FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, May 12, 2008
Contact, Jessica Fisher, Communications Manager

Renowned Equine sculptor and ASHA Member selected to portray Barbaro in bronze at Churchill Downs

Lexington, Kentucky- Renowned equine sculptor and ASHA member, Alexa King, was selected by Roy and Gretchen Jackson, the owners of 2006 Derby winner Barbaro, to portray the Derby winner in bronze. The statue will become the focal point of Barbaro's official memorial and burial site at Churchill Downs.

Kings design features Barbaro and jockey Edgar Prado in mid-flight between strides nearing the finish line in the 2006 Run for the Roses. The larger-than-life-sized statue will be attached to a horizontal bronze rail that will support the 1500-pound artwork, creating the impression that Barbaro and his rider are suspended in air. It is the first time that an equine statue of this size and scope has been presented in this manner, with all four of the horses feet off the ground.

In addition, King more recently finished the bronze portrait of Stonecrofts Worlds Champion Five-Gaited stallion, Im First. Likewise, she is also working on a portrait of Rob Byers and CHBoucheron which will be exhibited at the Saddlebred Museum. King has exhibited and sold Saddlebred pieces worldwide including a Saddlebred piece Saddlehorse in Training in a Sporting Art auction in Saratoga.

Kings history with Saddlebreds dates back to her first bright chestnut gelding with a flaxen mane and tail. He was a walk/trot horse that she showed on the Wisconsin circuit in the 1980s. She rode with Rick Wallens stable and loved the thrill of showing a high necked horse with so much character.

Kings American Saddlebreds, Shes A Princess, DontTellMeNo and Stonecroft Absolutely reside with her in Wisconsin. Her personal favorite, Shes A Princess, serves as her trail riding horse and never fails to provide an exciting ride in the ring. She connects with the Saddlebred for its immense beauty, talent and character. Shes A Princess has been an inspiration for many works she has done on Saddlebreds.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, May 12, 2008
Contact, Jessica Fisher, Communications Manager

Saddlebred competition incentives at Devon Horse Show 1,500 awarded for the most horses entered and shown

Lexington, Kentucky The 112th Devon Horse Show and Country Fair is Thursday, May 22 through Sunday, June 1 in Devon, Pennsylvania.

New this year is a UPHA Pink Ribbon class. Last fall, the United Professional Horsemens Association introduced the program to help horse shows engage communities, showcase the show horses and raise much needed funds for breast cancer research, awareness and treatment.

The designated class at Devon is the UPHA Pink Ribbon Ladies Five-Gaited class on Wednesday evening, May 28.

Devon also is continuing with its Saddlebred Trainers' Incentive Program.

Saddlebred competition incentives at Devon include the following: 1,500 for the most horses entered and shown to the trainer 1,000 for the second largest stable of horses entered and shown 500 for the most ponies entered and shown and two 1,000 scholarships awarded to designated Junior Exhibitor classes.

The 2008 show dates are May 22 through June 1, with Saddlebreds competing May 28 through May 31.

Saddlebred and coaching classes will begin late Thursday afternoon at 4:30. This will give Saddlebred exhibitors a full house to perform for and an early finish to their competitive day. Saddlebred classes also kickoff the final Friday and Saturday evening performances, with championships decided both evenings.

For more helpful information, visit www.thedevonhorseshow.org or call the show office 610-964-0550.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Contact, Jessica Fisher, Communications Manager

Cutest Foal deadline is May 6 Enter and be eligible for a 1,000 cash prize or a free, full color ad in American Saddlebred magazine

Lexington, Kentucky -The deadline is Tuesday, May 6 to enter the Cutest Foal contest. For the second year, ASHA is featuring the Cutest Foal contest in the upcoming May/June issue of American Saddlebred magazine. Photos for the Cutest Foal contest must be received in the ASHA office by Tuesday, May 6. Get them in today by contacting Dede Gatlin at 859 259-2742 ext. 346 or email d.gatlinasha.net.

This year, as an added incentive, all entries in the Cutest Foal contest will be eligible for a 1,000 cash prize, which will be awarded to the Cutest Foal contestant placing first, second or third in any of the American Saddlebred Registry Futurities and over 35 plus- affiliated state and regional futurities. Foals may show and win in either the Open Weanling or Amateur Weanling In Hand division. If more than one of the Cutest Foal contestants place in the top three, the 1,000 prize will be awarded to the highest-placing foal contestant among the top three. If none of the Cutest Foal contestants place in the top three, the highest-placing foal contestant will receive a free, full-page color ad in the September/October Issue of American Saddlebred magazine.

