Upland Bird Dog: Field Trials

Region 12 Field Trial

See images; pages 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10

After a bird find, Bill Gibbons holds Bruce Hale's Brassy as judge Harold Goodman, watches on horse back. Usually, the scout takes the dog while the handler gets on his horse and then the dog is released to the front.

Another point! Bruce attempts to flush as Ron Young observes. Note, that Bruce's horse ground ties and doesn't walk off to leave the rider and dog. A well trained walking horse is a necessity for bird dog trials and for horse back hunting. Most horses are geldings and are trained around people, dogs and are broke to the gun.

Ron Young, an amateur with over 50 American Field Championships watches his female Pointer, Champion Orange Crush. Ron comes prepared to win any field trial his dogs are entered. He develops outstanding bird dogs with tremendous style and class.

Ron takes time to water his dog during the one hour event. Bird dogs cover huge territory to find birds. Even though the weather was cool, water is essential for dogs to maintain their range and speed.

Ron walk towards the thick sage where his Pointer indicates a bird. Ron is well prepared for field trials; a blank hand gun on his belt, water containers attached to his saddle and his horse ground ties. On top of that, his bird dogs are always well conditioned and trained.

See if you can't find the three riders in this image. Note, the huge area for this event. A bird dog must have range yet be biddible to win an American Field trial.