SPEAKERS 2024
The NNE Sport Dog Trade Fair & Seminars have a wonderful lineup of speakers this year:
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An unusual and down to earth Iditarod Finisher : "Africa to Alaska" Gerhardt Thiart
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The Serum Run Book Presentation : Author/Musher Marla BB
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Q&A campfire sessions with a broad range panel of experts - all things dog!
Gerhardt Thiart - born and raised near Cape Town, South Africa.
After graduating from high school, he joined the military where he obtained the rank of 1st Lieutenant Platoon Commander in the SADF Infantry Corps with several tours under his belt.
After military, he joined a restaurant group where he met Al-Jo. AJ for short. They got married in 2003. In 2002 they became friends with André and Natalie van der Merwe, reputable and respected Siberian breeders. Gerhardt and AJ fell in love with the breed and got 3. Being working dogs, they got the carts, the scooters, harnesses, and other stuff and exercised their three Siberians on dirt farm roads under the guidance of André and Natalie.
Gerhardt was introduced to the Iditarod through André. Gerhardt ordered his first Iditarod Documentary in 2002. It was the beginning of the end. They were hooked. Gerhardt told his wife that he wants to do the Iditarod “one day”.
Pursuing their Iditarod dream, they packed their bags, jumped the cliff, and came to the United States in 2010 where they worked as handlers at a sled dog kennel in Michigan. To add more weight and credibility to their Green Card application, Gerhardt went back to school. Twice. In 2017 he graduated with a degree in Business Management and in 2019 he graduated with a degree in Financial Accounting. AJ graduated as a Veterinary Assistant in 2015.
They moved to Alaska in the fall of 2020. In the winter of 2021, Gerhardt did all of his three qualifiers (Copper Basin 300, Willow 300, and Denali 200) under the guidance and watchful eye of Mitch Seavey, his mentor and coach.
In 2022, a 20-year dream came true. Gerhardt ran Mitch Seavey’s puppy team. Fifty miles from Nome, his race got short winded by hurricane arctic winds and a broken ankle. His words: “I froze my ass off for 12 days and all I needed was 6 more hours. Right place, wrong time. This is the Iditarod.”
Gerhardt had UNFINISHED BUSINESS for Iditarod 2023.
Gerhardt completed the 2023 Iditarod successfully - and a 20-year dream was finally realised!
Author/Musher Marla BB will read from her children’s book, "Our Serum Run Story by the T’s, U’s, V’s & Me!” while its illustrations are projected on the screen for the audience to follow along and enjoy.
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A Slideshow & Music Video of footage from her Expedition will also be shown followed by a question and answer session.
The Hilltown Sleddogs Team who ran in Alaska will be there for all to meet & greet!