TROPHY LIST

KERRYFEST26 “CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION”

The following trophies will be awarded outside of the ring at Kerryfest26.   These trophies are in addition to any published in the Premium List.

Rolla Missouri Kennel Club – May 1, 2026

Designated USKBTC Specialty

Best of Breed                                            Apron, Rolling Bag, and BBQ mitt

Best of Winners                                       Apron, Rolling Bag, potholders or mitt

Best of Opposite Sex                             Apron, Rolling Bag, potholder or mitt

Select Dog and Bitch                            Apron and Rolling Bag

Winners Dog/Winners Bitch              Apron

Reserve Winners Dog/Bitch              Towel

Owner Handler Best of Breed           Apron

Veteran Dog and Bitch                          Towel

Bred by Exhibitor Puppy                      Towel

Bred by Exhibitor 12-18                         Towel

Awards of Merit                                       BBQ Mitt

First in Each Class                                 Potholder

Spirit of the Heartland Kennel Club – May 2, 2026

Designated USKBTC Specialty – Morning Specialty

Trophies for this show were created by Melanie Feldges

SWEEPSTAKES

Best in Sweeps                                        Yankee Doodle Kerry Door Décor

Best of Opposite Sex                             Smaller Yankee Doodle Kerry Door Décor

First in Each Class                                 Dog Toy

REGULAR CLASSES

Best of Breed                                            Patriotic Kerry Theme Shadow Music Box

Best of Winners                                       Patriotic Kerry Theme Shadow Music Box

Best of Opposite Sex                             Patriotic Kerry Theme Shadow Music Box

Select Dog and Bitch                            Centennial Logo Music Box

Winners Dog/Winners Bitch              Centennial Logo Music Box

Reserve Winners Dog/Bitch              Small Centennial Logo Music Box

Owner Handler Best of Breed           Patriotic 5x7 Picture Frame with Kerry Art

Veteran Dog and Bitch                          Patriotic 5x7 Picture Frame with Kerry Art

Bred by Exhibitor Puppy                      Patriotic 5x7 Picture Frame with Kerry Art

Bred by Exhibitor 12-18                         Patriotic 5x7 Picture Frame with Kerry Art

Purina is also furnishing trophies for this event.  We are greatly for the support of Purina Farms to make KerryFest26 a success.

Best of Breed                                            Purina Pro Plan Yeti Bucket

Best of Opposite Sex                             Purina Pro Plan Rolling Bag

Select Dog and Bitch                            Purina Pro Plan Rolling Bag

Winners Dog/Winners Bitch              Purina Pro Blanket

Best Veteran in Sweeps                       Purina Pro Plan Grooming Mat

Best Puppy in Sweeps                         Purina Pro Plan Grooming Mat

United States Kerry Blue Terrier Concurrent Specialty

May 2, 2026  

Afternoon Show

Best of Breed                                            Metal Cased BBQ Set, Meat Resting Bag

Best of Winners                                       BBQ Set, Meat Resting Bag

Best of Opposite Sex                               BBQ Set, Meat Resting Bag

Select Dog and Bitch                              BBQ Grill Set

Winners Dog/Winners Bitch                 BBQ Grill Set

Reserve Winners Dog/Bitch                  BBQ Grill Set

Owner Handler Best of Breed              BBQ Grill Set

Veteran Dog and Bitch                          BBQ Grill Set

Bred by Exhibitor Puppy                      BBQ Grill Set

Bred by Exhibitor 12-18                         BBQ Grill Set

Awards of Merit                                       Meat Claw Set

First in Each Class                                 Digital Meat Thermometer

Jefferson County Kennel Club of Missouri, Inc – May 3, 2026

Designated Specialty

Best of Breed                                            Stainless Stell Water Bowl

Best of Winners                                       Stainless Stell Water Bowl

Best of Opposite Sex                             Stainless Stell Water Bowl

Select Dog and Bitch                            Stainless Stell Water Bowl

Winners Dog/Winners Bitch              Stainless Stell Water Bowl

Reserve Winners Dog/Bitch              Travel Bowl

Owner Handler Best of Breed           Stainless Steel Bowl

Veteran Dog and Bitch                          Travel Bowl

Bred by Exhibitor Puppy                      Travel Bowl

Bred by Exhibitor 12-18                         Travel Bowl

Awards of Merit                                       Travel Bowl Set

First in Each Class                                 Collapsible Water Bowl

We are implementing a new communication tool using groups.io elist platform.  The currently google groups list is out of date and very hard to maintain.  This new list will make it much easier to keep it updated and provides additional feature to make communication more timely.

All active members will be automatically added.  You will get an email informing you of how to use the list.  The new list email is uskbtc@groups.io.

If you have any questions or issues please email uskbtcio@gmail.com. 

