April 2000

The Tennessee Walking Horse - The Unsung Hero of the Field Trail

In support of our mission statement for educational development, here is the THIRD edition of Info Gaits.

What is a Field Trial?

Simply put, a Field Trial is a hunting dog competition usually done off horseback. The competition is most commonly conducted with pointing breeds of dogs, such as German Shorthaired Pointers, English Pointers, German Wirehaired Pointers, Vizla, etc. The hunt is for game birds, such as pheasant, quail, grouse or chukers.

The Game

The competition is run in "braces." A brace includes two dogs for a designated time period, which can range from 30 minutes to 1 hour (sometimes longer).

Each handler must handle his/her dog through a course with the aid of a scout. Two judges ride behind the handlers and have the responsibility to determine the best dog. Spectators can follow in the "gallery" behind a "marshal," specifically responsible for controlling the gallery. Everyone is on horseback.

The excitement starts with whistles blowing and the ceremonial release of the dogs. The dogs leap into action, followed by the handler's dog calls and thundering hooves!

The object is to find birds. With pointing breeds, the find is a thrill, as this breed goes "on point." In addition, if one dog goes on point, the brace-mate dog must "honor" and/or "back" the pointing dog. Often this frozen pose is held an agonizing amount of time, especially, if the dogs get far ahead of their handlers. The handlers can use their scouts to help find the dog(s) on point.

Once a dog is found pointing, the handler holds his hat in the air and yells out "point" to cue the judges. At this time the handler, judges, and gallery all canter to the dog's location.

With the dog still on point, the handler dismounts, and ground ties his horse or hands off his reins to his scout. It is the handler's responsibility to locate and kick the bird up into flight. When the bird flies the dog must remain frozen - only his head can turn to watch the bird to mark where it goes. One step or movement disqualifies the dog. Once the bird is in the air, the hander shoots a blank pistol and brings the dog to heal.

Successful groundwork keeps the dog in the game until the brace is over. A dog can have a number of points during his brace.

What Is the Judge Looking For?

The field trial dog is judged on how well they hunt. Are they just running or are they hunting? Are they actively hitting all the objectives, such as tall grass, brush and tree lines where a bird will most likely be found? Did the dog locate a bird, or birds, and was the groundwork conducted flawlessly? What special instances did the dog have to overcome, such as finding a covey of birds (multiple birds together), or a "stop to flush" (the dog is taught to stop the instant it kicks up a bird while running through a field)? For a handler to get his dog "around" is half the battle, as many dogs are disqualified before the brace is ever over.

A German Shorthaired Pointer "on point" at a Field Trial.

When all the braces have been completed, the top four dogs are selected for the "call back." In the call back each handler needs to demonstrate that his dog can retrieve. A successful retrieve is when the dog points the bird, and once shot, the dog gets it and returns it, placing it in the handler's hand.

The stake concludes with the awards ceremony. Ribbons, plaques, prizes or money are awarded to the top dogs.

The Horse

With all of the attention on the dogs, it appears that the horse is only a mode of transportation. In reality, the horse is a critical player of the team. Handlers, judges, scouts and even the spectators in the gallery must have versatile, well-trained and good temperament horses.

A field trial course can present obstacles that an average horse might refuse to negotiate. A good field trial horse must be willing to travel over any terrain, through tall grass or mud in inclement weather, through ditches or briars, across rivers or into ponds. They must remain calm in a group of horses, either leading or following. They must be willing to ride away from the group when used to scout. They must totally accept the dogs, even if barking or carried across their saddle.

Like the dogs, intelligence is a must with a trial horse. A smart horse adapts to the field trial game rather quickly, bonds with the dog it follows, and responds readily to its rider. It isn't startled easily by birds in flight or guns being shot. It remains calm through the commotion that's part of every field trial

And, they must have the stamina to go all day. Often a dog is only run in one stake, but the horse may be ridden in numerous braces over multiple days.

Size is a consideration too. Usually handlers prefer a horse in the 15-hand range that they can easily mount and dismount. Judges often prefer taller horses so that they can see what's going on.

In addition, most horses on the course are geldings, as other choices can pose problems in a group with other horses.

With all of this in mind, it is no surprise that the Tennessee Walking Horse is the Field Trialer's most popular gaited horse choice. Although it's not a true requisite, beauty is an additional asset. Showmanship is a part of the game and a touch of glamour can only add to the entire performance and perhaps provide the margin of difference in a close contest.

So, perhaps when the whistle blows at the beginning of the brace, it's really a salute to the horse, the unsung hero of the Field Trial.

Contributor: Scott Stasiewicz. Scott has been an amateur Field Trialer for approximately 5 years. Scott rides his TWH, Prince Fritz in Field Trial competition. He has successfully handled his dog Hannah to titles: Field Champion, Amateur Field Champion, "Field Trial Dog of the Year" of the Wisconsin German Shorthaired Pointers Club in 1997 and 1998, and number 9 of the "Top 10 Field Trial dogs in the Nation" in 1998. Scott's other dogs include Boomer, his 3 year old up-and-coming All-Age dog; and Maggie Mae, his 6 month puppy-derby dog.