A gift of old age is remembrances of friends departed. Here are a few of my favorites.
Luke Weaver
I first met Luke at the Continental Championship Trials the first year I reported them. Andy Crowell was judging. I saw two strange giants approaching a breakaway on large steeds. “The man on the right gave me my first championship,” Andy said. Then he introduced me to Luke and Bubba Moreland.
I had on canvas chaps with frayed bottoms. Luke remarked, “That’s a foot hunting fellow in briars.” He said it with a grin. A grin I would come to associate with good times.
Luke wanted everyone in his presence to be having fun, and he created fun wherever he was. Soon we were devoted friends, having field trial fun together. We did it at Union Springs at the Free-For-All, at Dixie (Livingston Place), at Chinquapin at the Florida Championship, at Coney Lake, at the Lee County, at Hoyt Henley’s grounds that were once Prather Robinson’s at the Montgomery Club’s trial. Usually Luke was judging and I was reporting. We never failed to have fun.
I remember vividly Luke judging at Chinquapin in 2002 when Silverwood ran his epic race on Course 2. At pickup Robin rode to Luke and asked, “Have you ever seen better?” Luke replied, “Just thinking about that. Maybe Barshoe Stormy Bud getting Top Qualifier in the Continental for Bubba, but I like Bubba better than I like you.”
Three years later in 2005 Luke’s and Mike Cheely’s Rowan’s Gunsmoke ran a near identical winning race for Bubba on the same course and Luke and I watched it from atop the dog truck. Lightning had struck twice at the same place.
More to follow.
Thanks for such neat stories about Dad. I really enjoy reading them.