NGSPA Rivalries

[Wagonmaster]

I am copying Doug's post over here so I can reply to it in the manner it deserves, without further diverting the thread about snips and Rick's great dog, Fritz.

So here it is:

(John)But snips and Rick and Fritz, they did it!

(Doug)Yup, and me thinks if they want to go win an hour stake they're gonna do that too.
I've heard thru the cyber grapevine that a challenge has been put down for the Georgia NGSPA Ch's. next spring!! Now there'd be a couple trials to get Fritz all primed up for after a season chasing birds around!! Clash of the titans!!

(John)We are busy gettin' ready for a rematch with Doug.

(Doug)Sheesh, can't ya' be happy winning the war? Do you have to win all the battles along the way too!!?

Now, its that last little part I want to respond to. Cause I have also heard through the "cyber grapevine" that there is a guy coming to the R8/Hun who is actually flying in a ranking American Field Shooting Dog handler and multiple winner of AF Championships, to scout for him. Flying him First Class, no less. I am not talking NGSPA or anything like that either, this guy wins in that open AF competition, pointer/setter stuff. He is so good with his pointers he is ranked in the Handler of the Year Shooting Dog list right up there with Sir George Tracey.

I guess I am going to have to put some oil on my titanium hips, and get the old carcass plus the horses in some kind of shape this summer.

[PntrRookie]

Nice post John. I think this type of "friendly" rivalry and competition is what keeps many in the field trial "games."

... there is a guy coming to the R8/Hun who is actually flying in a ranking American Field Shooting Dog handler and multiple winner of AF Championships, to scout for him....

For those of us not in the know, can you expand on how a scout can put a dog over the top? And why you all should be "concerned" about a scout, rather than the handler or dog itself? Can a scout you are referencing put an average AA dog over the top?

[arrowbanshee]

yes, please tell us more

[Wagonmaster]

Who said it is friendly???? Danica Patrick got bumped by some guy last week, I didn't hear much friendly there.

From what I hear, this scout is so good the handler does not have to do anything at all. The scout has a mystical power over dogs, they just always show to the front for him. He even knows how to properly stack one, nice like the show people do, when it comes time for pictures.

I am not making any explanations for anybody. If the handler wants to come on here and explain it himself, well, we will see.

[rkalgren]

It sounds to me that there might be as much "polotics in the field as there is in the show ring. No offense meant if I am misinterpreting something please let me know. I am always open to learning new things.

[Wagonmaster]

No, man, I am just pickin on Doc Favor. Tryin to start some rumors. Why don't you think of one and help me.

[AHGSP]

Just 1 Scout?? Or 3??

[Wagonmaster]

Well this particular scout is as good as having three. I didn't think you could use a scout that good in an Am. stake.

[DGFavor]

I'm thinkin'....

[AHGSP]

Well this particular scout is as good as having three. I didn't think you could use a scout that good in an Am. stake.

There is only one; that I've heard tales, legends and lore about that is that good. They say the confidence pours from his very gloves.....

[DGFavor]

Still thinkin'...

[Wagonmaster]

It is said, at night around the fire, that he is so good no judge has actually seen him in the field. Just the rare, ghostly pink flash as he reins horse to the task.

Like I said, I am oilin up the titanium hips. That is the best I can do.

[DGFavor]

Cause I have also heard through the "cyber grapevine" that there is a guy coming to the R8/Hun who is actually flying in a ranking American Field Shooting Dog handler and multiple winner of AF Championships, to scout for him.

Hunting partners, training partners, trialing partners...best friends!! The dogs get to know them as good as they know you. It's not an "I" or a "me" when you cut 'em loose - it's a team, all ready to shoulder the good and the bad, revel in the triumphs and laugh at the goofs. We plan hunts, strategize training plans, organize game plans for trials, take each others dogs home with us so they know us - all year round!! There's not much more re-assuring than just before ya' turn your dog loose at a big event than to have the person you've done it with a hundred times before there telling you "just another day training - let's get 'em!" and you know that guys gonna give a 100% for the team. I've had great luck and support grabbing total strangers out of the gallery before at the breakaway to help me but it's still just not the same level of confidence - and that goes a long ways! I'd fly Sharptailhunter or Richywayne out anywhere to run dogs - their's or mine - ours!! I hope everybody is so lucky - minus those darn pink gloves for crying out loud!!

[Wagonmaster]

[sharptailhunter]

It's not an "I" or a "me" when you cut 'em loose - it's a team, all ready to shoulder the good and the bad, revel in the triumphs and laugh at the goofs.

More rewarding than any number of birds in the bag or Ch. titles is knowing that you have friends who are there to enjoy your wins and suffer your losses with ya. I can only hope others are as lucky as I to have friends so willing to teach/help me with this crazy sport even despite their quirks and strange fashion sense.

[bigoak]

John,Rob Creaney's been telling me about your dog.He has a nice pedigree!I use to own Bigoaks Spotter......vern

[Wagonmaster]

Vern, I know who you are. I look at your name every day. Spot's ped. hangs on my wall and there you are. Dam's line great grandsire. There is another Big Oaks in there also, on the very last bottom line of the 5th Gen. Big Oaks Lady Blue.

I am honestly a little awed when I look at it, recognize the people involved from the old days, and know the work that went into the ped.

You boys did a he!! of a job, that is all I can say. Don't tell Vicari I said it though. We would never hear the end of that.

Just for the heck of it, if you have not read it, you should read http://www.gundogforum.com/forum/viewto ... 88&start=0

That is the dog I got from Rob.

As everyone on this board knows, I do not lack for words. However, I do not have enough words to thank you, and Rob, and everyone else who contributed.

[mountaindogs]

Bob, (rkalgren)

Glad to see you here on the GDF. Where's Brockway? We go to PA every summer, my family is from there. Little N. of Williamsport...

Nice dogs you have... I especially like the Lacey daughter

[Hotpepper]

Man there is so much goin on here I can't believe that I have not been involved for a couple of days.

Makes me so fired up I want to go to Georgia and get started right now. Man this will be so much fun. Bring'em on

Stitch in Georgia will find so many birds he will loose his mind.

Pepper

[Wagonmaster]

Oh heck, everybody knows we ain't any fun Jerr. No fun whatsoever to be had at any trial of any kind anywhere anytime.

[Hotpepper]

Vern

Nice to see you posting up here, from down here in Indiana.

Pepper

[DGFavor]

Stitch in Georgia will find so many birds he will loose his mind.

He's already lost his mind. Been working them fairly hard "weight training" and thought all the dogs were looking tired and needed a couple days off. Let them out this afternoon, 92 degrees on the thermometer. Stinkin' Stitchyboy disappears into the wilds while I'm cleaning kennels and I figure that's the last I'd ever see of him. Hour later I catch a glimpse of his head bouncing through an alfalfa field headed for home. Showed up still bouncing around like he'd just had a ball somewhere. Nutcase. Made him do a set of "wind sprints" when he got back - 10 retrieves of the Dokken dummy as far as I could throw it then he was puffin'.