Oscar Brewer came to the retriever field trial sport through the back door. A college roommate and dear friend owned a ranch in southwest Kansas which Oscar used to visit regularly. It so happened that D. L. Walters, Joe Schomer and other pros did the winter training of their many great dogs on that same ranch. Oscar got to know the people and the capabilities of the dogs and became interested. Of course Oscar had long been familiar with hunting, dogs and the outdoor environment, so it was not unexpected that he would attend one of those retriever trials and see what it's all about. He did so as the guest of Paul Bakewell in 1962 at St. Louis, Missouri.

By 1964 the fever was taking hold. He entered field trial competition with Paha Sapa Medicine Man, which Oscar describes as "a dog of limited capabilities - having won only 15 championship points."

By 1966 the affliction had become chronic. He then began ownership of a succession of six dogs - FC-AFC Warpath Rip, FC-AFC Deerwood Shantoo, FC-AFC Tweet's Bebe, FC-AFC Sauk Trail Senator, FC-AFC River Oaks Black Bingo, FC-AFC Crook's Pork and Beans. These dogs in the aggregate have earned over 600 championship points and qualified for more Nationals "than Oscar can remember."

On the "work" side of the sport, Oscar has always done more than his share. He has been President, Vice-President, Secretary-Treasurer, and Field Trial Chairman of the National Retriever Club and has served on the Field Trial Committee of the National Champion Stake eleven out of the last thirteen years. Oscar served as Chairman of the Sub-Committee of the AKC Retriever Advisory Committee for five years. The Sub-Committee analyzes and formulates proposed additions or changes in AKC Field Trial Rules and Standard Procedures.

In 1972 he was elected a Director of Retriever Field Trial News and has given his wise counsel continually since that time.

RFTN July 1984