Fans of the breed often describe their horses’ people-oriented nature, which couples with their natural athleticism to make them an excellent choice for trail riding, ranch work, and sports like eventing and dressage, where the partnership between horse and rider is of the utmost importance.

Eventing with American Saddlebreds

Kris Wallace is the owner and trainer at Columbia Equestrian Center in Columbia, Mo., where she works with a variety of breeds and teaches several disciplines. She’s developed a love of the American Saddlebred and the sport of eventing, and Wallace has earned a reputation for success in training and competing Saddlebred event horses. Among the Saddlebreds she has competed are Absolute Lionheart (known as Dan) and Cat on a Mission (Cora).

“Both of them were previously saddle seat mounts,” says Wallace. “Dan did show hunt seat and jumping with his previous owner after she realized he wasn’t going to be her saddle seat mount, but neither of them had any eventing experience. Since we’ve had them, Cora has competed up to the Novice level [2’11”] and Dan up to Preliminary [3’7″].”

Both horses have big personalities and athleticism that have earned them fans in the competitive arena and in the barn.

“Dan loves to be the center of attention,” says Wallace. “He’s sweet, affectionate, and highly opinionated. Cross-country is his absolute favorite [eventing] phase. Cora is every bit of a red-headed mare. She acts big and bad, but secretly loves attention. When ridden, she is 100 percent business and loves to work.”

A Saddlebred for Any Role

During her junior exhibitor career, Wallace primarily rode and showed Arabians in hunter and jumper classes. She was introduced to the American Saddlebred when she attended William Woods University in Fulton, Mo., which boasts a multi-discipline equestrian program that includes many Saddlebreds. When she started her own training and lesson program after graduation, Saddlebreds were a natural fit.

“I feel that Saddlebreds have excellent qualities as sport horses,” she says. “They are extremely athletic, trainable, and love being challenged. They tend to be forward and brave, which helps them be successful in many different sport horse arenas. Most importantly, they all have a great amount of heart that keeps them trying in any situation.”

As a trainer who works with youth and amateurs, Wallace has an eye for matching riders with horses that will help them achieve their goals and have fun doing it. She finds that Saddlebreds are often a great fit.

“I think when a Saddlebred discovers a job they love, they’re so focused on pleasing that it’s not hard for them to take care of their rider,” says Wallace. “Saddlebreds all seem to be the barn favorites, as they give their riders confidence to push themselves out of their comfort zone knowing they are on a brave, intelligent horse.”

A Brief History

Originally known as the Kentucky Saddler and later the American Saddle Horse, the American Saddlebred traces its early development back to the 1700s, when colonists in North America selectively bred Thoroughbreds with a now-extinct gaited breed known as the Narragansett Pacer to produce a robust riding horse. Throughout the 1800s, breeders continued to refine the Kentucky Saddler through crosses with Thoroughbreds, Hackneys and Morgans, among others.

In the 19th century, Saddlers were valued as battlefield mounts for generals who prized their stamina and willingness to perform for their riders. Fortunately, the 1800s also saw the rise of horse shows in America, and during peacetime, the breed maintained its popularity in civilian life at these early exhibitions, particularly in Kentucky and Missouri.

The American Saddle Horse Breeders Association was founded as the official breed registry in 1891, and today is called the American Saddlebred Horse & Breeders Association (ASHBA). The Association has the distinction of being the first registry for a breed of horse developed in America, and continues to support and promote the beauty, athleticism, and versatility of the breed in all its modern uses.

Through its annual High Point Awards Program, ASHBA recognizes American Saddlebreds and half-Saddlebreds competing in all disciplines. The American Saddlebred Versatility Association (VERSA) is a charter club of ASHBA that was incorporated in 2013. VERSA’s mission is to promote the versatile character of the American Saddlebred Horse by highlighting opportunities to compete in many equestrian disciplines and to educate the public about Saddlebred versatility.

This article about the American Saddlebred appeared in the March 2023 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

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Style superstar Kressley is equally comfortable talking horses as he is judging the contestants on RuPaul’s Drag Race or offering fashion and life advice on one of his many other platforms. Kressley’s family has been involved in horses since he was a child, something he’s very thankful for.

First Horse

“Growing up, we had Shetland and Hackney Ponies, which are very fun,” says Kressley. “But when you’re a teenager, you’re like, ‘Uh no, I don’t want a pony, I need a horse.’”

When Kressley was a young child, his grandparents sold their pony farm to a Saddlebred horse trainer and Kressley started taking riding lessons. He fell in love with Saddlebreds and knew one would make a great introductory horse.

“First and foremost, I think American Saddlebreds are the most beautiful horses,” he says. “I’m a real beauty junkie, so I like to have a pretty house, pretty clothes, and pretty horses. Of course, I am biased, but I love their long necks, high-set tails, long legs, and big, beautiful expressive eyes. They are the supermodels of the show ring.