To enter, purchase a full-page color or black ampamp white ad featuring your foal in the May/June issue. Once production of the May/June issue has been completed, each of the foals entered will be featured on ASHAs Web site, www.saddlebred.com. Visitors to the Web site will have an opportunity to vote for the Cutest Foal. The owner of the foal winning the most votes will win a free, full-color ad in the July/August issue of American Saddlebred magazine. Online voting will close on June 30, 2008, and a winner will be announced.

Entries must be received in the ASHA office no later than Tuesday, May 6, 2008. To enter, contact Dede Gatlin at 859 259-2742 ext. 346 or e-mail d.gatlinasha.net.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Contact, Jessica Fisher, Communications Manager

Deadline Tuesday, May 6 for State Pleasure Horse Winners

Lexington, Kentucky -The deadline is Tuesday, May 6 to showcase State Pleasure Horse Winners in the May/June issue of American Saddlebred magazine. All ads must be received in the ASHA office by Tuesday, May 6. For more information contact Dede Gatlin at 859 259-2742 ext. 346 or email d.gatlinasha.net.

Thursday, April 24, 2008

Contact, Jessica Fisher, Communications Manager

American Saddlebred Museum Holding Online Gift Shop Sale

Lexington, Kentucky-The American Saddlebred Museum is hosting a Web site sale through April 27, 2008. Over 50 items are marked down 20 to 60 percent including fall, winter and transitional season merchandise. During the sale, non-museum members will receive ten percent off all regularly priced items. Museum members will receive an extra ten percent over and above their regular discounts for a total of 20 percent off all regularly priced merchandise. Sign up online to become a Museum member at the time an order is placed and receive the extra discounts. Appropriate discounts will be applied prior to shipping each order although the order confirmation may not reflect the savings. To place an order go to www.asbmuseum.org then click on Gift Shop.

Thursday, April 24, 2008
Contact, Jessica Fisher, Communications Manager

American Saddlebred Registry joins the Congressional Cavalry Program

Lexington, Kentucky- In an effort to better represent and serve the horse industry in Washington, DC, the American Saddlebred Registry ASR has joined the American Horse Councils AHC Congressional Cavalry program.

The Horse Council seeks to identify a Saddlebred constituent in each congressional district to contact his/her Representative/Senator or other federal officials. These individuals will be mobilized when there is a need for grassroots lobbying.

Members of the program will be put on an e-mail, fax, or mail list for easy activation and contact purposes.

The Congressional Cavalry program might eventually provide the base for additional activities like visits with Members of Congress back home invitations to Members of Congress to visit a facility or event and reports to Congress about activities back in the district that illustrate the importance of the horse industry to the state and local economy, sport and recreational life.

For sign up information or any additional questions about the program contact the AHC at 202.296.4031 or at ahchorsecouncil.org.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, April 24, 2008
Contact, Jessica Fisher, Communications Manager

FREE video streaming of the International Equine Summit 2008 offered by ASHA

Lexington, Kentucky- The inaugural Kentucky International Equine Summit 2008, will be held in downtown Lexington, Kentucky, April 28-29 at the Radisson Hotel. The two-day event is being sponsored by the Equine Industry Program in the College of Business at the University of Louisville in cooperation with the Equine Initiative in the College of Agriculture at the University of Kentucky.

In addition, the American Saddlebred Horse Association ASHA has been noted as one of four sponsoring organizations of the summit. Were pleased these organizations have joined with us in this important event, said Rich Wilcke, director of the Equines Industry Program at the University of Louisville and summit organizer. Each of these organizations seeks to serve the best interest of those within the horse industry while educating the general public. At the Kentucky International Equine Summit, we intend to expand the knowledge of those attending the event.

The summit will feature presentations and discussions from more than 90 of the best minds in the equine business and research field on three critical issues: The Wellbeing of the Competitive Horse, The Emerging Science of Horse Breeding and The Equine Economy in the 21^st Century. The conference aims to bring together industry leaders to examine the issues facing the future of the equine industry.

There will also be a luncheon each day featuring prominent keynote speakers. Robert Evans, President and CEO of Churchill Downs Inc., will speak on Monday April 28, and David OConnor, President of the United States Equestrian Federation will speak on Tuesday, April 29. For details on the summit click here www.kyequinesummit.com.

