112002

GSPIN
Newsletter of
The German Shorthaired Pointer Club of Indiana

President’s Message (actually penned by Charlie Edwards)

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! It’s time to celebrate those cool fall days which makes it fun to get out and play with the dogs. I would like to express my appreciation to Char Rutar for her excellent President’s message on my behalf in our last newsletter. I think we all owe Char a big thank you for producing the newsletter, which is so important to keeping the members informed of club activities and issues.

We just completed another successful hunt test and I hope many of you were able to attend. Those who didn’t will get another chance when we have our spring hunt test at the end of March 2003. I managed to avoid vehicle problems this time so my wife, Amy, and I were able to make this event. I would like to thank Jason Barille, Dee Ann Bertram, Becky Feigh, Larry Sowinski and several other club members for their hard work in organizing and running the event so smoothly. We didn’t have a lot of Master or Senior dogs but we did have quite a few Juniors, most of whom found birds. One nice benefit of the hunt tests is several new people with puppies were able to come out and see what it is all about. This helps entries at future hunt tests and maybe we can acquire a few new members as well. Those who stuck around to the end of the day were able to let their pups run the field and get into some birds. I know we took our four month-old GSP out and she had lots of fun. Of course, our 15 month-old Gordon Setter bitch had a little too much fun during her Junior qualification. She found lots of birds.....it just took us awhile to get her out of the bird field (and the adjoining fields) before they could run the next brace!

I am always interested in hearing about the diversity of our club member’s dog activities. I recently talked to Lisa and Mike Stovall at a dog show and learned that Mike is active in National Shoot-to-Retrieve Association (NSTRA) events. There’s going to be a NSTRA trial the day after Thanksgiving south of Owensboro in Centertown, Ky., if you are up to the drive.

We had a board meeting at the hunt test and we have a pretty full slate of future activities planned. We are still interested in producing a web page for the club so if you have interests or ideas to contribute, give me a call. The spring specialty show is already in the works as is the spring hunt test. We formed a committee to work on improving our booth and presentation at the Boat, Sport and Travel show in Indianapolis. We also have put together a committee to explore making a bid for the 2005 GSPCA national specialty show. I think the club could benefit tremendously both financially and from the exposure this event will bring. With our central location, this could be one of the largest nationals ever. They are a lot of work though so anyone who would like to participate in that process is certainly welcome. It is time for the nominating committee to start soliciting members to serve as officers and board members so if you have an interest in serving, DON”T BE SHY, call me or one of the other officers.

It looks like it is going be a busy fall season particularly since my wife has decided it would be o.k. if I got a new shotgun! That is a nice side benefit of getting her enthused about the hunt tests. Hope to see you out there somewhere!

Fall Hunt Test Report By Deanne Bertram

It was a perfect weekend for our Fall Hunt Test. The weather was a "wee" bit cool for the humans, but just right for the pups. A Hunt Test is never complete without a little bit of anxiety. The Fitzpatricks were planning to leave

Illinois around 3:00 am to get to Waverly, Indiana by 7:30 am and they were nowhere to be seen at 7:45 am, but when the road to Glenns Valley was missed because of construction and when you're hauling a horse trailer, its not that easy to pull into a driveway and turn around. All in all we only started 15 minutes late. As for Brent and Eddie, they knew exactly where they were going so they have no excuse for pulling in at 8:00 am

Many participants "loved" the fact that the GSPC of Indiana has embraced the electronic age. Sending out the brace sheets via e:mail had to be one of the highlights leading up to the event. The Hunt Test Secretary's husband also "loved" the idea. Instead of answering calls, retrieving voice mail messages, and returning calls all night long, one simple click of the mouse and out went the sheets. (Usually the Hunt Test Secretary creates the brace sheets and then leaves to go play with her horses, leaving the husband to fend off the masses.)

The Fall Hunt Test brought many new participants from Illinois, Ohio, Kentucky, and even as far as Tennessee. Many praised their luck of the draw in getting braced late on Saturday and early on Sunday. With their luck, I thinks maybe they should return home and put a dollar down on their local lottery. Hoping everyone had a safe journey home.

For a few participants, this was their first ever hunt test. Luckily I didn't give anyone any wrong information, but at the last minute I remembered to inform "Barry" when your dog does go on point, MAKE SURE THE JUDGE KNOWS. Whew, almost blew that one.

Hats off to Anna Barile, the stew and chili were delicious. And to everyone else who brought "goodies", thank you.

The only complaint regarding the Hunt Test came from the gunners. Not enough Masters or Seniors entered to give them lots of opportunities to shoot. Well guys, maybe next year.

Well it's time for me to take off my "dog" hat and get back to the horses, wishing everyone a safe hunting season and to those who stay home, enjoy it! Once they come back it'll be nothing but bragging. Well as long as they're bragging about how well the dogs worked I don't mind, but enough about the one that got away.

Again, no time to surf the ‘net for every scrap of info, but Y’all have finally figured out how to hit the ‘Send’ button and get the scoop to me. In no particular order other than how they float up out of my file . .

September 8 in Harriman TN, CH Hit the Road Jack II owned by Greg and Martha Veatch double qualified to earn his Novice Standard agility title and the first leg toward his Novice Jumpers and Weaves.

