I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. Revelation 19:11

I just adore saddlebreds! I have loved horses since I can remember, but saddlebreds are the 'creme-de-la-creme' of the horse world. I have been taking academy classes in saddleseat equitation for almost a year. I train with Dora Huie at Windcrest Stables, in Taylorsville, NC. On Tuesday afternoon my friend, Olivia, and I take lessons together. I usually ride a saddlebred named Margaret. She is a bay who stands 17 hands high. But the classes are more than riding. We learn to groom and tack our horses, as well as how to show them. Both Olivia and I are homeschooled. Occasionally, on a special day, we get to spend the WHOLE DAY at the barn with Dora. We work cleaning stalls, feeding and watering, and grooming the horses. After we work some Dora lets us goof off. We ride bareback for fun. Believe it or not, posting bareback (on one of the school ponies, like Buddy) helps sharpen our skills. We learn to rely on our balance rather than the horse's movement. When you get your saddle and stirrups back, posting is a breeze! I have been in two academy class shows. I rode a saddlebred named Victoria in the first show and Margaret in the second. I have placed first in two classes, 2nd in one and 4th. Dora said that Margaret and I were perfect in the first ride of the second show. To hear that thrilled me! I start this week at a therapeutic riding center as a volunteer. I will be leading handicapped children who will be riding. I will actually sit with some of them. I hope to share my love of horses with them. I also hope that seeing and riding a horse will brighten their day! I think about horses all the time. I read about them. I have been reading about them long before I started riding lessons. I dream of having one to call my own. I like to I think of cool horse names that I would name my horse. You can read my favs below. Email me with your favorite horse name and I'll post it!

What is an American Saddlebred horse? What defines a 'saddlebred' horse? Is it his color? look? Go here to check saddlebred conformation. Notice, when you see them in pictures, how large their heads are compared to those of an Arabian horse. You still see the graceful curved neck but a prominent 'fitting' head. It gives a look of power and strength, yet grace. It goes with the whole image of the breed! Their feet prance high, with heads erect, mane and tails flowing to their smooth effortless strides. It is sheer poetry in motion. In my lessons, Margaret parks out at the end of a workout. She always thinks she is in a show! There is pride in her movements and in her stance. No other breed exhibits this air of drama and poise. (And she can run like the wind. I have never seen a more beautiful site.) My mom said she wishes she could go days without washing her hair and have it looks as good as Margaret's mane. Dora reminded her of Margaret's daily care and grooming. But her mane is blue-black and has a lovely wave of curl -- just enough to add to her feminine look. Yea, she's pretty and she knows it! An award this page won (my first :o)

Horse Places AMERICAN SADDLEBRED HORSE ASSOCIATION- All about the history and characteristics of the breed (that's also where these pics came from!) HORSENET- BEaUtiful! Tons of horse links from here. HAYNET - More HORSES! HORSE ART- FREE! Horse Clip Art

My Favorite Horse Names
(i'm still working on this...)
First I will give the horses show name, then the barn or "nick" name.
And some of these are real horses I know.

SHOW NAME	BARN NAME
Titleist's Classy Dame	Margaret
Vini Vidi Vici (We came, we saw, we conquered)	Vini
Bold Irish Spirit	Sly
Promising Blue	PeeBee
Titleholder (former Grand National Champion)	Major
Cherokee's American Dream	Dude
Breezin's Backdraft	Cosmo
Blackberry Surprise	Stretch (he's 17.2 hh!)
Victoria's Promise	"Precious" (ha!ha!ha!)
Mr. Snuffleupagus (I thought I made this one up!)	Snuffy

Favorite Horse Names People Sent Me
(send me yours!)

NAME	COMMENT
Bay Lady	I still haven't owned that bay mare!
Renaissance Evergreen Melody	My lovely bay and white pinto Saddlebred mare.
Holly Akala Banner	Holly akala means "rising of the sun" in the Hawaiian islands. He was named that because of his golden glow.
Renaissance Poet	A gelding we got from our wonderful mare Fanny.
Renaissance Lyric	Another pinto Saddlebred filly--chestnut and white this time.
CH S.S. Tampico	I used to show both equitation & pleasure classes and this was my very special pleasure horse. I don't know where he is now, but could you post his name somewhere for me because he is and always will be my favorite. Thanks, A. Bender, Ohio

A Poem About a Horse...

O horse, you are a wonderful thing; No buttons to push, no horn to honk; You start yourself, no clutch to slip; No spark to miss, no gears to strip; No license buying every year, With plates to screw on front and rear; No gas bills climbing up each day, Stealing the joy of life away; No speed cops chugging in your rear, Yelling summons in your ear. Your innertubes are all O.K. And thank the Lord, they stay that way; Your spark plugs never miss and fuss; Your motor never makes us cuss. Your frame is good for many a mile; Your body never changes style. Your wants are few and easy met; You've something on the auto yet. Author unknown

Email me at asbprincess@hotmail.com.

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