Gun Dog Forum

My boyfriend is the hunter. I have always been a dog person but have never owner a bird dog. Wow! It is awesome! We have a 1 1/2 year old male GSP.HE spent 30 days with his breeder for training. Not knowing much about training bird dogs I have to say we are very lucky. Boris has found all the birds and some extras left from previous hunts every time out. He hunts close, corners, has never bumped a bird, never broken point, and retrieves with a soft mouth.It is an amazing experience to see your dog work and be in his element. Im hooked!

Looks like absolutely great fun. You just experienced what is great about hunting, seeing a dog work and doing it for the first time with your boyfriend. It doesn't get any better till you take your kids out and get them started.

Ezzy

Boris looks good on point

Sweet!!! Nice set or pictures. Really enjoyed them
A month isn't long. Must be a lot of natural ability. Lot of nice gsp's up that way. If you want to, curious what line he is out of.

Thank you! Animal photography is a hobby of mine. I know nothing about gsp lineage. American Saddlebred horses is a different story. We purchased him from Gun Dog Kennels in Vermont. They were great! I don't think he is out of anyone impressive. Any suggestions on what to look for on his papers?

So I took at look at his papers and on his sires side rawhide clown and on his dams side Stolzhafen and Von Jess are all over the place. Like I said no idea what that means as I'm new to gsp's

You should attend a horseback field trail, a chance to enjoy dogs and horses, take your camera and you are set.

Great photos and a really nice dog.

Thanks Neil! I have been reseraching horseback field trials I haven't found much in my area. Located in Maine. It looks like a lot of fun.

BirdyBoris wrote:Thanks Neil! I have been reseraching horseback field trials I haven't found much in my area. Located in Maine. It looks like a lot of fun.

There are a few fairly close to you, but only late spring, early Fall. You can search AKC and American Field web sites for schedules. Good luck.

Sounds good! Thanks for the advice. This is all new to me and I'm loving it.

Nice looking dog. Glad to see another fellow saddlebred person on the forum.

Bacon your pup is pretty striking as well! I showed saddleseat starting at 4 till I was in my early 20's.Do you show your Saddlebreds?

Thanks, just a little over 5 months now. Guess I will have to amend my statement a little I grew up a hackney pony person with my Grandfather having trained and showed for over 60 years. We had mostly ponies and Standardbreds with a few saddlebreds at other trainers to ride and sell. I showed for years (mostly road horses and ponies, but got behind a few harness horses), but haven't in a while, been focusing on school for the past couple years. My wife though works at Willowbank, so I still hang around the shows and pester everyone from time to time. I get to see all the studs and babies on a regular basis so it works out in the end, for now anyways.

Lucky lady working with horses let alone a show barn is hard work but I would take it over a desk job any day.I showed at Louisville a few times and nothing compares.Being in New England this is dressage/hunter country.I prefer Saddleseat its exciting and fast paced. Now that I'm an adult and can't afford a show horse at the moment working with my GSP is definitely a similar expreience.

BirdyBoris wrote:Lucky lady working with horses let alone a show barn is hard work but I would take it over a desk job any day.I showed at Louisville a few times and nothing compares.Being in New England this is dressage/hunter country.I prefer Saddleseat its exciting and fast paced. Now that I'm an adult and can't afford a show horse at the moment working with my GSP is definitely a similar expreience.

If we can get you on a good, smaller athletic TWH, we will convert you. You will travel more miles in a day at a continuous course trial than a week on most horses, and wake up the next day eager for more.

Neil wrote:

BirdyBoris wrote:Lucky lady working with horses let alone a show barn is hard work but I would take it over a desk job any day.I showed at Louisville a few times and nothing compares.Being in New England this is dressage/hunter country.I prefer Saddleseat its exciting and fast paced. Now that I'm an adult and can't afford a show horse at the moment working with my GSP is definitely a similar expreience.

If we can get you on a good, smaller athletic TWH, we will convert you. You will travel more miles in a day at a continuous course trial than a week on most horses, and wake up the next day eager for more.

Sign me up. Been looking for a TWH to go trail riding on anyways.

love gaited horses! I showed 5 gaited Saddlebreds .I had a trainer who was all about TWH ill try it!

You two have a treat awaiting you, you love dogs and horses. Welcome to field trials!

I think I've found my calling! My last Saddlebred Phinal Chance out of Phi Slama Jama

Nice, what color is he?

Chestnut he was a big guy 17.2 hands

BirdyBoris wrote:Lucky lady working with horses let alone a show barn is hard work but I would take it over a desk job any day.I showed at Louisville a few times and nothing compares.Being in New England this is dressage/hunter country.I prefer Saddleseat its exciting and fast paced. Now that I'm an adult and can't afford a show horse at the moment working with my GSP is definitely a similar expreience.

Congratulations on your GSP, looks like a great day! As for Saddlebreds, hard to beat going down the ramp and hitting that rush of cold air as you enter Freedom Hall (home of the green shavings). I compare the five gaited stake on Saturday night to the open all-age at Kansas or Boonsville. In the last few years I have sponsored and owned three GSP's on the national level and seven Saddlebreds at the same level. If I just had the money that has been spent on the two! I agree with others. Having shown five gaited saddlebreds you will be a scout in no time on a TWH. I only get to go to one field trial a year because of a horse show every other weekend form April through the Royal in Novemebr. So let me know how your trial debut goes!!!!