Rugged Lark
July 29, 2011
Rugged Lark showed the world just how versatile the American Quarter Horse is.
By Richard Chamberlain in The American Quarter Horse Journal
Rugged Lark was loved by everyone, including trainer Lynn Palm. AQHA file photo.
Reining, dressage, driving, hunter, pleasure horse, Breyer model, sire, bronze statue, Silver Spur winner, Superhorse, philanthropist.
That was Rugged Lark.
The 1981 bay stallion died in 2004, leaving a legacy of goodwill and a string of accomplishments that would make any professional athlete blush.
“He was a superstar. He was like living with Elvis,” owner Carol Harris of Bo-Bett Farm in Ocala, Florida, said after the horse’s death. “I don’t think there will be another one like him.”
The horse’s fame, athleticism and versatility didn’t come from nowhere. His sire, Really Rugged (TB), was from a speedy line of Thoroughbred racehorses. He became the backbone of Harris’ Bo-Bett Farm breeding program, siring reining horses, pleasure horses and other performance horses of both English and Western disciplines.
Join AQHA and participate in the Horseback Riding Program, where you can earn rewards for the hours you spend in the saddle. Now is the perfect time to start recording your hours as you go on summer trail rides and attend the summer horse shows.
Alisa Lark, by Leolark and out of Aliso Gill 3 by Pelican, was an AQHA performance champion who dominated the show ring for sisters Stacy and Terese Striegel in the late l970s. When the mare retired, the Striegels bred her to Really Rugged. Expectations were high for the foal, which the Striegels hoped would be a filly.
Instead, they got a colt – Rugged Lark – and decided to sell. But nobody wanted to buy the at-the-time unprepossessing bay. After a year of trying to sell him, Carol awoke from a dream. She had been trying to find an outcross stallion for her Eternal Dell, Majestic Dell and Eternal Too mares, a successor for Really Rugged, who had died of colic.
“One night, it dawned on me that I had been looking in everyone else’s barn for something that was already standing out in my paddock,” Carol says.
She bought Rugged Lark from the Striegels for $15,000 and turned him over to Mike Corrington, a reining trainer.
As a 3-year-old, “Lark” won the pre-futurity reining in Louisville, Kentucky, but he went off pattern in the big reining futurity at the All American Quarter Horse Congress. Carol – who believed in Lark’s versatile ability – had entered him in the hunter under saddle futurity, as well. A tack change was made, sliding plates were pulled and in less than an hour, trainer Lynn Palm climbed aboard for the first time.
And Rugged Lark won.
It was the start of a show career that would culminate in two Sooner Trailer Superhorse titles at the AQHA World Championship Show, one in l985 and the second in l987.
Along the way, Lark picked up world championships in pleasure driving and senior hunter under saddle and a reserve world championship in pleasure driving and senior western riding. He was the year-end high-point winner in working hunter and hunter hack in l987 and high-point pleasure driving stallion in l986.
He also found time to sire two Superhorse sons. The Lark Ascending won the title in l991, and Look Whos Larkin won in 1999. Regal Lark was reserve Superhorse in 1993.
It was after Lark’s retirement at age 6 that he became a superstar as well as a Superhorse. The change probably began during the awards ceremony for the Superhorse title in l987. As the arena lights dimmed in Oklahoma City and Lark’s name was announced as the winner, Lark entered the arena bridleless. Lynn spun Lark left and right before beginning flying lead changes across the arena. Fans jumped to their feet to applaud.
In l989, Lark became a model for an extremely popular Breyer collectible horse and was asked to perform at the Volvo World Cup competition in Tampa, Florida. After standing quietly bridleless through a 14-band performance that sent hundreds of other horses into an equine frenzy, Lark was asked to perform at the l989 Festival of Champions for the United States Equestrian Team. Lark wore English tack and performed to standing ovations.
Lark performed at the Festival of Champions again in l995 as AQHA ambassador to the USET and was AQHA ambassador to the l996 Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia.
