The Super Man Behind the Superhorse – Chuck Briggs and Dancin N The Dirt
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By Barbara Aitken Jenkins
To say that Dancin N The Dirt is no stranger to the winner’s circle is like saying Tom Brady is a mere acquaintance at the Super Bowl. The horse wins and he wins big.
The 2011, bay, AQHA gelding has an aura in the show pen when he comes alive and demands that judges, spectators, and competitors alike stop and admire his athletic ability and presence. But for all of his talents, the gelding also has a support team whose dedication has allowed the horse to thrive to his fullest potential.
Professional horseman, Chuck Briggs, of Azle, Texas, grew up in New York and started his show career in all-around competition. As he progressed into the amateur division, he felt drawn to Hunter Under Saddle and Working Hunter events. After a short stint as an amateur, Chuck realized his true passion lay in becoming a professional trainer. “I just didn’t want to sit behind a desk for the rest of my life,” he shares.
After working for industry legends like Rick and Gigi (Skelly) Bailey and Nancy Sue Ryan, Chuck moved to Texas and set up his training operation. For the past 31 years, he has grown into one of the most influential professional horsemen in the horse show industry. His specialties range across the English-oriented disciplines from Pleasure Driving, Working Hunter, and Hunter Hack to Hunter Under Saddle and even Performance Halter.
Over the years, Chuck has created a program where he develops horses that can be competitive in the open, amateur, and youth divisions. “All of my open level horses are, or eventually become, amateur or youth horses. I never have strictly open level horses. All of my young horses are developed into competitive horses for my clients,” Chuck explains.
Chuck has undoubtedly figured out the secret to a successful training program. In fact, 2020 marks the third consecutive year that he has piloted the Superhorse winner. 2018 and 2019 went to the 2013 brown gelding Blue Kahlua, and 2020 went to the one and only, Dancin N The Dirt.
