2025 National Championship
 

The annual National Championship got under way this morning on the hallowed uplands of the Ames Plantation. You can follow each days results here--

https://www.amesplantation.org/2025-...brace-synopsis

Are you riding in the gallery this year ?

I am not, but will be following closely. Today's first brace had a good amount of finds. Great way to start!

How long have they had GSP’s running in the Nationals ? I thought it was English Setters and English Pointers pretty much only ?

I think any dog that qualifies can run the National Championship. It's the qualifying that is the hard part. These events are endurance events. Big, strong dogs bred for enduring a 3 hour event of constant hard charging excel in these trials. There just haven't been, in the past, GSPs or Brittanys bred or trained for this type of event. I don't recall a GSP qualifying for Ames in the past but maybe so.

Once, I really wanted to go to this event, but now I’m content to follow from afar. Still, the history is compelling. Thanks for reminding us, Reggie.

Even with attempts to bring attention to the Championship, which has been held at the Ames Plantation since 1915 and has existed since 1896, I fear there is a day coming when it comes to an end due to lack of interest. These field trials aren't my style of dog or bird hunting but being a traditionalist (fancy word for old fashioned) I hang onto these events and the sporting lifestyle.

Had an English setter from that type of breeding. Easy to basic train but bred to cover a lot of ground fast. Great nose and absolutely tireless. In the grouse and woodcock covers of Maine not an advantage.
Learned my lesson to do my due diligence and see the parents work before buying and not rely on field trial wins and places.

GPS in the Nationals?
 

That's my big question too. I don't follow this, but that's a surprise to me too.
I've had all three in the past, English Pointer, GSP and English Setters. They were all great dogs.

Bird Dog Nationals
 

I have an old (94) hunting friend, who lives in Hopkinsville, KY now, and he has a green sport coat that his cousin won when one of his English Pointers won the NBC years ago. Doc finally graduated to a Llewellin Setter that would hunt in the same zip code with him.