The 2021 National Amateur
Retriever Championship Stake
Dedicated To...
John and Laura Parrott
Randy and Mary Spangler
&
Jack and Laraine Unbehaun
WE DEDICATE THIS NATIONAL EVENT to honor three very special
couples who have a long-dedicated history of helping Field Trial
Clubs, Amateur Trainers and National Events. Their vision to develop,
maintain and share their beautiful properties has supported hundreds
of people who share the same passion. Buying, developing, and
maintaining field trial property is an expensive and time-consuming
endeavor. These three couples have done so, two in multiple states,
asking nothing in return. Their generosity is greatly appreciated and
recognized!
JOHN AND LAURA PARROTT met over 30 years ago at a field trial
in Alamosa, Colorado. A year later they were married and began a life
devoted to training and trialing Labrador retrievers. Having attended
his first field trial in 1975, prior to meeting Laura, John had already
owned five Field Champions. In 1984, John won the National Open
Championship with his beloved “Lucy” (Lucyana’s Wanapum Girl) in
Lufkin, Texas.
Together, since marriage, John and Laura have trained and owned 4
additional Field Champions. One of those was Willie. They acquired
Lucyana’s Fast Willie from Linda Harger in 1990. It did not take long
for them to realize that Willie was an incredibly special dog. He was
the High Point Derby Dog in 1992 with 72 Derby points. He was an
FC-AFC by 3 years of age. Laura and Willie won the 1997 National
Open Championship, in Cheraw, South Carolina. In 1998, Willie was
The High Point Amateur Dog, brought home two Double Headers, one
handled by Laura and one with John. In 2001, Willie was inducted into
the Retriever Hall of Fame with 227 AA points.
John and Laura have served on numerous committees and in a
number of other capacities throughout the years with both the National
Amateur and National Open Championships. John has served as a
Gunner for approximately 50 consecutive Nationals. Between the two
of them, John and Laura have judged four National Championships.
Over the last thirty years, John and Laura have purchased, developed,
and maintained properties specifically for training retrievers in
Louisiana, Texas, and Wisconsin. Their grounds have always been
made available for both training and field trials.
RANDY AND MARY SPANGLER picked up their first competitive
dog in 1998, a yellow female named White Lightning Shiloh’s Run,
“Shiloh.” Mary had the empty nest syndrome and wanted to train.
Finding the Blackhawk Retriever Club, she met some training partners
and started running some NAHRA Hunting tests.
Shortly thereafter Randy started with a black male and their journey
began. They got serious and trained three FC-AFC titled dogs and one
NAFC “Mully” who has finished his career with 102 All Age points,
qualified for 11 National Events, 7-time National Finalist going 96 out
of a possible 100 series in his National Career! In 2008, they purchased
their property on Swiggum Road. Randy being the handy man he is
began developing the property for retriever training. And each year he
adds to this wonderful property by clearing more land and developing
more water. In 2012, they purchased 15 acres of land that hosts the
2
Unbehaun Education Center/Blackhawk Clubhouse with a long-term
agreement with the club for their use rights.
Randy and Mary have been members of Blackhawk Retriever Club
since 1999. They have served in several board positions over the years.
Randy has been president of the club for the last several years.
Mary has served on the board in different capacities for many years
and is instrumental in organizing club events such as the dinners and
social functions. She has also served as Hunting test Event chairperson
and Stake Chair for field trials and hunting tests, along with being an
active AKC hunting test and field trial judge.
JACK UNBEHAUN got started like many, he wanted a duck dog.
So, back in 1968 he asked Laraine if he could buy one and the journey
began. This journey has taken them all over the country with multiple
titled dogs and numerous judging assignments. The Unbehauns have
donated generously to the sport by providing training grounds in
Americus, Georgia and Mondovi, Wisconsin. Additionally, they have
funded the Unbehaun Education Center which is home to the Blackhawk
Retriever Club. Both Jack and Laraine have served in various Board
positions for the Blackhawk Retriever Club and Southwest Georgia
Retriever Club, worked countless hours helping the three National
Amateur events held here in Wisconsin. Need something done for a
club, just ask Jack and Laraine they are always willing to help!
Without question, these three couples exemplify the true meaning of
sportsmanship. They have given much more than they have taken and
asked nothing in return. These past three National Amateur Events
would not have been possible without their property and help. It is
with great pleasure we dedicate the 2021 National Amateur Retriever
Championship to these couples. Thank You from the Field Trial
Community, with gratitude!