[QUOTE=ASB Stars;7431177]
I’ve been sitting on my hands on this one, as I simply do not need any additional drama, but this is just so beyond ridiculous…
In the 50s through the 70’s, ASBs and crosses were predominant in the show jumper ring. How do we know this? And, more importantly, why don’t we have any documentation? Well, first off, we know this because no less than Champ Hough, Frank Chapot, and Adolph Mogavero, among so many others, KNOW this stuff, and they were more than willing to share the information.
The essential issue is twofold, on documentation. During those years, the American Saddlebred Horse Association was registering the largest crops ever, but, then as now, the vast majority didn’t make the show ring. Then as now, there were prejudices. So, it was easier to sell a nice looking, talented, amateur friendly horse that was “half-thoroughbred”, rather than stating that they were American Saddlebreds. Then, as now, most people have no idea what an American Saddlebred, worked as a sport horse, with that musculature, really looks like. What do they look like? A horse. A horse with substantial bone, elegance…well, after all, they are warmbloods.
And speaking of warmbloods, I am old enough to remember some of the first imports, and to have seen a bunch of them- from Abundance, to Preussengeist, and I watched Wonderland and Iron Spring build their program. The first imports- other than Abundance, IMHO, we really pukes. The Germans may have lost the war, but man, they were waiting to load up their junk for us, when we came looking. Iron Spring had a super generous program for Pony Clubbers- a discounted fee to one of their studs. Every pony clubber for miles bred their mare to that stud, and it was just garbage in, garbage out- but they could claim that their horse was a Dutch Warmblood, as long as the dam was registered. So, you want to sing the praises of the various warmblood groups, go ahead, but you are still dealing with a whole lot of horses who simply are not exceptional, no matter what verband they hail from. No, you do not get to say “that was then”. They still are part of YOUR history, if you are tunnel visioned on imported warmbloods, only.
The last warmblood I trained and showed was a mare named Girlande. She produced an approved stallion by one of the World Cup studs, if memory serves. I love horses, love them but I loathed her. She never gave you one step you didn’t work twice as hard for, and I was thrilled to see someone else show her at DAD and have the same fun with her. Yes, she was just one individual, but she was approved, produced well, and was well bred.
When my ASB stallion received a 78% from Hilda Gurney, I was over the moon. More than being part of any registry or group, having your horse evaluated by the best, on an even playing field is the test, isn’t it? For all of our horses.
Now, I will be the first to admit that the Europeans are doing a banner job of breeding fabulous athletes, and their focus and marketing have led to more sales, which allow them to continue to produce more, and hopefully better, horses. The American Saddlebred Horse Association has made no substantial effort to support any horses that are not part of the 10% that make successful show horses, in their microcosm. Ninety percent of the horses do not make that cut. Why? No vertical neckset. Yep, you guessed it- they are built uphill, have great impulsion, great minds, and make wonderful partners. But, as long as they get sold without their papers, dumped to the Amish, or worse, and the ASHA doesn’t move to celebrate their existence, how would YOU know about them? Anecdotal evidence perhaps? Word of mouth? People on the internet who have actually hands on experience with one? Yep.
I’ve PM’d the OP with a couple of mares that will do just right for her. That was why I originally signed on, after someone on my FB group mentioned this thread. I am off to go and pet an American Saddlebred, and play in the snow…[/QUOTE]
Interesting that ASB enthusiasts continue to refer to the “good ol’ days” when ASBs had a stronger presence in the jumper ring. I know nothing about the history of the breed so I cannot comment. However, I’m interested in what these breeders think of breeding these crosses in terms of moving FORWARD, not referring back to 40-50 years ago when the breed was more prevalent in mainstream sport.
Look at the type of event horse Bruce Davidson and Richard Meade were riding in the 70s; those horses would never be successful in eventing today. The sport has changed: TBs are still present, but the warmblood influence is substantial. Dressage and jumping standards have increased; the TBs that are internationally competitive are unique and purpose-bred (think Parklane Hawk, Shaabrak etc.) as they must compete with the event horses whose breeding is heavily influenced by warmbloods.
If ASBs were successful back in the day in disciplines such as show jumping but are no longer seen at mid to upper levels, why is this? Is it truly that jumper breeders have discounted a breed that can contribute some value because of the elitist view that warmblood breeds are best, or are ASB breeders thinking too much in the past and not being realistic about the direction the Olympic disciplines are moving in? Not trying to be snarky; genuinely interested in some opinions.
