As my bio information shows, I have been actively involved with Saddlebreds since 1972. What began as an interested dad supporting a daughter’s love of horses grew into owning a Saddlebred show horse and ultimately grew into a small breeding operation. I purchased BHF Runaround Sue in 1983 as a three-year old. My daughter, Carla, and I were successful in showing Sue in walk trot and fine harness classes at the major shows including KY State Fair. After her success in the show ring, Sue earned her BHF status by producing several well-known show horses and daughters who are continuing her breeding success. We presently own three broodmares and nine young horses in various training stages. I feel very fortunate to have had horses in training with a number of top trainers as outlined in my personal bio. Additionally, I feel most fortunate to have sold a number of my “home-bred” horses for very nice profits. These transactions have financed my horse operations and enabled me to continue to participate in a sport which my family and I truly love.
I feel strongly that the Saddlebred industry must initiate changes in order to continue to prosper in the present, very competitive sports arena. I totally agree with a statement in the recent issue of the Equestrian magazine that “our industry has grown from a hobby sport into a major business sport, and as this has happened, we have not kept abreast of standard business practices”. These standard business practices deal with honesty in all of our dealings, and an increased level of integrity, ethics and fiduciary responsibility in every aspect of the industry. Additionally, I believe we must initiate changes that provide for impartiality and accountability in the officiating of our shows. My business background and board of director experiences provide me with real life business experiences upon which I can draw to provide input into the ASHA Board. I am not suggesting there are “quick fixes” to our problems, but I do believe there are changes to be initiated that will begin the journey of transforming our industry to a more “business model” with checks and balances that will better insure that there is an acceptable level of honesty and integrity.
Carl M. Holden, Jr. has a strong commitment to the future of the American Saddlebred.
He has been actively involved with this beautiful breed since l972 when he and his wife, Georgia, purchased their first Saddlebred for their daughter, Carla.
Carl is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a degree in Accounting, is a Certified Public Accountant and worked with a national accounting firm for five years. He has also done graduate work at Duke University and the University of South Carolina. His resume shows his strength in finance from serving in the following positions:
· CFO and board member for Vulcan Painters Inc., Birmingham, Al
· Executive VP, CFO and board member for Healthcare Services of America, Birmingham, AL
· Director of Hospital Finance for Humana, Louisville, KY
· CFO for Brookwood Medical Center, Birmingham, Al
· CFO for Greenville Hospital System, Greenville, S.C.
· Certified Public Accountant with Peat Marwick Mitchell, Greenville, S.C.
During his tenure with Humana, he was Administrator of the Wellington Hospital in London, England after completing the financial analysis for Humana to acquire the Wellington Hospital, their first overseas operation.
Served on the Board of the Alabama Charity Horse Show for four years and worked "hands on" in the preparation and production of this very successful show.
Carl has been successful in breeding Saddlebreds producing World Champions and Reserve Champions Sue Elegant, Nightly Affair, Very Presidential and Sue She. He cares deeply about the American Saddlebred and has a strong commitment to the future of this breed. Since their introduction to the American Saddlebred in 1972, the Holdens have had horses in training with top trainers in the saddlebred industry: Bonnie Zubrod, Nelson Green, Bobby Gatlin, Don Harris, Rob and Jackie Tanner, Jimmy Robertson, Jerry Hutson and Wendy Winstead.
He lived in Birmingham, Alabama for 28 years where he was active in the American Saddlebred Horse Association of Alabama, servicing as President and Secretary/Treasurer for two years each. After retiring in 2005, Carl and Georgia moved to Louisville to be near his daughter (Carla Ritzie), five year old grandson (Forrest) and his Saddlebred horses. The Holdens currently own three broodmares, including BHF Denmark’s Runaround Sue. Additionally, they own nine other Saddlebreds, most of which are “home-bred”. Although he competed successfully in the show ring by showing Runaround Sue to three Amateur Fine Harness reserve championships, Carl gets his most satisfaction from seeing his young horses develop and supporting his daughter, Carla, when showing his “home-bred” Saddlebreds.
