Submitted by Darci B. - I am very happy to share photos of my palomino Arabian/Saddlebred gelding GV James Blond - I am obviously quite proud of my handsome boy!
Photo by Shelley Paulson Photography.
Celebrating American Saddlebreds!! This month on YourDressage, we are celebrating the graceful Saddlebred and Saddlebred crosses of all kinds. Dressage riders who choose Saddlebreds as their mounts are eligible for Adequan®/USDF All-Breeds Awards as the American Saddlebred Horse and Breeders Association is on our Participating Organization list.
We recently asked our social media followers to share photos of their Saddlebreds, and let us know what makes them so special. Below, you can see some of their photos and stories.
Do you have a dressage Saddlebred you’d like to share with the YourDressage community? E-mail us at yourdressage@gmail.com for your chance to be featured! Stay tuned to YourDressage as we celebrate #DancingSaddlebreds, with photo galleries and exclusive stories from Saddlebred enthusiasts across the country!
Submitted by Shannon G. – My 13yo ASB Crosswinds Sweet Surrender! Just started with her this year and hoping to move up to first level next season!Submitted by Darci B. – This is my trainer, Mimi Stanely of Prairie Rose Training Center Dressage, in Bismarck, ND, riding GV James Blond.Submitted by Darci B. – My handsome boy, GV James Blond. Photo by Shelley Paulson Photography.Submitted by Debbie G. – Winter Noon now showing Second level. He just got a score for our Bronze. Qualified for Regionals at First Level. I love every second with this horse!!Submitted by Mary L. – Charlton Heston aka “Pickle”, my 2007 ASB gelding (WCC CH Harlem Town x Glenmore’s Nordic Radiance by CH Caramac)Submitted by Mary L.Submitted by Rachel K. – Not exactly a dressage picture. But my 14 y.o. American Saddlebred ‘Miss Precious Belle’ for shorts Precious. She was originally trained in saddle seat and wasn’t a huge fan of it and you could tell by her eyes. I was able to love this girl before and after I bought her. We currently jump or simply ride trails. I would have to say she’s my heart horse and always has been. So blessed to have this wonderful breed in my life! Please note USDF strongly recommends all riders wear protective headgear when mounted.Submitted by Mariah D. – Rescued my 5yr old Saddlebred (Eye of Horus) last year from a feedlot where he had a critical eye injury. Submitted by Mariah D. – He’s now showing everyone that (one eyed) Saddlebreds can be excellent versatile horses! We’re primarily dressage, which is his strength, but also do some jumping and even a little western. Submitted by Mariah D. – Hoping to hit the sandbox and start showing next spring! I’ve started many young horses of all breeds and have never had anything quite like a Saddlebred, they are people oriented and pleasers, comical but smart and quick studies. We even fool many people into thinking he’s a warmblood when they see him start to go and move!Submitted by Morgan M. – My gelding “Serengeti” with my best friend Scott David!Submitted by Arielle G. – Not mine, but an absolute love bug.Submitted by Danielle D. – Percheron/saddlebred registered Georgian Grande. I love those breed! Perfect combination! Fun to show!!Submitted by Katja K. – My Aslan was given to me to get him out of a rather desperate situation. He’s 14 years old and had been trained as a park horse. I love all horses but there have been a few that are extra special, and from the first time I looked into his eyes, he absolutely rocked my soul. We have had our challenges, but throughout everything we have been through so far, his heart and his attitude have been unbelievable! The dressage work is helping him so much, both in building his confidence and vastly improving his body condition! He has given me glimpses of what a fancy boy he will ultimately be! I’m enjoying every step of the incredibly rewarding journey with this special boy.Submitted by Valyn D. – El Dorado Sterling Silver (Gully) shown here at Training Level. Gully was my second saddlebred, and was retrained from saddleseat. We made it to First Level before having to change our focus due to his lymphoma diagnosis. His last 13 months were filled with trail rides, treats, and spa days.Submitted by Valyn D. – Paddyngton’s Golden Glory (Theodore) is a 4 year old gelding, and will be making his debut at Intro this fall. Teddy is my third saddlebred, and I can unequivocally say I will never own a different breed. They are incredibly expressive, forward, and have such huge hearts! I found with all three of my saddlebreds, they met most new challenges or pursuits in spirited stride.Submitted by Brooke S. – Chunky Fabs here!Submitted by Jessica G. – Half Saddlebred Half Arabian – Not only has JAG Kalico Kid+// won two National Championship titles in Second Level Dressage as well as multiple National Top Tens, he has taught SO many inexperienced riders the ropes, newly back in the saddle “re-riders,” and given countless first time riders the chance to be on a horse throughout his lifetime. Kid has a very sweet, loving personality and always enjoys attention and is so incredibly eager to work and highly forgiving. He’s basically an adorable puppy in a horse’s body. He helped me earn my 2nd level scores working towards my USDF Bronze Medal and helped me learn 3rd level movements.He has met countless people through demos and meet & greets at the 2019 BreyerFest and 2021 Georgia Horse Fair and several local 4-H activities – everyone is a new friend!He is 21 years old this year and is heading to the show ring again this fall in dressage with his 68 year old owner Kathy Gilker! Submitted by Amy R. – Far Away Tom Clancy. 