“A high-stepping, high-headed beautiful horse is very compelling,” Kressley continues. “And when you see them in the movies, like the musical Oklahoma, and there are high-stepping strutters pulling the surrey with the fringe on top—I sound like a 100-year-old woman quoting that—but we romanticize and glamorize horses that take that elegant step. I saw that in the movies and growing up and it’s something that I find appealing.”

After saving cash from multiple birthdays and Christmases, Kressley purchased his own horse at age 15. Although the American Saddlebred he bought came with the registered name Daddy’s Money, Kressley purchased it with his own $1,500—which was a fortune to him in 1985.

“I thought he was gorgeous,” he recounts. “But he probably wasn’t the fanciest show horse you could find. I’ve had Saddlebred horses ever since. He was a great first horse. My sister and I would bathe him and take him to shows. He would get loose on our lawn in Pennsylvania while we tried to load him on the trailer. We were the quintessential do-it-yourself horse people.”

Daddy’s Money also came trained, knowing how to take a bow and a bunch of other tricks, which Kressley told everyone that he taught the horse himself. Daddy’s Money’s barn name was Pops, and Kressley says that he continues to give his horses human-sounding barn names like Earl, Larry and Steve.

“People can overhear you on the phone when you say, ‘How’s Steve doing today? Did he get a nice hot bath?’ It’s very intriguing for people.”

Breed of Choice

Kressley says that the American Saddlebred’s personality and trainability, paired with some of the best horse trainers in the world, make this breed a good one for those with limited time to practice.

“You could ride as a little child—8 and under for equitation—on a Saddlebred,” he says. “You can show them in performance as an adult, and when you’re older, you can show them in pleasure and do something really relaxed and comfortable.”

He notes that while American Saddlebreds were historically bred to be glamorous show-ring horses, people are now realizing that they make beautiful western pleasure horses, stylish hunters and gorgeous dressage horses.

“Versatility is something we are really trying to promote in the breed,” Kressley adds. “They are so beautiful, extremely intelligent, and they can learn just about anything.”

Kressley served on the board of the American Saddlebred Museum for 15 years. He has joined up on different committees for the American Saddlebred Horse Association when needed.

“American Saddlebreds are facing challenges like all breeds because there is less space to ride, and people are less connected to horses than ever,” he explains. “But what we have going for us is that they are the very best breed in the world—they are the most trainable, the most beautiful, and have the best disposition. We must use some of these modern technologies like digital platforms to really get the word out, because once you see one, you want to have one.”

A Horse of a Different Color

While Kressley has only been around Saddlebreds his entire life, he is now branching out. He just added Earl, an American Standardbred, to his stable of horses.

“Now that I have different breeds occasionally, I’m like, ‘OK, they have different personalities,’” he says. “I thought all horses were super exquisite and expressive, but some are more laid-back. And that’s OK too.”

Saddlebreds, Hackneys, and roadster horses are usually shown at the same shows because they are trained in a similar way. Since Kressley usually only shows in breed competitions, exposure to other breeds has recently piqued his interest.

At these shows, Standardbreds are driven in roadster classes, where they are shown at three speeds of trot: the jog, road gait, and spectator-favorite full speed.

“The roadster division is really taking off—no pun intended—so I thought I would be part of the fun,” Kressley says of Earl. “My trainer had the former World Grand Champion roadster horse, and he went to the same place [in Ohio] he found that one and said, ‘I found this horse and you should buy him.’”

Kressley, who was eating at a Palm Beach hotel, asked to be excused as he watched a video of Earl, and bought him without seeing him in person. Later Kressley thought, “I hope he isn’t catfishing me and shows up with a llama.”

Earl—who was featured on the cover of the March 2023 issue of Horse Illustrated—is 4 years old. Kressley and his trainer took him to the World’s Championship in 2022, which is a little unheard of for a horse that has only been to two shows.

“He placed around fourth out of 23!” Kressley says proudly. “He did really well, and hopefully I’ll get to show him next season. Standardbreds are usually the best for roadster horses, which are like the show-ring version of a trotter racehorse. And we wear silks [like a jockey] and the silk hat, and it’s very fun. It’s fast and exciting. You’re living on the edge a little bit, because they are big and powerful.”

If a Standardbred doesn’t win in their career on the racetrack, they can become a great show horse. Recently, breeders of Standardbreds in the Midwest include families that are only breeding for show horses. These horses may be a little prettier than racing-bred Standardbreds.

“The benefit is that they are trained specially for that job, although rehoming them from the track is fantastic,” Kressley says.

Growing up Fabulous

“I guess I have a very large personality,” Kressley says gleefully. “My dad was a car dealer and salesperson, so I think I got a little bit of that showmanship from him. Even as a kid, if I won, I would take my hat off and ride one-handed. I saw a famous horseman doing that and I thought, I am going to be fabulous and do that.”

