Eleven year-old Josh Briggs of Pilot Point, Texas has been around horses all his life. His parents, John and Jill Briggs, run one of the most successful all-around training operations in the industry. So, it isn’t all that surprising that their children love showing horses too.
What is surprising is that Josh just recently started loping and showing his gelding, Caught A Good Look (Thor) in the Horsemanship and Trail. His 11 and Under Horsemanship ride at the Congress was just the second time Josh had ever shown the horse in the Horsemanship —AND, they won their class! The team had two firsts, a second and a third. Thor and Josh also ended up fourth overall in the 11 and Under Showmanship.
“Josh definitely exceeded our expectations,” his father John Briggs said while being interviewed in the Celeste arena about his son. ” We were really proud of him and thought he did really well.”
Josh has been showing Thor in the Showmanship the past year because that is the only event his older brother Bryce doesn’t show in. Thor is the Briggs’ family horse and the two brothers share him along with their grandmother, Susan Pennau, who shows him in the Select Events.
Josh said he was surprised that he did so well, but that he thought he had a good pattern in the Horsemanship.
“I thought my rollback was really good, and I just love him. He is so sweet, and my grandma gave him three apples after my win,” Josh told GoHorseShow back at his stalls. ” I wasn’t that happy with my prelims go in the Showmanship but I was glad I was able to do my pattern again in the finals, and I thought my pattern was a lot better the second time.”
Josh said that the Congress is one of his favorite shows because of the competition and also because he likes the food on, “Junk Food Alley.” He has one more year left in 11 and Under and his future goals is to win the World in the Showmanship and become a horse trainer like his parents.
“I’m also excited that my brother got a new horse, now, I’ll only have to share Thor with my grandma, and I’ll get to show him in the Trail, Horsemanship, and Western Riding all next year.”
GoHorseShow congratulates Josh on his success at the Congress this year, and looks forward to watching him in all his new events next year.
