"If I can stop one heart from breaking, I shall not live in vain. If I can ease one life from aching, or cool one pain,
Or help one fainting robin unto his nest again, I shall not live in vain" - Emily Dickinson
BREED INFO
AMERICAN SADDLEBRED
The American Saddlebred is the personification of the ultimate show horse. He carries himself with style, dignity and a noble attitude – he is alert, with wide set expressive eyes, neck arched, head up and ears forward, every movement saying, "Look At Me!". Unfortunately many people know very little about The Breed America Made - basing their impressions only on what they know of the Saddleseat world, which usually isn't much. ASBs are very personable, fine athletes and possess great stamina, intelligence and commonsense. Their versatility is shown in the breed's ability to compete successfully in many disciplines: show jumping, dressage, endurance riding, cross country eventing, combined driving, carriage driving, showing in fine harness and, of course, saddleseat riding: the three gaited and five-gaited show horse. The American Saddlebred was developed in America by selective breeding of Naragansett Pacer mares with Thoroughbreds. This breeding produced a horse that had the size and beauty of a Thoroughbred and the inclination to learn the easy riding gaits of the Pacers. Saddlebreds were the most popular riding horses in America by the time of the Civil War. These horses demonstrated courage, incredible endurance and dependability in military situations and were used in great numbers by cavalrymen. Generals on both sides proudly rode Saddlebreds. They are truly the "Horse America Made". Early on they were simply called Saddle Horses or Kentucky Saddlers. The American Saddlebred breed registry is the American Saddle Horse Association. For more on ASBs see their website: www.asha.net
Quotes on ASBs from well known people in various disciplines:
"Saddlebreds' strengths are their lovely temperaments, uphill carriage and excellent bending of their joints. They generally have lots of talent for piaffe and passage. The ones that are the most suitable for dressage are the ones that can perform trot extentions. Most Saddlebreds train very easily," (Hilda Gurney, three-time Olympian, American Saddlebred July/August 2006). Gurney won a Grand Prix Championship in 2005 with Fancy Trick, her piaffe received a score of 9.
" The athleticism and brain-power that a Saddlebred brings to his relationship with his owner allows him to learn any task required of him. ...He loves interaction with people and a stimulating life-style. ....Many have found careers in the world of show business.....Flicka, Mr Ed, the original Fury, and many other characters were Saddlebreds. They have appeared in such movies as Gone With the Wind; Gettysburg; start Trek-Generations, where William shatner rides his own Great Belles of Fire. Buffalo Bill's favorite trick horse in his Wild West Show was Saddlebred Clumbus." www.americansaddlebreds.co.uk/Versatility.htm
Despite common misconceptions, most American Saddlebreds are not naturally gaited, and are happy to restrict themselves to the "usual" gaits. They are active, people oriented, outgoing horses with a "can do" attitude. In build, they are generally uphill, have "big motors" and possess self-carriage. Their "we try harder" attitude makes them a natural for dressage......It is rare Saddlebred that doesn't love to jump. All of these characteristics make them great choices for the multifaceted challenges of eventing. Chris Uhlinger UMD
"For more than 100 years, American Saddlebreds have been produced for the purpose of carrying a riders weight comfortably and efficiently........I have never seen any Saddlebred horse - even a part bred - who did not readily perform the passage .....Most have incredibly comfortable and coordinated canters as well .....I think they are the most neglected of all breeds suitable for dressage," (Dr. Deb Bennett, PhS., Applied Conformation Series, Equus 225).
"While not every horse in every breed is capable of competing in sport horse events, American Saddlebreds have found their place in these ultimate tests of fitness, durability, and refinement. They are excellent jumpers, are naturally light on the forehand, and have tremendous stamina - making them a competitive force in the world of the sport horse." - The American Saddlebred as a Sport Horse, www.american-saddlebred.com
"(Saddlebred's are) remarkably free of the foot and leg problems that plague the Thoroughbred and Warmblood breeds....(people would be) hard pressed to think of a discipline in which a Saddlebred cross would not match the breeds traditionally associated with that discipline. This cross produces a more personable and willing horse for the huge number of women riders in North America." (David Turner, former directed of the Half-Saddlebred Registry, www.american-saddlebred.com/protean/asbsport.htm
FRIESIAN
Anyone who has had the privilege of seeing a Friesian in person would agree that they have a definite "WOW" factor. The impressive size, the long, heavy mane and tail, the fetlock hair or “feathers”, the shiny black coat, beautiful motion and proud bearing of a Friesian form an imposing image. The breed's appeal is not only their natural beauty, it also lies in their intelligence, willingness to learn, and readiness to perform. Their pleasant character and gentleness make the Friesian a wonderful companion, friend and mount for competition as well as for recreational purposes. Friesians are powerful movers with high action. They have been used for centuries as carriage, riding and work horses in Europe. The breed is very old and at one time - was near extinction - but some devoted Friesian lovers were determined to save the breed and took action to do just that. Today, Friesians are being bred more and more toward the sporthorse conformation, taller and lighter on their feet - rather than the draft type build. For more on the Friesian Breed and History see FHANA (Friesian Horse Association of North America) website. www.fhana.com
The Friesian is, by nature, a talented show horse with its shiny black coat, flying mane and tail, and high knee action. Today, they are now gaining further respect in the dressage arena as some specimens of the breed are reaching Grand Prix level due to their natural carriage and elevated movement. They also perform very well in harness events such as pleasure, dressage, and combined driving. Driving one or more Friesian horses has become increasingly popular in the past few years. Tough international competitions are only for the few, but there are many who derive relaxation and pleasure from driving their Friesians for recreation or to perfect and test their driving skills at dressage driving events.The Friesian's beauty, size, rideability, and temperament make them a perfect choice for the whole family. http://www.ultimatehorsesite.com/breedsofhorses/friesianhorse.html
GEORGIAN GRANDE
Below is information on the registry we found - by chance - while dreaming of the cross of an ASB and Friesian. The registry defines Georgian Grandes as the cross of an American Saddlebred (25 - 75%) with a registered draft or Friesian.
Georgian Grande - The Perfect Blend of Breeds - Information below taken from the Georgian Grande Registry website: www.georgiangrande.com
Blending the graceful elegance of the American Saddlebred with the size, bone and mind of the draft or Friesian. The percentage of Saddlebred can be up to 75% but never less than 25%. Proof of pedigrees parentage is required by the Georgian Grande Registry.
The Georgian Grande horse has the elegance and noble bearing of the Saddlebred perfectly blended with the size, good bone and calm disposition of the Friesian or draft. It carries itself with an attitude that eludes description, some call it "presence, class, or style", but this superior air distinguishes every movement of the Georgian Grande. They are extremely versatile and good at multiple disciplines. Their movement is that of upper level dressage. They excel in driving as well as jumping, on trails they are dependable, quiet and calm. They grow big and stay sound. They possess strength, beauty and good mind!
DISPOSITION: Intelligent, alert, proud but always calm and quiet. Easily trained and very willing to work.
OVERALL IMPRESSION: One of grandeur, great power, and yet very gentle, submissive to rider or handler. Thus the Georgian Grande: a large, very impressive horse that commands attention wherever it is seen.
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