Starting on Monday, April 28 after 8 a.m., ASHA will be featuring a free LIVE webcast of the two-day event on www.saddlebred.com. Likewise, archived video of the webcast will also be available following the summit on the Web site. DVDs of the event will be available for purchase, please check back for more information regarding the release date.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, April 21, 2008
Contact, Jessica Fisher, Communications Manager

Lexington hosts the inaugural Kentucky International Equine Summit 2008

Lexington, Kentucky- The inaugural Kentucky International Equine Summit 2008, will be held in downtown Lexington, Kentucky, April 28-29 at the Radisson Hotel. The two-day event is being sponsored by the Equine Industry Program in the College of Business at the University of Louisville in cooperation with the Equine Initiative in the College of Agriculture at the University of Kentucky.

In addition, the American Saddlebred Horse Association ASHA has been noted as one of four sponsoring organizations of the summit. Were pleased these organizations have joined with us in this important event, said Rich Wilcke, director of the Equines Industry Program at the University of Louisville and summit organizer. Each of these organizations seeks to serve the best interest of those within the horse industry while educating the general public. At the Kentucky International Equine Summit, we intend to expand the knowledge of those attending the event.

The summit will feature presentations and discussions from more than 90 of the best minds in the equine business and research field on three critical issues: The Wellbeing of the Competitive Horse, The Emerging Science of Horse Breeding and The Equine Economy in the 21st Century. The conference aims to bring together industry leaders to examine the issues facing the future of the equine industry.

There will also be a luncheon each day featuring prominent keynote speakers. Robert Evans, President and CEO of Churchill Downs Inc., will speak on Monday April 28, and David OConnor, President of the United States Equestrian Federation will speak on Tuesday, April 29. For more information on the summit or to register click www.kyequinesummit.com.

ASHA will be featuring a free LIVE webcast of the two-day event on www.saddlebred.com. Likewise, archived video of the webcast will also be available following the summit on the Web site. DVDs of the event will be available for purchase, please check back for more information regarding the release date.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday,April 14, 2008
Contact, Jessica Fisher, Communications Manager

Saddlebred Futurity grace period deadline is Friday, April 25

Lexington, Kentucky The futurity grace period deadline to nominate mares and stallions for 2008 foals is Friday, April 25. Nomination forms are available for download from the Association's Web site at http://www.saddlebred.com/Prize-forms.

The Kentucky Amateur, Kentucky and National Futurity programs paid over 272,000 to participants in 2007.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday,April 10, 2008
Contact, Jessica Fisher, Communications Manager

Live Video of TSE/Tattersalls Offered On Saddlebred.com

Lexington, Kentucky The TSE/Tattersalls Spring Sale will be broadcast over the Internet beginning tomorrow, Friday, April 11, on the American Saddlebred Horse Association Web site, www.saddlebred.com. Conducted by Teater Saddlebred Enterprises, Inc., the Saddlebred sale is Friday and Saturday, April 11 and 12, 2008.

As it has done in the past, ASHA will once again provide a live, streaming video feed of each day of the sale in its entirety. The Webcast will allow viewers to see the sale of each horse as it is presented and hear the auctioneers call, as well as see the hip number and price. The 2008 TSE/Tattersalls Spring Sale Catalog is available to download at www.tsetattersalls.com.

Subscription purchases for viewing the Webcast will be available on the ASHA homepage, www.saddlebred.com. Each days sale is scheduled to commence at 10 a.m. Eastern Time. Lots 1-146 will sell Friday, and lots 147-293 sell Saturday. Fees to view the Webcast are 15 per day per computer, meaning the license to view the Webcast is exclusive to each computer on which it is purchased. ASHA members receive a 20 discount for daily purchase, making the member price 12 per day per computer. In addition, two-day package purchasing is available at a discount: for non-members, the two-day package is 27, and for ASHA members, the two-day package is 22. Payment is accepted on-line using a credit or debit card.

Viewers Internet connection should be broadband, DSL or cable modem for optimum quality dial-up Internet connection is not sufficient. To purchase a subscription, follow the simple steps on the ASHA homepage. A link is provided to a Help page to assist subscribers in viewing the Webcast.

Revenues received from subscribers go to offset the technical and production costs of the Webcast. Any surplus is applied to the promotional efforts of ASHA.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday,April 1, 2008
Contact Jessica Fisher, Communications Manager

Former show photographer Harry Leon ampquotSargeampquot Sargent passes

Lexington, Kentucky Former show photographer Harry Leon Sarge Sargent, age 85, died on Friday, March 28, 2008 at home after a lengthy illness. As he donated his remains to science, there will be no public service, just a private gathering of family and friends. Memorials may be sent to The Humane Society of Memphis and Shelby County, 935 Farm Rd., Memphis, Tennessee 38134.

