Upland Bird Dog: Field Trials

Western Open Championships

Open All-Age; 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8

Open Derby; 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8

Open Shooting; 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8

Nicky McGinnis and Mardelle Mauck rode most, if not, all the braces. These women know bird dogs and are excellent riders as well.

Riders and horses get ready for another brace of dogs. This is the starting point near camp. While waiting for the dogs to get ready, many riders start conversations mostly about bird dogs and how well they are doing in the field trial. Many times they talk about their new pup, breedings and/or horses.

Mazie Davis, the official reporter, holds up The Tao of Poop by Benjamin Hoffman as Sheldon Twer gives her a friendly hug.

Just moments after being released, both dogs head for the open country in search of birds. This brace consisted of Bullet's Super Express, handled by Sheldon Twer, and Cool Stream Charger, handled by Rich Robertson. The course wins to the right and nearing the foot hills in the distance it makes a left turn along the bottom of the hills.

Riders can move quite fast especially if their dog is pointing. Sometimes a dog that has finished its work on a bird will be heeled in order to catch up to its bracemate.