Saddlebred Jumpers

[CHT]

Looking for (hopefully positive) stories on Saddlebreds and saddlebred crosses in the jumper ring.

I have owned a Saddlebred Arabian for 9 years now, and he has been awesome and competed with students up to 0.75 in the jumpers. He was the best money I ever spent on a horse, and even after being a lesson horse for 9 years, remains responsive and awesome. Based on that success, and in my quest to find affordable jumpers, I just brought home a Saddlebred Tennessee Walker cross and am considering a purebred as well.

Am I crazy? (well, that is probably a completely different topic) Zander was my first experience with Saddlebreds, and I don’t know that I have seen them at the local shows…but then they aren’t a common breed around here either.

[x]

I have had several purebred Saddlebred jumpers, and some of them really could jump–like alot bigger than .75! They are quick, handy, and tight with their knees. A long time ago, .like in the '50’s saddlebreds were often used as jumpers, but usually weren’t advertised as that breed.

[ParadoxFarm]

I would wonder more about the TWH in him. Even some of them can jump, but the gait may be awkward. Many years ago I rode a Saddlebred jumper. I liked him. He was a big boy. Thicker than a lot of Saddlebreds.

[CHT]

@ParadoxFarm

I would wonder more about the TWH in him. Even some of them can jump, but the gait may be awkward. Many years ago I rode a Saddlebred jumper. I liked him. He was a big boy. Thicker than a lot of Saddlebreds.

That was my concern too, but he isn’t gaited: normal walk/trot/canter, just perhaps a little more action than, say, a thoroughbred. He had his teeth done today, and vaccinations, so I will have to wait a few days to ride him.

[Sparrowette]

I don’t jump, but I’ve seen my gal do some perfectly formed leaps over water that her dainty hooves must not touch!

There are a couple facebook groups you might be interested in. They are:

• Saddlebred Hunters & Western Horses For Sale
• American Saddlebred and Half-ASB Sporthorses

I love looking at some of those.

[Can_tFindMyWhip]

I’ve met quite a few saddlebred crosses. They seemed to have a natural ability to jump, or not. And if they didn’t show talent right away, there was no teaching them.

I know a pure saddlebred who was an excellent eventer, as well as a saddlebred x connemara who was super brave and scopey. That little mare was a backyard horse who could have easily given 6 figure imports a run for their money as an eventer or show jumper. I also knew a saddlebred x Morgan who was an unexpectedly talented jumper despite her odd trot and the way she carried her head way up in the air.

Tennessee walker crossed with a saddlebred would make me leery, but I could be wrong. No one would guess a saddlebred/Morgan could jump so who knows! I hope your new horse works out for you.

[CHT]

@Can’tFindMyWhip most of the Tennessee walker’s in my area are bred for trail, not show, so maybe that will make the difference? His papers don’t show that side’s pedigree though. Hoping to finally sit on him early this upcoming week. Poor guy is handling all his recent life changes very well.

@dollar horse your horse looks lovely!

[ABookworm]

I have an ASB mare in training for low level jumpers or eventing (just depends on what she wants to do). She has an awesome jump and is beautiful on the flat. When I was seeking out a new horse I purposefully sought out a saddlebred due to their personalities and work ethic. If you look up #ASBVersatility on Instagram you’ll find that there’s lots of us out there! I would 100% go for another saddlebred for jumpers.

[NancyM]

In decades past, SB and SB/TB crosses were quite common in the jumper divisions. And not just the small divisions, the BIG divisions. “Astronaut”, “Whisper Jet”, “Black Jack” were some of the local ones in my area. I think that Torchy Millar was the source of Black Jack, if I remember correctly.

There was a PMU farm that was breeding some SB crosses years ago now, I tried to buy one. 1/2 TB, 1/4 SB, 1/4 clyde. Nice looking prospect. But we couldn’t catch it in the field, so I could not buy it and load it. Unfortunately for both of us. Their TB stallion was a son of Alydar, who produced some lovely show horses that I did own.

[Another-Bay]

I know many stories of successful SB jumpers! I wouldn’t discount a breed, but I would take a second look at poorly-suited conformation for the desired discipline.

[CHT]

So far the new boy seems to be doing well: needs a hoof trim before we do much, but for a horse sitting in a pasture his entire life, he is pretty adaptable…just completely agog at all the different horses on our property, and all the activity. Still trying to decide if I want to buy saddlebred #2.

[always_learning]

Saddlebreds were my first breed: now, almost 60 years ago. As others have said, many made wonderful and stylish field hunters and all-around jumpers. I feel it’s important to note that most had better shoulders (layback from point of shoulder to wither) than most of the Saddlebreds today. Thus, they had the ability to use their front assembly efficiently to the jumps. Another important genetic trait: foot timing. The Saddlebreds I knew and rode had an uncanny awareness of where their feet were, and how to jump safely. Finally, heart. They had so much heart that they always tried their best. They had class and style and substance. They live today in my heart. All the best with your new mount. Just one hint: you might school him from the ground in a bitting rig, to help him drop his head and engage his back. And keep working him with that in mind – the last thing you want to to allow him to throw his head up in moments of frustration – this will only develop a bad habit and all the wrong muscles. Take it long and low, and go slow. 60 days in the right ground work program will give you a solid foundation to build on. All the best.

[Shadowlake2005]

I had a 3 gaited ASB who could and would jump the moon. Snapped up his knees and cleared everything (we only got to 3 feet before he died of colic) by about a foot. He was so enthusiastic he basically dragged me around the jumper courses. I had pictures with judges in the background with their hands over their faces. He was fearless cross country too. I’d try the TWH if he has normal gaits. Most ASBs I’ve known have jumped well and loved it. The ASB gelding I have now is one who doesnt. Sigh. But I love their temperaments.

[Janet]

I realize this is an older thread, but you might want to contact ASB Stars (not sure of the capitalization/punctuation). I think she has experience with ASB and ASB cross jumpers.