Many people in the industry are well aware of trainers, John and Jill Briggs, and their success in the horse industry, but there may be some that wonder whatever happened to his younger brother, Peter Briggs. Well, Briggs became a trainer like his brother, but not the kind you would probably expect. He is now an elephant keeper at the Fort Worth Zoo!
“I have been in Fort Worth for six years. I came into my zoo career through a zoo job fair in 2003 and I’ve been working with the elephants for five years now,” Peter told GoHorseShow. “As far as working with elephants, it’s very exciting. They are very intelligent.”
Due to zoo policy, Briggs is unable to talk about the elephants or provide a photo working with them. Nevertheless, what a fascinating job! GoHorseShow asked his older brother, John Briggs, about whether he was surprised that his brother now works with elephants.
“I think it’s awesome that Peter gets to work with elephants. Such a fun and a bit dangerous at times job to have. I love to tell people about his job, they think it’s a pretty incredible job to have,” John proudly says. “I was very surprised that Peter picked this occupation. I had no idea that he had wanted to work hands on with these exotic type animals.”
Peter grew up in New Mexico, primarily showing at their local shows and occasionally showing in Arizona and Texas. All his youth years were spent under the guidance of his older brother. “There were times that it was difficult having a brother as a trainer, but I truly believe that it made me a better rider and more important, a better person,” Peter says.
Peter’s involvement in AQHA dates back to his Great-Grandmother Rose Fulton, who was a founding member of AQHA. She showed on the AQHA circuit from 1940-1960. The horse show life was passed on to his mother who owned several roping horses. Over the years, the family would travel to shows where my older brother and sisters would show.
“I was too young to show, so I would keep myself busy at the concession stand. I actually took on the nickname ‘French Fry.’ A few years later, I began my show career in lead-line and walk trot, eventually making my way to the show pen,” Peter says.
Briggs had a pretty successful show career. In 1990, he won the AQHYA World Show in the Trail as well as the 12-14 Youth Trail at the Congress with Mr. Bueno Dial Bar.
Some of the memories Peter recalls from showing have to do with the friendships made along the way. “I still keep in touch with many of my youth career friends. I would have to say that most of my fondest memories come from my years that I competed at the Youth World. It was always such an exciting time. I always looked forward to Tulsa and later Fort Worth.”
One funny memory occurred at the 1992 Tulsa Summer Circuit. One day Briggs was getting ready for the horsemanship, so he put his chaps and hat, grabbed a bridle and put it on Jetson (We Be Jettin) and headed for the show pen. While Peter was walking to the arena, he was stopped by fellow showman Chad Falkenberg. Chad asked me, “‘Where are you going?’ I responded, ‘I’m going to show horsemanship.’ Chad started laughing and said, ‘You might want to saddle your horse first!'”
Peter had walked halfway to the arena with a saddle-less horse. “I was so embarrassed. When I finally arrived at the show pen, I was greeted by applause and laughter. Great times and great memories.”
There are so many qualities Peter says he appreciates in the horse industry: sportsmanship among the competitors; and the diverse demographic of horse enthusiasts and the extraordinary bond that all of us involved in AQHA share — the American Quarter Horse!
Showing on the AQHA circuit provided him with many valuable lessons that he still holds important today: striving to do my very best in whatever I do; maintaining friendships, most of them long distance; and being able to appreciate the work of others, knowing that there were so many great horsemen and horsewomen that laid a strong foundation for the future of AQHA.
Peter concludes his thoughts by saying that he would love to be able to get back in the show pen some day. “I know I will always be involved in AQHA in some fashion. Showing for so many years, it’s in my blood and I will never forget how much fun I had showing.”
Briggs met his wonderful wife, Kirsten, while at the 2007 AQHYA World Show in Fort Worth, and they were married in the fall of 2009. “Kirsten and I are huge fans of the Texas Rangers Baseball team and are hoping they will bring a World Series Championship home real soon!”