While Johnny was putting two JH legs on Jane at Glens Valley, wife June was following their pointer bitch Fancy to her TD title earned Sunday October 27.

Two weeks after our Hunt Test the Johnson’s CH Pointsettr Run Jane Run JJJ earned her JH going four for four. Her kennelmate The Son >From White River JJJ earned his first JH leg at the Weimarainer Club of Greater Louisville Test.

Young Foxglove’s Mad About You owned by Mike and Lisa Stovall has been very busy since she entered the world of AKC competition. She was Reserve Winners Bitch September 29 at the Hoosier Kennel Club and October 12 at the Crab Orchard KC, Winners Bitch October 5 at Greater Murfreesboro KC and October 20 at the Illinois Capitol KC. THEN November 9^th and 10^th she ventured into the field at the Weimarainer Club of Greater Louisville Hunt Tests and earned her first two Junior Hunter Legs.

White River Serving An Ace owned by Kevin and Wendy Davey racked up both his conformation majors in Ft Wayne November 2^nd and 3^rd.

CH Berihill How Sweet It Is swept the Memphis shows October 11 – 13 with 3 Best of Breeds. Her little buddy “Ben” (Odyssey’s Air Force One) was Group I and BIS Puppy at the match that same weekend. “Sugar” and “Ben” live with Greg and Martha Veatch.

Tri-Sett’s Makers Mark is a new JH as of December 1; congrats Amy and Charlie.

Tom and Connie Crump’s Smoky Row More Than a Lover was Winners Dog at the Jackson KC Nov 30 for a 4 pt major on a specialty weekend. Also, Travis Crum and Cory Rodgers’ Dakota was Reserve Winners from the puppy class the next day.

As a breeder myself, I am always wanting more ideas to share with new owners on good ways to channel the boundless energy our youngsters have. I asked the question in the past two newsletters. A few people finally took pity on me, and I thank them for sharing their routines.

The best exercise we have found that satisfies our dogs and uses a little of their energy is swimming in our pool. The Son from White River JJJ and our Fancy pointer puppy walk down the steps on the shallow end while Pointsetter Run Jane Run JJJ dives off the board or off the side of the pool. Retrieving a tennis ball out of the pool is the game of choice, although
Jane tries to climb the ladder for the slide and, failing that, climbs on the bottom of the slide and falls in the pool backwards. We've had a lot of people ask how Jane got so muscled - genetics and swimming. At this point
in time, if we put them in the pool enclosure, they will go on their own for a lap around the pool - they love swimming. An exercise in cold weather when the pool is closed down for the winter involves standing on the dam of our pond (about a hundred feet slope) and throwing a ball down the hill.
Running up and down a hill uses some energy too. When they go hunting on any regular basis, they get plenty of exercise.

We take our puppy to our friend's house a few times a week. He has 3 pointers, 2 setters, 3 GSP, and a Brittany. We let her take turns running each of them for their evening run. Since our puppy is confused about her breed (she thinks she is some sort of herding dog) she chases and barks through the field, barking at their heels. After this we work her on some birds with a 30' check cord. By the end of this, she is usually tired enough to sleep the ride back home, only to be rejuvenated in the driveway. The other days, she gets her exercise by running and playing with our three other dogs, and our cat.

At White River we have two dog yards, one about two acres and one 3 ½. Each morning and evening the dogs are out to run these fields for a half hour to an hour. Separated into two groups, they get some pretty good fence races going. Those in need of an extra dose of exercise go with me on my 1.5 mile cross country fitness walk, until the advent of deer season and reduced daylight stops the custom for the winter season. I do believe this free running on turf is extremely beneficial. It builds their muscle tone naturally, laying on the flesh cover smoothly as opposed to the “body-builder” bulges resulting from “roading” ( a technique used by some trainers to build up strength and wind by running the dog behind a vehicle or bike harnessed with weights). Open field running also develops a correct and sure-footed gait. Dogs exercised on treadmills tend to lift in front excessively, which would fatigue them very quickly if they were asked to actually go out in the field for a few hours. And as mentioned above by June, twice weekly hunting trips this fall have JoJo sculpted and rock hard.

Note: Brags and other general pearls of wisdom may be shared by email to whiteriver@logical123.net, or phone to (765) 534-3002.

The GSPCI 2003 Specialty Show is Friday February 7, with Mrs. Debby DeBryan judging sweepstakes, and Huston Clark judging classes and Best of Breed.

The Miami Valley Viszla Club is hosting a judging seminar for Hunt Tests and Field Trials in Wilmington, OH February 8 – 9. Contact Clara Kayser (937) 444-6539 for info.

Spring Hunt Test dates are set for April 5 & 6 at Glens Valley (surprise to the Board, we know, but the dates we wanted were taken).

A PUPPY'S PRAYER

Now I lay me down to sleep,
The king-size bed is soft and deep..
I sleep right in the center groove
My human being can hardly move!

I've trapped her legs, she's tucked in tight
And here is where I pass the night
No one disturbs me or dares intrude
Till morning comes and "I want food!"

I sneak up slowly to begin
My nibbles on my human's chin.
For the morning's here and it's time to play
I always seem to get my way.

So thank you Lord for giving me
This human person that I see.
The one who hugs and holds me tight
And shares her bed with me at night!
--Author Unknown