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therozypozy
MH
Posts:470
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| 11/04/2011 8:31 AM |
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I wish there was a GSP club here in south Louisiana that hosted hunt tests. I would have to travel 3 plus hours one way to train (and that is a Viszla club) and to fit this in my schedule right now, well it just will not happen yet. We do have doves around here and it is so awesome to see my two GSPs on point. I can only imagine training them for what they were bred to do would be awesome because they both seem to have natural ability. But my time is training for obedience and agility as we have a great local trainer here for that. Between the conformation, obedience and agility, I am already doing “dog stuff” at least 2 weekends out of the month and training every day in between. And those typical mean travel out of town. Anyone on this list in south Louisiana?? Probably not. I do not see very many GSPs around here. Roz . From: gsp-l-request@shorthairs.net [mailto:gsp-l-request@shorthairs.net] On Behalf Of Julie Lahr
Sent: Sunday, September 18, 2011 11:54 AM
To: gsp-l@shorthairs.net
Subject: Re: [gsp-l] Re: [gsp-l] Hunt Test question Me too Bev. I know you are a good person. Julie "Time? Since my dogs are important to me, I find the time"
The statement you wrote kind of implied that if our dog was important to us, we would find the time. This statement kind of ruffled my feathers,, lol !! If that is not the way you meant it,, I apologize for taking it wrong happy"> From: Beverly Quarles <gsptx@sbcglobal.net>
To: gsp-l@shorthairs.net
Sent: Sunday, September 18, 2011 11:40 AM
Subject: RE: [gsp-l] Re: [gsp-l] Hunt Test question Ouch, seems like a hit a nerve. Just for the record this was not directed at anyone, but to state what I do with my dogs. Everyone has to figure out their own activities, finances, etc and then determine where they spend that time and their money. Again, this is what I do with MY dog and what is important to ME. Sorry if I offended anyone as that was not my intention. Excuse me,but my dogs are very important to me too,and I spend a lot of time with my dogs. I take them out for a field run every morning. I unfortunately have a job that requires me to work every other weekend, so that cuts a big chunk out of the time available to do both shows,and hunt tests. Other than me having bragging rights on a dog with a hunting title, I don't think my dogs give a two cent whether they have it with the fact that they probably see more field time than most titled dogs. They might not be out there actually hunting planted birds, but they don't seem to mind the far,and few between wild ones they do find. happy"> I do hunt tests, obedience, show and one of my shorthairs is a therapy dog. I also work full time to pay for my shorthair habit. I have 4 shorthairs and they all have multiple jobs that I train them for. Time? Since my dogs are important to me, I find the time. I bred my first litter last year and have gotten one of my puppy buyers involved in the hunt tests. She was terrified of the starter pistol when we started, but now she helps me train my dogs and hers. I love the hunt tests, but this year in TX it is going to be tough. The snakes are really bad and all the creeks and tanks are dry. The retriever folks are cancelling their tests. We are still holding the pointing tests, but I don’t know what the numbers will be this year. It seems to cycle here with some years getting great attendance and others not as much. Horses don’t seem to be a problem here as many own their own and the judges usually own their own horses too. We usually have a hunt test each day and use quail, and unless it is really wet the quail are pretty good flyers. We usually have a barbecue or venison chili where everyone chips in to pay for lunch and a raffle of whatever we can gather up. Typically it is the same folks that participate year in and year out, but we work hard to get new folks coming to the hunt tests too. Once in a while one of the pointing breed clubs holds a training day and those are always fun. It was through one of those training days that I got hooked. Personally, if I could only do one, I would probably do the hunt tests and drop the shows. The hunt tests are a ton more fun and once you see a shorthair running on birds, well you know what they prefer. The Pointer Sisters (Belle and Halo), the Outlaw GSP (Johnny Ringo) and the Princess (Fauna) LOL...time?!? What's that???? We're two full time working parents of an active 10 year old. Somehow we belong to several dog clubs and actively do hunt, show, obedience, rally... Must be why I can't remember my 30s. 
Hunt test judging without horses...
We have two sets that alternate braces and judge on foot. We pick them up and drop them off at the line with a golf cart so they rest up in between. So far it's worked very well.
Sent from my Verizon Wireless Phone So, What if you don't have the time to do both ? From: Charlene <whiteriver@embarqmail.com>
To: gsp-l@shorthairs.net
Sent: Saturday, September 17, 2011 8:05 PM
Subject: Re: [gsp-l] Hunt Test question
I think Diane hit on a key point in her original post. She mentioned that most Club members were "show only". IMHO there is a big part of the problem. In our breed nobody should be 'show only'. If they are, then they really don't understand or appreciate the finer points of our conformation standard. All "show" folk should be familiar enough with the function of the GSP in the field to successfully take their exhibit/breeding stock at least through a Junior title. Until you've done that I submit you don't understand the Breed.
Also, you're missing out on a boatload of fun! From the Club's standpoint, Junior entries are the gravy. You can run 4 Junior braces to 2 Senior/Master braces. The Junior braces bring the new owners out to learn about the Club & activities (and hopefully get more involved!)
Char Rutar
Ann Harris <katlady@xplornet.ca> wrote:
>Diane we are suffering the same in Canada . Right now our test this coming week has six master hunters eight seniors and two juniors if this holds after closing we are going to put on a field training session after the test and invite all we can. I think it's just the year or perhaps we have too many hunt tests now. In this area we have eight Spring and fall.
>Ann
>
>Sent from my iPad
>
>On 2011-09-17, at 3:48 PM, dise454@aol.com wrote:
>
>> Hello,
>>
>> Sleepy Hollow had our annual hunt test today and the entries were low. I'm wondering if the other clubs are finding this as well.
>>
>> What does your club do to get the word out?
>>
>> Also, we would love to get more field focus in the club, however as it stands the majority of the members are focused on show. Any suggestions from our hunting friends?
>>
>> What do you do to increase membership in general?
>>
>> Appreciate your thoughts and perhaps others would as well
>>
>> Have a great day.
>>
>> Diane
>>
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windkisst
SH
Posts:52
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| 11/04/2011 8:31 AM |
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We work with the Western NY Club to make sure we have events not falling on the same weekend - HT & Water Test, etc. I forward their premium to all on my list & they do the same. Whe I get info from your club I send it to all on my list. Western NY had a record HT last weekend.
