Tag Archives: Don Harris

Breeds, Contributors/Press, Events, USEF

American Saddlebred Museum Extends Open Invitation to Don Harris’s 80th Birthday Celebration

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Don Harris and CHImperator. Photo by Jamie Donaldson.

March 01 2011 – Lexington, KY – Friends and family of American Saddlebred icon Don Harris are having a party in honor of his turning 80, and you are invited.

The party will be held on March 12, 2011, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the American Saddlebred Museum’s Showplace for Saddlebreds. There is no cost to attend, but reservations are required. Don has requested no gifts, but instead asks that his friends make a donation to the American Saddlebred Museum, his favorite charity.

As many of you know, Don and CHImperator share the same birthday, so the party will be a double celebration. This evening with Don will include film footage, reminiscing, stories, and an opportunity to acquire Don’s autograph on some special items. Enjoy an Open Bar, Hors d’oeuvres and Birthday Cake!

Plan now to attend. If you’ve never met Don and always wanted to, this is your opportunity to do so! Come and let Don know how much you’ve admired him or how much he has influenced your life. Your attendance will help make this birthday a special one for Don.

Reservations are required by Friday, March 4, 2011. Make your reservations now on the Museum’s home page at www.asbmuseum.org, or by phone at (859) 259-2746. ext. 305.

*Featured/Spotlights, Awards, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Events, USEF, Western/Reining, World Equestrian Games

McCutcheon Scores 2010 USEF Equestrian of the Year Title; Harris Honored for a Lifetime of Excellence

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Tom McCutcheon, Don Harris and Kelsey Kimbler. Photo: Geoff Oliver Bugbee/USEF

Lexington, KY – In a year that equestrian sport was forever changed in the United States, an all-American horseman was honored for his golden achievement. For the second consecutive year, the voters for USEF Horse and Equestrian of the Year have crowned a horse and his rider as champions in both categories.

Tom McCutcheon, the only American double Gold medalist at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games had barely finished celebrating the achievements of Gunners Special Nite as 2010 Farnam/Platform USEF Horse of the Year on Friday evening at the USEF Annual Meeting, when he would find himself on stage again, this time picking up an honor all his own.

McCutcheon wrote his place in history, becoming the first reiner to be crowned USEF Equestrian of the Year.

Continue reading McCutcheon Scores 2010 USEF Equestrian of the Year Title; Harris Honored for a Lifetime of Excellence →

Awards, Breeds, Community/Charity, Contributors/Press, Events, USEF

Saddlebred Showman Don Harris Honored with 2010 USEF Lifetime Achievement Award

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Don Harris and CH Imperator. Photo by Sargent/ASHA Archive.

Lexington, KY – In the American Saddlebred world, few names rise to a level of royalty in quite the way that the name of Don Harris has. During more than five decades of training and competition, his fan following has exponentially increased. Those who know him attribute it to three things: impeccable training, consummate showmanship and perhaps most importantly and most simply, sincere kindness. Now, after this lifetime as an ambassador for one of America’s few original breeds, the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) is pleased to announce that Harris, of Cox’s Creek, KY, has been selected to receive the organization’s highest honor – the USEF Lifetime Achievement Award and the Jimmy A. Williams Trophy.

Through the years, Harris has had a hand in the development of some of the most prominent American Saddlebreds ever known: CH Imperator, CH Giddy-Up-Go, CH Protege, CH Sultan’s Starina and CH Finisterre’s Gift of Love. Among his wins are repeat Five-Gaited World’s Grand Championships, the Three-Gaited World’s Grand Championship and numerous reserves. In addition to making a name for himself in American Saddlebred circles throughout the United States, Harris garnered international attention by sharing news of the breed abroad, helping to influence sales to enthusiasts in Germany, South Africa and Haiti.

Continue reading Saddlebred Showman Don Harris Honored with 2010 USEF Lifetime Achievement Award →