Photos from previous AKC National Tracking Invitationals
Welcome!
Welcome to the website for the 2025 AKC National Tracking Invitational! The 2025 AKC National Tracking Invitational will be held October 11 & 12 at the Branched Oak State Recreation Area in Raymond Nebraska. The Cornhusker Kennel Club and Nebraska Kennel Club are excited to be hosting this prestigious event once again. We encourage you to explore this website for information and to contact us with any questions. You can also visit the AKC website’s National Tracking Invitational page by clicking here. And don’t forget to follow our Facebook Group page to get the latest updates!
About the National Tracking Invitational
The AKC National Tracking Invitational is a prestigious event, a celebration and showcase for dogs who have earned the title of Champion Tracker (CT) between January 1, 2014 through June 30, 2025. This elite group of tracking dogs have earned their CT and the honor of an invitation to participate in this event by titling in tracking events held in field (Tracking Dog and Tracking Dog Excellent) and in urban (Tracking Dog Urban and Variable Surface Tracking) environments.
For more information, visit the AKC website’s National Tracking Invitational page by clicking here. We will also soon be posting the National Tracking Invitational Informational Booklet so check back with us!
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How To Enter
The 2025 AKC National Tracking Invitational is a “by invitation” event limited to dogs who earned a Champion Tracker (CT) title between January 1, 2014 through June 30, 2025. If your dog is eligible then soon after June 30 you will receive an electronic invitation via email to enter. If your dog is eligible we highly recommend you sign in to the AKC website and verify your email address is correct.
Entries for the NTI will close on Friday September 5, 2025 at 6pm CDT. A random drawing of all entries will be made on Saturday September 6, 2025 at noon CDT. The first twelve lucky dogs drawn will be awarded an exhibitor position and the remaining entries will be assigned an “Alternate” status in the order drawn; if an exhibitor is unable to attend then the next alternate on the list will be offered the position. The blind drawing will be streamed live on the NTI 2025 Facebook group!
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Branched Oak Recreation Area
The Branched Oak State Recreation Area is located about 13 miles north of Lincoln Nebraska and most visitors should plan on traveling to Lincoln. The address is 12000 W Branched Oak Rd, Raymond, NE 68428. See below for Travel / Lodging information.
Branched Oak encompasses 5,595 acres, and includes the largest lake in eastern Nebraska with 1,800 acres of water. Camping and RV parking options include Full Hookups, Electric Plus, Electric, Basic and Primitive camping. Branched Oak also offers a wide variety of attractions including a marina, two beaches, hiking trails and an equestrian campground.
And it is an ideal location for AKC Tracking Tests! In fact the Cornhusker Kennel Club of Lincoln has conducted Tracking Tests at Branched Oak for many years. We are extremely excited to have this great location serve once again as the grounds for the 2025 AKC Tracking Invitational.
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The Hosting Clubs
The 2025 AKC National Tracking Invitational is jointly hosted by the Cornhusker Kennel Club of Lincoln Nebraska and the Nebraska Kennel Club of Omaha Nebraska.
Cornhusker Kennel Club
The Cornhusker Kennel Club of Lincoln Nebraska was established in December 1945.
The Club Objectives are:
- To protect and advance the interest of all breeds of purebred dogs, and encourage sportsman-like competition at dog shows, obedience trials, tracking tests and field trials.
- To conduct Sanctioned Matches, Dog Shows, Obedience Trials and Tracking Tests under the guidance of the American Kennel Club.
- To educate the public with regard to training, breeding and proper care and maintenance of purebred dogs.
We currently provide weekly conformation classes to club members and the general public, conduct a yearly dog show combined with obedience and rally trials, and a yearly tracking test. Monthly meetings are held where education, good sportsmanship, fun and encouragement about preserving purebred dogs take priority.
Our website can be found at www.cornhuskerkennelclub.com .
Nebraska Kennel Club
The Nebraska Kennel Club was founded in Omaha in 1923. Our first recognized dog show was held in that year; a benched affair, we had three hundred fifty dogs. We joined the AKC in 1937.
In addition to our Conformation Shows we offer many other activities such as Tracking Tests, Obedience / Rally, Scentwork Trials, and FastCAT. We provide training classes in Conformation and periodically offer seminars in various dog-related sports and activities. Guest speakers at our monthly meetings have included experts on dog nutrition, breeding, a wide variety of healthcare related issues (dental care, eye diseases, etc) and representatives from the Omaha Police K-9 Unit (both species). We are also a social club and enjoy activities such as winery visits, movie nights (especially during the holiday seasons), picnics, and our annual Holiday Party. The highlight of our year is our Annual Awards Banquet each February where we recognize our members’ significant achievements from the previous year. Our website can be found at www.nebraskakennelclub.com.
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The Judges
We are honored to have the following individuals as Judges for the 2025 AKC National Tracking Invitational:
Stephanie A. Crawford
Binghamton, New York
I started training in 1983 in Obedience as this was the only thing available in Miami, FL besides conformation.
