General Introductions

[wch1day]

I am curious about everyone are where everyone is located. I am in St.
Louis, MO. I own a three year old gray filly. My trainer showed her in
the UPHA classes this year. We ribboned very well every time. I have
had American Saddlebreds for 15 years. My introduction to these
beautiful horses was at the St. Louis Charity horse show that was held
in Queeny Park. My skin crawled watching the horses be presented and I
knew I had to have one. I have had one ever since. My first horse was
a WCH several times over. I didn't know what I had and sold her before
she went to Louisville to win.
My current trainers are Randy Waller and Donnie Pugh. It's great being
at a stable where I can ride my horse even though she's only three. I
had to move her several times until I found a trainer that would "let"
me ride her.

[loulou]

I'am responding to the introductions here. I'm 37 years old and from
Fenton,Michigan i have been involved with saddlebreds for over 16 yrs.
i have taught saddleseat lessons for 12 years. I have at worked some
of the biggest farms here in Michigan. My introduction to the
saddlebred was back in 1992 with a visit to see Tom Moore and boy what
an introduction to the breed and ever since then i've been hooked. I
was a board of director for ASHAM and served as board secretary and
now i'm the chairperson for the expo's that are held here in Michigan.
I'm currently trying to preserve Michigan's rich history with the
saddlebred, i'm in the process of writing a book on the history of the
saddlebred here in Miichigan. I'm glad i found this site, now i'll be
able to meet other Saddlebred enthusiasts like myself.
I'll be waiting to hear from someone.

[Jeanie]

On Nov 6, 11:23�am, wch1day <wch1...@gmail.com> wrote: (quote
shortened to save space)

> I am curious about everyone are where everyone is located. I am in St.

> Louis, MO. I own a three year old gray filly... My first horse was

> a WCH several times over. I didn't know what I had and sold her before

> she went to Louisville to win... My current trainers are Randy Waller and Donnie Pugh. It's great being at a stable where I can ride my horse even though she's only three. �I had to move her several times until I found a trainer that would "let" me ride her.
====
This is a great idea, to have an introductions. I am happy to report
that I've had the pleasure of meeting wch1day, and have been impressed
with her dedication to the breed.

I grew up on and around Saddlebreds, starting riding lessons with Dawn
Atlas in 1961. She was at that time located in my hometown in
northern Indiana. Most of the lesson horses were former show horses,
but not all. From this early exposure to the breed, I had the
opportunity to simultaneously enjoy and develop an appreciation for
the 'high stepper' fancy show horses, and for the versatility and
temperament of the breed in other uses. It was common, during good
weather, to finish a lesson with a short trail ride. There was
exposure to gymkhana games, drill team formation riding, jumping, etc,
mostly on Saddlebreds.

I feel really blessed that the versatility of the breed is something
I've always known. Like many of the Saddlebred sporthorse aficionados,
I wish more of the trainers who work with Saddlebreds were aware that
a horse that is not WC at Louisville quailty is still a valuable
animal, and that other jobs should be found for the horse, not treated
as a throwaway. I applaud what has been accomplished by the
Saddlebred Rescue folks, in reclaiming many of these 'throwaways' that
have been in the Amish world and showing how valuable they are as
lesson horses, and some even returning to the show ring.

Jeanie (now in Omaha Nebraska)