Making Barrel Horses from Start to Finish

Making Barrel Horses from Start to Finish

Get the inside track from world champion barrel racer Jordon Briggs and top trainer Justin Briggs as they reveal their proven methods for developing young horses into confident, consistent competitors. This Ride TV exclusive takes you step-by-step through the drills, techniques, and mental strategies that set future champions apart.

With Jordon, learn how to prepare colts for the fast-paced rodeo world, teaching them to handle pressure with minimal warm-up and adapt to any arena situation. Watch her calming drill for young horses that rush the barrel turn, how she chooses the right direction on the pattern, and her exhibition routine for 4-year-olds to build confidence and maintain correct posture and hand placement. Meet “Bluey,” her Pro Rodeo backup horse, and see the brain-calming exercises that keep him performing at his best.

Justin breaks down neck reining fundamentals for young horses, the importance of a back cinch early in training, and how to execute a forward turnaround drill to engage the hindquarters and maintain form during a run. He shares the benefits of the loping hackamore and how to introduce it for better forward momentum without bridle resistance.

Together, Jordon and Justin emphasize confidence-building through small wins, consistent positive reinforcement, and practical drills like rollbacks to increase power, direction, and smoothness in the run. Their combined expertise gives you a masterclass in barrel racing horse development, from handling anxiety to refining technical skills.

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Making Barrel Horses from Start to Finish
  • The Future of the Briggs Program

    Justin Briggs shares what’s next for the Briggs program and how they’re building a foundation for success. From training strategies to teamwork with Jordon, he explains what makes their partnership thrive and how important family time is on the road.

  • Overcoming Hard Times

    "You can't climb smooth mountains"—Justin Briggs shares how he embraces challenges, turning hard times into opportunities for growth and staying positive through it all.

  • Being Successful in Barrel Racing

    Jordon Briggs talks about growing up in the shadow of her mother and discusses how she took advantage of resources that most people didn't have. Nowadays, there are many resources to help barrel racers improve and many people are willing to help within the industry.

  • Shaped by Great Horses

    Jordon and Justin Briggs reflect on the incredible horses that have defined their horse business and the lasting impact they've had on Jordon's journey. Hear their stories and insights into what makes these horses unforgettable.

  • Arena Tips from Jordon Briggs

    Jordon Briggs shows us her practice arena and how she prepares her colts for anything before rodeoing.

  • Making a Rodeo Horse

    Jordon Briggs shares her strategy for shaping young horses into rodeo-ready athletes. She emphasizes preparing them to stay focused with minimal warm-up time. Plus, she demonstrates a go-to drill for a colt who rushes the barrel turn while she's on the road

  • Deciding to Start Left or Right

    Is the right or left better? Jordon Briggs explains how she picks if a horse should go to the left or to the right first in the barrel pattern.

  • Introducing "Bluey" by A Streak Of Fling

    In this video, Jordon Briggs reintroduces Bluey, a gelding sired by A Streak Of Fling, who viewers might remember seeing Justin rope on last year. Bluey has become a cool barrel and pole horse and served as Jordon’s backup pro rodeo mount at the time. Watch as she demonstrates a favorite drill th...

  • Forward Turnaround Drill

    Justin Briggs explains how to use a forward turnaround drill on a young horse loping around too flat and disengaged.

  • How To Use Reins

    Justin Briggs shows us how to use reins and teach neck reining on a young horse.

  • How to Warm Up a 3-Year-Old

    Justin Briggs explains how he warms up a 3-year-old and emphasizes the importance of keeping their feet moving. He starts by trotting them around and ensuring the horse is paying attention to the rider.

  • Self-Evaluating Your Riding

    Bad habits can evolve when we are trying to win like leg lifts etc... Justin Briggs explains how important it is to self-evaluate yourself and the habits you've created while riding. Watching your own videos can give you insight on what you're sitting correct in the saddle during a barrel run.

  • How to Use a Back Cinch

    Justin Briggs finds back cinches very important, especially in barrel racing. He introduces a back cinch to a colt very early in his training so they can learn what that pressure feels like.

  • Talking Through Arlo's Run

    Jordon Briggs cruises her colt "Arlo" through the barrels and explains what his style is like around the turns and how he compares to "Rollo."

  • Riding One-Handed with Jordon Briggs

    Jordon Briggs demonstrates how to ride one handed and work on correct posture while loping through the barrel pattern. A great way to find holes within your barrel pattern is riding one handed and then going back and fixing the problem. 

  • Exhibition Game Plan on Awesome Arlo

    Jordon Briggs explains her exhibition routine on a 4-year-old by Blazin Jetolena.

  • Fence Work Drill for Young Horses Part 2

    Justin Briggs explains how he is encouraging a 2-year-old filly to not push down on the bridle with certain drills with forward momentum.

  • Fence Work Drill for Young Horses

    Justin Briggs demonstrates how to introduce a rollback exercise along the fence on a colt that is following his hands well in a side-pull. This exercise helps colts use their hind end for power and front end for direction.

  • Hand Position on Colts

    Justin Briggs explains where his hand placement is on split reins and why.

  • Finding Wins on 2-Year-Olds

    Justin Briggs finds ways to boost a colts confidence by rewarding them for their small wins.

  • How to Use a Loping Hackamore

    Justin Briggs likes to use a loping hackamore on colts that have been just started under saddle because it has side nose pressure and chin pressure. This teaches them the pressure they will experience in a curb bit in the future. Justin shows us how to use the hackamore and how it should fit.

  • 2-Year-Old Expectations

    Justin Briggs explains his expectations for a 2-year-old that has 10 days of riding under them. He works on being "square" on the ground by driving them past and giving them a release. Briggs also explains how this drill will help them drive off their hind-end in the future on the barrel patt...

  • 3-Year-Old Expectations on Dash Ta The Future

    Jordon Briggs cruises a 3-year-old by Dash Ta Fame and explains what she felt during that run-through. She talks about her expectations for him now and how he will futurity his 5-year-old year when he is more mature.

  • The Perfect Pattern

    Jordon Briggs shows us the correct approach to the first barrel to set up a perfect barrel pattern while she is in the alleyway.