Diane Krause
-----Original Message-----
From: dise454
To: gsp-l
Sent: Sat, Sep 17, 2011 3:50 pm
Subject: [gsp-l] Hunt Test question
Hello,
Sleepy Hollow had our annual hunt test today and the entries were low. I'm wondering if the other clubs are finding this as well.
What does your club do to get the word out?
Also, we would love to get more field focus in the club, however as it stands the majority of the members are focused on show. Any suggestions from our hunting friends?
What do you do to increase membership in general?
Appreciate your thoughts and perhaps others would as well
Have a great day.
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donalphin
JH
Posts:20
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| 11/04/2011 8:31 AM |
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It's said that, "A tired GSP is a happy GSP." I found that with my Smokey and he ran in the field everyday. He looked forward to going out to do that, and I loved seeing him love it.
Don
"The heart that
truly loves never
forgets."
- Proverb
From: Laura Wood
To: "gsp-l@shorthairs.net"
Sent: Sunday, September 18, 2011 10:24 AM
Subject: Re: [gsp-l] Hunt Test question
Totally agree with that Char. No matter how you look at it these shorthairs were bred for a reason,and JUST laying on a couch isn't one of them.
My furkids are the happiest when in the field !! Whether you hunt ,do agility, or let them stretch their legs running in the field ..puts a smile on my face everytime![<img src=]() happy" src="http://mail.yimg.com/ok/u/assets/img/emoticons/1.gif">
Laura Wood
Woods Hafen GSP's
From: Charlene
To: gsp-l@shorthairs.net
Sent: Sunday, September 18, 2011 9:23 AM
Subject: Re: [gsp-l] Hunt Test question
My Bad . . . . Did not mean to imply HT was the only way to get the perspective on the GSP I advocate. I suspect John has hunted behind a GSP or Vizsla once or twice. Laura runs her dogs in the field regularly. Both have seen the power, drive, agility, and stamina the well-built GSP
possesses. As to time and $$, (I was going to name a dog that once) I. Strongly relate to Tracy's regret over not remembering her 30's, and can tell her the 40's get even blurrier. Nobody ever said these sports are inexpensive. I stick to my guns that the serious breeder/fancier must find a way to gain appreciation for the qualities that make our breed so effective in the field. Char Rutar JJTAMT@aol.com wrote: >Char - There are reasons some of us that some of us that own GSP's AND do >understand the breed don't do hunt tests. To say that those that do not do >hunt tests don't understand the breed is NOT correct. >John Tierney > >Char, > >You hit on a major point here and part of this is; How many "Show" >Breeders are so busy encouraging their
owners to Show, that they ARE NOT asking >them to go try out a few Junior Test? Get your owners going after a minimum >of a JH and 1) Entries go up automatically. 2) They find out how fun it can >be and if they take the time to go watch the Masters and Seniors to see >just how precise these dogs can be at the elevated levels of Training, begin >to seek out more training skills and/or assistance to go after higher Titles >thus better proving the "Show" stock and further increasing entries. >You have to get owners involved at the ground level and not just in Shows. > >As for Judges, if Clubs were to hold Judges Seminars advertising to other >area Clubs to help cover the expense and then get a few of their own >Members who have Qualified dogs at higher levels Licensed at Club expense from >the "profit", with a
Guarantee they would Judge X number of Test, the >question of having up and coming Judges is answered. > >As for getting away from horses and doing walking? For those that have >Tested at Freeland KC, you've seen how they run a "Course A" and a "Course B" >with 2 Judges for A and 2 Judges for B alternating every other brace, so it >is not quite as much walking. No horse expense and those Clubs run >FANTASTIC Test. Ya'll know who you are ;-) > >Just a few thoughts from the peanut gallery..... > >Thanx Kindly and Have A Great Day, >Bruce > >----- Original Message ----- >From: "Charlene" < whiteriver@embarqmail.com> >To: gsp-l@shorthairs.net>Sent: Saturday, September 17, 2011 8:05:03 PM >Subject: Re: [gsp-l] Hunt Test question > >I think Diane hit on a key point in her original post. She mentioned that >most Club members were "show only". IMHO there is a big part of the >problem. In our breed nobody should be 'show only'. If they are, then they >really don't understand or appreciate the finer points of our conformation >standard. All "show" folk should be familiar enough with the function of the >GSP in the field to successfully take their exhibit/breeding stock at least >through a Junior title. Until you've done that I submit you don't >understand the Breed. >Also, you're missing out on a boatload of fun! From the Club's >standpoint, Junior
entries are the gravy. You can run 4 Junior braces to 2 >Senior/Master braces. The Junior braces bring the new owners out to learn about the > Club & activities (and hopefully get more involved!) > >Char Rutar > >Ann Harris < katlady@xplornet.ca> wrote: > >>Diane we are suffering the same in Canada. Right now our test this coming >week has six master hunters eight seniors and two juniors if this holds >after closing we are going to put on a field training session after the test >and invite all we can. I think it's just the year or perhaps we have too >many hunt tests now. In this area we have eight Spring and fall. >>Ann >> >>Sent from my iPad >> >>On
2011-09-17, at 3:48 PM, dise454@aol.com wrote: >> >>> Hello, >>> >>> Sleepy Hollow had our annual hunt test today and the entries were low. >I'm wondering if the other clubs are finding this as well. >>> >>> What does your club do to get the word out? >>> >>> Also, we would love to get more field focus in the club, however as it >stands the majority of the members are focused on show. Any suggestions >from our hunting friends? >>> >>> What do you do to increase membership in general? >>> >>> Appreciate your thoughts and perhaps others would as well >>> >>> Have a great day.
