Finding A Horse To Match The Hat

Adventures in Saddle Seat

Enjoy the ride.

Note. I have not forgotten the world as it is. Taking a detour into dreamland for a moment.
~~~
 

 
Animated Trot is now selling hats in addition to magnets [The Magnetic Attraction of Saddlebreds]. Bought one as a gesture of support. Now I have to find a reason to wear a jumping ASB hat.
 

 
Better view of the artwork courtesy of the website, American Saddlebred SportHorse Baseball Cap – Jumping.

Designing The Fantasy Horse – Take 1
An affordable, easy-to-ride, five-star, event horse. I don’t think even a holodeck could handle that level of unreality.

Designing The Fantasy Horse – Take 2
A Saddlebred who can jump three feet.

With a horse who is comfortable at 3′, I could event at BN & Novice. I could show .65, .75, & .85. meter Jumpers [Measurements]. That would keep me busy for a while.

I could do dressage, because one has to practice. Hunters, ditto. I could finally get to the AEC, probably at BN. My understanding is that a championship event has several questions from the next higher level. Doing a Novice championship would require a horse who could school Training level. I should have such problems.

This is true of any breed. Let’s imagine fantasy horse was an ASB.

I could put on a show bridle and finally go suit. I’m not asking for Louisville-quality performance, or even fancy, out-of-state-show styling. I’d just like to go to the in-state shows, e.g. MSSP and Alabama Charity, and not embarrass myself.

While we were there, we could do the hunter flat classes. Why not, I’d have the tack and clothes. I probably wouldn’t do mainstream hunters with a Saddebred. Hunters are even more breed-bound than dressage [Get Off My Lawn, And Take Your Warmblood With You].

That would be fun. You know what would be even more fun? The ASB jumper class at the St. Louis horse show [Saddlebred Versatility]. Hence the three-foot requirement. Definitely a bucket list item for me.

This description is heavy on showing language. It is also shorthand for a horse willing to turn his hoof to whatever comes along: trail rides, obstacle clinics, tackless riding.

Unlike the push-button 5-star horse, this horse exists. I can totally picture a Saddlebred who would be game for a challenge. It would require lottery-level luck because such horses are rarely put up for sale. Would you let go of the leadrope if you had one? I wouldn’t.

Stay safe. Stay sane.
Katherine Walcott

Categories: Horse Shows, Horses, Hunt Seat, Saddle Seat