Preparing for the AQHA Youth World is serious business at Briggs Quarter Horses, owned and operated by John and Jill Briggs of Pilot Point, Texas. The Briggs spend two weeks of intensive training before Youth World in what is kindly referred to as “Briggs Boot Camp.” Jill Briggs took time out from her busy two weeks of preparation to dish the scoop on Briggs Boot Camp.
Be sure to see all 15 pictures in the Slide Show.
Explain what Briggs Boot Camp is?
Briggs Boot camp is two weeks of intensive training before Youth World. This year we had six girls and their horses; Elizabeth Borders and Finely Principled, Grace Cornett and Indy 200, Sara Bayer and LDR So Radical, Megan Machesky and Cool Looking Art, Samantha Bayer and Cant Stay Zipped, Cheyenne Peterson and Ritzy Investment. We also had Grace’s 12 year old sister, Mary Claire, who is not showing at the Youth World, my kids, as well as my mom Susan Pennau who is getting ready for the Select World.
What is a typical day at boot camp?
A normal day we get up at 7:30 and go until we’re finished. We typically focus on two to three events in a day. We don’t do everything in one day. We always go out to a big lunch and we have three choices – Italian, Mexican or a buffet. We make many frequent Sonic drink runs!
John and I do a lot of work together but we also have individual time for each of the girls. All six girls pretty much do the same events so we have a lot of group lessons. One of our big rules is that the girls need to pay attention when it’s another person’s turn because we want them to apply what they learned to their lesson. It worked out well this year, it didn’t seem like I had to repeat myself.
How do you keep the girls from burning out?
We try to balance hard work with having fun. We had a lot of fun. It was Cheyenne’s 15th birthday and about 25 people went to a Brazilian Steakhouse in Dallas. One day all the girls went to a spa and got massages and pedicures. We went to the movies. And we did a lot of shopping! We also have lots of big family dinners. Some of the girls stay at the house, a few at a hotel and one in the motor home so we try to have dinner at our house.
What’s your favorite part about boot camp?
My favorite part was that I like having all the girls together. It’s really the only time all year that we’re together at home without the pressure of being at a horse show. The girls are from all over – Oregon, California, Minnesota, Mississippi and I like that we can be more relaxed without all the pressure of being at a show. We are also able to work through things at a slower pace.
What’s your least favorite?
The heat! No question. The last few days it was really hot!
Are you able to simulate a true horse show experience?
Yes, one of the moms drove down to the show when they released the patterns and we were able to practice the actual show patterns on the last two or three days which was great. Then we loaded everyone up and went to an big indoor arena in Gainesville and had a practice show. The girls dressed in show clothes. We set the patterns for the horsemanship and showmanship. We were able to cover a lot of bases. The girls went one at a time, we talked it through especially how big we thought the patterns were going to be set and how to get the best lines.
How have you seen boot camp pay off at the Youth World?
We have been doing this for the last five or six years and it definitely pays off! Whether or not they get a prize at the Youth World, they each get so much accomplished. You never know what’s going to happen at the Youth World, but we do know that the hard work they put in will pay off in the future. We head into the Youth World able to work through the pattern. They’re confident and they know what to do.
This experience has allowed the girls to become close and for John and I to become closer to them as well. They become part of our family. It’s a group of fantastic girls. The best part is we have no drama! They don’t come to us with petty stuff, it’s business when we are working together and they have to get along. Doing so they become friends. They’ve all done a great job.