>>> >>> Diane >>> > > >Unsubscribing: To unsubscribe from the list, send an email message in >PLAIN TEXT to gsp-l-request@web.whc.net with message text of "unsubscribe gsp-l > you@email.add" (replace the email address with yours, don't include the >quotes and note it is a lower case L after the dash in gsp-l). > |
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janetmcz
SH
Posts:47
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| 11/04/2011 8:33 AM |
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Diane, First, I think the low entries are a sign of the times. For the last two years entries have been lower--especially the junior entries--which I personally attribute to the 50% rule (juniors must point 50% of their birds). Master/Senior have been a bit stronger as those are the folks that invest the time in training, and thus tend to want those titles on their dogs. Remember, you also had a HT on the same weekend as Katahdin in NH. Their entries were low also. Mayflower GSP and VCCNE have done a con-joined HT a couple of times--both quite successful in terms of entries. I suspect that one reason they chose to do that is that Crane WMA is a somewhat more remote location than other grounds--if they can have 4 tests in one weekend rather than 2, they have made it a more worthwhile HT destination. Just my thoughts. Janet
From: dise454@aol.com To: gsp-l@shorthairs.net Sent: Saturday, September 17, 2011 3:48:50 PM Subject: [gsp-l] Hunt Test question Hello,
Sleepy Hollow had our annual hunt test today and the entries were low. I'm wondering if the other clubs are finding this as well.
What does your club do to get the word out?
Also, we would love to get more field focus in the club, however as it stands the majority of the members are focused on show. Any suggestions from our hunting friends?
What do you do to increase membership in general?
Appreciate your thoughts and perhaps others would as well
Have a great day.
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Gspdoo
MH
Posts:326
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| 11/04/2011 8:33 AM |
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Roz, your comments really made me smile -- reminded me that I lived in
sourthern Mississippi when I got my first Shorthair in 1974., and there weren't
any Shorthairs around there, either. I remember going to my vet in Fernwood MS
(Unincorporated -- so it was usually described as a little No-arth o' Magnolia))
and sitting there in the waiting room with her on my lap. There was a large man
in the waiting room, without a dog, just sort of sitting back in his chair. He
sat looking at me and the puppy a long time, and finally said "Ma-am, how come
y'cut the tail off that Blue Tick pup? When I explained that it was a German
Shorthaired Pointer, he just sat there and looked at me (he hadn't moved at all)
with that look on his face that said " Right --- so how come y"cut the tail off
that Blue Tick pup?"
I used to drive a hundred miles each way to Jackson every Sunday to the
Jackson Obedience Training Club, which was the closest place around that did any
training. Now I have a fully matted training facility with classes 7 days a week
about three miles away, and never seem to be able to get there.
I loved Mississippi -- people usually don't think of Mississippi as
beautiful, but it really is -- but I don't miss the snakes at all.
Where are you in LA? Fernwood was right on Rte 5 about 100 miles north of
New Orleans.
Sandra Kretz
MARIAH
In a message dated 9/18/2011 6:00:14 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
rguillet@phjlaw.com writes:
I
wish there was a GSP club here in south Louisiana that hosted hunt
tests. I would have to travel 3 plus hours one way to train (and that is
a Viszla club) and to fit this in my schedule right now, well it just will not
happen yet. We do have doves around here and it is so awesome to see my
two GSPs on point. I can only imagine training them for what they were
bred to do would be awesome because they both seem to have natural
ability.
But
my time is training for obedience and agility as we have a great local trainer
here for that. Between the conformation, obedience and agility, I am
already doing “dog stuff” at least 2 weekends out of the month and training
every day in between. And those typical mean travel out of
town.
Anyone
on this list in south Louisiana?? Probably not. I do not see very
many GSPs around here.
Roz
.
From:
gsp-l-request@shorthairs.net [mailto:gsp-l-request@shorthairs.net] On
Behalf Of Julie Lahr
Sent: Sunday, September 18, 2011 11:54
AM
To: gsp-l@shorthairs.net
Subject: Re: [gsp-l] Re:
[gsp-l] Hunt Test question
Me too Bev. I know you are a
good person.
Julie
"Time?
Since my dogs are important to me, I find the time"
The
statement you wrote kind of implied that if our dog was important to us, we
would find the time. This statement kind of ruffled my feathers,, lol
!!
If that is not the
way you meant it,, I apologize for taking it wrong![<img src=]() happy"
src="http://mail.yimg.com/ok/u/assets/img/emoticons/1.gif">
From:
Beverly Quarles <gsptx@sbcglobal.net>
To:
gsp-l@shorthairs.net
Sent:
Sunday, September 18, 2011 11:40 AM
Subject: RE: [gsp-l] Re:
[gsp-l] Hunt Test question
Ouch,
seems like a hit a nerve. Just for the record this was not directed at
anyone, but to state what I do with my dogs. Everyone has to figure
out their own activities, finances, etc and then determine where they spend
that time and their money. Again, this is what I do with MY dog and
what is important to ME. Sorry if I offended anyone as that was not my
intention.
Excuse me,but my
dogs are very important to me too,and I spend a lot of time with my dogs. I
take them out for a field run every morning.
I unfortunately
have a job that requires me to work every other weekend, so that cuts a big
chunk out of the time available to do both shows,and hunt tests.
Other than me
having bragging rights on a dog with a hunting title, I don't think my
dogs give a two cent whether they have it with the fact that they probably
see more field time than most titled dogs. They might not be out there
actually hunting planted birds, but they don't seem to mind the
far,and few between wild ones they do find.![<img src=]() happy"
src="http://mail.yimg.com/ok/u/assets/img/emoticons/1.gif" width=16
height=16>
I do
hunt tests, obedience, show and one of my shorthairs is a therapy dog. I
also work full time to pay for my shorthair habit. I have 4 shorthairs and
they all have multiple jobs that I train them for. Time? Since my dogs
are important to me, I find the time. I bred my first litter last year
and have gotten one of my puppy buyers involved in the hunt tests. She was
terrified of the starter pistol when we started, but now she helps me train
my dogs and hers. I love the hunt tests, but this year in TX it is
going to be tough. The snakes are really bad and all the creeks and
tanks are dry. The retriever folks are cancelling their tests. We are
still holding the pointing tests, but I don’t know what the numbers will be
this year. It seems to cycle here with some years getting great
attendance and others not as much.
Horses
don’t seem to be a problem here as many own their own and the judges usually
own their own horses too. We usually have a hunt test each day and use
quail, and unless it is really wet the quail are pretty good flyers.
We usually have a barbecue or venison chili where everyone chips in to
pay for lunch and a raffle of whatever we can gather up. Typically it
is the same folks that participate year in and year out, but we work hard to
get new folks coming to the hunt tests too. Once in a while one of the
pointing breed clubs holds a training day and those are always fun. It
was through one of those training days that I got hooked.
