Poetry

A Brace

May 21, 2025 | Poetry | Comments

Two hoary-headed handlers Ride to the break away Their mounts tired for ‘Twas their third brace of the day Their scouts lead their entries By a rein, the other rein leads their horses At the line the scouts’ left hands grab their dogs’ collars Right hands snap the rein to the ring on a bit shank Read more

My Field Trial Life

May 8, 2025 | Florida Open All-Age Championship, Poetry, Ted Baker | Comments

From 1995 through 2022 I lived a magic second life A life apart from reality A life in bird dog field trials It was an accidental life A life not planned on purpose It came about when Ted Baker asked me To report the Florida at Chinquapin Read more

If You Ever

April 28, 2025 | Poetry | Comments

f you ever Owned a great grouse dog You have had your reward For this life and the next Read more

End of a Partnership in Old Kentucky

March 21, 2025 | Poetry | Comments

Two libbies fly — his entry stays Time’s up He’s delighted He will be back Monday Unless ... Read more

Last Call

February 17, 2025 | National Championship, Poetry | Comments

’Twas at the National Championship in 20?? After all the entries ran and failed to make a case Not a single covey had been stood, bumped or chased The three distinguished judges were disgusted with the place At lunch they called a huddle to decide what now to do One had a flask of whiskey, one a flask of gin The third a batwing of brandy if you can believe that sin The senior judge said call ‘em back till we get one worth the win Read more

Handler’s Prayer For One More Cast

January 9, 2025 | Florida Open All-Age Championship, Poetry | Comments

Oh, I long for one more entry To ride behind of a crisp morning When we gather on the pipeline For the prayer for a safe ride Yes, I long to swing up on Monty My old handling horse I swapped for When my buddy lacked gas money And I’d just won the Derby Read more

Their Last Brace as Partners

December 28, 2024 | Poetry | Comments

They drew if fair And they drew it square The second course In the morning The one you want If you got enough dog And a scout Well-mounted and sharp-eyed Read more

My Thanksgiving

November 27, 2024 | Ferrel Miller, Poetry | Comments

This Thanksgiving I give thanks For the opportunities To watch great all-age dogs Looking back on those years I give thanks for the chances God gave me to write up The best dogs of those days Read more

Rosco and Meg

November 22, 2024 | Poetry | Comments

Rosco said he’d scout for me No one else would, so I said thanks He led Meg out and cut her loose She grabbed an edge and took it, out of sight Rosco swung up on his ugly mare Reined her into woods on right Next thing I know Meg popped out on the left Took that edge forward, happy, fast, to my delight Read more

Opening Day

November 15, 2024 | Poetry | Comments

Opening Day On your way With your bird dogs It’s the best life can be Another season you’ve made To go forth behind them As they surge before you Seeking scent on the breeze Read more