AQHA World Hunter Hack Wins Go to Chuck Briggs and Lainie DeBoer

By: Brittany Bevis

This afternoon’s Working Hunter classes awarded titles to some very talented, professional horsemen. First, Lainie DeBoer repeated yesterday’s win in Junior Working Hunter with DGS Don’t Tell Tales. Today, they were named the champions in Junior Hunter Hack.

Click here to read our interview with “Dillon’s” owner, MJ Fowler.

The Reserve Champion was Linda Crothers with Good By Me. Third was Chuck Briggs with Blue Kahlua.

Then, Chuck Briggs rode Blameitonthe Alcohol to win Senior Hunter Hack and his first World Championship title in the discipline. Many people might not know, but Chuck has won World Championship titles in Over Fences, Hunter Under Saddle, and Pleasure Driving, but never in Hunter Hack. His partner for today’s win was Blameitonthe Alcohol, owned by Melissa Hendrix.

7-year-old “Cosmo” initially started his career as a Hunter Under Saddle horse with Jim and Deanna Searles in Arizona before Chuck spied him as a potential English All-Around prospect. “We bought him at the end of his 4-year-old year, and we actually tried him here at the World Show. We jumped him and thought he was going to be a great all-around Hunt Seat type horse.”

Chuck’s initial prediction turned out to be correct as Cosmo was just named the World Champion in Senior Pleasure Driving yesterday with Charlie Cole. Later on in the show, the 17.1 hand gelding will join up with his owner for Amateur Working Hunter and Amateur Hunter Hack.

Chuck explains what he looks for in an early prospect for these types of classes and why Cosmo fits the bill, perfectly. “He’s a great mover,” Chuck says. “He’s so soft and has such a big, soft, and slow stride. He’s pretty too. He’s a beautiful horse, and he’s a beautiful, lead changer.”

“Hunter Hack is the introductory class. It’s judged 70% on those three jumps, so they have to be pretty, darn good. Consistency is the big thing. They have to canter well, and I have a specific look that I like. They have to be low to the ground, be real forward, and be really good with their head and neck. He’s got that.”

The Reserve Champion was Ryan Painter with Kamanyawannadance. Third was Linda Crothers with Dance If You Wanna. Fourth was Lainie DeBoer with Part Blue. Fifth was David Miller with Whatmadeusaythat.