February of this year found me in Wichita, Kansas promoting the American Saddlebred breed to over 14,000 onlookers over the course of Equifest. Tina English-Wendt of Blue Mountain Farm began our enthusiastic involvement. Horses from several farms exhibited the natural grace, beauty and versatility of the breed. The American Saddlebred Horse Association supplied us with a booth.

Tina brought Hi-Stonewall's Showoff -her retired Champion show horse, turned "Saddlebred Ambassador". "Muscles" as he is affectionately known, has done everything under the sun. He has worked cattle, mastered the show ring, given lessons, pulled a cart, and Tina got married to her husband Jerry while riding Muscles. {Recently Muscles was the star at Blue Mountain Farm's Spring 1999 Girl Scout Clinics. More than 450 girls over the two and a half-month period rode him, many as their first time on a horse.} At Equifest, Muscles was one of the mounts for the historical costume section, and showed off the slow gait and rack.

"Muscles"

History came alive with two wonderful gentlemen and their horses. Randy Garrett of Lee's Summit, Missouri, showed us all how a Confederate soldier and his mount fought in the American Civil War of the 1860's. Randy and "Hot Shot's" charge with war cry were chilling to experience. As you may know, Saddlebreds were a favored mount of the conflict, and Grant's decree that Lee's men could keep their horses as part of the surrender may have saved the integrity of the breed.

This is me looking over Randy's McClellan saddle, I just had to have a ride!

World War I veteran Colonel Eugene Brigham donned his original Calvary uniform and rode on his horse, "Sam". His look was made complete with his original sword that General Patton designed. The Colonel rode in a 1929 McClellan saddle, which he restored. Colonel Brigham's achievements with saddlebred are many. For example he has cleared a Puissance wall, {which is close to 7 feet tall} with one of his Calvary mounts. Now 89 years young, the Colonel continues to ride four days a week for an hour at a time. He is inspiration to many to continue enjoying horsemanship.

"The Colonel" with Randy in the background.

Young riders from Wichita Riding Academy demonstrated equitation patterns. Equitation is where the rider alone is judged on her ability to get the most out of her horse. To critique this, the judge at a horse show sees the rider both on the rail and working in patterns. Various patterns will tell if the horse truly responds to the rider or is merely a "push button horse".

The Three-Gaited division was represented with Worthy's Personal Touch, a five year-old chestnut mare. I had the chance to ride her in two performances, just as if I was in a Ladies' Three-Gaited class at a show. This division has traditionally shaved the mane off its horses. Roached manes became required to prevent five-gaited horses from showing in three-gaited classes.

Worthy's Personal Touch at a local show last year.

Pleasure horses were next on the scene. Lynn Cramer rode her big, grey horse The Personal Touch. Lynn would alternate between showing hunt seat and Country Pleasure {a saddle seat division} in the performances. With this, the audience saw how the same horse could be ridden different seats, and that each horse is versatile; not just the breed as a whole.

Lynn and Max

Blue Mountain Dixie Belle with Tina English-Wendt, displayed the Park Pleasure division. Park Pleasure horses trot above level, and have more "pizzazz" than other Pleasure divisions. Dixie will debut this summer as a gaited horse.

Jennifer Fischer and Maggie's Banner Time [aka Raymond] showed everyone how a trail horse would look. Trail horses must be working horses, and in the Working Western Pleasure class at a show, the horse must go through obstacles, such as tires, a gate, and go over poles. Due to the time allowed per breed in the exibition, we did not have the chance to set up any trail. Jennifer tells me she had a great time galloping around the ring.

Jennifer and Raymond

The 1999 Kansas Equifest was a pleasure to be at. Mini-seminars were daily occurrences at the main barn. Noted speakers discussed saddle fitting, a horse's body mechanics, equine law and various other topics. Pat Parelli was a great draw, and borrowed horses from other exhibitors to show off his techniques. I had a wonderful time at the event, and hope to represent the breed at next year's Equifest.

See the official Equifest website.