Briggs’ Beauties Score Top Two Spots in Amateur Pleasure Driving

By: Brittany Bevis

The Briggs barn had quite the morning here at the 2019 Quarter Horse Congress. First, Charlie Cole drove Dancin N The Dirt to win Senior Pleasure Driving for Terrie Brewer Booth. Then, Chuck Briggs was in the cart of Blue Kahlua to place Reserve in the class for Nancy Gulick.

Then, when it was time for the amateurs to take the reins, the result was identical. Terrie was named the Congress Champion in Amateur Pleasure Driving and Nancy Gulick was named Reserve with Blue Kahlua.

Terrie is leasing 9-year-old “Carter” from the Vargo family this year and just took over after Natalie Vargo finished showing at the Youth World. As a result, this is really her first big show with Carter. “I really just started with him. Natalie showed him at the Youth World this year, so I just started. Like, this was my first show! We went to a small show in Kentucky before we came here, but that was it.”

“He’s a lot of fun to drive. I used to have a driving horse that I’ve won at the World with before, but this one is very fun to drive. He puts his head down and does his work.”

After watching Charlie drive Carter this morning to win Senior Pleasure Driving, Terrie had the opportunity to admire his lofty movement. “He’s very floaty at the trot. I’m not going to say he’s easy to get going; but, once you do get him moving, you just turn him loose and let him go. He’s pretty easy.”

While Terrie enjoys Pleasure Driving, her real love is the Over Fence classes. However, a recent accident has kept her out of the saddle for a while. “I’ve only jumped him a few times. I had an accident here not to long ago and broke a couple of ribs, on a bike, so I’m just now starting to jump again. He’s very good at it.” Therefore, this pair will be aiming for qualification for the Select World Show in 2020.

In addition to Terrie and Nancy, the Briggs barn also had another lady finish in the Top 5 in the class. Jennifer Clark with Al Amaze You was fourth. Terrie has been with Chuck for fifteen years and has been witness to his uncanny ability to match the perfect horse with each competitor.

“He’s taught me pretty much everything! I know he’s excellent at Hunters, but what he’s really good at is picking out horses for people.”

Third in Senior Pleasure Driving was Julie O’Brien with Giv Romance A Chance. Fourth was Wendy Laesch with Orange Is The NewBay. Fifth was Rose Dean with Secondchance Romance.

Third in Amateur Pleasure Driving was Tina McElroy with Giv Romance A Chance. Fourth was Jennifer Clark with Al Amaze You. Fifth was Jill Flint with Only Drink To That.