Personally,
if I could only do one, I would probably do the hunt tests and drop the
shows. The hunt tests are a ton more fun and once you see a shorthair
running on birds, well you know what they prefer.
The
Pointer Sisters (Belle and Halo), the Outlaw GSP (Johnny Ringo) and the
Princess (Fauna)
LOL...time?!? What's that???? We're two full time
working parents of an active 10 year old. Somehow we belong to several dog
clubs and actively do hunt, show, obedience, rally... Must be why I can't
remember my 30s.
Hunt test judging without horses...
We have
two sets that alternate braces and judge on foot. We pick them up and drop
them off at the line with a golf cart so they rest up in between. So far
it's worked very well.
Sent from my Verizon Wireless
Phone
So, What if you
don't have the time to do both ?
From:
Charlene <whiteriver@embarqmail.com>
To:
gsp-l@shorthairs.net
Sent:
Saturday, September 17, 2011 8:05 PM
Subject: Re: [gsp-l] Hunt
Test question
I think Diane hit on
a key point in her original post. She mentioned that most Club members
were "show only". IMHO there is a big part of the problem. In
our breed nobody should be 'show only'. If they are, then they really
don't understand or appreciate the finer points of our conformation
standard. All "show" folk should be familiar enough with the function
of the GSP in the field to successfully take their exhibit/breeding stock at
least through a Junior title. Until you've done that I submit you
don't understand the Breed.
Also, you're missing out on a boatload of
fun! From the Club's standpoint, Junior entries are the gravy.
You can run 4 Junior braces to 2 Senior/Master braces. The Junior
braces bring the new owners out to learn about the Club & activities
(and hopefully get more involved!)
Char Rutar
Ann Harris
<katlady@xplornet.ca>
wrote:
>Diane we are suffering the same in Canada . Right now our
test this coming week has six master hunters eight seniors and two juniors
if this holds after closing we are going to put on a field training session
after the test and invite all we can. I think it's just the year or perhaps
we have too many hunt tests now. In this area we have eight Spring and fall.
>Ann
>
>Sent from my iPad
>
>On 2011-09-17,
at 3:48 PM, dise454@aol.com wrote:
>
>>
Hello,
>>
>> Sleepy Hollow had our annual hunt test
today and the entries were low. I'm wondering if the other clubs are
finding this as well.
>>
>> What does your club do
to get the word out?
>>
>> Also, we would love to get
more field focus in the club, however as it stands the majority of the
members are focused on show. Any suggestions from our hunting friends?
>>
>> What do you do to increase membership in general?
>>
>> Appreciate your thoughts and perhaps others would
as well
>>
>> Have a great day.
>>
>> Diane
>>
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Gspdoo
MH
Posts:326
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| 11/04/2011 8:33 AM |
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I was thinking that same thing when Tracy (or someone) mentioned that
the successful HT in W NY didn't have another HT around for 100 miles. One of
the problems we traditionally have here in New England is that so many of
the clubs have their dates squished into Sept because the grounds are open to
public hunting beginning in Oct (and also the members who hunt want to take
advantage of those elusive few weeks). So you have multiple clubs competing for
entries on the same Sept weekends. As well as there is a NAVHDA test almost
every weekend in Sept in New England -- and some of those haven't been full,
which is unheard of because they can take so few dogs each day.
I really wonder about the 50% rule -- I haven't done much these last couple
of years with Bob's illness and my broken knee cap and two foot surgeries, but
the few times I've judged, the 50% rule didn't make any difference, the dogs
that qualified did, and the ones that didn't just didn't. Of course you never
know the number of people who would have just brought a completely untrained dog
and hoped it would point -- maybe those people stayed home. But if people are at
that level (and I have judged some) do you think they even know about the 50%
rule?
I do think that because of the economy people just aren't putting money
into the extras (just like all the non-regular classes at shows have dried up).
I remember particularly at least one Vizsla owner who used to bring her
titled dog to run at least once every season spring and fall, just because the
dog loved it so much. And there were at least a few other people with titled
dogs who did that occasionally. And I think you'd have at least a few dogs
that may have titled a week or so earlier, but the owners just didn't
scratch them because they'd already paid their money. In today's economy, people
want their $35 back.
And one shouldn't forget that training to prepare for a test isn't free
either -- if you work with a trainer, gas, birds, time -- you have to figure
that into people's disposable income.
Sandra Kretz
MARIAH
In a message dated 9/18/2011 11:20:47 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
janetmcz@comcast.net writes:
Diane, First,
I think the low entries are a sign of the times. For the last two years
entries have been lower--especially the junior entries--which I personally
attribute to the 50% rule (juniors must point 50% of their birds).
Master/Senior have been a bit stronger as those are the folks that invest the
time in training, and thus tend to want those titles on their dogs.
Remember, you also had a HT on the same weekend as Katahdin in
NH. Their entries were low also. Mayflower GSP and VCCNE have
done a con-joined HT a couple of times--both quite successful in terms of
entries. I suspect that one reason they chose to do that is that Crane
WMA is a somewhat more remote location than other grounds--if they can have 4
tests in one weekend rather than 2, they have made it a more worthwhile HT
destination. Just my thoughts. Janet
From: dise454@aol.com To: gsp-l@shorthairs.net Sent:
Saturday, September 17, 2011 3:48:50 PM Subject: [gsp-l] Hunt
Test question Hello,
Sleepy Hollow had our annual hunt test today and the entries were low.
I'm wondering if the other clubs are finding this as well.
What does your club do to get the word out?
Also, we would love to get more field focus in the club, however as it
stands the majority of the members are focused on show. Any suggestions
from our hunting friends?
What do you do to increase membership in general?
Appreciate your thoughts and perhaps others would as well
Have a great day.
Diane
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katlady1
Posts:7
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| 11/04/2011 8:33 AM |
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| oh my if your entries are only $35 how on earth are you covering your expenses. Ours are $50 to $70 depending on the club and thats junior too! ann
I was thinking that same thing when Tracy (or someone) mentioned that
the successful HT in W NY didn't have another HT around for 100 miles. One of
the problems we traditionally have here in New England is that so many of
the clubs have their dates squished into Sept because the grounds are open to
public hunting beginning in Oct (and also the members who hunt want to take
advantage of those elusive few weeks). So you have multiple clubs competing for
entries on the same Sept weekends. As well as there is a NAVHDA test almost
every weekend in Sept in New England -- and some of those haven't been full,
which is unheard of because they can take so few dogs each day.
