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

Paul Wells (left) and Dr. Charles Hjerpe, with a red hat, ride toward the dog truck near the one hour mark. The dog truck is usually near the green scrubs just in front of the riders. The dusty and dry conditions are evident as dirt arose as the horses walked by.

After running for one hour the dogs are picked up. This is usually done by using a roding harness and the dog is 'rode' off horse back towards the dog truck. Nicky McGinnis rode a setter. Sometimes a lost dog is found during the course of the trial and it is picked up by members of the gallery as not to intefer with the brace on the ground.

After watering Bullet's Super Express (Chigger), Sheldon is again on the move. Field trials is about watching well trained bird dogs work covering the grounds and how they search and handle birds. Field trials is also about friendships and developing better bird dogs.

Scout Terry Erickson with Typhoon while Jerry Lewis gets ready to handle his bird dog. At right is Torben Hansen who scouted See Four Agent Bullett (Bully) for Sheldon Twer. These dogs were well matched and both showed all-age range with wide and to the front casted.

Just moments after being released these Pointers headed into the distance. Both dogs were fast with whipping tail actions. Sheldon Twer (left) and Jerry Lewis rode their best horses in order to maintain and quickly get to their bird dogs in the event of a bird find.

Sheldon takes time to provide water to his dog. In hot temperatures, watering the dog before it gets too hot helps the dog to maintain a hard effort. Some handlers tie two one gallon water containers to their saddles.