Retired Saddlebred show horse finds second wind....hunting!

[asb_own_me]

My 13 y/o mare, sometimes a little off in the head and a little light in front, seems to have found her second wind in foxhunting! I had her out both days this weekend, after she did so well at a hunter pace last weekend, and she was fantastic. Excited, yes, but not out of control, not bothering horse nor hound, and really, really enjoying herself. Yesterday we did gate group to just see what she thought of things, and today we jumped everything in front of us, including all the cross country jumps in the field that we took back to the trailers, and she had a BLAST! So did I. Most fun we've ever had. Maybe I've found what floats her boat after 9 years together :D

When I joined earlier this year I never once thought about taking her out hunting. She jumps, well, and I trust her, but I wasn't sure she'd be sound and I wasn't sure what she'd think of the group, the hounds, etc. I'm so glad I did.....and it looks like I've found my hunt horse in my own barn.

[mortebella]

LOVE it!!! :D I'm the proud owner of my first Quarter horse, and I think there's nothing like him, but ASBs RULE!!! There is so much more to them than the show ring. Good on ya both!

[x-rab]

I rode an ASB out in the field and he could trot faster than most horses could canter and it was like riding silk. If fact he preferred to trot most of the time. I was out on him one day and my husband was allowing his horse to basically hang his head on my horses rear end. Upset my boy, so once when we were galloping a line, he planted both back feet into the other horse's chest. Again smooth as glass and backed my husband's horse up big time.

[Painted Wings]

Our field was led today by an ASB. This horse also events. Don't know if he had a show career before that.

[Waterwitch]

Hermione (aka the real Waterwitch) and I took the gates with asb_own_me and her girl on Saturday, so I can attest to her awesome gallop and stunning extended trot :yes:

Yay Classy!

[Frecklefacedfrannie]

So, Inquiring minds want to know. With what saddle do you hunt your gaited horse? I have a TWH/Morgan - seems to rack. He is only 4 so we are in a Wintec pending final growth. But then I want a "real" saddle for him.
Fran

[asb_own_me]

She's not a "gaited" horse. Saddlebreds can be taught to slow gait and rack, two man-made gaits, but actually a Saddlebred the naturally ambles is undesirable. Anyhow, Classy was never gaited. She's just like any other horse you might see out in the field, W/T/C. I ride her in my Pessoa A/O :)

We were out again Tuesday afternoon and she was jumping and galloping first flight with our small weekday crew. Had a blast again!

[SmartAlex]

I'm jealous! Grey and I want to hunt too...
We're learning to gallop and jump and so far it's great fun!

My ASB isn't gaited either. In fact, he totally flunked that course. I'll bet if I scanned in the picture I have on my desk, no one would guess he had any ASB in him. He looks like a TB cross. In fact, when I brought him home from the sale as a 2 yr old, my sister teased me.... "did you say you bought him at Tattersalls or Keeneland?" ;)

[TB or not TB?]

We demand pictures!

[asb_own_me]

Waterwitch took a few of us on Saturday, but I don't have any of us in the field yet. I'll try to remember to take my camera if we get out on Sunday, and have someone snap us over a coop!

Hey Liz - could you post the link?

[Waterwitch]

Absolutely!

Here's a link:

http://picasaweb.google.com/flyingharp/Whitebreast110108#5264207215793711378

There are a few more of Classy if you look through the rest of the "Whitebreast" gallery.

Hey asb...I'm planning to make the drive to Grand River on Sunday, so hopefully I'll see you there!

[smurphy0806]

So I'm in the process of creating a website to promote ASB's. I would like to have a page "OH yes they can!" And then have pictures of ASB's doing EVERYTHING. I would LOVE pictures of ASB's hunting!!! Can you send me pictures?

Stephanie.j.murphy@gmail.com

[Fancy That]

that's awesome!!!!!

I have a soft spot for the "unconventional breeds", as I am a Morgan person :)

Your mare sounds like she really took to it, naturally! I'd love to actually go hunting with my Morgan someday....but so far, she is a rock star at Hunter Paces, Team Chases and the low level eventing and h/j stuff :)

Go ASB's!

[Painted Wings]

It was a little hot. They waived coats.

http://www.pbase.com/lesliegra/image/105592594

http://www.pbase.com/lesliegra/image/105592597

These are from our opening meet last year.

http://www.pbase.com/stl_don/image/88567964

Leading the field

http://www.pbase.com/stl_don/image/88568029

http://www.pbase.com/stl_don/image/88568080

http://www.pbase.com/stl_don/image/88568102

[asb_own_me]

So I'm in the process of creating a website to promote ASB's. I would like to have a page "OH yes they can!" And then have pictures of ASB's doing EVERYTHING. I would LOVE pictures of ASB's hunting!!! Can you send me pictures?

Stephanie.j.murphy@gmail.com

I will send you some as soon as I'm able to get a few shots of us jumping.

[x-rab]

You can't miss that lovely head and neck on an ASB. They look so graceful.

[lalahartma1]

It was a little hot. They waived coats.

http://www.pbase.com/lesliegra/image/105592594

http://www.pbase.com/lesliegra/image/105592597

These are from our opening meet last year.

http://www.pbase.com/stl_don/image/88567964

Leading the field

http://www.pbase.com/stl_don/image/88568029

http://www.pbase.com/stl_don/image/88568080

http://www.pbase.com/stl_don/image/88568102


You guys look gorgeous!!!!

[Griffyn]

She looks stunning. Of course Im partial to the breed. You both make an elegant pair, thank you for posting. Makes my heart go pitter pat.

[Painted Wings]

It's a good friend of mine but she and her horse are stunning.