Anyone who rode at Chapel Hill, NC’s Magnolia Hills or Harmony Farms will likely recall a very cool ASB gelding named “Bombay”. He was maybe 15.2 and was a beautiful chestnut. He had a bit of an attitude, but he was a blast to ride and could jump anything you pointed him at!
I really have enjoyed reading this thread as well - very informative!
A timely post on the Saddlebred Association facebook page.
There are a number of Saddlebred field hunters posted on the conversation over at the “Foxhunters On Facebook” page. Hope this link works: https://www.facebook.com/groups/444429112299080/
“Thank you, those are interesting to see. It also begs the question, probably not here, why Saddlebreds are not used more in eventing? Seem to have a really good attitude.”
ASB people either don’t care to or don’t know how to build connections to get our saddleseat “culls” into the hands of sport horse/hunter people. Sport horse/hunter people are turned off by the fire breathing dragons we try to create. Truth be told we could be helping each other out - creating a new market for our beloved breed and sport horse/hunter people could get talented, trainable horses for much better prices. If I could afford to show more than one circuit, I’d be trying to snap up prospects from ASB breeding farms and retraining them for h/j.
Just a bit more about FURY (Highland Dale)
http://www.brokenwheelranch.com/fury.htm
http://horsefame.tripod.com/fury.htm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h3O9nkEd-EM
At the time he was known as one of the smartest and definitely the best trained horse in Hollywood. All the stunts in the above video (except for the ‘canyon leap’, which had back painting; and the horse falling in the desert obvoiously tranquilized) were film takes, no special effects, no doubles for the horse.
And a stallion all his life.
In most of his roles he played a Thoroughbred; he was great advertising for another breed.
At least 10 or more go through New Holland every Monday. They get driven hard and then dumped when they can’t keep up weight or some other reason that could cause addition expense to their Amish owner. Most are completely sound. Going price is $200-$300 to outbid the meat packers. They are wordly, drive well and are pretty bomb proof. Many have had previous show careers under saddle. If this thread inspires anyone to try an ASB prospect, there’s a venue to get a cheap one from.
The stunts in the Gypsy Colt trailer reminded me of the Rifleman’s horse, who was bought by a gentleman from Houston when they had a Hollywood horse dispersal in the 60s- he was retired to a little grass paddock where we boarded. We did amuse ourselves trying to figure out his cues and eventually could get him to limp and rear and ‘play dead.’ We didn’t push it, because he was a bit arthritic, but he was a fun ol’ horse. (Sorry for the digression…)
[QUOTE=mand_asbfan;7249121]
Sport horse/hunter people are turned off by the fire breathing dragons we try to create. [/QUOTE]
Many of them are born that way. Not everyone wants the challenge of a horse who is as smart (or smarter) as they are. The people who appreciate the TB temperment will get along well with ASBs in general. The people who are more comfortable with warmbloods may have to look a little further to find an ASB who suits them.
Where would you find a show ring reject if you were located in central VA? I’m the type who would like to know some history on the horse, so a bit afraid of the whole auction thing.
[QUOTE=Beverley;7244963]
Ah, Fury, the story of a horse, and the boy who loved him, starring Bobby Diamond and Peter Graves (Saturday mornings after Roy Rogers and Sky King and before My Friend Flicka).
I perceived from the photo that it was likely on the set of Giant near Marfa TX and so a minor google turned up this footage of Highland Dale from the film (see around the 2 minute mark). He plays a dangerous buckin’ horse. I must watch the whole movie again some time. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rjp2EiGlZCE
Oh and it appears ‘Rock Hudson Project’ is basically a fan page. My Mom, having been his partner once at dinner, just never could believe he turned out to be gay but then that’s a whole 'nother thread…[/QUOTE]
On the Giant story the horse is Elizabeth Taylor’s horse from Virginia, beginning scenes are him or a stunt double jumping in the hunt field where Rock Hudson’s character first sees her. She marries him and goes with the stallion to Texas. That scene is where Hudson’s sister gets on him in anger and spurs him, he ends up killing her, and at some point breaks his leg and has to be destroyed.
