American Saddlebreds as Sport Horses

The American Saddlebred as a Sport Horse

When people think of Sport Horses, often eventing, or combined training, comes to mind. Originally developed to test the ideal military mount, eventing has evolved into a sport in which all levels of riders can compete. Eventing integrates the disciplines of show jumping, cross-country jumping, and dressage, and riders compete in all levels from beginning through Olympic competition.

Traditionally thought of as a "Three Day Event", horses perform in the dressage ring as the first test, demonstrating the precise and smooth movements demanded of the dressage horse. Each movement is judged individually, not unlike figure skating competitions. Dressage training of the eventing horse prepares it for the physical rigors of the endurance, or cross-country phase, which is the next test in the competition.

The endurance, or cross-country phase varies greatly depending upon which level of competition the horse and rider compete at. According to Kathleen King of the United States Combined Training Association (USCTA), "The endurance phase can range from a steady canter for a mile-and-one-half, over approximately 15 obstacles no larger than 2'1" high and 4'7" wide at the base, to roughly five miles at a speed of more than 20 miles per hour, over a maximum of 45 obstacles that can be up to four feet high, and ten feet wide at the base." (May/June 1999 American Saddlebred)

The final test consists of a show jumping phase, in which the horse displays its stamina and ability to recover from the endurance phase. As the Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI) rulebook states, "The test on the third day is not an ordinary show jumping competition ... Its sole objective is to demonstrate that, on the day after a severe test of endurance, the horses have retained the suppleness, energy and obedience necessary for them to continue in service."

The American Saddlebred's unique qualities make it a particularly suitable choice for integration into modern sport horse breeding programs. These horses have a tremendous and unparalleled capacity for collection, brilliance and impulsion, as well as a presence and intelligence that will be appreciated by everyone interested in breeding horses capable of competing internationally in all of the Olympic disciplines.

In an article published in American Saddlebred Magazine, Heike Bean, a world class combined driving competitor, author of "Carriage Driving, a Logical Approach Through Dressage", and licensed "R" judge, stated, "they are like beautiful warmbloods". Heike has admired the Saddlebred since moving to the US from Germany, and has been impressed with their impeccable temperaments, trainability, and endurance, as well as their pure, brilliant and correct gaits. Her Saddlebred mare, Artistic Reflection, has consistently been awarded best conditioned awards throughout her career as a combined driving horse. In 1994, this mare won the advanced combined driving singles competition in the USET Festival of Champions held in Gladstone, New Jersey. Following her successes with Mara, Heike is currently training a pair of spotted Saddlebreds for competition.

Heike Bean is not the only person who has discovered the versatility and suitability of the Saddlebred for all variety of uses. Dr. Deb Bennett, PhD., recently analyzed the American Saddlebred in her Applied Conformation series (Equus 225), and states:

"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."

Mr. David Turner of Maryland, former Director of the Half Saddlebred Registry, and strong advocate of the halfbreed's role in the development of Sport horses in the US feels that "when crossed with the best of the European Warmbloods, the resulting horses possess the temperament and willingness to learn and perform with the quality of movement expected in the Olympic disciplines." He finds that they are amazingly quick to learn and "are remarkably free of the foot and leg problems that plague the Thoroughbred and Warmblood breeds." Given the current trends in the US horse market, David 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." As far as the sport horse disciplines are concerned, this long time fan of the American Saddlebred believes "that the Saddlebred breeding brings a 'hey look at me' attitude to the traditions of the European Warmblood, and nothing else I can imagine on the international horse breeding scene is better suited for use in Sport horse breeding programs."

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.

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