Good Lukin Lark and Kevin Dukes take a victory lap after their win.
Good Lukin Lark, a 4-year-old bay with blue blood, captured a win at his first AQHA World Championship Show. For his breeder, Carol Harris, the famed owner of two-time AQHA Superhorse Rugged Lark, this was added proof of her breeding acumen. Here, Carol, trainer Kevin Dukes of Weatherford, Texas, and owner Lori Bucholz of Waterloo, Nebraska, discuss “Goodie’s” winning ways:
Q: Let’s talk about where he got his start. Carol: Well, he started at Bo-Bett Farms (in Ocala, Florida), and I bred him. He carries all the genes of Rugged Lark and Luke At Me, and they were both wonderful horses, outstanding horses, great sires. I was lucky enough to get him sold to some beautiful people who have had luck with my horses before. And this gentleman here, Kevin, he’s the best driving-horse man in the country. He just makes them all look wonderful. I’m so proud, and I’m so proud for Lori, his owner, and her husband, Rick. It’s a wonderful day. We’re all proud. Now that’s all I’m going to say.
Q: Lori, when did you buy this horse? Lori: We bought Goodie at the end of August, first of September. Kevin first told me about him in June. He said, ‘You know, I’ve got a really good one of Carol’s,’ because our older horse, we also bought from Carol. I said, ‘Well, what’s he like,’ and he says, ‘I think he’s going to be a great one.’ So after about six weeks worth of arm twisting my husband, we ended up getting him, and it’s been wonderful since, thanks to Kevin.
Q: Kevin, who all was involved in this win? Kevin: You know, it takes a group. Any great victory takes a group, and there’s about 10 people involved here, great people, we’ve got Lainie (Deboer), Lynn (Palm), Carol, Lori, Rick and my wife, my kids. We’re just all so blessed to have such a good group that works together, loves the horses. That’s what it’s all about.
Carol: Tell them where (the horse) is going next. Kevin: He goes on to do the fences classes with Lainie, which we’re really excited about. He shows a lot of promise in those events, and we can’t wait. He’ll do working hunter, hunter hack, all the over-fence classes. … He’ll stay at Lainie’s most of the year this year to learn his other stuff. It just is a great team; it works good.
Fun fact: Cracky the plastic squirrel made another appearance in Goodie’s win photo. He’s a good-luck charm for Lainie and her friends, and this was his ninth world championship this year. “We’re not going anywhere without him now,” Lori says.
WINNER STATS
Horse name: Good Lukin Lark Pedigree: Luke At Me x Miss Patricia Lark by Rugged Lark Exhibitor: Kevin Dukes of Weatherford, Texas Owner: Lori Bucholz of Waterloo, Nebraska Trainer: Kevin Dukes Breeder: Carol Harris of Ocala, Florida
Total class entries: 12 Purse: $6,6822.80
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