I really wonder about the 50% rule -- I haven't done much these last couple
of years with Bob's illness and my broken knee cap and two foot surgeries, but
the few times I've judged, the 50% rule didn't make any difference, the dogs
that qualified did, and the ones that didn't just didn't. Of course you never
know the number of people who would have just brought a completely untrained dog
and hoped it would point -- maybe those people stayed home. But if people are at
that level (and I have judged some) do you think they even know about the 50%
rule?
I do think that because of the economy people just aren't putting money
into the extras (just like all the non-regular classes at shows have dried up).
I remember particularly at least one Vizsla owner who used to bring her
titled dog to run at least once every season spring and fall, just because the
dog loved it so much. And there were at least a few other people with titled
dogs who did that occasionally. And I think you'd have at least a few dogs
that may have titled a week or so earlier, but the owners just didn't
scratch them because they'd already paid their money. In today's economy, people
want their $35 back.
And one shouldn't forget that training to prepare for a test isn't free
either -- if you work with a trainer, gas, birds, time -- you have to figure
that into people's disposable income.
Sandra Kretz
MARIAH
Diane, First,
I think the low entries are a sign of the times. For the last two years
entries have been lower--especially the junior entries--which I personally
attribute to the 50% rule (juniors must point 50% of their birds).
Master/Senior have been a bit stronger as those are the folks that invest the
time in training, and thus tend to want those titles on their dogs.
Remember, you also had a HT on the same weekend as Katahdin in
NH. Their entries were low also. Mayflower GSP and VCCNE have
done a con-joined HT a couple of times--both quite successful in terms of
entries. I suspect that one reason they chose to do that is that Crane
WMA is a somewhat more remote location than other grounds--if they can have 4
tests in one weekend rather than 2, they have made it a more worthwhile HT
destination. Just my thoughts. Janet
From: dise454@aol.comTo: gsp-l@shorthairs.net Sent:
Saturday, September 17, 2011 3:48:50 PM Subject: [gsp-l] Hunt
Test question Hello,
Sleepy Hollow had our annual hunt test today and the entries were low.
I'm wondering if the other clubs are finding this as well.
What does your club do to get the word out?
Also, we would love to get more field focus in the club, however as it
stands the majority of the members are focused on show. Any suggestions
from our hunting friends?
What do you do to increase membership in general?
Appreciate your thoughts and perhaps others would as well
Have a great day.
Diane
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CRYSTALKENNELS
MH
Posts:78
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| 11/04/2011 8:35 AM |
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I believe a lot of the low entry problem can be attributed to clubs holding
Hunt tests on the same weekend with a 100-200 mile radius. Folks are going to go
to the closest test unless its a double hunt test which are gaining popularity.
Take a look at the entries Double tests get.....they are usually full with a
waiting list.
I travel to a fair number of tests annually, judges do not play a part in
my decision....grounds can definitely play a part...distance not so much but
taken into consideration.
We hold a HT in Later October or in the first part of November when other
clubs are winding down for the season. We have good entries as there are no
other tests coming up and people want to finish their dog(s) before the snow
flies.
I do not believe its a sign of the economy (generally) as hard core people
want the titles and find ways to cut back in other areas to finance their hobby.
I agree with Janet on the 50% rule with JH dogs along with people are not
investing the time, energy or money into getting a JH title.
Personally I would like to see more double hunt tests and lesser individual
weekend tests. I believe if clubs 'joined forces' and did the double tests, they
would be full or nearly so.
Judy
In a message dated 9/18/2011 10:20:47 P.M. Central Daylight Time,
janetmcz@comcast.net writes:
Diane, First,
I think the low entries are a sign of the times. For the last two years
entries have been lower--especially the junior entries--which I personally
attribute to the 50% rule (juniors must point 50% of their birds).
Master/Senior have been a bit stronger as those are the folks that invest the
time in training, and thus tend to want those titles on their dogs.
Remember, you also had a HT on the same weekend as Katahdin in
NH. Their entries were low also. Mayflower GSP and VCCNE have
done a con-joined HT a couple of times--both quite successful in terms of
entries. I suspect that one reason they chose to do that is that Crane
WMA is a somewhat more remote location than other grounds--if they can have 4
tests in one weekend rather than 2, they have made it a more worthwhile HT
destination. Just my thoughts. Janet
From: dise454@aol.com To: gsp-l@shorthairs.net Sent:
Saturday, September 17, 2011 3:48:50 PM Subject: [gsp-l] Hunt
Test question Hello,
Sleepy Hollow had our annual hunt test today and the entries were low.
I'm wondering if the other clubs are finding this as well.
What does your club do to get the word out?
Also, we would love to get more field focus in the club, however as it
stands the majority of the members are focused on show. Any suggestions
from our hunting friends?
What do you do to increase membership in general?
Appreciate your thoughts and perhaps others would as well
Have a great day.