In l996, Lark received AQHA’s Silver Spur award in recognition of his efforts as an ambassador and entertainer.
Lark’s final reining appearance was in l997 at the Florida Reining Horse Classic, right before his farewell tour, sponsored by past AQHA Corporate Partner Bayer. At each stop on the tour, Lark performed his bridleless routine, and the crowds swarmed the horse. In l999, Lark performed at the Special Olympics World Games in Raleigh, North Carolina.
Lark’s fans sent him his favorite treats, caramel popcorn and champagne, which he drank from his Superhorse trophy cup.
Do you have a horse that you love just as much as Carol Harris loved Rugged Lark? Every time you ride that special horse you could be earning rewards. Enroll in AQHA’s Horseback Riding Program and get rewarded for the hours you spend in the saddle.
In 2000, a book detailing Lark’s life was published. “America’s Super Horse: The Story of Rugged Lark,” preceded the famous stallion’s death by four years.
In 2003, a bronze of Lark and Carol together, named “Ambassadors” and crafted by sculptor Marrita McMillian, became the third life-size statue to grace the grounds of the American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame & Museum.
In 2005, Carol linked Lark’s name permanently to therapeutic riding. Donations to the Rugged Lark Memorial Fund go to America’s Horse Cares, a charitable division of the American Quarter Horse Foundation that funds therapeutic riding programs. Carol also completed a DVD of Lark’s life, “Lark’s Finest Days,” to help raise money for America’s Horse Cares.
“Lark especially loved to be around children and seemed to have an uncanny appreciation and concern for those who were disabled,” Carol says.
Carol, who still gets letters of thanks from owners of Lark’s offspring and fans, is proud she can share the Superhorse’s legacy with the public. She said she thinks that connection with his audiences was responsible for his popularity.
“Lark was always looking up at the crowd when he should have had his head down where it was supposed to be,” she said. “He’d check the crowd, and his ears were always forward. He was fun – that’s the most important thing. This horse was so much fun.”
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27 Comments on “Rugged Lark”
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July 29th, 2011 at 8:45 am
Rugged Lark had such a personality. We were fortunate enough to visit Bo-Bett Farm and meet him in 2001. His groom had just got him out of the stall that morning and was giving him a quick brush down. He was playing, nipping and just feeling good. We walked with him to his pasture where when he was released from the the lead rope, he jumped and bucked and then posed for us to take some wonderful pictures. I’m grateful that Carol allowed Rugged’s fans to be able to stop by her farm and see this extrodinary horse.
July 29th, 2011 at 9:16 am
Carol Harris is a wonderful person to hhave shred this magnificent horse with all of us. I shall never forget and there truly will never be another like him.
July 29th, 2011 at 9:18 am
Sorry for the typos. That should be shared. m.d.
July 29th, 2011 at 9:18 am
Wonderful story on Rugged Lark. He and Lynn Palm inspire many of us to ride and show English… Congratulations to Carol, Lynn and Rugged Lark, you are my heroes and mentors.
July 29th, 2011 at 11:35 am
We met Rugged Lark in 2000 when we were picking out our whippet puppies and my daughter decided after meeting him to switch from a national championship level skater to riding horses and in a few years she was Florida Quarter Horse Assoc All Around High Point NY Rider and 2007 the Florida 4-H State Champion, on a solid bay QH of course! Lark and Carol changed our lives forever. I live on 10 acres and breed and show AQHA Quarter Horses! Thank you so much Carol, Lark and all those lovely whippets. Carol is my hero. I have a daughter with Down Syndrome and Autism, and am so glad she and Lark help our kids!
July 29th, 2011 at 5:49 pm
Thanks so much for the wonderful story about Rugged Lark! My wife and I own and ride two of his offspring (a son and a grandson) and both of them are absolutely delightful. After reading all about Rugged Lark on the Bo-Bett website, I can only imagine what a pleasure he was to be around. As someone else has already said, I doubt that there will ever be another like him!
