Chuck Briggs piloted Luke Here Honey to win the senior pleasure driving world championship.
Amid the glittering sequins and slick black fedoras worn by the drivers, Rodger Call of Fort Worth, Texas, watched his horse, Luke Here Honey, from the stands of the Jim Norick Arena. Just one week after piloting “Honey” to the amateur pleasure driving world championship himself, Rodger hoped AQHA Professional Horseman Chuck Briggs of Azle, Texas, would do the same with Honey in senior pleasure driving. And Chuck did just that. The Journal visited with Rodger to hear more about this twice-over pleasure driving world champion.
Q: Congratulations, Rodger! This horse won amateur pleasure driving at this year’s show, how does it feel to have won senior pleasure driving?
Rodger: It was very exciting. You don’t expect win both the open and the amateur. But he’s such a good-minded horse. And he was focused, and he set into the frame in the park gate and the road gate, both. It was really exciting. My wife, Ann, would be thrilled to know that he won both the senior pleasure driving and the amateur.
I had two horses in the class – I had this one and No. 404, Artful Persuasion. He placed as well, so we’re pleased.
Q: What were you thinking while you were watching the class?
Rodger: It was a great class. There were excellent horses in the group. Any one of them could have been the winner, so it was a special thrill to have him win it. It was exciting. But I thought he was giving us a good go. I thought we’d be in the top five. I’m thrilled.
Q: Will you tell us a little about the horse?
Rodger: His registered name is Luke Here Honey, and his barn name is “Honey” – he’s a gelding. He’s 8 years old. I think the pleasure driving is one of his favorite events.
He’s been a great hunter under saddle. In 2004, he was the world champion junior hunter under saddle, and in 2007, he was the world champion senior hunter under saddle. So he has got many talents.
We’ve started doing some fences with him. We’re going to broaden his horizons and keep him going. He loves treats. He loves peppermint candies, oatmeal cookies and of course, carrots.
Fun Fact: In 2007 and 2008, Rodger auctioned off some of his late wife, Ann's, pleasure driving hats at the Reichert Celebration. Rodger has since donated almost $80,000 to the Juvenile Diabetes Association with the funds raised. Ann was a big supporter of the organization.
WINNER STATS
Horse name: Luke Here Honey Pedigree: 2000 chestnut gelding by Luke At Me x Student Of Art by French Cut Exhibitor: Chuck Briggs, Azle, Texas Owner: Ann L. Call Estate, Fort Worth, Texas Trainer: Chuck Briggs, Azle, Texas Breeder: Nancy McGregor, Nocona, Texas
Total class entries: 25 Purse: $13,922
World Champion Prizes: Custom-designed gold-tone trophy, Montana Silversmiths buckle, neck wreath, gold medallion, Cripple Creek-logo jacket, world champion patch, Tex Tan product, Justin Boots
