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The American Saddlebred horse can
trace its roots to the Galloway and Hobby horses of the British Isles.
These two breeds were naturally gaited and when crossed produced the
Narraganset Pacer a small saddle horse standing approximately 14.1hh
which was very popular throughout the USA in the lead up to the 17th
Century.
WC
Marc of Charm
As roads improved and harness
horses became more popular the need for a more refined and larger
animal became apparent. The small, compact Narraganset Pacer was
crossed with the sleek and beautiful Thoroughbred to produce a type
that was simply called the American horse.
Throughout the 17th Century this
kind of horse was crossed with different breeds including Arabians and
Morgans producing a type that would become known as the American
Saddlebred. Standing anything from 15.2hh - 17.2hh this athletic,
elegant horse was full of power and a real star performer in the show
ring. Under saddle, naturally gaited, they excelled in the Five Gaited
division, performing walk, trot and canter as well as a slow gait and a
rack. These two paces are a four beat gait with each foot hitting the
ground separately. The racking horse can reach tremendous speed whilst
the rider sits in total comfort on this ground covering pace - the slow
gait shows more control and animation but is still thrilling to watch.
The American Saddlebred today is
one of the most popular breeds and thrives in America, Canada, South
Africa and Europe as a Show horse or a Pleasure horse - a truly All
American breed!
Lionel Ferreira, Monnington's Head
Trainer was involved with Saddlebreds from a very early age. He went on
to work in America with George Knight, one of the top trainers in the
country, finally returning to South Africa to run his own training
facility. John and Angela Bulmer were lucky enough to lure him away
from his homeland to train at the Morgan Foundation Farm where he has
developed a great admiration for the Morgan breed, enjoying its
individual character and natural talent. However, he felt very strongly
that the Saddlebred could succeed at Monnington too.
Monnington has exported top
Saddlebred stock from South Africa, trained them in England and shown
them with great success in the USA. These include the Three Gaited
gelding SJ Like a Champ and the Five Gaited Stallion Don't Worry Be
Happy in 2002 , Trujo A Wish Come True in 2003, SJ Denmark's Geronimo
in 2004 .
In 2005 the farm really made an
impact on the USA show circuit with two World Championship awards. One
in Fine Harness for Gothic Revival and one in Open Five Gaited
with Carlswald Prince's Dominoe. Both horses were presented by
Monnington's Trainer Lionel Ferreira.
In 2009 Lionel took
the World Championship Three Year Old Five Gaited award with the young
stallion Marc of Charm.
Calif First Night Out and Lionel
Ferreira
Georgia
Bulmer and SJ The Smart Lady
SJ The Smart Lady and Georgia Bulmer
Calif First Night Out and Lionel Ferreira
SJ
Space Buccaneer and Lionel Ferreira
SJ The Smart Lady and
Georgia Bulmer
Calif First Night Out
and Lionel Ferreira
Lionel Ferreira and Carlswald Princes
Dominoe
The Smart Lady with Lionel Ferreira
Lionel Ferreira with World Champion Five Gaited Gelding 2005
Carlswald Princes Dominoe
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