As life has gone on and the things we can do with our dogs has increased I have trained and shown in Conformation, Rally, Agility, Tracking, Barnhunt, and Scentwork. Each one has its own glamour for a team. I judge all levels of Tracking and Scentwork for AKC and have enjoyed awarding titles to many teams over the years. I have presented workshops on Tracking and Scent and worked with many successful teams. Thinking about odor is second nature to me now.
I began learning Tracking in 1991 after we had moved to Binghamton, NY and I got a new Rottweiler puppy. My first instructor was a canine officer. Once I was introduced to the sport and met more people who knew about things like AKC tests and titles, I joined Hudson Valley Tracking Club. I met a host of experienced people who helped me expand my knowledge and convinced me to judge. It has been a long love affair. The people in the sport all over the country are great people. It is a privilege to judge each test and apply the requirements to any terrain presented to use.
As I continue to track and train Scent Work the opportunity to explore odor and its fickle ways continues to be a fascination. I am currently training my 7 year old Rottweiler and my 2 year old Staffordshire Bull Terrier in Tracking and Scent Work.
Any day in the field is a great day!
Lois Leidahl-Marsh
Des Plaines, Illinois
We’ll be posting Lois’s photo and biography soon so check back with us!
Jan Wesen
Bow, Washington
I was raised on a dairy farm. My first breed was Working Kelpies in 1985 when I wanted a farm dog and later I enjoyed playing the versatile dog game. Working Stockdog is still my main interest and love, but I’ve added obedience and tracking. In 1999 I trained my first Aussie and eventually they joined my kennel, and I enjoy working with them on a daily basis. I train and compete in herding, obedience, tracking, agility and flyball. I also teach tracking, herding and obedience, and give clinics throughout the country.
My husband and I work our dogs on our 800 cow dairy farm (400 are organic dairy cows) doing a variety of chores: bringing cows in for milking, holding gates, sorting and letting us know when livestock are trying to escape. The dogs have become important working partners in our enterprise.
I have been working with my dogs since 1985 and have competed in trials and performance events. My first TDX was in 1986. 6 TDX 14 TD. Looking forward to seeing the wonderful dogs.
Carla Wolter
Paw Paw, Illinois
We’ll be posting Carla’s photo and biography soon so check back with us!
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Travel
Directions to Branched Oak State Recreation Area
Most visitors will first arrive at Lincoln, NE. Interstate 80 is the main freeway in Lincoln. To reach Branched Oak from I-80:
Turn left on W. Raymond Rd and proceed about 3-1/4 miles. The Branched Oak State Recreation Area is on the right.
Take the Hwy 34 West exit. If you’re coming from the east, this is Exit 401, from the west it is exit 401B.
Continue on Hwy 34 West to Hwy 79 north, approximately 4-1/2 miles.
Turn right on Hwy 79 and continue north for approximately 5 miles to W. Raymond Rd.
Airports
Airports serving Lincoln include the Lincoln Airport and Eppley Airfield in Omaha. Eppley Airfield has far more flight options and direct flights and many visitors find it more convenient to fly there and drive to Lincoln. It is about 60 miles from Eppley Airfield in Omaha to the Country Inn & Suites Hotel in Lincoln, almost entirely on Interstate freeways. The Country Inn and Suites is the official event hotel, 5353 N. 27th St in Lincoln.
Accommodations
Official Event Hotel
The official hotel for the 2025 AKC National Tracking Invitational is the Country Inn and Suites, 5353 N. 27th St in Lincoln. We have arranged a discount rate for the AKC Tracking Invitational. The discount rates are:
- $104 for Thursday (10/9)
- $109 for Friday and Saturday (10/10 & 10/11)
- $99 for Sunday and Monday (10/12 & 10/13)
Reservations must be made no later than September 16 2025, after that date normal rates apply (NO EXCEPTIONS). You can make reservations online at the following link
This link is the easiest way to book the reserved rooms. You can also make reservations by phone at 1-800-333-3333 or you can contact the hotel directly at 402-476-5353. If you call, make sure to give them the dates and group name “AKC National Tracking Invitational”.
27th St is exit 403 off I-80 (from either direction), it is east of the Hwy 34 exit which leads to Branched Oak. After exiting I-80 head south approximately 1.4 miles to the Folkways Blvd intersection and turn right. The Country Inn is located just past the Folkways Blvd intersection.
Camping and RV Parking
Branched Oak offers 305 camping pads with electrical hookups and 28 pads without electricity. Click here to visit the Outdoor Nebraska website for more information and instructions on placing reservations.
Important Note: If you are one of the lucky 12 exhibitors you may be limited to certain campgrounds, since tracks are often placed in the campground areas.
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Merchandise
Check back with us for information on ordering 2025 AKC National Tracking Invitational merchandise!
Contacts
Please contact any of the following individuals if you need more information:
Event Chair:: Dian Quist
Event Secretary: Shelly Rehmeier
Volunteers: Sue Volkmer
Donations & Supporters: Annie Kelley
Merchandise: Ron Weaks
Website & Facebook: Joe Bradley
Photographer: TBD
AKC Representative: Carol Ruthenberg