Saddlebred - Information, Art, Gifts, American Saddlebred History

   
Saddlebred bronze sculpture at Kentucky Horse Park.
 
Saddlebred section logo. The "American Horse" sought then and now by many countries.
 
Photos of Gifts, Art and American Saddlebred  information and history stories, below.

The American Saddlebred developed from two main strains of founding sires, although these lines are now totally intermingled. An imported Thoroughbred stallion Hedgeford, was brought to Fayette County, Kentucky in 1832 and his son Denmark is the designated foundation sire of all Saddlebreds. The second important line came from Harrison Chief, a descendant of the Thoroughbred stallion Messenger. Toss in the American Morgans, the then popular type of riding horses from Rhode Island, and a lot of devoted and knowledgeable breeders and the Saddlebred type, and the official  American Saddlebred breed was realized.

Through the centuries since the saddlebred breed's origins, the American Saddlebred has inspired many artists. With a distinctive high head carriage, extreme leg action and long neck, coupled with the fact that the American Saddlebred breed has two acquired gaits (now innate potentials) in addition to the three natural gaits all horses have, plus the combination of utter elegance with the ability to do, and it is no wonder artists have found the American Saddlebred a subject of enduring interest.

This site offers a wide range of pages about the American Saddlebred. Use the blue panel to your left to click and view many museum quality bronzes, portraits and otherwise, from the world grand champion American Saddlebred to family pals. Click on the resin gallery for many samples of the conformation, elegance and great character of the American Saddlebred.


Also use the menu to view porcelain, miniatures; many jewelry designs of Saddlebreds and an uncommon range of American Saddlebred Horse gifts and decor items depicting this breed specifically.

There are also two sections dealing with Life size bronze sculptures of American Saddlebreds and these site sections offer many photos and explanations to share and explain the various stages in the creation of such a monumental work. One such sculpture was commissioned to be placed outside the front door of the Saddlebred Museum and another ASB by the front doors of The International Museum of the Horse, the all-breed museum at the Kentucky Horse Park.

American Saddlebred - Art, Sculpture and Gifts


Along with sculpture, art work, jewelry and gifts there is also a large site section of historical interest below with photos and word portraits of many famous individuals throughout the years.


Saddlebred immediately after a horse show class.
Saddlebred Bronze

"After the Class"
Saddlebred Fine Harness Horse
Fine Harness Horse

A time honored discipline
within the Saddlebred show ring world, this winner
sports a tri-color.
American Saddlebred 3 Gaited bronze
3 Gaited Saddlebred

Bronze of  Walk-Trot  elegance with typical alert expression, and utter refinement.

Saddlebred World Champion 5-Gaited scultpure
American Saddlebred Art

The Five -Gaited ASB and the gait this breed is famous for - with only one hoof on the ground.
.
Portrait of Saddlebred WGC The Phoenix
Life Size Bronze Horse - Ky. Horse Park International Museum

Follow the text and photos in this section to understand the steps needed in the creation of such art large scale art works.
Monument in front of Saddlebred Museum
Life Size Horse Sculpture - Saddlebred Museum

A life size portrait in bronze was created of the world famous stallion Supreme Sultan and placed before the front doors of the Museum. Sultan was later buried under the bronze.
American Saddlebred stallion Supreme Sultan's resin head study.
Supreme Sultan Resin

 A 1/5 scale portrait bust  of Sultan in resin.

See article below for life time photos and information about
this stallion.
Saddlebred pendant in 14K Gold.
Saddlebred Jewelry

Many designs featuring the Saddle Horse -- charms, rings, necklaces, earrings, and pendants, etc.
Saddlebred Victory Pass miniature set.
Show Ring Miniatures Set

The traditional Victory Pass with rider, roses and the groom with the trophy.

Saddlebred Rescue Horse Demonstration
Saddlebred  Rescue

Learn about this rescue
organization, where  Saddlebreds slated for slaughter can be returned to a purposeful life.
American Saddlebred pewter design on jewelry box gifts.
Visit the Gifts Section!

Many gift and trophy items with American Saddlebred pewter designs signed by the artist.

Read stories of famous American Saddlebred Horses Below -

From the beginnings of the breed to modern day, including world grand champions and family bloodlines.

