Bridget Bailey

By Bonnie Hidalgo, Executive Field Representative

Colorado's 16-year-old Bridget Bailey is a sharp young competitor. She handles her own pointer, Frank N Stein, in Open stakes at all breed pointing dog field trials. The daughter of Steve and Lisa Bailey, Bridget has handled Frankie to many wins and placements, including Puppy and Derby stakes and Open Gun Dog competition. She has, in the words of one professional handler, "out-handled us all."

In AKC Open Derby and Open Gun Dog competition, Bridget has handled Frankie to within four points of receiving his Field Championship. Frankie has attained four Open Derby points and four Open Gun Dog points toward that title. They are sure to complete Frankie's Field Championship in the near future. Bridget has also placed him three times in American Field Derby and three times in American Field Shooting Dog. The daughter of a part-time professional dog trainer, Bridget must compete in Open competition. She does it exceedingly well!

Bridget began handling at the age of 12 in Junior Handler stakes. In 2004 she began handling in regular competition. She works her own dog with her dad's help and is an accomplished scout. She started scouting at field trials when she was 12. Her ability to ride a horse as though she were a part of it is a great asset. In October, Bridget handled Frank N Stein in the American Pointer Club National Championship at Crawford, Neb. At the end of the first day, he was being carried for placement. When the stake was over, he and his young owner were presented a Judges' Award of Merit. Bridget demonstrated top skills in showing her pointer off to his best advantage. In addition to receiving the Judges Award of Merit, Bridget scouted the National Champion, Four J Check Raise, owned by Jim Schultz.

Bridget successfully judged an American Field Derby Stake last spring. She will no doubt be judging her first AKC Field Trial before long; having met most of the requirements. She has the respect of her peers in the sport.

In addition to being a good handler and scout, Bridget takes honors classes and is carrying a grade average higher than 4.0. The extracurricular activities she is involved in include Future Business Leaders of America and Art Club. Formerly, she played basketball but suffered a knee injury that ended her career in that sport.

Bridget is liked and respected by the field trial community in Colorado and by the world of AKC Pointer field trials. Bridget has all the tools to make herself an important spot in this world, in both the field trial arena and in life. Hats off to Bridget Bailey!

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