07/24/2026
We’ve taken a minute to sit with the news that our dear friend and client, Mr. Bob Hayden has passed away. The fact that he was larger than life, made us believe he’d live forever. And, that was a fact. He was larger than life. Many of us in the dog community are well aware of his generosity and hospitality in the field trial sport. One training day, hunt test, field trial or National Derby on his Wood Dale Farm made you aware of his giving heart. From grounds, to facilities, to concessions, dinners and his desire to accommodate everyone, the magnitude of it all leaves a lasting impression. We felt that every time we pulled into his driveway.
Living in the Sedalia community, we know his charitable work reached far beyond the perimeters of Wood Dale. Just one mention of his or his late wife Barbara’s name we’d find out about the vast array of their charitable work throughout the city. It’s from the locals (rarely from Bob himself) that we learned about the major impact they had on the animal shelter, horse rescue, boys and girls club, art community, the state fair, Retrieving Freedom, and as tributes pour in, we’re realizing that is just to name a few.
It’s humbling to think that his contributions to the field trial world may have just been one drop in the bucket, when to us it felt like an ocean. From allowing us to train with Bobby George on his property when we first opened our business, to then becoming a client of ours when he entrusted Steenburgen Retrievers to raise FC AJ and FC Hank, two puppies from his own litter, to then becoming his sole dog trainer, Bob has been with us in some shape or form, from the start. His ability to bring his dream property to life and his willingness to share it has benefited all of the dogs we’ve trained. Our dogs are all better because of him. We are better because of him. His trust in us and generosity is not something we ever want to take for granted.
On a personal level, Bob was never one to sugar coat things. He’d make you earn a compliment.. But, when you’d receive one from him, you could take it to heart. He was strong, firm, and honest when it came to his beliefs, but he’d also do just about anything for anyone if they needed it. He was lead by his faith in God. If you ever stood next to him while his dogs walked to the line, you’d hear him pray out loud. He had so much faith in his dogs. His love for them individually is what will stick with us the most. No matter how hard of a day, in training, trials, or in health, he’d light up when he saw them and always had treats or steak for each of them whether it was ‘earned’ that day or not. The love that his dogs have for him was abundant too. We would be embarrassed and upset when the dogs would scratch his vehicle doors so eager to see him, and Bob would just laugh. They could do no wrong in his eyes. They meant everything to him.
It has been a true honor to have been just a small snippet in Bob’s larger than life, life. We feel privileged and will forever be grateful to have had him in such a huge part of ours.
Our deepest sympathies and condolences to his son and daughters and extended family and friends. May Mr. Hayden rest in peace.
