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The American Saddlebred. The American Saddlebred. History. History. The breed dates back to the 1600’s and is a mixture of English Thoroughbred, Morgan, Narraganset and Canadian Pacers It played an important role in the development of the country; also a favored mount in the Civil War
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The American Saddlebred The American Saddlebred
History • The breed dates back to the 1600’s and isa mixture of English Thoroughbred, Morgan, Narraganset and Canadian Pacers • It played an important role in the development of the country; also a favored mount in the Civil War • In 1891, General Castleman and others founded the Saddlebred registry in Louisville, Ky. (the American Saddle Horse Breeders Association) • From 1891 to present, the registry has kept strict records, and it is the oldest breed registry in the United States
The American Saddlebred and Kentucky • Kentucky is prominently featured in the history and future of the American Saddlebred • The American Saddlebred Association has benefited from it’s Kentucky roots and location: • with the wonderful Kentucky Horse Park facility which has brought together breeds and disciplines at the Park and is home to the American Saddlebred Museum • with the exposure of the breed during the Kentucky State Fair, World Games and hopefully, the National Horse Show
The Kentucky Breeders Incentive Fund • To date, Kentucky has awarded more than $464,000 to Kentucky breeders, owners, and stallion owners whose stallions stand in Kentucky • Kentucky-bred American Saddlebreds competing in selected classes at Kentucky competitions receive added prize money from the fund
Today • 90 years after inception the original registry changed its name to the American Saddlebred Horse Association (ASHA) • Located at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, ASHA is a 501(c)(3) corporation • ASHA’s responsibility is for the education and promotion of the breed • The American Saddlebred Registry (ASR) is a 501(c)(5) corporation • ASR’s responsibility is for maintaining the registration of horses and ensuring the purity and integrity of the breed • ASR was the first breed registry to adopt the use of DNA testing
Breed Uses • The breed’s use has evolved from war horse to riding and light harness horse to show horse • The Saddlebred is the “peacock of the show ring” • Since 1902 the World’s Championship Horse Show has been the most important Saddlebred show of the season • Saddlebreds have historic importance to the National Horse Show • ASHA had 322 registered competitions for 2011, in 2010 there were 296, and in 2009 there were 260
KSF World’s Championship Horse Show • This year the World’s Championship Horse Show had 1,599 total horses compared to 1,563 in 2010 • The World’s Championship Horse Show draws entries from throughout the United States • The FREE webcast/VOD (produced in partnership with USEF) promotes the show and the breed • The show is webcast throughout the world • South Africa • Australia • New Zealand • Germany • Asia
KSF Webcast Statistics - 2011 • Viewership was up by 542% in year-to-year online video attendance • The webcast was played 58,766 times • The average viewing time was 58 minutes • 56,809 hours of video were delivered to viewers throughout the week • Live results, news, and photos were also available on the video player
American Saddlebred Statistics • Approximately 75,000 American Saddlebreds are registered in the United States today • Applications for registration are down significantly for most breeds • Both the American Quarter Horse and the Arabian breeds showed significant declines in registration • American Saddlebred registrations are up in 2011 over 2010 • Overall the American Saddlebred breed has suffered from the same decline as many other breeds • While other breed association memberships have suffered as much as a 20% decline according to AHC information, ASHA’s membership has held flat to slightly down
ASR and ASHA U.S. Statistics • Stallions reporting in 2010: 581 • Mares bred in 2010: 3,224 • ASHA membership: 7,244 • Stallions reporting in 2010: 118 • Mares bred in 2010: 1,535 • ASHAS membership: 878 ASR and ASHA Kentucky Statistics
Breed Incentives • To promote interest in the breed, the American Saddlebred Registry has sponsored a variety of programs that incentivize the Saddlebred owner…
ASR Futurities • Prize programs for young horses • Futurities award purses made up of entry fees paid to the program over a period of time by participants • In 2011, more than $192,000 was awarded in ASR Futurity classes
ASR Sweepstakes • The American Saddlebred Sweepstakes Program is designed to perpetuate the breeding, training and showing of the American Saddlebred horse and bring new people into the industry • In 2011, more than $170,000 was awarded in ASR Sweepstakes classes
ASR Grand National • Created to generate excitement in owning and showing the American Saddlebred by offering additional prize money for Grand National recorded horses • Grand National has awarded more than $2.9 million since its inception
Sport Horse Incentive Program • Designed to identify and reward owners of registered Saddlebreds and Half-Saddlebreds competing in Sport Horse Disciplines • Horses registered with ASR or HSRA competing in: dressage • driving • endurance/trail • eventing • show jumping/hunters • reining are eligible for $15,000 in prize money
Sport Horse Year End Awards • Designed to acknowledge, reward, and promote the versatility of the American Saddlebred • Open to purebred and Half-Saddlebreds • Disciplines include: • Dressage • driving • hunter/jumper •eventing • distance riding
Saddlebred Select • Honors and acknowledges the achievements of registered American Saddlebred horses • Points are earned at competitions approved by USEF • Horses enrolled in the program earn points toward three levels of achievement: bronze, silver, and gold
ASR Pleasure Horse Awards • Designed to recognize outstanding American Saddlebred pleasure horses • Awards are given annually on a national state basis by ASR to pleasure horse champions • Winners are awarded custom-made coolers, are recognized in the American Saddlebred magazine, and are recognized at the ASHA Convention/Annual Meeting held each February
ASR Saddlebred Record/Equitation Program • Points are award at USEF recognized shows • Upon earning enough points, the prefix “CH” or “CH-EQ” is acquired • Designed to provide a reference source of current and accurate information concerning: • The breeding records of Saddlebred stallions and mares • To identify successful breeding combinations • To identify and honor the outstanding performers of the show ring • To keep the history of the breed
Breed Publicity • The Association takes its responsibility of promotion very seriously. • In addition to the webcast at KSF, it also webcasts select sales to promote interest in the purchase of Saddlebreds.
Tattersalls Fall Sale • Fall 2011 Sale: • 6,118 plays • 7,272 hours delivered • 1 hour, 11 minutes watched ON AVERAGE per view • 2,348 unique individual plays of the video • 3,024 unique people visited the page • Top 5 countries: US, Canada, UK, Kenya Germany • Fall 2010 Sale: • 1,846 unique viewers • 6,056 hours delivered • 1 hour, 2 minutes watched on average per view • Top countries: US, Canada, UK, Germany • Top cities: Atlanta, Chicago, Cincinnati, Louisville, Charlotte, Charleston, Nashville, Minneapolis, New York
Other Promotional Endeavors • Breed magazine published four times per year • Annual breeders’ reference directory • Equestrian Life free lesson promotion • Blaze Magazine Saddlebred feature