July 29th, 2011 at 6:20 pm
What a wonderful story about a wonderful horse! There was something magical about him, he had the ability to connect with the crowd and you could see that he enjoyed doing what he did. I always dreamed of having an offspring of Ruggard Lark. Maybe one day………
July 29th, 2011 at 6:36 pm
In April of this year I bought a 4 yr old bay roan mare….Who is Rugged Larks Granddaughter. I met Lynn Palm at one of our quarterhorse shows in town and have since wanted a horse with Rugged Larks bloodlines. I wish I could have Met this magnificent horse…But I am on cloud 9 to own this beautiful mare Roxie..a.k.a. Larks Rocking Chair.
July 29th, 2011 at 9:52 pm
I have been in love with RL since his superiors titles and performances were shared in the magazines. He w as truly remarkable, it brings a tear to your eye
July 30th, 2011 at 2:08 am
I have several Rugged Lark offspring (grandsons and granddaughters). I must say they are my favorites. My daughter and I met Carol, her daughter and Lark at their farm in 2003. For someone who has accomplished so much, she was the most down to earth person I have ever met. She welcomed us in like old friends. I still cherish my time there. Lark was everything I knew he would be. People who are not horses people are drawn to my Malarky (Larks Gold) who other than color is just like Lark in personality. The charisma and talent these horses have is limitless and it is all in thanks to this magnificent horse. Thank you Carol for having the eye and knowledge to see greatness in Lark at such a young age.
July 31st, 2011 at 9:20 pm
I too have a Rugged Lark horse.. I have a grandson.. My Shiloh (Tall Larkin Handsome) is so talented.. He goes with a willing heart and the desire to please, in EVERYTHING.. I have had him doing western disaplines as well as jumping.. He does liberty work, and is just a wonderful addition to the fabulous heritage he has… Rugged Lark horses are amazing in all talents.. Rugged Lark, wow, what can one say about Rugged Lark?? Except THANK YOU..
September 19th, 2011 at 7:54 pm
I also have Rugged Lark decendent, a granddaughter. I became a first time horse owner in 2007 with her, at 1 1/2 years old. Larkin At My Assets a/k/a Rosie is a beautiful gray and has the most outstanding personality and just loves children. She is now 6 years old and this has been the most wonderful expereience owning such an animal. Thank you!
September 25th, 2011 at 1:20 am
In 1971 I picked out a beautiful yearling filly, Lovely Lady Lark, for my nextdoor neighbor from Skylark Farms in Galt, CA. Years later she offered me Lady’s yearling filly, Sucha Lovely Breeze, who I owned until her death on May 5, 2011. And now Breeze’s 12 year old daughter, Sandman’s Dream Date or Gigi as we call her is a finalist on America’s Favorite Trail Horse. People who know the Lark horses can pick them out of a crowd. They’re so unique and there’s something so special about them that there’s not even adequate enough words to describe it. I so love these horses! Please watch America’s Favorite Trail Horse and vote for GIGI #366 on ACTHA.TV on November 8 in the 9th episode to carry on the Lark legends. If you know the Lark horses, it’ll be obvious and easy to pick her out. For more information go to Gigi’s page @ Gigi #366 AFTH Finalist or friend me at Tammi Bernd. Thanks so much!
September 25th, 2011 at 7:50 pm
I am a 73 year old cowboy that can’t ride any more. I own a third generation of Rugged Lark. He is registered Dudes Lark. I think he is a replica of his Grandad. He has fathered a filly that I gave to a young lady that has visions of making a barrel horse of her. My Lark is available to someone.
BobbyDennis
205 275 7370
September 26th, 2011 at 1:05 pm
I bought a Rugged Lark granddaughter from Carol Harris last year, Lark’s Blue Skylight. She has that wonderful Rugged Lark eye and even better, Rugged Lark’s gentle and sensible disposition. She is now 3 and in training. I consider it such a privilege to own a Rugged Lark descendant.
