Now wouldn't that be the coolest!?!?:cool:

That would be an absolute gas!!

Yeah - with a 34" twenty gauge straight-grip CHE - Yowza!!







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Amen.

For several years I belonged to a local field trial club. Most of the guys participated in the horseback trials, and although we were the "poor" participants (did not own horses), we could have a ride whenever we wanted. It was quite the experience. BTW, Missouri jumping mules are quite the thing, especially among old coon hunters. They would lay a blanket over a fence and the mule would jump it. I saw one once at a horseback trial. I was fascinated, but the others looked down their noses.

Study for "Sunnyside Plantation" by Aiden Lassell Ripley. Also rougher study on the back.

The big advantage to having a couple guys on horseback, as long as they know what they're doing, is that you can get the dogs to work "wider" from the wagon and cover more fruitful territory, and it's easier to keep eyes on them from the back of a horse.

SRH

On the bucket list- wild pheasant and quail. Nothing has made me want to hunt wild pheasant like Pheasants of the Mind by Datus Proper.

That’s the first place I ever rode a Tennessee Walker ! I will say of the horses I rode in my younger days a Walker had the most Pleasent gait .

I’ve witnessed plenty Uhm “sports” fall off horses in field trial galleries when the horse was walking slowly or standing still . Of course caused by the Southern Field Trialers pocket flask or thermos of shall we sat very stiff coffee . I’m not worried about being the scout for the dogs but I liked riding behind them years ago .

I'll second Morrison Pines, I think this will be my 7th year. There released birds early in the year and acclimate well. On occasion we will get into some wild birds as well. I have also hunted Brays Island and favor Morrison Pines. Add some flare and use a small gauge gun.
The Boys and I leave the end of the month and I can hardly wait.

Once or twice a week I saddle up and run the dog. Usually ride for an hour to an hour and half, and we will find 1 to 3 wild coveys on a good day. Field trials are more like work. If handling, you can be up and down off the horse multiple times in 30 minutes handling the dog. And when judging, I've been in the saddle for as long as 8 hours straight. No lunch break and only dismounting to go to the bathroom. And if it's raining, cold and the wind blowing, that only adds to the misery.