The time
has come yet again for the American Quarter Horse Youth World Cup which will be held this year in Kreuth, Germany
from July 21 through July 29. With 16
countries competing for the gold, this event not only promotes the highest
levels of equestrian competition but also seeks to develop the leadership
skills of the AQHYA members worldwide.
The teams are provided with an amazing
opportunity to associate with and learn from the different cultures our world
has to offer. The teams will have the opportunity to put their skills to the test during these days of
both practice and competition. GoHorseShow.com will spotlight each
member of Team USA, hoping that the rest of the industry will become familiar
with these talented individuals and be able offer all the support needed in
order to help them compete to the best of their ability.
The next member of Team
USA that we will be spotlighting is 18 year-old Britt Lynch of Monroe,
Georgia. Britt was the 2011-2012 AQHYA Vice President and has been riding horses for 12 years. She shows the
all-around events including Equitation, Halter, Showmanship, and Western Riding
under the guidance of Debbie Lisabeth. Brit also enjoys other activities such
as running, scrapbooking, and reading.
What school do you attend
and what grade are you in?
I attended Walnut Grove High School as a senior. I just graduated in
May.
What are your plans for
next year?
I’m attending the University of Georgia in the fall; I signed to
ride on the Equestrian Team as a Horsemanship rider. I also plan on showing and
riding as much as I can.
Have you traveled to
Europe before? If so, when, where and why?
I’ve never been out of the country before so this is a new
experience for me!
What are your equine accomplishments?
My first year at the All-American Quarter Horse Congress, I was a
Reserve Congress Champion in the Novice Youth 13 & under Showmanship. In
addition to that, I’ve been Top Ten at Congress in Showmanship, Horsemanship,
Equitation, and Western Riding for multiple years, in both Novice and Youth
classes. I was a Finalist in the Huntseat Equitation at the Ford Youth World in
2009. I have my Superiors in Halter, Horsemanship, Equitation, Western Riding,
and Horsemanship as well as my AQHA Youth Championship. I also have over 40
AQHA Youth All-Around Titles.
Why do you think you got
chosen for the youth world cup team?
I’ve been blessed with many opportunities as a Youth and I’ve been
able to do so many of them. Not only was I on the road showing a lot and
riding, I’ve been involved with the leadership aspect of AQHYA, serving as a
Director for three years and an Officer for two. This year alone, I’ve been
able to help the AQHYA Public Policy Committee maintain visibility throughout
the year. I’ve enjoyed being a leader and serving others while showing and
doing other things, and I believe that the Selection Committee saw that driving
force in me.
What are you most looking
forward to during the YWC?
I’m really looking forward to traveling internationally! I’ve been
only as far west as Las Vegas and only as far north as Washington DC in the
States, so traveling to Germany to be able to meet all of the other teams from
different countries will be an awesome experience.
What are you least
looking forward to during the YWC?
The time change going and coming home isn’t what I’m really excited
about. Some of my family used to live in Brussels (Belgium) and have forewarned
me that the day I get to Germany will be a tough one. I just have to stay up
until it’s time to go to sleep the day I get there and they said I’d be fine
after that!
What were your feelings
when you found out you made the YWC team?
I was anxious about finding out for weeks and waited by my phone
every evening after work, so when I found out I was in complete shock. I was
thinking “They couldn’t have chosen me
for this!” When Dawn called me, I
kept asking her “Are you sure they picked me? Did you call the right Brittany?
They really picked me?” Being on Team USA is such a prestigious and
once-in-a-lifetime honor. I felt so blessed to be chosen. Then after I finally
believed it, I’ve felt the excitement and anticipation for the trip ever since!
If you were to create a
playlist for your trip to Germany, what would your top three song choices be?
1) B.O.B.’s “So
Good”
2) Outasight’s “Tonight
is the Night”
3) Ellie Goulding’s “Lights”
If you could ride any
horse alive or dead, what horse would it be?
I would love to ride Jessica Johnson’s horse, Royalty In Blue. He’s an incredible horse. I remember seeing her
ride in the Equitation Finals my first year at the Youth World Show and fell in
love with her horse. I just love his gait and cadence and ease in which he
works an Equitation pattern.
Tell me one thing about
yourself that most people don’t know?
I actually have to write to-do lists all the time. I have to
prioritize everything on paper and actually see everything I need to do.
Usually I’ll end up writing on any kind of paper a small to-do list to stay
organized. Even stuff to do at the barn I write down on a to-do list. It’s an
awesome feeling to get to check stuff off as “done.”
What is a unique or
quirky habit you have?
In addition to writing to-do lists all
the time, I have to schedule everything. I have this big planner and I have to
write everything down or I forget! So, I guess major scheduling is my quirky
habit, kind of odd, but it helps me out. My life is too busy to not be
scheduled!
If you had to chose one
word to describe yourself, what would it be and why?
I would probably say “passionate.” Matters that are really important
to me, I’m insanely passionate about. Like showing my horse, my role as a
leader in AQHYA, my beliefs as a Christian, my want to serve other people – all
of those things are very important to me and I’m passionate about them. I’m a
very driven person and when I set my mind and heart to something, you can’t hardly
stop me!
If you had to choose your
career right this minute, what would you choose?
I would love to be in Journalism right now, as possibly a free-lance
Writer. With the way our society is changing and advancing in social media and
networking, the face of Journalism is changing quite drastically and I think
the industry for that is looking up with the help of networking on Twitter and
Facebook; Journalism is getting exciting. I’d not only like to go into
Journalism to write, but to be able to get the facts for people. Although I
don’t have much experience with writing for a publication, I do love to write.
I think I would really enjoy doing that as a career for the rest of my life.
Who is your role model in
the horse world and what is it about this person that makes you choose them?
Ward Stutz, who works at AQHA, is one of many people I look up to in
the horse world. After meeting him at my first YES and seeing him at the Youth World
Show every year, I’ve gotten to know him fairly well. I got the chance to work
a lot with him this year with Public Policy. He really loves working with the
Youth and keeping them involved even though he’s no longer in charge of the
Youth. He works extremely hard to make sure the voice of the horse industry is
heard across all sectors. He enjoys his job and has done some great things for
AQHA. Seeing his hard work and passion for the industry and its Youth is
incredible. He also does a lot of work with the Stewards Program at AQHA and
really and truly cares for the welfare and integrity of the American Quarter
Horse.
