Tag Archives: Saddlebreds

Breeds, Community/Charity, Competitions, Events, Hunter/Equitation, USEF

Dr. John Stutts Prevails at 2011 USEF Saddle Seat Adult Amateur Medal Final

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Dr. John Stutts on CF Cool Night Out. Courtesy of Howard Schatzberg Photography.

Lexington, KY – As a 6-year-old, Dr. John Stutts peeked through the fence at a Louisville, KY, riding club to watch the horses warm up. That little boy fell in love with American Saddlebreds, and today, as a grown man, he turned a childhood Saddlebred dream into reality.

Stutts and a dozen other qualified riders displayed their competitive ability within the adult amateur equitation division, trotting and cantering Friday on the historic Red Mile Race Track in Lexington, KY. The 2011 USEF Saddle Seat Adult Amateur Medal Final was particularly exceptional because it was the 75th anniversary of the Lexington Junior League Charity Horse Show.

Stutts, a pediatric gastroenterologist from Louisville, KY, rode CF Cool Night Out to the title of Champion.  Reserve champion honors went to Joel Dorignac of New Orleans, LA. The bronze medal winner, Casey Morgan Tibolet of Charleston, WV, rounded out the top three.

“I am very excited,” Stutts said of his first-place win. “It sounds corny, but people talk about dreams coming true. A dream came true for me today.”

That early childhood aspiration began at Rock Creek Riding Club, where Stutts had a real seat to a show at age 7. The following year, he pleaded for riding lessons. They never came, but he did get a riding magazine, and continue to watch in amazement the Saddlebred show world.

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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.

Associations/Breeds, Awards, Breeds, Championships, Competitions, Contributors/Press, Events, USEF

ASHA High Point Awards Program to Replace ASHA Regional Championships

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Lexington, KY – The American Saddlebred Horse Association (ASHA) has announced that the ASHA Regional Championships have been discontinued, effective in 2011.

This change allows for more focus to be placed on the new ASHA High Point Awards program being implemented in the 2011 competition year. The ASHA High Point Awards program, an initiative of the Charter Club Council, recognizes Saddlebred and Half Saddlebred achievement, not only in the traditional show ring, but also in a wide range of open breed competition including dressage, combined driving, eventing, endurance/distance/competitive trail, hunter/jumper, and other disciplines.

In order for the ASHA High Point Awards program to be as comprehensive as possible, ASHA encourages management of all competitions where Saddlebreds and Half-Saddlebreds compete, to register their competitions with ASHA and be included on the ASHA Competition Calendar. The competition registration form can be found here. All ASHA members are urged to notify ASHA if a competition in their local area is missing from the ASHA Competition Calendar.

Full details of the ASHA High Point Awards program are posted on the ASHA website, www.asha.net.

For questions about the ASHA High Point Awards program, contact Brenda Newell, Senior Program Administrator, at 859.475.1461 or b.newell@asha.net, or Susan Harris, Registry Associate/Competitions, at 864.293.2741 or s.harris@asha.net.

Breeds, Community/Charity, Contributors/Press, Events

Saddlebreds of the Silver Screen, Cinema and History Exhibit to Open Soon

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Clark Gable and Carole Lombard with their American Saddlebred, Sonny.

AMERICAN SADDLEBRED MUSEUM SET TO OPEN NEW YEAR-LONG EXHIBIT
Celebrities: Saddlebreds and Personalities from the Silver Screen, Cinema and History

LEXINGTON, Ky (January 11, 2011) – Lights, Camera, Action!  The American Saddlebred Museum at the Kentucky Horse Park is readying its 2011 exhibit which will feature both Saddlebreds and Saddlebred owners that have played important roles in the movies, on television and throughout history.

Celebrities: Saddlebreds and Personalities from the Silver Screen, Cinema and History will open on Friday, Feb 18, 2011.  On view will be an eclectic grouping of photographs and memorabilia featuring celebrity horses including My Friend Flicka, National Velvet and Fury (all registered Saddlebreds) along with human stars who rode Saddlebreds such as Clark Gable, Will Rogers and William Shatner. Visitors will learn that not only did Generals Grant and Sherman have Saddlebreds but so did politicians from Franklin Roosevelt to Harry Truman.

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