On 1/15/07, Robyn Hood <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Just reread this - people actually carry guns to do this??? Only some > people or can everyone shoot. Sounds like a good way to eliminate someone > you don't like and call it 'accidental shooting" - " I thought he/she was a > bird" : ))
the guns fire blanks and only the competitor has a gun to shoot when the quail flush. Its any gaited breeds, in fact field trialers do not care one thing about papers or registration when they buy horses and they pay TOP dollar. I have heard of field trial horses selling for 50,000 bucks! If a person brings a non gaited horse to a field trial they are sorta shunned, and when you get to the top regional and national level competitions, they are invitation only, so yes, only gaited horses are allowed! I cant wait to show up at one with an icelandic :) It takes a special horse for field trialing tho! One that gaits fast and smooth over fields with no trail... one that does not go insane with excitement like my stonewall. People think of you would have to teach them to not spook when the gun fires but honestly that has never been a problem! When the gun fires the first time, the horse will jump a little but when that many horses just stand there resting the horse goes oh well, must not be that scarey and its fine. Biggest thing for me I think is ground tying! They absolutely MUST ground tie. be athletic, have energy, etc. My Jaspar is so pacey but he canters great. I think honestly it isnt just gaited horses for smooth gait which is interesting if you think about it! I think its gaited horses for gait, yes, but also they travel easily at a similar rate of speed as a bird dog running across the fields looking for birds;.. i am thinking of doing an article and sending it to Rhonda at Gaited Horse mag but I have to interview a field trial competitor and get all the technical info on how they are judged etc. I think it is a really fun thing to do on the right horse! And I dont even mean the competing! Just being in the gallery is fun, a fun thing to do in the outdoors with your gaited horse. Janice -- yipie tie yie yo