Growing up gay in what can be considered a very conservative farm town in Pennsylvania, Kressley says that junior high was not the greatest time for him. To combat the bullying, he developed a sense of humor and quick wit.

“If I could disarm people through laughter, then they couldn’t be making fun of me,” Kressley says. “I’ve heard that from a lot of funny people and comics, and that defense mechanism became a huge blessing. It has helped me get a fabulous career in television, so I say, ‘Bring it on, bullies! It didn’t work.’”

While junior high may not have been the best, Kressley says the horse business has always served as a second home.

“It was a place that I felt I could always be who I am,” he says. “Whether it be with horses at home, the farm, or horse show, that was my happy place and a place that I escaped to. There were a lot of queer role models. A lot of gay people are involved in the industry, so I felt safe, and it was a very positive experience.”

In the past few years, both the American Saddlebred Association and United States Equestrian Federation have had LGBTQ pride initiatives.

“It was really gratifying seeing my second family take that extra step of not just being tolerant, but celebrating our LGBTQ participants,” says Kressley.

He continually refers to the horse world using words like camaraderie and friendship.“When you have been doing this for 40 years, you can take it one step further and say family,” says Kressley. “My friends have kids who show with my niece. Everybody knows each other’s family, and it’s a very supportive environment.”

Lifelong Learner

“I love all different types of horsemanship,” he says. “Back in the day, if you were a sportsman, you played polo and you had to know hunters and how to ride saddle horses. So I like the idea of being able to do all of those things.”

When Kressley is in Los Angeles for work, he uses his days off to ride. Partnering up with top-level hunter/jumper trainer Archie Cox, Kressley recently started learning how to jump.

“Archie said, ‘I know you like a salty mare,’ so he put me on this little chestnut mare,” he says. “I didn’t know she was a Grand Prix horse and jumps over 6-foot things! I was like the Three Stooges getting on a horse and not knowing how to ride. I looked like a 1920s person going over jumps. I was way behind the saddle with my arms stretched out. I looked like a Currier and Ives engraving.”

Kressley’s niece does western riding, barrel racing, and rodeo. She has some Quarter Horses that Kressley says he wouldn’t mind learning some reining or cutting on.

“Just being around nice horses is always good,” he adds.

He’s also looking for a five-gaited Saddlebred to add to his string.

“They are true unicorns,” says Kressley. “They are very hard to find, and I think they are the most fun thing in the world because you get to go fast but you still are elegant, and you get to wear great clothes. So I am on the hunt for that!”

While many people grow out of their childhood hobbies, Kressley certainly has embraced his love of horses well into adulthood, even while his interests varied.

“I grew up with horses and ponies ever since I was born,” he says. “I didn’t know when you go to college and get your first job you have to sell the horse. I always had great parents who paid to keep the training going. I remember being in my 20s in New York City, working at Ralph Lauren, going to parties most nights, traveling the world, and being a social butterfly, but I still managed to go to all the horse shows and never missed a World Championship. It’s just part of my life—like breathing and going home for Christmas—and owning a horse.”

Follow Carson Kressley on Instagram @carsonkressley.

This article about Carson Kressley appeared in the March 2023 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

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A Bright Future for the American Saddlebred

The American Saddlebred was the first American breed of horse to be formally established with an official registry, with the founding of the National Saddle-Horse Breeders’ Association—now the American Saddlebred Horse Association (ASHA)—in 1891. These early American horses were bred for both beauty and utility, qualities that remain in the breed today.

Saddlebred owners have long been taking their horses outside of the confines of the breed-specific shows to compete in everything from combined driving and endurance riding to eventing and dressage. The western pleasure and hunter pleasure divisions have become so popular that they are now a fixture at most Saddlebred shows, including the World’s Championship Horse Show held annually at the Kentucky State Fair in Louisville, Ky. 

For 2021, the breed is preparing to add another new discipline to its official rule book: the ranch horse division. If approved by the United States Equestrian Federation, the ranch horse division for Saddlebreds will include ranch riding, ranch trail, ranch rail pleasure, and ranchmanship classes. 

American Saddlebreds Go West

Janet Thompson is an American Saddlebred owner and enthusiast in Missouri. She was introduced to Saddlebreds at a young age and started out riding saddle seat, but she soon branched out into other disciplines. She found that her Saddlebreds were able to do it all.

“One of the Saddlebreds that I showed eventually became my eventer, but first he was my working western horse,” says Thompson. “The place where I boarded him had cattle, and every summer they ran about 200 steers. Part of my board was to check fences and check the cattle, so he had to be able to ground tie, and I had to be able to rope off of him.”

Thompson is a member of the American Saddlebred Versatility Association, also known as VERSA, a charter club that promotes Saddlebreds in sport and working disciplines. VERSA has been instrumental in making the ranch horse division a reality.

