Katie Quarles, DVM (retired) has been named the 2023 Bill T Teague Handler of the Year. The award presentation was made during the Redwood Empire Retriever Club Hunt Test Dinner on August 23, 2024. Representing the MNRC Foundation Board and making the presentation were Annette Pacheco, MNRC Region IV Vice President and Ed Ryska, MNRC Region IV Director.
In noting Katie’s accomplishments and support of the AKC Hunt Test Program and The Master National Retriever Club, she has been involved in the retriever sport for over thirty (30) years. As a breeder, trainer, judge, and hunt test participant, Katie is well known all along the west coast. Additionally, Katie’s presence at many MNRC annual hunt tests is very obvious as she had been instrumental in preparing and providing the emergency kits available at each MRNC Hunt Test Flight for many years. Always ready to help, Katie is part of the cadre of MNRC participants that are also vets and lend their time, skills, and compassion to aid dog and handler alike.
Katie has successfully competed on both the local and national hunt test levels. She is more than willing to help where needed, even working a bird station or petting birds, whatever it takes to keep the show on the road. Katie has mentored many handlers along the way and is always willing to help when asked to share her expertise.
The Board of the MNRC Foundation is pleased to name Dr. Kathryn “Katie” Quarles, DVM (retired) the 2023 Bill T. Teague Handler of the Year. Katie joins this notable list of previous BTT Handlers of the Year:
- 2015 – Ken Vidrine
- 2016 – Bill Autry
- 2017 – Bob Neipert
- 2018 – Lyle Steinman
- 2019 – Sallie Sullivan
- 2020 – (No MNRC HT event due to Covid)
- 2021 – (No nominee)
- 2022 – Dr. Dennis Greer and Jim Windham
- 2023 – Dr. Katie Quarles
Nominations for the 2024 Handler of the Year awards(BTT and Youth) will open at the conclusion of the 2024 MNRC HT. Handlers participating in the 2024 event that meet the criteria set for the awards may be nominated by those participating in the 2024 event.
Nominations need to be in writing and should be submitted no later than November 30, 2024, to the MRNC Foundation Secretary, care of Lynn Teague via email at bltdogs4@gmail.com or USPS at 734 CR 630, Nacogdoches, TX 75964. The MNRC Foundation encourages all MNRC HT participants to look around during the pre-event training week and the Hunt Test and note any handler that meets all the criteria and should be considered for an MNRC Foundation award.
