Submitted by Sheila P. – Nautica the American Saddlebred switched over to dressage at age 12 after being my successful saddle seat Equitation horse. Together, he and I have earned our rider and horse performance certificates at Training Level as well as qualifying for the USDF All-Breed awards for Training Level American Saddlebred. Additionally, dressage has helped this horse rehab correctly following a catastrophic sacrum fracture and three-year rehab. We are looking toward First Level in the 2022 show season!
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. For more awesome photos, check out Part 1 and Part 2 of Saddlebred September!
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 Joyce H. – You just can’t beat the sensitivity and lightness of riding a Saddlebred. This is my horse Myles (Royal Crest’s Stone Fest) being ridden by Lisa Stock.Submitted by Carole M. – Fred found me in 2018 when he was at ARL Boston, looking for a home. I know nothing about his history, age guesstimate is 12-14. Love at first sight for me- and although I knew very little about the breed, I loved his temperament and confirmation, and right away thought- dressage- why not? Fred and I are very fortunate to have a dressage trainer that knows a lot about saddlebreds and has guided us every step of the way. Submitted by Carole M. – Fred’s first ride at home (2018). Fast forward 3 years he now understands how to bend around the riders inside leg! It is very hard for him, as my trainer believes that he was trained as a gaited saddlebred, and possibly was a driving horse, and was very lateral and stiff.Submitted by Carey V. – This is my registered 18 y/o ASB mare, earning a 68 in L1T3 at a rated show this year.Submitted by Allison C.Submitted by Anita H. – Shannon Mejía schooling my ASB Giddyup, aka “Flynn” spring 2021. THANKS for taking this photo coach Gilly!Submitted by Sandie V.Submitted by Jenna H. – “There’s a saddlebred for that” is my new mottoSubmitted by Dwight C.Submitted by Heather O.Submitted by Heather O. – They have a special place in my heart and I’ll always own on. Their personality are so funny and they love humans. You just can’t find any other breed like a saddlebredSubmitted by Jessica G.H. – Half Saddlebred Half Arabian – JAG Kalico Kid+// Submitted by Megan G.T. – Not only has Kid won two National Championship titles in Second Level dressage as well as multiple National Top Ten titles, he has taught SO many inexperienced riders the ropes of good riding and given countless first time riders the chance to be on a horse throughout his lifetime. Kid has a sweet, loving personality and always enjoys attention and is so eager to work. Kid’s versatility and willingness to please has always been a treasured trait, especially when Kid helped my sister, Jessica Gilker Ho, and I earn all our 2nd level scores towards their USDF Bronze Medal. Thanks in part to Kid, I did get my USDF Bronze Medal in a very short time frame in 2019. Kid was schooling 3rd level and 4th level dressage when he was 19 and 20. He is currently the main riding mount for my mother, Kathy, his 68-year-old breeder and owner. He’s been a wonderful example for 4-Hers to learn more and MentorMe youth to meet horses, sometimes for the first time. As a young horse, Kid garnered several Regional Championships in western pleasure and western side saddle. In 2006 he received an AHA National Top Ten with his youth rider, Jessica, in Western Sidesaddle. Always passionate about hunters and dressage, his owners transitioned Kid to a hunter and dressage horse. Kid took riders (young and old) in cross-rails, Long Stirrup, Schooling Hunter and Pre-Adult on the open, local GHJA circuit. He competed up to 2’9″ and showed in hunter pleasure, halter, and sport horse classes on the AHA circuit. He also has competed multiple times locally in combined training. Not only is Kid a horse for all levels and ages – from beginners to National level trainers – and an exceptional show horse, he is wonderful on the trails and at hunter paces. He’s such a pleasure to ride bareback and play around bridle-less! We feel so incredibly lucky to have this kind, athletic, attention loving, and affectionate horse as a part of our family. He is by Cappuccino Royale (Saddlebred) and out of JAG Silhouette (Arabian).Submitted by Ally H. – Annie – Full SaddlebredSubmitted by Katie N. – My best friend April Magic ❤️ saddle bred cross based in the Uk
