of the pond - drove the hill arriving behind the gunners - circled behind the brush pile and located his bird

35. JC’S GOD OF THUNDER, “Thor,” BLM, Michael Cotten

Thor and Michael came to the line at 9:23 am

LF - Nice line out - initial hunt was in the fall area of the previous shot but he worked it out and moved left to locate the bird

R - Very nice line to the bird - he held the line while traveling the steep incline of the dam and went straight to the bird

35. JC’S GOD OF THUNDER, “Thor,” BLM, Michael Cotten

Thor and Michael came to the line at 4:22 pm

RF - Nice line across the water - entered the fall area under the arc - went right and came back left to scoop up his bird

L - Drove the hill and went right to the bird

35. JC’S GOD OF THUNDER, “Thor,” BLM, Michael Cotten

Thor and Michael came to the line at 10:31 am

L - Right of the tree going out - curved in left and scooped it up!

R - Right of the bush - a sharp left turn and he put his nose on it!

35. JC’S GOD OF THUNDER, “Thor,” BLM, Michael Cotten

Thor and Michael came to the line at 12:25 pm

RF - Out across the field and road and pond - hunted up the hill to the bird

L - Down the field on a good line - crossed the 1st pond and went up the levee - across the 2nd pond - stayed in front of the gunners and went straight to his bird.

35. JC’S GOD OF THUNDER, “Thor,” BLM, Michael Cotten

Thor and Michael came to the line at 8:46 am

Wide right and curved up to the fall area and the bird

35. JC’S GOD OF THUNDER, “Thor,” BLM, Michael Cotten

Thor and Michael came to the line at 5:16 pm

R - Right side line out - cut in going to his left and drilled it!

L - Excellent line out - crossed the pond to the fall area and a short turn put his nose on it

35. JC’S GOD OF THUNDER, “Thor,” BLM, Michael Cotten

Thor and Michael came to the line at 12:18 pm

Very good mark!

Contestant Survey:

When Did you begin competing in Field Trials?

14-15 years ago

What Made you decide to compete in Field Trials?

Went to a Danny Farmer/Judy Aycock seminar and they convinced me to leave my dog for Derby training - I previously ran hunt tests.

Who are your training partners at home?

My dogs are currently trained by Steenburgen Retrievers and Best Retrievers.

What is the origin of your dog's name?

Started using Norse Gods for the theme for the dogs. I just lost a 3.5 year old JC's God of Mischief (Loki) and decided JC's God Of Thunder for this dog.

Tell us an interesting story about your dog ...

Thor is from Canada and we flew to Washington and drove across the border to pick him up.

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

Bawitduba by Kid Rock