National Retriever Champions 'Foxx,' 'Lexie' & 'Mona' Stand Out To Win

With her characteristic spot-on marking style, a 21-month-old female Labrador Retriever named “Mona” (NDC Spark Your Enthusiasm) won the 2019 National Derby Retriever Championship handled by owner Don English of Dallas. Mona delivered a solid performance and gave English his biggest career win since starting in retriever stakes in 2012. “It was surreal to win,” says English, giving credit to his training partners, John Russell and Robby Bickley, both of Valley View, Texas. “They have a lot of experience competing at the national level and helped us stay focused during the championship.” English, who bought Mona at 8 weeks of age and began her basic training when she was 4 months old, says he also has learned the importance of allowing a retriever to advance at his or her own pace from watching amateur trainer Martha Russell of Valley View, Texas. Held in October in Sedalia, Missouri, the National Derby Retriever Championship included 34 derby-age competitors. Mona is fed Purina Pro Plan SPORT Performance 30/20 Salmon & Rice Formula dog food.