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 will be spotlighted is
seventeen-year-old Brittany Donald of Corpus Christi, Texas. Brittany has
ridden horses since a very young age. She has grown up on a ranch in Corpus
Christi and horses have always been part of her life. Brittany adds that she loved
to ride even before entering the horse show world or even knowing anything
about it. Brittany shines in both English and Western events and shows in the Western Pleasure, Western Horsemanship, Trail,
Western Riding, Hunter Under Saddle, Hunt Seat Equitation, Working Hunter,
Hunter Hack, and Equitation Over Fences. Brittany competes under the guidance
of John and Jill Briggs as well as Ryan Painter. Brittany also enjoys reading
and drawing in the free time she has between showing and going to school.
What school do you attend and what grade are you in?
Incarnate
Word Academy; upcoming senior 2012-2013
What are your plans for the next year?
I plan on continuing to show my
horses and working hard at school. I will be applying to college in the fall
and am hoping to be accepted into Texas A&M University for the 2013-2014
school year. I plan on taking my horses to the major shows including the Youth
World and Congress.[NPI
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Have you traveled to Europe before? If so, when, where, and
why?
Yes. When I was 7 my parents and I
took a trip to France for a vacation. We flew into Paris and then drove around
France for a week, stopping at different hotels every night. When I was 9, my
parents, my sister and I all flew to London. We took this trip as a graduation
present for my sister. We explored London for several days then took the train
that goes under the English Channel to France. We spent another several days in
Paris and explored the Eiffel Tower, Louvre, and many other sights.
What’s your favorite memory from this trip?
My favorite memory is running up
the stairs of Sacré Coeur, a 19th century Roman Catholic Church
located on the highest point of the city. As a child I was always fascinated by
stairs, probably because my house was lacking in them besides the four that led
to the porch. In Paris, I remember running up the stairs of the Sacré Coeur
with my exasperated parents trailing behind.
Where else outside the United States have you traveled?
I have made many trips to Canada.
Both of my parents were originally from Canada, and my grandparents, aunts,
uncles, and cousins all live there. I have also traveled to Grand Cayman, an
island in the Caribbean, several times.
What are your equine accomplishments?
I have won 28 PHBA Youth World
Championships and am a 3 time PHBA 14-18 Golden Horse winner. I am a 4 time
Congress Champion, a 5 time reserve Congress Champion, and a 3 time AQHYA
reserve World Champion. I have won AQHYA Reserve World Championships in Hunter
Under Saddle, Working Hunter, and Trail. I have been Top Ten at the AQHYA World
Show in Trail, Working Hunter, Equitation Over Fences, and Hunter Hack.
Why do you think you got chosen for the youth world cup
team?
I think that my accomplishments in
the show pen were a big part of it. I also think that my experience throughout
the years with my younger horses was an important factor as well because I have
experience with both well trained horses and those who are quite green. I enjoy
working with horses of all ages and training levels.
team?
I was very excited. I have never
been to Germany or done anything like this before. I was also very honored to
be one of the individuals chosen to ride for the US in this event.
What are you looking forward to during the YWC?
I am most looking forward to
meeting people from all across the world who share a love for quarter horses
and showing.
What are you least looking forward to during the YWC?
I am not looking forward to the
time change. I always find it hard to get accustomed to time changes and it
will be especially difficult getting back on schedule in the few days I have
after the Youth World Cup before the Youth World Show in Oklahoma City
If you were to create a playlist for your trip to Germany,
what would your top three song choices be?
Long
Live- Taylor Swift
My
Wish- Rascal Flatts
The
Climb- Miley Cyrus
If you could ride any horse alive or dead, what horse would
it be?
Vital
Signs Are Good
Tell me one thing about yourself that most people don’t
know.
I love to sketch. I do a lot of
sketches of my horses and dogs, but I will sketch anything that catches my eye
if I have the time.
What is a unique or quirky habit that you have?
I love to read and I can get into
pretty much any book. However, when I get into a book, I want to be left alone
and I will read into the night to finish it.
If you had to choose one word to describe yourself, what
would it be and why?
Dedicated. I put everything that I
have into my horses and my schoolwork. I am very dedicated to doing my best and
I push myself to do more than what is expected.
If you had to choose your career right this minute, what
would you choose?
A
veterinarian
Who is your role model in the horse world and what is it
about this person that makes you chose them?
Katie Krshka. I
think that she is a great rider. However, the other thing that makes me chose
her as a role model is how patient she is with horses and how friendly she is
with everybody. No matter what happened I never saw her get angry at her horse
or anyone around her and she always had a good attitude. This, on top of her
success in the show ring, has made her my role model because showing is not
just about winning, it is about having fun with horses and people.
Click here to view Brittany’s ad in the July 2012 issue of GoMag
Click here to read the spotlight on Youth World Cup member, Mark Mowbray.
Photos © Jeff Kirkbride