Diane
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therozypozy
MH
Posts:470
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| 11/04/2011 8:35 AM |
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Sandra, I live just north of New Orleans/Lake Pontchartrain. I get a lot of people that ask if that is a Blue Tick or a Dalmation. Yes, there are some beautiful areas of Mississippi. There was someone that used to train pointing breeds, but there was not enough interest and he has a regular job and does not do it anymore. Roz. From: gsp-l-request@shorthairs.net [mailto:gsp-l-request@shorthairs.net] On Behalf Of Gspdoo@aol.com
Sent: Sunday, September 18, 2011 10:35 PM
To: gsp-l@shorthairs.net
Cc: Mariahgsps@aol.com
Subject: Re: [gsp-l] Hunt Test question Roz, your comments really made me smile -- reminded me that I lived in sourthern Mississippi when I got my first Shorthair in 1974., and there weren't any Shorthairs around there, either. I remember going to my vet in Fernwood MS (Unincorporated -- so it was usually described as a little No-arth o' Magnolia)) and sitting there in the waiting room with her on my lap. There was a large man in the waiting room, without a dog, just sort of sitting back in his chair. He sat looking at me and the puppy a long time, and finally said "Ma-am, how come y'cut the tail off that Blue Tick pup? When I explained that it was a German Shorthaired Pointer, he just sat there and looked at me (he hadn't moved at all) with that look on his face that said " Right --- so how come y"cut the tail off that Blue Tick pup?" I used to drive a hundred miles each way to Jackson every Sunday to the Jackson Obedience Training Club, which was the closest place around that did any training. Now I have a fully matted training facility with classes 7 days a week about three miles away, and never seem to be able to get there. I loved Mississippi -- people usually don't think of Mississippi as beautiful, but it really is -- but I don't miss the snakes at all. Where are you in LA? Fernwood was right on Rte 5 about 100 miles north of New Orleans. In a message dated 9/18/2011 6:00:14 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, rguillet@phjlaw.com writes: I wish there was a GSP club here in south Louisiana that hosted hunt tests. I would have to travel 3 plus hours one way to train (and that is a Viszla club) and to fit this in my schedule right now, well it just will not happen yet. We do have doves around here and it is so awesome to see my two GSPs on point. I can only imagine training them for what they were bred to do would be awesome because they both seem to have natural ability. But my time is training for obedience and agility as we have a great local trainer here for that. Between the conformation, obedience and agility, I am already doing “dog stuff” at least 2 weekends out of the month and training every day in between. And those typical mean travel out of town. Anyone on this list in south Louisiana?? Probably not. I do not see very many GSPs around here. Roz . From: gsp-l-request@shorthairs.net [mailto:gsp-l-request@shorthairs.net] On Behalf Of Julie Lahr
Sent: Sunday, September 18, 2011 11:54 AM
To: gsp-l@shorthairs.net
Subject: Re: [gsp-l] Re: [gsp-l] Hunt Test question Me too Bev. I know you are a good person. Julie "Time? Since my dogs are important to me, I find the time" The statement you wrote kind of implied that if our dog was important to us, we would find the time. This statement kind of ruffled my feathers,, lol !! If that is not the way you meant it,, I apologize for taking it wrong happy"> From: Beverly Quarles <gsptx@sbcglobal.net>
To: gsp-l@shorthairs.net
Sent: Sunday, September 18, 2011 11:40 AM
Subject: RE: [gsp-l] Re: [gsp-l] Hunt Test question Ouch, seems like a hit a nerve. Just for the record this was not directed at anyone, but to state what I do with my dogs. Everyone has to figure out their own activities, finances, etc and then determine where they spend that time and their money. Again, this is what I do with MY dog and what is important to ME. Sorry if I offended anyone as that was not my intention. Excuse me,but my dogs are very important to me too,and I spend a lot of time with my dogs. I take them out for a field run every morning. I unfortunately have a job that requires me to work every other weekend, so that cuts a big chunk out of the time available to do both shows,and hunt tests. Other than me having bragging rights on a dog with a hunting title, I don't think my dogs give a two cent whether they have it with the fact that they probably see more field time than most titled dogs. They might not be out there actually hunting planted birds, but they don't seem to mind the far,and few between wild ones they do find. happy"> I do hunt tests, obedience, show and one of my shorthairs is a therapy dog. I also work full time to pay for my shorthair habit. I have 4 shorthairs and they all have multiple jobs that I train them for. Time? Since my dogs are important to me, I find the time. I bred my first litter last year and have gotten one of my puppy buyers involved in the hunt tests. She was terrified of the starter pistol when we started, but now she helps me train my dogs and hers. I love the hunt tests, but this year in TX it is going to be tough. The snakes are really bad and all the creeks and tanks are dry. The retriever folks are cancelling their tests. We are still holding the pointing tests, but I don’t know what the numbers will be this year. It seems to cycle here with some years getting great attendance and others not as much. Horses don’t seem to be a problem here as many own their own and the judges usually own their own horses too. We usually have a hunt test each day and use quail, and unless it is really wet the quail are pretty good flyers. We usually have a barbecue or venison chili where everyone chips in to pay for lunch and a raffle of whatever we can gather up. Typically it is the same folks that participate year in and year out, but we work hard to get new folks coming to the hunt tests too. Once in a while one of the pointing breed clubs holds a training day and those are always fun. It was through one of those training days that I got hooked. Personally, if I could only do one, I would probably do the hunt tests and drop the shows. The hunt tests are a ton more fun and once you see a shorthair running on birds, well you know what they prefer. The Pointer Sisters (Belle and Halo), the Outlaw GSP (Johnny Ringo) and the Princess (Fauna) LOL...time?!? What's that???? We're two full time working parents of an active 10 year old. Somehow we belong to several dog clubs and actively do hunt, show, obedience, rally... Must be why I can't remember my 30s.
Hunt test judging without horses...
We have two sets that alternate braces and judge on foot. We pick them up and drop them off at the line with a golf cart so they rest up in between. So far it's worked very well.
Sent from my Verizon Wireless Phone So, What if you don't have the time to do both ? From: Charlene <whiteriver@embarqmail.com>
To: gsp-l@shorthairs.net
Sent: Saturday, September 17, 2011 8:05 PM
Subject: Re: [gsp-l] Hunt Test question
I think Diane hit on a key point in her original post. She mentioned that most Club members were "show only". IMHO there is a big part of the problem. In our breed nobody should be 'show only'. If they are, then they really don't understand or appreciate the finer points of our conformation standard. All "show" folk should be familiar enough with the function of the GSP in the field to successfully take their exhibit/breeding stock at least through a Junior title. Until you've done that I submit you don't understand the Breed.
Also, you're missing out on a boatload of fun! From the Club's standpoint, Junior entries are the gravy. You can run 4 Junior braces to 2 Senior/Master braces. The Junior braces bring the new owners out to learn about the Club & activities (and hopefully get more involved!)
Char Rutar
Ann Harris <katlady@xplornet.ca> wrote:
>Diane we are suffering the same in Canada . Right now our test this coming week has six master hunters eight seniors and two juniors if this holds after closing we are going to put on a field training session after the test and invite all we can. I think it's just the year or perhaps we have too many hunt tests now. In this area we have eight Spring and fall.
>Ann
>
>Sent from my iPad
>
>On 2011-09-17, at 3:48 PM, dise454@aol.com wrote:
>
>> Hello,
>>
>> Sleepy Hollow had our annual hunt test today and the entries were low. I'm wondering if the other clubs are finding this as well.
>>
>> What does your club do to get the word out?
>>
>> Also, we would love to get more field focus in the club, however as it stands the majority of the members are focused on show. Any suggestions from our hunting friends?
