Marshall County Field Trials JR Griffin Farm Field Trialing season is in full swing, with recent bird dog trials held in Fayette, Haywood, and Shelby Counties, TN and Marshall and Benton Counties, MS. Upcoming field trials will held in Dancyville, TN on December 4; at the Ames Plantation in Grand Junction, TN December 6-8; and in Michigan City, MS on December 8. The season will culminate with the National Championship for Field Trialing Bird Dogs in February at the Ames Plantation. Marshall County Field Trial Association held its most recent field trial November 12-14 at JR Griffin Sod Farm on Marianna Road, south of Holly Springs, MS. The organizers planned for a one-day trial, but so many competitors came from surrounding states, including AL and KY, that there were enough entries for three days of competition. Braces were held mornings and afternoons all three days. Galleries following on horseback to watch the bird dog action averaged 15 to 20 riders per brace. Gaited and Tennessee Walking Horses are the most popular breeds used in field trialing, but riders also enjoyed the trials on Quarter Horses and other trotting breeds. The terrain was flat to rolling over sod fields interspersed with woods and some harvested row crop. Everyone had a good view of the dogs and the action. Dogs worked well in spite of the dry ground on the first day. Rain on the second day improved scenting conditions. For more information and a schedule of field trials, visit: http://www.americanfield.com/