National Specialty Sponsorship Program
The National Specialty is our club’s premiere annual event. In order to have a successful event, the National requires three very important things:
Our Flat-coated Retrievers;
People, as volunteers and as attendees;
And Money. Lots and lots of money. Over $150,000 each year.
2026 is continuing the tradition of recognizing those members who have reached deep and given generously to become a Specialty Sponsor through monetary donation. There are four sponsorship levels and three ways to donate. You can donate toward Awards, the Event Fund or to a Level Sponsorship Fund or any combination thereof.
Sponsors will be recognized by listing on this webpage, highlighted on the Sponsor Banner on display at the National, listed in the catalog (if funds are received prior to catalog printing) and each sponsor’s Welcome Badge/Name Tag, will proudly proclaim their sponsorship status. The donor levels for 2026 are as follows:
Day Hiker – $100 – $499
Pathfinder – $500 – $999
Summit Seeker – $1,000 – $2,499
Master Mountaineer – $2,500 and up
Your donations will be aggregated, so feel free to donate funds to any of the three categories. Your total donation amount will determine your level (Examples: $75 to Awards plus $25 to a Level Sponsorship Fund for a total donation of $100 would equal Day Hiker level; or $350 to the Event Fund, $125 to Awards and $25 to a Level Sponsorship Fund for a total of $500 would equal Pathfinder level).
Where your dollars will go: The Awards category is for sponsoring our lovely specialty ribbons. The Level Sponsorships Fund is for funds to be used as needed to offset costs like the venue expenses, judge expenses, equipment rental costs, etc. Both of these donation types can be made by using links on this website: Awards Fund and Level Sponsorships.
The Event Fund is for funds that you would like to see designated for a specific event or use. For example, the 2026 Specialty has already received generous donations to cover the cost of the welcome party, the field banquet room rental, the hunt test catalogs and a free coffee bar at Purina Farms. If you wish to have your funds earmarked for a special purpose, for example: the Junior dinner party; Ring of Honor; decorations for the photographer’s stand; or to offset the expenses for the educational event to name a few available opportunities, please reach out to Kim Hitt (khitt@sedgeblac.com) or Maria White (gamekprs@gmail.com) and we will assist you with processing your donation accordingly.
Thank you in advance for your generous support!
Award Sponsorship
The FCRSA National Specialty offers lovely and special rosettes and keepsakes to help us celebrate our partnership with our dogs. Beginning in 2026, ALL class placement, qualifying, and pass rosettes will be the same size – meaning all flat-coat event rosettes will be the same size as the conformation rosettes! These beautiful rosettes and memorable keepsakes are a large part of the Specialty costs so your support is very important and we just know everyone will want to contribute to the fun!!! Please visit the Award Sponsorships section in the FCRSA Shop to donate to the award fund to continue to help offset the costs. You are welcome to make a donation in honor or memory of a special dog, person, or something that is important to you and your flat-coat family. These will be included in the catalog and listed on this page of the website. For more information or for help with sponsorships, please contact Christine Teneralli (cteneralli@gmail.com). We look forward to seeing many of you in St. Louis!
Our Wonderful Sponsors:
MASTER MOUNTAINEERS
($2,500+)
The Fishing Dog Foundation
Bob and Sonja Rickert, Windy Hill
Keli Martin – Saudades/Favor
SUMMIT SEEKERS
($1,000-$2,499)
Judy Gladson, Victory
Robin and Greg Liss, Windy Hill
Sandra Muer, Windy Hill
John Price & Kathy Poole-Price, Misty Moonlit
Maria White, Windy Hill
Joyce Brackney, Shasta
Cheryl Kistner and Marilyn Wilcox, Kistryl
Cindy Zelbst – Beacon
Heather Dawson – Northern Lights
Northwest Flat-Coated Retriever Club
PATHFINDERS
($500-$999)
Eric Christensen
Marla Doheny, Valhala
Tim and Cathy Pullian, Rustic
Tracey Fudge
Sloppy Chops, Co. Collars and Leashes
Great Western Flat-Coated Retriever Club
DAY HIKERS
($100-$499)
Athercroft Flat-Coated Retrievers
Jason Bailey, Windy Hill
Sarah Brown, ArcticWyns
Dawn Buttion, Blazin
Pam Centola
Candy and Ed Ferner, Sanderling
Wayne and Michelle Heikes, Blixthaka
Andrea Holsinger/Kass Goulding, Bertschire
Lance Kruse
Shawna Lea, Catori
Angela Lloyd, Windy Hill
Jean Marks
Frances and Graeme Powrie, Ravenswood
Alice Richter/Paul Jonas, Heirborn
Helen Szostak, Grousemoor
Christine Teneralli, Liberty
Lura Dunn
Southern Skies Flat-Coated Retriever Club
Flat-Coated Retriever Club of Illinois
Kim Hitt Kasprzyk, Sedgeblac
Marijo Nootz
Ingrid Sarelius
Kathleen Stevens
Becky Hasenkopf
Cindy McKay
Kelli Riggs
Suzanne Romero
Chris VanByssum
Capital Region Flat-Coated Retriever Club
Mid-Atlantic Flat-Coated Retriever Club
Kara and Paul Kraus
Kimberly Hancock
Deb Brady
Jennifer Andrews, Huntlane
Kim Holmes
Bari Tassinaro
Kelly Bryant
Greg Mathis
Jennifer Hayes Knezovich & Susan Hayes
Mary Young, Windfall
Patti More, Northwood’s
Lisa Foley
Gen Dever, Kimberlite
Mary Jo Gallagher
Terri Seeley
Mary Millette
Linda Christman, Blythe
Barbara Fowler
Neal Goodwin, Altair
Upper Midwest Flat-Coated Retriever Club
Anya Dornak
Mike and Julie Ressler
Janet Olson, Alidar
Ann Behrens
Diana Martin-Gruenler
Dianne Boyd
Northeast Flat-Coated Retriever Club
Thank you to all of our wonderful awards sponsors! Click here to see all of the sponsors and the dedications.