“It was fun! Really fun!” Ann Call of Fort Worth, Texas, said immediately after her pleasure driving world championship win at the 2006 Bayer Select World Championship Show. She also won the title in 2005.

“It’s wonderful, this is a thrill!” she added. “When you crank in that road gait, oh! It’s like flying, because it’s like you’re back there helping him do it.”

Ann drove her 1994 bay gelding A Self Portrait, by Duplicated Deck and out of the Thoroughbred mare Hey’s That Lacey by Mr Pinter.

They won the honor over a tough field of horses and drivers, including several open and amateur world champions and reserve world champions.

Ann has a long history of successful AQHA World Championship Show performances in several English events, including winning reserve in junior pleasure driving with Luke Here Honey at the 2005 World Show.

Ann Call and A Self Portrait repeat as Bayer Select World Champions in pleasure driving.

She turned exclusively to pleasure driving when her legs were partially amputated due to complications from diabetes.

“I liked this (event) long before I lost my legs,” she said. “When my legs went to diabetes, it was the only thing I could do. I tried to ride, but I had no lower leg to hold on with, so that was out.

“So I was thrilled (to be able to do this),” she added. “And, frankly, at least 75 percent of the fun is the outfits. It’s a great excuse to buy hats and whatever. I love doing that. I don’t worry about (the event) at all being dangerous; it’s really fun.”

She’s always on the lookout for clothes to wear in the class; the hat she wore today she bought in Europe.

“I like to wear these kind of clothes anyway,” she said. “Not that I go around every day looking like this! But for dress-up things or big events, I love to wear all this stuff.”

In October 2005, Ann was inducted into the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame, escorted by her husband and fellow AQHA competitor, Rodger Call.

“It was wonderful,” Ann said. “A huge honor.”