Keldy Silver Princess

(Keldy Silver Princess - Horsefield)

Date of Birth:   24th October, 1989

Mathams Choire x Trolanda Gull Billed Tern

Studbook No:  4663 CD

Owned by:  Judith & Trevor Horsefield

Breeder:  Brenda & Alan Brooks

(Photograph - Jim Meads)

Gem, what can I say other than she is missed !

After 20 years with Weimaraners I wanted a change and, being a Kennel Club field trial judge by this time, I was well positioned to study “the form”.  I looked hard at all the other breeds but the most consistent and most well established was the GSP.  Having selected the breed I did not realise just how much difference there would be.

During her training and throughout her working life I continued to learn about air scenting, pointing dogs.  She was a good tutor.  I was also extremely fortunate in that the breeding that I chose exhibited a high degree of ‘biddability’ in the dogs, a priceless attribute.  This is now prevalent in the line.

Being an ‘October’ dog she was not ready to compete until spring 1991 when she ran in four spring pointing tests as a Junior and was graded in all, all were ‘Good’ or ‘Very Good’.  The following season as an Adult she ran in three and was graded in two being unfortunate not to encounter Partridge at one test.  No mean achievement!  Her field trialing was spasmodic, mainly because of my commitment, but she gained a first in Novice and her Kennel Club studbook number at the Netheravon All-Aged stake in 1994.

Her working career, however, was much more extensive, being my shooting and picking-up dog. For her entire working life she was a regular on the picking-up team at Stowell Park where she worked with her companion Breeze, a black Lab. They complemented each other in that she made him fast, and he sorted out her points, on unwounded birds, being held out of my sight.  A formidable team for eight or so years.

Our experience, when working grouse for the Duke of Wellington, was not to be forgotten. She was being a little “over-enthusiastic” (to say the least) and was well forward of the guns.  She appeared back over the brow followed by an eagle, “what a lovely sight” I thought and all stopped and watched, panic did not set in until the eagle started to stall and lowered its talons ready for a strike.  I have never got so much emotion through such a small hole as in the whistle.  The Duke had been ready to fire a shot so I knew the situation had been serious.

We had two litters from Gem and as we were so pleased with the progeny of the first mating we repeated the mating for the second.  We have received nothing but positive reports of the offspring and in three instances owners have returned wanting a ‘repeat’.

I have no regrets for having Gem and am delighted to see her progeny continue to flourish.

Trevor Horsefield

©28/04/2003