Eitan Beth-Halachmy and his Morgan stallion, Santa Fe Renegade, performing the Spanish walk. Photo by Lesley Deutsch/Blue Fountain Farm Photography

Born November 24, 1940, Beth-Halachmy grew up in a small town south of Tel Aviv, Israel, and dreamed of becoming a cowboy.

“The only thing we knew about cowboys was from movies—John Wayne, Glenn Ford and all those guys we saw on the screen,” says Beth-Halachmy. “I wanted to be like them. We didn’t know there were people in Montana and Wyoming freezing outside watching their cattle. I looked at the cowboy as freedom, doing the things you wanted to do.”

Early Days for the Future Founder of Cowboy Dressage

Beth-Halachmy first sat on a horse at 5 after his mother’s funeral, when a mounted sheriff set him astride an Arabian. Growing up, he took herds of 500 sheep into the mountains outside Jerusalem for a month at a time, whiling away the hours as a shepherd carving wood.

He then served in the military and later cleaned stalls at the Spanish Riding School in Vienna while attending veterinary school. Becoming a veterinarian was his father’s dream, but Beth-Halachmy’s childhood call of the cowboy brought him to America, where his passion for horses unleashed the talent that’s made him an influential leader—and the founder of cowboy dressage.

Unknown when he arrived in Oklahoma City in 1993, Beth-Halachmy soon gained recognition.

“It was the first or second time I showed up in the Morgan community,” he recalls. “I rode Holiday Compadre in a western pleasure class. Long story, short, I won that class.”

He topped off the win—Morgan World Champion Western Horse—with a most unusual victory pass.

“I did some tempi [every stride or every other stride lead] changes, a little piaffe, and extended the jog,” he continues. “Compadre knew all that. He was really not a western pleasure horse, but there was no place for me to show that off.”

While driving home to Grass Valley, Calif., Beth-Halachmy got word of an invitation to perform at the American Royal Concert of Champions in Kansas City, a black tie event with a live symphony. Not keen for another long road trip, Beth-Halachmy passed.

“So what did my dear wife do?” he laughs. “She called them back and said I’d love to.”

The First Performance by the Founder of Cowboy Dressage

It came together in Kansas City. At a meeting for all the performers before the Concert of Champions, the organizer asked for details on Beth-Halachmy’s act.

“I said, ‘I have no idea, there’s probably something I can do to make it happen.’”

Music? Another question mark.

“Whatever they play is good enough for me,” he remembers saying.

The symphony conductor chose “The Nutcracker.” Beth-Halachmy was just pleased to have music.

“I didn’t even know what The Nutcracker was,” he admits.

Asked the name of his act, Beth-Halachmy answered the stunned organizer.

“No name,” he recalls. “Just me and my horse. Then he looked at me and asked, ‘What do you think about Cowboy Dressage?’ I said, ‘Sounds good to me.’ That’s how cowboy dressage came to life.”

In a scene straight from Hollywood, Beth-Halachmy landed the finale spot with Holiday Compadre. It was in that moment that he became the founder of cowboy dressage by introducing the world to a new sport.

“I remember standing behind this huge black curtain blocking the entry to the coliseum,” he says. “The only thing I could hear is the music playing inside and my horse chewing on the bit; I have no idea what I’m doing. I’m waiting for the music. It’s like going dancing. You don’t know what they’re going to play. Whatever they play, you dance.”

And what a dance it was.

“The minute the curtain opened, they hit me with the spotlight,” he remembers. “My horse and I were blinded. Couldn’t see a damn thing. I’m trying to get him going, and he refuses to go in. The music was playing. Everybody started clapping, screaming and yelling.”

After two minutes, he rode Compadre into the arena.

“I had three minutes left to play to the crowd,” he continues. “When I was done, I got a standing ovation. I couldn’t believe it! My first-ever performance before the public. From there on, it’s a sweet story.”

An Artist at Heart

His story is entwined with his wife, Debbie.

“She was there from the beginning,” says Beth-Halachmy. “She is the core of the whole thing. I’m really a shy person internally. When I started teaching and became an educator, I discovered some talent hiding inside me. Deb was the one who woke it up.”

Incredibly, things could have been different.

“There was a time I really wanted to get out of horses,” he recalls. “All my friends were horse people. I got to the point where I was overflowing with horses. I said, ‘I’ve got to start doing something else.’ I knew I was good with my hands and creative, but I never knew how to cross between a craftsman and artist. I think I learned it from being with horses.”

Eitan Beth-Halachmy credits his wife, Debbie, with helping shape the trajectory of his career. Shown: Eitan on Cheyenne Gold, a Saddlebred gelding, and Debbie on Indigo Go Gold, a Morgan gelding. Photo by Lesley Deutsch/Blue Fountain Farm Photography

The caliber of Beth-Halachmy’s art soon found him trading in craft shows for the likes of Neiman Marcus and Gump’s San Francisco.