Sargent grew up in Memphis, Tennessee, and graduated from Humes High School, a few years before Elvis. He was a pilot in WWII and Korea, a great jazz drummer, and a world-renowned horse photographer. He began shooting horses more from the front because he said, the angle told more about the horse than weather vane pictures straight from the side. The only retouching that he allowed was ears and opening eyes. His ability to catch a once-in-a-lifetime moment on film provided the horse show world a permanent, factual record of the great horses during that time. He was hired as official photographer at Lexington and Louisville in 1957. Sarge spent 43 years in center ring before retiring in 2000.

Sargent leaves behind his wife of 27 years, Julie son, Scott three grandchildren, Taylor, Alex, and Samantha Sargent, all of Memphis and one brother, Don Sargent of Mississippi.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, March 28, 2008
Contact, Jessica Fisher, Communications Manager

ASHA/USPC Awards Program: Open to all level Pony Club Members who ride an American Saddlebred or Half-Saddlebred Horse

Charlotte Jumper Classic To Present Saddlebred Exhibition

Lexington, Kentucky - The American Saddlebred Association of the Carolinas ASAC has been offered the opportunity to exhibit Saddlebreds at the Charlotte Jumper Classic, held at Bobcats Arena, April 11-13, 2008 in Charlotte, North Carolina.

ASAC has been invited for three performances on Saturday and one on Sunday. The theme will be consistent with the new ASHA ad campaign, Ill Take You There, promoting the versatility of the American Saddlebred.

This USEF rated show and International FEI Competition needs Saddlebreds and top riders for the exhibition. Competitive trail horses, sport horses, county pleasure and three and five gaited horses are all needed- just to mention a few. For more information on the Jumper Classic and to view photos of the arena click here.

Selections and alternates will be made from the names submitted by the Saddlebred Exhibition Committee. For more information contact Betsy Boone at 704.796.3057 or boonescabinaol.com.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, March 21, 2008
Contact, Jessica Fisher, Communications Manager

Mo-Neigh: Blue Willow Brigade 2008 Fundraiser

Lexington, Kentucky - The Blue Willow Farm Youth Club of Versailles, KY, will be hosting a silent auction at the 2008 Lexington Jr. League Horse Show. They are compiling a collection of Mo-Neighs, paintings done by horses, to raise money for the ASHA Youth-to-Youth Scholarship Program.

The Mo-Neigh concept is very simple and so much fun They put a long paintbrush into a carrot, dip the brush in paint, give your horse its treat and let your horse paint on a piece of paper. Since the beginning of this project in September of 2007, the Blue Willow Brigade has already collected a total of 26 Mo-Neighs and is looking for some more equine artists. Some of the artists include, ^CHWalterways Remember Me, Swish, A Travelin Man, ^CHEleanor Rigby, ^CHNinety-Eight Degrees, ^CHMoses, Bono, ^CHWar Whoop Two, ^CHThe Bodega Bay, ^CHHeir Style, and Twice Charmed.

Several farms have already participated in the Blue Willow Brigade fundraiser but many more are still needed to help achieve their goal and elevate the Youth Scholarship Program.

Interested participants may contact Andrea Steponaitis at AmSdlbrd512aol.com or 859 509-8746. Barns in the area who would like to participate need to notify the Blue Willow Brigade.

Enter ASHAs Cutest Foal contest and be eligible for a 1,000 cash prize entries no later than May 6, 2008

Lexington, Kentucky - For the second year, ASHA is featuring a Cutest Foal contest for the upcoming May/June issue of American Saddlebred magazine. Photos for the Cutest Foal contest must be received in the ASHA office by Tuesday, May 6. For more information contact Dede Gatlin at 859 259-2742 ext. 346 or email d.gatlinasha.net.

This year, as an added incentive, all entries in the Cutest Foal contest will be eligible for a 1,000 cash prize, which will be awarded to the Cutest Foal contestant placing first, second or third in any of the American Saddlebred Registry Futurities and over 35 plus- affiliated state and regional futurities. Foals may show and win in either the Open Weanling or Amateur Weanling In Hand division. If more than one of the Cutest Foal contestants places in the top three, the 1,000 prize will be awarded to the highest-placing foal contestant among the top three. If none of the Cutest Foal contestants places in the top three, the highest-placing foal contestant will receive a free, full-page color ad in the September/October Issue of American Saddlebred magazine.