October 10th, 2011 at 4:57 pm
I am proud to say that Rugged Lark’s son, Cougar Lark lives at Northern Sky Farm, where I board my horse. Cougar is a favorite of all the members of the barn. I learned how to ride on Cougar. Now he’s teaching a 7 year old. He continues to show on occasion and is the ultimate king of the ring!
October 24th, 2011 at 7:33 am
Rugged Lark was the great grandfather of my Trick or Treat Lark,when I saw him the first time was absolutly love, so much beautiful and charme horse . Now we are in Sardinia island coming from Italy to continue together our dream.!
January 14th, 2012 at 10:35 am
I beg forgiveness but need to help this kid find a home!!
He came to my barn for sale.
“Little Lark” {Rebel N Summer APHA x Larks Dixie Chick APHA} born 5-2010 with 3 short white socks and a star. Eligible for registration, all paperwork signed and ready to be sent in for new owner. The sweetest kid I’ve ever had on my farm!!! He has the same personality of Rugged Lark who I met (and loved) years ago.
February 27th, 2012 at 9:03 am
Little Lark (Chance) is with me now. Thanks to Wanda and all who helped him find his way to NC. He’s a fine young gelding and we know he’ll shine. He looks so much like his grandad and his heart is good.
April 5th, 2012 at 6:25 pm
Rugged Lark was such a great horse! I own his granddaughter, Rugged Winner (Vegas) who lives at Whispering Pines Farm. Her father, Rugged Stinger was Rugged Lark’s son. So proud to have a horse with royal blood! My mare seems to have the same personality as him, both great horses. She does anything I want, jumping, cross country, flat work, etc. She’s a great kid horse even though I’m a teenager.I really wish I could have met him, but I have mine to remember him by.
May 25th, 2012 at 6:56 pm
I own a great-granddaughter of Rugged Lark. She is graceful and smart and very kind and willing. She also looks just like her great grand-dad and acts like him too. She will follow people backward til they scratch her tailhead and buttocks. I love her so much!
May 25th, 2012 at 7:01 pm
Oh I forgot. Her name is Rugged Mountain Fox. AKA Foxie
August 2nd, 2012 at 12:23 am
i own his grand daughter.. Harleys larkster..
August 2nd, 2012 at 12:26 am
i own his grand daughter.. Harleys larkster..she is the best~
August 17th, 2012 at 9:49 am
I own an awesome grandson of Lark- McChex My Lark- better known as “Mic”. Mic has been so ridiculously easy to train with his willing attitude, and is the kind of horse that you cant help but love within 5 minutes of meeting him… it doesn’t take long for him to work his way into people’s hearts.
I trained Mic to be my barrel horse (which he is doing very well at), but Im sure if I still rode english he would excel in hunter under saddle as well.
I bought Mic to train and sell with intentions of making some money, but now I cant imagine my life without him- he is a lifer.
August 24th, 2012 at 5:28 pm
I lease Rugged Voyager, a son of Rugged Lark. I’ve never met a horse with so much personality. He’s so friendly. Genuinely loves to be around people. He’s done everything from roping, western pleasure, penning, hunter/jumper, to dressage. He excels at anything he tries and wins constantly in the ring. So glad he made it to Ontario, Canada. I’m thrilled to have him be a part of my riding education.
April 27th, 2013 at 8:52 pm
I had a dream fulfilled when I got the chance to breed a lovely deep bay tobiano mare to a homozygous tobi son of Rugged Painted Lark,himself a son of Rugged Lark!I was blessed with a HZ. stud colt.I only wish I could have promoted him the way he needs to be.He is “Rugged Pair A Genes” & has sired some awesome paint foals.Sadly,he is no longer in my pasture.In fact,I don’t have one,or any horses left.He is everything you could hope for to run in your broodmare band!That is,if you want Paint babies.I saw Rugged Lark at the A.Q.H.A. Congress one year and by 2007 I was able to have my own! Thanks to a few special friends for making that happen!!!