“I was sculpting,” he says. “I did some bronze, some woodwork. I remember walking into Gump’s in San Francisco. I had cutting boards in the shape of animals. They loved it.”

So much, in fact, it would have required mass production to meet the order. That ended up sending him back into the horse world.

Education from the Founder of Cowboy Dressage

“In the beginning, cowboy dressage was never meant to be a competition,” says Beth-Halachmy. “Combining classical riding with the spirit of the cowboy was more a fantasy than anything real, but people got excited about it.”

More than 10,000 people are now Handshake Members, one of Debbie’s ideas.

“She woke up one morning and said, ‘I have an idea. We should offer a membership to people on a handshake, like in the old days. It was the code of the cowboy.’”

It’s also free.

“We promised to give them a place they can come and socialize with people like them, who love horses,” he says. “It’s all about being kind to the horse.”

He now manages 60-some Facebook pages.

“Most people I deal with really only want to love their horse, go trail ride, and come home in one piece,” he explains. “Horses can be a friend, but you have to pay attention, because they’re still horses. When they give everything they have to give, you’ve got to say, ‘Thank you,’ and not ask for more.”

Cowboy dressage is not about the ribbon or the money. It’s not about rider ego.

“It’s about the love of the horse,” says Beth-Halachmy. “I think it’s always going to be my way of looking at life. To do the things you love to do, because you love it.”

For more information on cowboy dressage or to become a member of Beth-Halachmy’s Educational Horsemanship Program, visit www.cowboydressageworld.com.

The post Better than Fiction: The Founder of Cowboy Dressage appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

There’s no mistaking the proud, “look at me” beauty of the American Saddlebred. Photo by Clix/Shawn Hamilton

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.”

Janet Thompson says King is a stouter, old-fashioned type of Saddlebred that fits the ranch lifestyle. Photo by Howard Schatzberg

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.

Ginny Norton and Kenzie compete in the ranch horse division on their local open circuit against other breeds. Kenzie is light on her feet and aces the trail course. Photo by Howard Schatzberg

“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!

The post American Saddlebreds Get Western appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

Gaucho Collection Pillows

Cowhide décor is a must-have piece for a western home. Shake things up with an oversized emerald green cowhide pillow. It makes a bold statement, adds texture, and gives a luxurious look. If green is too bold, Gaucho Collection has a variety of stunning colors and designs available. $65.70; www.etsy.com/shop/gauchocollection

Rene Gibson Steer Skulls

A steer skull is an iconic accessory for every western home. Rene Gibson’s intricate works are lifetime statement pieces. Each piece features a natural steer skull paired with interesting elements like beads, gemstones, rope or mosaics. Ask Rene about creating a custom piece for your space today. Prices vary; www.renegibson.com

American Glory Coco Convertible Bag

A replica of a burlap feed sack is printed on durable upholstery-grade linen, creating a bag that’s made to last. This spacious carryall features soft leather trim and a removable cross-body strap. Call it a tote, diaper bag, or overnight bag—it’s ready to do the job. $98.00; www.hottotrotapparel.com

Lone Star Western Décor Horseshoe Table Lamp

Lighting is the key to setting the mood in any room. Strong overhead lights are sometimes overpowering; a stylish lamp or set of sconces can be more subtle. The horseshoe table lamp is neutral and can blend seamlessly with many styles of décor. The linen shade lets out plenty of light, making it an excellent choice for a living room or bedroom. $119.95; www.lonestarwesterndecor.com

Saguaro Earrings

Sterling silver saguaro cactus earrings celebrate Arizona’s majestic saguaros. Peyote Bird Designs created these stunning statement earrings, sure to catch eyes and turn heads. $235.00; www.doubledranchwear.com

Stirrup Wall Shelves

Accent shelves are pretty and practical. Rod’s Western Palace offers these oversized natural wood stirrup shelves as a set. Hang them in a small space like a bathroom or hallway for an unexpected design element that pops. $99.95; www.rods.com

Sirocco Leather Hat

This leather and mesh hat by American Hat Makers will make you feel like a modern cowgirl. Durable leather blocks out harmful UV rays, while mesh allows for plenty of ventilation on a hot summer day. It’s a fashion-forward take on the traditional western hat; available in copper or chocolate. $119.00; www.caracolsilver.com

Old Gringo Amber Mules

Old Gringo puts a fun spin on traditional cowboy boots with these mules. The Amber mule is available in red, distressed blue jean, or crackled white leather. Each pair features detailed embroidery and studs. Pair them with jeans for a coffee date, then style them up with a dress for a night out. $349.00; www.oldgringoboots.com

This article on western style originally appeared in the July 2019 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

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