>>
>> What do you do to increase membership in general?
>>
>> Appreciate your thoughts and perhaps others would as well
>>
>> Have a great day.
>>
>> Diane
>>
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Hdwyacre
JH
Posts:22
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| 11/04/2011 8:35 AM |
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Janet,
If two clubs run a hunt test on the same day as Mayflower did wouldn't they have to limit their entries for the two tests.Although the expenses are probably cheaper for the both clubs because they would split the costs of the grounds for that day.
We usually have double the entries that we had this past weekend and we could never run another test that same day. This past weekend we had a smaller entry in Masters/Seniors and the Junior entry was real low. This was the first year we had
experienced such a low entry.
Sue Prohaska
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RoggenfeldGSPs1
MH
Posts:137
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| 11/04/2011 8:35 AM |
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This may depend on where you are located. In New England most clubs
use local judges so they don't have the expense of putting them up
for the weekend. I have heard that they are lucky to even get a
gift. Also no one up here uses horses either, so that saves on
another big expense.
Pam Parshall
Roggenfeld Shorthairs
On 9/19/2011 6:01 AM, Ann Harris wrote:
oh my if your entries are only $35 how on earth are
you covering your expenses. Ours are $50 to $70 depending on the
club and thats junior too!
ann
I was thinking that same thing when Tracy (or
someone) mentioned that the successful HT in W NY
didn't have another HT around for 100 miles. One of
the problems we traditionally have here in New England
is that so many of the clubs have their dates
squished into Sept because the grounds are open to
public hunting beginning in Oct (and also the members
who hunt want to take advantage of those elusive few
weeks). So you have multiple clubs competing for
entries on the same Sept weekends. As well as there is
a NAVHDA test almost every weekend in Sept in New
England -- and some of those haven't been full, which
is unheard of because they can take so few dogs each
day.
I really wonder about the 50% rule -- I haven't
done much these last couple of years with Bob's
illness and my broken knee cap and two foot surgeries,
but the few times I've judged, the 50% rule didn't
make any difference, the dogs that qualified did, and
the ones that didn't just didn't. Of course you never
know the number of people who would have just brought
a completely untrained dog and hoped it would point --
maybe those people stayed home. But if people are at
that level (and I have judged some) do you think they
even know about the 50% rule?
I do think that because of the economy people just
aren't putting money into the extras (just like all
the non-regular classes at shows have dried up). I
remember particularly at least one Vizsla owner who
used to bring her titled dog to run at least once
every season spring and fall, just because the dog
loved it so much. And there were at least a few other
people with titled dogs who did that occasionally. And
I think you'd have at least a few dogs that may have
titled a week or so earlier, but the owners just
didn't scratch them because they'd already paid their
money. In today's economy, people want their $35 back.
And one shouldn't forget that training to prepare
for a test isn't free either -- if you work with a
trainer, gas, birds, time -- you have to figure that
into people's disposable income.
Sandra Kretz
MARIAH
Diane,
First, I think the low entries are a sign of the
times. For the last two years entries have been
lower--especially the junior entries--which I
personally attribute to the 50% rule (juniors
must point 50% of their birds). Master/Senior
have been a bit stronger as those are the folks
that invest the time in training, and thus tend
to want those titles on their dogs.
Remember, you also had a HT on the same weekend
as Katahdin in NH. Their entries were low also.
Mayflower GSP and VCCNE have done a con-joined
HT a couple of times--both quite successful in
terms of entries. I suspect that one reason
they chose to do that is that Crane WMA is a
somewhat more remote location than other
grounds--if they can have 4 tests in one weekend
rather than 2, they have made it a more
worthwhile HT destination.
Just my thoughts.
Janet
From: dise454@aol.com
To: gsp-l@shorthairs.net
Sent: Saturday, September 17, 2011
3:48:50 PM
Subject: [gsp-l] Hunt Test question
Hello,
Sleepy Hollow had our annual hunt test
today and the entries were low. I'm
wondering if the other clubs are finding
this as well.
What does your club do to get the word
out?
Also, we would love to get more field
focus in the club, however as it stands the
majority of the members are focused on show.
Any suggestions from our hunting friends?
What do you do to increase membership in
general?
Appreciate your thoughts and perhaps
others would as well
Have a great day.
Diane
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dise454
MH
Posts:144
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| 11/04/2011 8:37 AM |
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| Well if we had lights like they do in Yankee stadium we can run the dogs all night - no problems on limits and the dogs use their noses not their eyes to find the birds
obviously joking
-----Original Message-----
From: Hdwyacre
To: gsp-l
Sent: Mon, Sep 19, 2011 6:54 am
Subject: Re: [gsp-l] Hunt Test question
Janet,
If two clubs run a hunt test on the same day as Mayflower did wouldn't they have to limit their entries for the two tests.Although the expenses are probably cheaper for the both clubs because they would split the costs of the grounds for that day.
We usually have double the entries that we had this past weekend and we could never run another test that same day. This past weekend we had a smaller entry in Masters/Seniors and the Junior entry was real low. This was the first year we had
experienced such a low entry.
Sue Prohaska
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dise454
MH
Posts:144
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| 11/04/2011 8:37 AM |
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Judy do you mean double as in 2 in 1 day or 2 over the weekend?
-----Original Message-----
From: CRYSTALKENNELS
To: gsp-l
Sent: Mon, Sep 19, 2011 4:07 am
Subject: Re: [gsp-l] Hunt Test question
I believe a lot of the low entry problem can be attributed to clubs holding
Hunt tests on the same weekend with a 100-200 mile radius. Folks are going to go
to the closest test unless its a double hunt test which are gaining popularity.
Take a look at the entries Double tests get.....they are usually full with a
waiting list.
I travel to a fair number of tests annually, judges do not play a part in
my decision....grounds can definitely play a part...distance not so much but
taken into consideration.
We hold a HT in Later October or in the first part of November when other
clubs are winding down for the season. We have good entries as there are no
other tests coming up and people want to finish their dog(s) before the snow
flies.
I do not believe its a sign of the economy (generally) as hard core people
want the titles and find ways to cut back in other areas to finance their hobby.
I agree with Janet on the 50% rule with JH dogs along with people are not
investing the time, energy or money into getting a JH title.