9yo ASB. My heart horse competing at 1st level. His true love is jumping and eventing. He has taught me so much about patience and my riding. We call him the giraffe, but he has the best, sweetest, most loving personality. He’s smart and honest and will try his heart out for anyone that asks. My 8yo daughter learned how to ride him at 5yo and he took such good care of her.Submitted by Sheila P. – The one that started it all for me–My ASB, Nautica! Same horse, same rider, succeeding in two very different disciplines a few years apart. ❤Submitted by Sheila Palmer – The one that started it all for me–My ASB, Nautica! Same horse, same rider, succeeding in two very different disciplines a few years apart. Follow him on Facebook – Nautica the American SaddlebredSubmitted by Olivia W. – my ASB and me competing at 2nd level. i believe we were 13 or 14 at devonwoodSubmitted by Ema K. – Bendigo (eventing, but one of our phases in dressage!) is headed to his second 5* at Fair Hill next month. TB/SaddlebredSubmitted by Michelle N. – Gent. He is a 17 year old National show horseSubmitted by Manda A. – CA Renegade’s Major Go, aka Max, the horse that kept my head on straight, and kept me from who knows what kind of a backwoods problematic life I could have lead. This horse literally saved me, and for him I will always be grateful. We competed up to 2nd level, were fill in riders for WSH Zone shows, competed in the Oregon State Games for horse trials, dabbled in driving and all the other things I could think of. I owe a tremendous amount to this breed and it’s why I am so passionate about them.Submitted by Margaret C. – Arabian x Saddlebred Boom Shoca Laca PF. Photo by Michelle Nishiguchi , bred by Irwin Schimmel of Prestige Farms.Submitted by Margaret C. – Arabian x Saddlebred Strikes Grand Affair, photo by Rebecca TolmanSubmitted by Angie N. – My National Show Horse, DD Desert Dream (Half Arabian/Half Saddlebred) and my heart horse. She has a talent for collection.Submitted by Andréa S. – Soul On Fire, 4 YO American Saddlebred geldingSubmitted by PJ P. – Sir Earl Grey doing 3rd level dressage this yearSubmitted by Lisa N. – My mare..sweetest personality and beautiful to look at. Brave and up for anything.Submitted by Holly C. – My saddlebred cross mare by Don’t Worry. She is my very first horse and she is truly one of a kindSubmitted by Beth C. – I take lessons on Soli with instructor Mary Russell at Lucky Cricket Farm, Huntingtown, Maryland. Such an awesome well trained horse.Submitted by Bry P. – One of my ASBs in AustraliaSubmitted by Laura M. – William, Saddlebred crossed with Friesian.Jeannette N. – Love my mare! 1/2 Saddlebred. Submitted by Mara S. – Flying W Farms Fire Illusion Georgian Grande (Clydesdales x Saddlebred)Submitted by Tammy J. – This is my Saddlebred, Charlie (Gypsy’s Dream Boy). He has changed disciplines and he loves dressage.Submitted by Tammy J.Submitted by Tammy J.Submitted by Leonie P. – What a fun and great topic about the Saddlebred horses and cross breds! This is my Saddlebred/Arab cross (National Show horse), Knight. I’m from the Netherlands and I never met any Saddlebred type of horse before I moved to the USA. Submitted by Leonie P. – As I worked with this handsome boy I got to learn more about this breed and I’ve been amazed by how intelligent and athletic they are. Absolutely great horses to work with and talented for dressage!Submitted by Amy F. – This lovely 9-year-old gelding has quite a story. I adopted him into our family from the American Saddlebred Legacy Foundation. He was purchased from a meat buyer after going through the New Holland, PA auction twice. By age three. He left the rescue to join our family on the second anniversary of the murder of my husband, and he arrived on my daughter’s 8th birthday. Five years later, Sam and my now 13-year-old daughter are competing in schooling dressage shows and low level eventing. He is smart, loves people, is honest, and tries so very hard. This horse that wasn’t “enough” for the breed show ring or as an Amish road horse is more than enough for our family. He is a treasure and very much has a forever home with us.
[…] you can see some of their photos and stories. For more awesome photos, check out Part 1 and Part 2 of Saddlebred […]