[QUOTE=jawa;7250464]
Where would you find a show ring reject if you were located in central VA? I’m the type who would like to know some history on the horse, so a bit afraid of the whole auction thing.[/QUOTE]
Try asking over at trot.org. http://www.trot.org/forum/
Aw, Calamber, you spoiled it for those who haven’t yet seen! 
This is my little ASB mare. Not a Hunt horse, but I did do a Hunter pace with her once when she was 4 yrs old and 3 months in foal. Didn’t bat an eye at anything, jumped over birch trees, logs, ditches, crossed streams (despite having an innate mistrust of water). Tried SO hard and did everything I asked.
I’ve had people ask if she was a “W” line Hanoverian, a Draft cross, a TB, etc… one person swore up and down she had to have Draft in her because of the size/shape of her feet. She’s 15.2 on her tippy toes and wears a size 2 shoe (when she needs them for showing/caulking - otherwise those puppies are naked, and tough as iron) and has 8 inches of bone.
She’s old-style Saddlebred all the way, with Stonewall and Yorktown breeding. She’s worth her weight in gold to me. Gave my little cousin her confidence back after she fell off a LESSON pony and broke her arm. Love love love this mare, love the breed (she’s my 3rd full ASB) and will never, ever own anything that isn’t at least half-ASB ever again. Once you get used to the Saddlebred’s temperament and dog-like personality, you can’t go back.
[QUOTE=jawa;7250464]
Where would you find a show ring reject if you were located in central VA? I’m the type who would like to know some history on the horse, so a bit afraid of the whole auction thing.[/QUOTE]
There are also a couple of FB groups that place horses.
https://www.facebook.com/TeamAmericanSaddlebreds
https://www.facebook.com/SaddlebredRescue
If the word gets out that you’re looking, opportunities will come your way. Also try putting the word out here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/372756756171676/
[QUOTE=SmartAlex;7251932]
If the word gets out that you’re looking, opportunities will come your way. Also try putting the word out here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/372756756171676/[/QUOTE]
I agree. I fell in love with an ASB when I was looking for a new horse several years ago, but the purchase fell through and I wound up with my QH. However, in the meantime I met lots of ASB folks, who were very helpful. My next horse is definitely going to be an ASB.
[QUOTE=ASBJumper;7251230]
This is my little ASB mare. Not a Hunt horse, but I did do a Hunter pace with her once when she was 4 yrs old and 3 months in foal. Didn’t bat an eye at anything, jumped over birch trees, logs, ditches, crossed streams (despite having an innate mistrust of water). Tried SO hard and did everything I asked.
I’ve had people ask if she was a “W” line Hanoverian, a Draft cross, a TB, etc… one person swore up and down she had to have Draft in her because of the size/shape of her feet. She’s 15.2 on her tippy toes and wears a size 2 shoe (when she needs them for showing/caulking - otherwise those puppies are naked, and tough as iron) and has 8 inches of bone.
She’s old-style Saddlebred all the way, with Stonewall and Yorktown breeding. She’s worth her weight in gold to me. Gave my little cousin her confidence back after she fell off a LESSON pony and broke her arm. Love love love this mare, love the breed (she’s my 3rd full ASB) and will never, ever own anything that isn’t at least half-ASB ever again. Once you get used to the Saddlebred’s temperament and dog-like personality, you can’t go back.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SoMyaiIlMaY[/QUOTE]
Thank you for the video, she is looking lovely!
-one problem: she is using her back, especially in the walk, and she is rounding over her topline. Seems to have good rhythm at the canter, too.
I have it on good authority from those in the breeding forum that this is just not possible for anything but a Warmblood!
Oh, wait, I forgot! She must be a fluke! An accident! You’ll never find another!
I’m kidding around with you there, of course. Good job with her.
Did you keep a young’un WB cross? How are they turning out: I remember they were enviable foals.
And don’t tell how much you paid for a young untrained horse of that calibre…!