The Annual Boutique held during Futurity/Maturity at Montgomery is coming up soon! All participants must bring an inventory sheet listing all the items they plan to sell,with all items priced. The Boutique opens at noon and you must arrive 45 minutes before noon to check in your items. The split is 20% to the USKBTC and 80% to the seller, unless the seller decides to donate the items to the club.

Contact Jeanne Schaefer for more information (lojeschaefer@yahoo.com)

Click HERE to download the Inventory Sheet,

Kerry Blue Terrier Registration Trends

Each year the AKC shares with the Parent Clubs the trends for the rolling 12 years for their breed.  The Governors review this data and need the concern and assistance of our breeding community. 

The steady decline in the numbers of Kerry Blues in the United States is very concerning.  The trend does mirror other breeds but we are much smaller than most.  That means we are approaching extinction at a faster rate.   We are losing breeders faster than we are replacing them...its that simple. 

Kerry Blues are a great breed and we, as fanciers, need to do everything we can to maintain a healthy gene pool.  

Click HERE for the report.

Below is the current calendar for 2025 Specialty weekends.  These are subject to change but accurate as of September 27, 2024. 

DINNER RESERVATIONS NOW OPEN

Reservations for the Annual Meeting and Dinner are now open.  Please sign up today.  

RETRO ROM PINS APPLICATIONS

This is the last opportunity to receive a ROM retro pin for Kerry Blues recognized in the past.  Applications close on September 15  Register your Kerry Blue on the website.

The Blue Prints Archive has been updated with all issues through Winter 22-23 now available.  These are stored on a cloud server so you will see a "blip" after you click the link and then the issue will appear.

FINAL OPPORTUNITY TO RECEIVE A "RETRO" REGISTER OF MERIT PIN!

Applications Due September 15, 2024

For many years the USKBTC has recognized sire and dams who have significantly contributed to the breed through their offspring.  The current criterion from our website is below:

USKBTC Register of Merit Sire or Dam

The title Register of Merit (ROM) shall be awarded annually to the sire that has produced five AKC Champions or four AKC Champions and a fifth AKC titled get or to a dam that has produced three AKC Champions or two AKC Champions and a third AKC titled get.

For those sires and dams who have made an outstanding contribution to the breed will receive special recognition (including a lapel pin*).  The requirements for recognition are:

      Bronze ROM Sire of 5 AKC Champions or Dam 3 AKC Champions

Silver ROM Sire of 25 AKC titled get or the Dam of 10 AKC titled get

Gold ROM Sire of 40 AKC titled get or the Dam of 15 AKC titled get

The ROM recognition is bestowed at the USKBTC Annual Dinner during our National Specialty weekend at Montgomery County Kennel Club.  Only current USKBTC members in good standing are eligible for this recognition.

*For clarity there are three unique pins for Bronze, Silver, and Gold

RECOGNITION OF PAST and FUTURE ROM KERRY BLUES

The Board of Governors accepted a proposal from David Poynter to create a Celtic knot pin to be awarded in addition to the recognition certificate currently awarded.  This pin, in addition to the recognition certificate, will more publicly recognize the accomplishments of our breeders and will be proudly displayed on their lapel.

PAST ROM RECIPIENTS

The USKBTC Board of Governors is providing the opportunity for member/owners of previous Register of Merit Kerry Blues to apply to receive one pin in recognition of their accomplishment.  The pin will be for the highest level one of the owners Kerry Blue achieved.  Past recipients will be given one pin regardless of the number of ROM Kerry Blues the member has bred/owned.  There may be an opportunity in the future to purchase additional pins for member ROM Kerry Blues 

Beginning with the awards presented at Montgomery County 2024 each new ROM Kerry recognition will include a pin for the level achieved.

The application to apply for the retro ROM pin is at United States Kerry Blue Terrier Club, Inc. - RETRO REGISTER OF MERIT PIN APPLICATION (uskbtc.com)   The information provided will be verified against the USKBTC Pedigree Database.  If there is a problem with verification a club representative will contact the applicant.  You MUST be a member in good standing to apply for the pin.  You MUST log into the website to complete the application.  The following is the process to provide an opportunity for past recipients to receive a pin appropriate to the level of achievement for sire or dam.

1)    The owner completes the form in the Event Section of the website providing all the information requested.  Click United States Kerry Blue Terrier Club, Inc. - RETRO REGISTER OF MERIT PIN APPLICATION (uskbtc.com)

2)    Past awardees must complete the application no later than September 15, 2024 for recognition during the Challenge of Champions at KerryFest. 

3)    Pins will be presented at the USKBTC Annual Dinner during our National Specialty weekend to those present, at the Montgomery County dinner, and then the remaining pins will be mailed.

4)    Once the window closes on September 15, 2024, no more retroactive pins will be awarded.

Now it the time to nominate litters for the 2024 Futurity.  Even if you don't plan to show your youngsters this year they must be nominated to be eligible for the Maturity in 2025.  You can nominate you litter on the website under the event tab.