 


There have been many famous and outstanding individuals in the foundations and history of the American Saddlebred breed. It would be a huge task to outline the entire history, but many stars are addressed, including a couple of the very most famous of American Saddlebred stallions. Check back as more will be added as time permits.

The Saddlebred Horse as a "type" , has been clearly recognized and bred for specific characteristics since the days when America was fighting for Independence as a country. This horse had already helped build the budding American settlements and after the country was independent, continued to assist in the growth and exploration of the country from east to west, from south to north.

Saddlebred horses existed no place else in the world, but were developed in America being selectively bred and formed right along with the country, and suited to the county's many needs. It is no wonder the breed was then named the American Saddlebred. A study of records tells us that while always easy and good riding, or driving horses, it was discovered that no job humans might need horses to do was too tough. With willingness, ability and spirit Saddlebred horses accomplished any task, usually very well, and to top it off they added style and elegance, carrying American pride with every step.

As the country was settled, shows became common and the Saddlebred topped the charts dominating the American show world, a position that is maintained to this day. Only recently have Saddlebreds begun to reclaim recognition of their extreme athletic ability in other sport horse arenas and other disciplines. Yet the Saddlebred always remains a pleasure to ride and partner - they were and are bred this way.

Saddlebred Information and Stories of Famous Saddlebreds

Photo of bay horse color for genetics article.

Equine Color Genetics
 by Lynn Weber
Coat color variables in horses and genetics.

Photo of American Saddlebred Supreme Sultan as a young stallion.

Supreme Sultan - Historical Article about the Famous Stallion ( Based on a Ross Millin written article, with words and rare art work added by sculptor, Patricia Crane.)  Thank you Ross !

Photo of the great Saddlebred Rex Peavine

Rex Peavine Never For Sale -   He shaped the history of Today's show horses.

Photo of Montrose, old time beautiful Saddlebred stallion.

Montrose  - Beauty and Style from the annuals of Saddlebred bloodline history.


Photo of George F. Morris painting of the Saddlebred stallion Rex McDonald.

Rex McDonald  Who Scared the Competition -  A shiny black stallion who won as many hearts as ribbons.

 Photo of Painting of the Saddlebred Bourbon King by GF Morris.

Bourbon King Saddlebred Legend - The great progenitor of the  "Chief" Family history.

Old newspaper photo of the first ever Saddlebred WG Champion.

Easter Cloud the First World Champion -  First to win the tile and begin the history of magic in Kentucky. Photo of a Saddlebred workout on the rail.

Saddlebreds: Judging -  written by trainer Kevin Eltringham


Logo of Saddle and Bridle Magazine.

Visit Equine Articles  to read articles from SADDLE & BRIDLE MAGAZINE, the oldest name in Saddlehorse Magazines. Saddlebred history, famous horses, training and equine health. A wealth of copyrighted articles first published in Saddle and Bridle magazine are reprinted here with their permission for your enjoyment.
Photo of Saddlebred stallion Perfect Timing standing in South Africa Visit Famous Saddlebred Horses   for ASB bloodline stories by Ross Millin.  Dr. Miillin writes from an in depth knowledge and research of Bloodline history as well as from an ongoing love of  Saddle Horses of today. His articles are copyrighted and re-published here with his permission. Visit Newline Stud to read the originals and for information about current day breeding stallion "Perfect Timing".

You will enjoy the Saddle and Bridle articles written by people in the industry. The words of trainers are always welcome, like the Wisdom of Smith Lilly or Arthur Simmons Legendary Horseman. American Saddlebred history has a rich tradition, shared in the articles Last Call for Belle Beach and The Ringo and Tom Bass. Then there are stories of famous equine individuals such as Wing Commander or Valley View Supreme or Anglo Rex Peavine.
 

We hope you enjoyed our site section on American Saddlebred horses. Come back for more reading…

To commission a sculpture of your horse, 1/5 scale to life size, contact patricia@artbycrane.com

You are also invited to visit HorseShowCentral. com to locate Saddlebred shows, farms and stallions, and to create your own FREE ad!

 
© All Photos and Sculpture Copyright 2000-2009 Patricia Crane.