“One of our board members, Carol Jones, has had a lot of success with Saddlebreds in the working western division,” says Thompson. “She raised the notion that VERSA might want to get the ranch division started for Saddlebreds, and that really fit a lot of what we were interested in. A lot of owners or potential owners and riders want to get back to a lower-key, lower-cost discipline. You don’t have to spend thousands of dollars on a saddle that drips with silver or show clothes that are sparkly. You can just concentrate on what you can create with your horse.”

The ranch horse division includes rail classes, patterns, and trail obstacles. These classes show off some of the characteristics that let American Saddlebreds get western. And that’s exactly what enthusiasts like Thompson love about their horses.

“Right now I’m showing my horse The Kansas City Chief,” she says. “His barn name is King. He really enjoys this division; the trail stuff is kind of his forte. To me, he looks like the division. He’s really pretty and flashy, but he’s a bigger, stouter, old-fashioned kind of Saddlebred, and I think he looks the part.”

While the division was not yet official for the 2020 show season, a few Saddlebred-oriented shows offered ranch classes, and debuted at the Un-Fair Horse Show in Iowa, named in honor of the many state fair cancellations in 2020. Thompson says the response was overwhelmingly positive from participants and spectators alike.

“Sure, it was a competition, but I’ve never seen so many smiles on people’s faces as when they competed in these classes,” says Thompson. “Everybody was happy! At both shows we had an amazing audience. Everyone came over and watched because it was so different.”

The Everything Horse

Ginny Norton got hooked on Saddlebreds from a young age. Like Thompson, she found that whatever equestrian sport she wanted to pursue, the American Saddlebred—her favorite breed—was up to the task. She’s competed in saddle seat, hunters, and western pleasure in the past, and now does working western with her Saddlebred mare, Walterway’s Latest News, known as Kenzie. 

“Kenzie is my heart horse for sure,” says Norton. “In the working western, we have a trail course and a rail portion, so you have to be good on the trail and a pretty mover on the rail. She is probably the coolest horse I’ve ever ridden through a trail course. She makes me look good. If you point her at an obstacle, she’ll get you over it and not touch it. She’s really light and elegant on her feet.”

Norton and Kenzie compete on their local open circuit against all breeds in the ranch horse division, and while Kenzie is often the only Saddlebred in the class, she is always up to the task.

“She does all the maneuvers,” says Norton. “She’ll stand and move off my leg. She’ll go through gates and come back really nicely. She’s reliable when it comes to a pattern.”

Forming a true partnership between horse and rider is one of the joys of the working western and ranch horse classes, and that’s something that both Saddlebreds and their owners enjoy.

“Saddlebreds’ willing attitude and athleticism are the keys that make them really neat working western horses,” says Norton. “I’ve found that they’re really willing to please. They’re just waiting for me to say, ‘this is the path.’ You can almost feel them being proud of themselves and really enjoying that pat on the neck when you say, ‘Yes, that is exactly what I wanted!’”

Norton adds that a horse that shows in the trail course has to be athletic and talented with their feet to complete the course. 

“Saddlebreds fit the bill for that,” she says. “Our Saddlebreds generally have a little more animation in their trot, and that’s one of my favorite things. When Kenzie is trotting over an obstacle or even loping, she has a little more knee action, and to me it looks really elegant and pretty as she picks her way through a trail course.”

Norton calls Kenzie her “everything horse.” 

“I’ve shown her in just about every discipline and she’s done it all willingly and very successfully,” she continues. “I think that whatever you find for your Saddlebred to do that’s fun for you, they’re a willing partner, and that’s pretty cool to me.”

This article about western American Saddlebreds appeared in the January/February 2021 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

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The American Saddlebred originated from Galloway and Hobbie horses imported from Britain during the early part of America’s history. These two breeds were crossed to create the Narragansett Pacer, which was crossed to the Thoroughbred in the 1700s to produce the elegant “American Horse,” used for both riding and driving.

Arabian and Morgan blood was later added to create the American Saddlebred.

The American Saddlebred is considered the ultimate show horse. Horses are exhibited in driving, English—most notably saddle seat—and western classes.

American Saddlebred Characteristics:

One of the American Saddlebred characteristics is that they are either three-gaited or five-gaited, which includes the standard gaits and the slow gait and rack. Both gaits are highly animated and elegant. The hooves hit the ground individually in both gaits, but the rack is much faster.

The American Saddlebred must posses an elegant appearance, with bright facial features, a long arching neck and a high-stepping movement. All colors are found, including pinto. Horses stand 15 to 17 hands.

For more information:

• American Saddlebred Horse Association, www.saddlebred.com

Further Reading:

• The American Saddlebred
• Three-Gaited and Five-Gaited Saddlebreds

This breed profile was originally published on December 15, 2006.

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