For those not familiar with SBs, CH Yorktown was 5 gaited World’s Grand Champion, so was his sire, CHWing Commander and his stallion son CH Man on the Town. So far as I know, this is the only grandsire-sire-grandson WGC heritage in the breed and very unusual in that all were also CH (which means shown many times and won for the points, rare for stallions). Great grandsire CH Anacacho Shamrock was…reserve in the 5 gaited WGC. Still, Four CHAMPION stallions in tail male all in that family.
CH Man on the Town did sire CH He’s the Man - 5 gaited WGC winner in 2006, but he was a gelding… Four 5 gaited WGC generations.
That’s a trainable heritage, I would say!
[QUOTE=D_BaldStockings;7252178]
Thank you for the video, she is looking lovely!
-one problem: she is using her back, especially in the walk, and she is rounding over her topline. Seems to have good rhythm at the canter, too.
I have it on good authority from those in the breeding forum that this is just not possible for anything but a Warmblood!
Oh, wait, I forgot! She must be a fluke! An accident! You’ll never find another!
I’m kidding around with you there, of course. Good job with her.
Did you keep a young’un WB cross? How are they turning out: I remember they were enviable foals.[/QUOTE]
Actually, If i’m uber critical, her canter can get a bit 4-beat-y at times, but we’re working on it… it’s mostly because the rider’s sitting deep and asking her to rock back on her haunches and she’s not quite strong enough yet - when she allows her to go a bit more forward and sits in a 3-pt seat, her canter is a-MAY-zing. 
I love love love her walk. Love it. I think in the walk portion between 0:50 and 1:10 she looks like a million bucks, I swell with pride when I see her going like that. 
I still have my 5.5 yr old Oldenburg/ASB gelding, he’s leased to a local “A” circuit H/J barn. Fabulous, fancy Hunter, never taken an off step in his life, barefoot and reliable as the day is long.
I sold my 2011 filly to my aunt for my 15-yr old cousin. They’ve been loving on her, handling her and handwalking her all over the place for over a year. They might as well have bought an aged schoolie, you’d never know the difference in terms of ground manners and ease of handling. I will be starting her next summer for them. 
[QUOTE=Beverley;7250621]
Aw, Calamber, you spoiled it for those who haven’t yet seen! :)[/QUOTE]
I am sorry Beverley. 
Should I take it down? It is a terrible movie really.
[QUOTE=jawa;7250464]
Where would you find a show ring reject if you were located in central VA? I’m the type who would like to know some history on the horse, so a bit afraid of the whole auction thing.[/QUOTE]
I sent you a pm on something I found.
[QUOTE=gypsymare;7249406]
At least 10 or more go through New Holland every Monday. They get driven hard and then dumped when they can’t keep up weight or some other reason that could cause addition expense to their Amish owner. Most are completely sound. Going price is $200-$300 to outbid the meat packers. They are wordly, drive well and are pretty bomb proof. Many have had previous show careers under saddle. If this thread inspires anyone to try an ASB prospect, there’s a venue to get a cheap one from.[/QUOTE]
True story. One of the last Sundays this past September I was a Safety Rider for a ACTHA competition. A family of 4 was part of the group and the youngest son, seems like he was a 4th grader, was mounted on a noble headed chestnut gelding that was clearly from a gaited breeding background based on his conformation. I asked the Mom about the gelding and sure enough, he was a Saddlebred who came out of New Holland. I don’t recall which rescue group she worked with but some group plunked the 18ish year old, sound though blemished legged, gelding out of the sale. His career with the Amish was over and he was fattened up to start a new career. The horse now lives with the family in eastern Kansas. That’s the first part.
ACTHA rides are obstacle rides- some obstacles are very natural in appearance on the trail while other obstacles are totally urban looking. The ones on this ride were of the urban type- think shiny and sharp contrast looking type things. This gelding had never competed in ACTHA before and he safely and mannerly carried his rookie rider over the 6 mile course. It was VERY impressive and wisdom oooozed out of this geldings expressions. A sharp contrast to some of the Quarter horses who were really struggling with the appearance of the obstacles and even my own hunting horse who does “natural” very well but is wary of “all things urban”.
Anyway, it was so cool to see the horse transition so well and the family completely appreciates the gelding, a jewel to keep forever.
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