Aside from the details of the difference between hunt test and field trials in the way they run and are judged, I believe that there is a significantly different mind set needed. I started in hunt tests many years ago just to get a JH title on my bitch. As you mentioned I got hooked. A couple other novices around me got together and with the advent of training materials, in my case the Lardy series, we took our dogs to the MH levels. At hunt tests I expected to pass as I trained to a higher standard, so the test was simple compared to our training. We were able to do this training 2-4 times a week all of us had a family and jobs.
When I hit field trials I had an epiphany, had to handle my dog on the last bird of the fourth series of a qual, it took us out of a very possible placement. As I was walking back to the truck I was frustrated, thinking this game is over my head, the need for grounds, technical water, etc. But then it hit me, as I walked pass a few very accomplished field trialers. Here I am competing and I train on public grounds, very part time, but I was right there. I realized that my mind set needed to be, similar when I ran 10ks in college. I not going to “win”, but can I do better than last time, someday when everything falls right we will get something. The next year that same dog placed in an Amateur, was the only dog in the last series to stay in the water all the way to the birds. The gallery applauded, and it was a good thing I was wearing sunglasses. There were people who won nationals in that crowd applauding my dog. We got 4th but that moment still gives me chills. That’s why I keep trying to get that feeling again. But still have the mindset of using the trial as a test of weaknesses we need to work on. But when you get a ribbon, for someone in my situation, it’s huge win.