We purchased Opie in 2005 from Dr. Gary Ramsey, a veterinarian and avid NSTRA competitor in North Carolina. As a close, personal friend of Mr. Dennis Brooks, Dr. Ramsey acquired Opie as well as other kennel mates from Mr. Dennis Brooks' widow after he passed to place them in appropriate, quality homes and to ensure Mrs. Brooks received the true cash value of the dogs upon resale because she had no idea of their value. Mr. Brooks was the breeder of Nolan's Last Bullet and other fine dogs.  Brook's Little Pete (Opie) was Mr. Brooks' personal hunting dog and we felt privileged to be provided with the opportunity to own one of the fine dogs in Mr. Brooks' collection.

Because Opie was Mr. Brooks' personal hunting dog he rarely competed in field trials but he was afforded the opportunity to hunt wild game including grouse, pheasant, woodcock, quail and other species across America.  We could see Opie had lots of potential running as a horseback field trial dog. We brought him home, tuned up his training for field trials and began trialing him in 2006 and we were quite pleased with the result-a fine dog indeed.

In early fall of 2007 we almost lost Opie due to a severe rattlesnake bite to the face. He has recovered well and is back in the field although the facial scars remain.

We feel Mr. Brooks would be very pleased with his outcome as a field trial dog. Opie qualified for the National Amateur Gun Dog Championship and National Open Gun Dog Championship in 2007 and 2008.  Opie pushed the winners at the 2008 National Open Gun Dog Championship and finished number 5 in the nation.  Many people in attendance felt that Opie had won the Championship however it is the 3 judges opinions that count.

Opie finished his field championship of April 20, 2008 under the able direction of Jeff Currier and was scouted by Les Casselberry . Thanks a Million Guys!

Opie was a strong hunter with lots of run and a natural backer. He was an intelligent, dependable, hard working, no non-sense bird dog. He had incredible heat tolerance and stamina. He was patient - once he pointed he was there until you arrived, even if it took 45 minutes.

Opie died accidentally before his time and will be truly missed.   I had thought about retiring him from field trials after the 2010 Nationals and doing some hunting with him which is what he truly loved to do.   I wish I had done it this past season!   I guess Mr. Brooks will take him for me!   He ran his last season on heart as he had several injuries that hampered his travel and yet it was to he his best season.   He always was a hard luck dog, but  WHAT A GREAT GREAT DOG HE WAS!

11/09/2001 Tar Heel Brittany Club Open Puppy 1st
01/10/2002 Tar Heel Brittany Club Open Derby 3rd
11/11/2006 Georgia Brittany Club Open Gun Dog 3rd
12/29/2006 Central Georgia Pointing Dog Club Amateur Limited Gun Dog 4th
01/27/2007 Georgia Brittany Club Open Gun Dog 1st  (Qualifying Run for 2007 Open/Amateur Gun Dog Championship) 
02/28/2007 Music City Brittany Club Amateur Gun Dog 2nd 
03/24/2007 Mid Florida Brittany Club Open All-Age 1st 
02/02/2008 Bama Brittany Club Amateur Gun Dog 3rd
02/29/2008 Music City Brittany Club Amateur Gun Dog 3rd
03/22/2008 Mid-Florida Brittany Club Open Gun Dog 3rd
04/19/2008 Upper New York Brittany Club Amateur Gun Dog 2nd
04/20/2008 Upper New York Brittany Club Open Gun Dog 1st (Qualifying Run for 2008 Open/Amateur Gun Dog Championship)
02/02/2009 Bama Brittany Club Amateur Gun Dog 3rd
04/19/2009 Upper New York Brittany Club Open Gun Dog 1st (Qualifying Run for 2009 Open/Amateur Gun Dog Championship)
10/08/2009 Mid Florida Brittany Club Open Limited Gun Dog 2nd
10/31/2009 Bama Brittany Club Open Gun Dog 2nd (Qualifying run for 2010 Open/Amateur Gun Dog Championship)
11/08/2009 Music City Brittany Club Amateur Gun Dog 1st
12/27/2009 Middle Georgia English Setter Club Amateur Gun Dog 1st
03/07/2010 Music City Brittany Club Amateur All Age 3rd
03/21/2010 Tarheel Brittany Club Amateur Gun Dog 1st