To enter, purchase a full-page color or black ampamp white ad featuring your foal in the May/June issue. Once production of the May/June issue has been completed, each of the foals entered will be featured on ASHAs Web site, www.saddlebred.com. Visitors to the Web site will have an opportunity to vote for the Cutest Foal. The owner of the foal winning the most votes will win a free, full-color ad in the July/August issue of American Saddlebred magazine. Online voting will close on June 30, 2008, and a winner will be announced.

Entries must be received in the ASHA office no later than Tuesday, May 6, 2008. To enter, contact Dede Gatlin at 859 259-2742 ext. 346 or e-mail d.gatlinasha.net.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, March 3, 2008
Contact, Jessica Fisher, Communications Manager

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Contact, Jessica Fisher, Communications Manager

Huge Boost in Saddlebred Sweepstakes Nominations Remaining Eligible Four-Year-Olds Jumped 31.6 percent

Lexington, Kentucky - TheAmerican Saddlebred Registry ASR Sweepstakes nominations made significant leaps forward at the 2008 closing on February 11. Both the Three-Year-Old and the Four-Year-Old Sweepstakes experienced a hike in numbers.

In the Four-Year-Old Sweepstakes, 100 Four-Year-Olds of 2008 remain eligible at the February closing, up 31.58 percent from last year. Likewise, the Three-Year-Old nominations increased 16.67 percent, to 182 horses.

In the Three-Year-Old Sweepstakes, most notable when compared to 2007 was the rise in the yearling nominations. From 2007 to 2008 the yearling nominations grew by 8.99 percent to 303 yearlings of 2008.

Beginning this year, Kentucky-bred American Saddlebreds nominated to compete in the ASR Four-Year-Old Sweepstakes events horses must be nominated as Three-Year-Olds will receive payouts from the Breeders Incentive Fund as added prize money based on the highest placed eligible Kentucky-breds in each division. The ASR Four-Year-Old Sweepstakes events held annually are in the five-gaited, three-gaited, fine harness, and park pleasure divisions. The available Incentive Funds will be divided equally between the divisions. Of the money in each division, 70 percent will be awarded to the breeder and 30 percent will be awarded to the stallion owner. Approximately 160,000 in Kentucky Breeders Incentive prize money is on offer in the 2008 Four-Year-Old Sweepstakes.

Eligibility for the added prize money is based on the Kentucky-bred criteria, which are as follows: a horse registered by the American Saddlebred Registry, foaled in Kentucky, sired by a stallion standing in Kentucky at the time of service, and bred by a resident of Kentucky breeder is designated per ASR rules.

The ASR Sweepstakes classes are for two-, three- and four-year-olds in the five-gaited, three-gaited, fine harness and park pleasure divisions. The program is designed to perpetuate the breeding, training and showing of American Saddlebreds.

Of the 4 million the ASR Sweepstakes has awarded since 1984, 19 percent of it- more than a quarter of a million dollars- has been awarded over the last five years.

General rules and information on the Sweepstakes, including registration forms are available at www.saddlebred.com/prize-sweepstakes or by contacting Patricia Edwards at 859 259-2742 ext. 320.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, March 3, 2008
Contact, Jessica Fisher, Communications Manager

ASHA Junior Exhibitor Driving Challenge sponsored by Elisabeth Goth Chelberg

Lexington, Kentucky - The American Saddlebred Horse Association and Elisabeth Goth Chelberg are pleased to offer the ASHA Junior Exhibitor Driving Challenge program to promote the sport of driving American Saddlebreds for young enthusiasts.

The ASHA Junior Exhibitor Driving Challenge will consist of qualifying classes in two divisions, Junior Exhibitor Fine Harness and Junior Exhibitor Show Pleasure Driving, at selected shows throughout the year. Each show must offer both classes Custom medals and ribbons will be provided by ASHA. By adding both driving classes to your schedule ASHA will be able to enhance promotional efforts for the Junior Exhibitor Driving Challenge through press releases and advertisements.

To be eligible for the 10,000 in cash and prizes offered, a horse must be a ribbon winner in two qualifying classes prior to the ASHA Driving Challenge Finals. A horse must qualify in two official Junior Exhibitor Fine Harness classes to qualify for the ASHA Junior Exhibitor Fine Harness Driving Challenge Final or two official Junior Exhibitor Show Pleasure Driving classes to qualify for the ASHA Junior Exhibitor Show Pleasure Driving Challenge Final. For a copy of the rules click here.

Support is needed to make this program a success. Please click here to download the necessary registration form. Forward any questions to Brenda Newell at 859.259.2742 extension 343.