Some hunt to watch the bird fall
The wise hunt to see the bird fly
After pointed by a bird dog of one’s own
Or of a competitor or of a friend
Therein lies the true joy of the hunt Read more
The Joy of the Hunt
Category: Poetry
Sage Advice on Backing
Once upon a time
A customer brought Arthur
A puppy to be trained
So he could run her as a derby
Arthur kept her six months
Then called the customer
“You can come and get her”
Which the customer did Read more
Pup in Spring
If your pup is whelped in January
Or a little before but registered so
Now is the time to turn him free
To learn the world with you to see Read more
A Brace
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
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
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
Two libbies fly — his entry stays
Time’s up
He’s delighted
He will be back Monday
Unless ...
Read more
Last Call
’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
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
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