Personally I would like to see more double hunt tests and lesser individual
weekend tests. I believe if clubs 'joined forces' and did the double tests, they
would be full or nearly so.
Judy
Diane,
First,
I think the low entries are a sign of the times. For the last two years
entries have been lower--especially the junior entries--which I personally
attribute to the 50% rule (juniors must point 50% of their birds).
Master/Senior have been a bit stronger as those are the folks that invest the
time in training, and thus tend to want those titles on their dogs.
Remember, you also had a HT on the same weekend as Katahdin in
NH. Their entries were low also.
Mayflower GSP and VCCNE have
done a con-joined HT a couple of times--both quite successful in terms of
entries. I suspect that one reason they chose to do that is that Crane
WMA is a somewhat more remote location than other grounds--if they can have 4
tests in one weekend rather than 2, they have made it a more worthwhile HT
destination.
Just my thoughts.
Janet
From: dise454@aol.com
To: gsp-l@shorthairs.net
Sent:
Saturday, September 17, 2011 3:48:50 PM
Subject: [gsp-l] Hunt
Test question
Hello,
Sleepy Hollow had our annual hunt test today and the entries were low.
I'm wondering if the other clubs are finding this as well.
What does your club do to get the word out?
Also, we would love to get more field focus in the club, however as it
stands the majority of the members are focused on show. Any suggestions
from our hunting friends?
What do you do to increase membership in general?
Appreciate your thoughts and perhaps others would as well
Have a great day.
Diane
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CRYSTALKENNELS
MH
Posts:78
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| 11/04/2011 8:39 AM |
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4 possible Q's in a weekend. So 2 tests each day. What the clubs do is
start at 7-7:30 in the morning and the first HT goes to noon. You limit your
SH/MH entries (usually 6 braces) the JH entries you can be more lenient. They
only take 20 minutes to run. The next club takes over from 12:30-1
p.m....same thing limit your SH/MH entries as they are the time consumers. Then
everyone rushes to get their SH/MH entries in early to have a slot. Depending on
the time of year and daylight you could take
more..............
In a message dated 9/19/2011 7:11:34 P.M. Central Daylight Time,
dise454@aol.com writes:
Judy do you mean double as in 2 in 1 day
or 2 over the weekend?
-----Original
Message----- From: CRYSTALKENNELS
To:
gsp-l
Sent: Mon, Sep 19, 2011 4:07
am
Subject: Re: [gsp-l] Hunt Test question
I believe a lot of the low entry problem can be attributed to clubs
holding Hunt tests on the same weekend with a 100-200 mile radius. Folks are
going to go to the closest test unless its a double hunt test which are
gaining popularity. Take a look at the entries Double tests get.....they are
usually full with a waiting list.
I travel to a fair number of tests annually, judges do not play a part in
my decision....grounds can definitely play a part...distance not so much but
taken into consideration.
We hold a HT in Later October or in the first part of November when other
clubs are winding down for the season. We have good entries as there are no
other tests coming up and people want to finish their dog(s) before the snow
flies.
I do not believe its a sign of the economy (generally) as hard core
people want the titles and find ways to cut back in other areas to finance
their hobby.
I agree with Janet on the 50% rule with JH dogs along with people are not
investing the time, energy or money into getting a JH title.
Personally I would like to see more double hunt tests and lesser
individual weekend tests. I believe if clubs 'joined forces' and did the
double tests, they would be full or nearly so.
Judy
Diane, First,
I think the low entries are a sign of the times. For the last two
years entries have been lower--especially the junior entries--which I
personally attribute to the 50% rule (juniors must point 50% of their
birds). Master/Senior have been a bit stronger as those are the folks
that invest the time in training, and thus tend to want those titles on
their dogs. Remember, you also had a HT on the same weekend as
Katahdin in NH. Their entries were low also. Mayflower GSP and
VCCNE have done a con-joined HT a couple of times--both quite successful in
terms of entries. I suspect that one reason they chose to do that is
that Crane WMA is a somewhat more remote location than other grounds--if
they can have 4 tests in one weekend rather than 2, they have made it a more
worthwhile HT destination. Just my thoughts. Janet
From: dise454@aol.comTo: gsp-l@shorthairs.netSent:
Saturday, September 17, 2011 3:48:50 PM Subject: [gsp-l] Hunt
Test question Hello,
Sleepy Hollow had our annual hunt test today and the entries were low.
I'm wondering if the other clubs are finding this as well.
What does your club do to get the word out?
Also, we would love to get more field focus in the club, however as it
stands the majority of the members are focused on show. Any
suggestions from our hunting friends?
What do you do to increase membership in general?
Appreciate your thoughts and perhaps others would as well
Have a great day.
Diane
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janetmcz
SH
Posts:47
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| 11/04/2011 8:42 AM |
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The clubs that just ran a joint hunt test do limit entries--maybe 6 or 7 M/S braces as they need to complete it in 5 hours (7:00am to 12:00pm). Then there was an hour break and the afternoon test started at 1:00pm and ran to conclusion. The only logistic issue was that they had to lay out different courses for the two tests (though I believe the shooting field remained the same). The M/S backcourse was completely different, as was the whole junior course.
From: dise454@aol.com To: gsp-l@shorthairs.net Sent: Monday, September 19, 2011 8:03:12 PM Subject: Re: [gsp-l] Hunt Test question Well if we had lights like they do in Yankee stadium we can run the dogs all night - no problems on limits and the dogs use their noses not their eyes to find the birds
obviously joking
-----Original Message-----
From: Hdwyacre
To: gsp-l
Sent: Mon, Sep 19, 2011 6:54 am
Subject: Re: [gsp-l] Hunt Test question
Janet,
If two clubs run a hunt test on the same day as Mayflower did wouldn't they have to limit their entries for the two tests.Although the expenses are probably cheaper for the both clubs because they would split the costs of the grounds for that day.
We usually have double the entries that we had this past weekend and we could never run another test that same day. This past weekend we had a smaller entry in Masters/Seniors and the Junior entry was real low. This was the first year we had
experienced such a low entry.
Sue Prohaska
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snips
n.ga.
MH
Posts:413
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| 11/10/2011 10:39 AM |
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| I think the numbers are down in the south. The JH are VERY down, with just maybe 3 braces the last 4 HT I have run in...Scarry. |
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brenda |
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