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August 2019 ASR Diplomat of the Breed: CH Harlem's Sweet Success

We are pleased to announce the August 2019 ASR Diplomat of the Breed sponsored by Freedman’s is CH Harlem’s Sweet Success (116593G). He is a fourteen-year-old American Saddlebred gelding that has brought the power of #asbdreams to every level of the equine community. Our ASR Diplomat of the Breed will receive a custom halter from Freedman Harness to show the world the impact he has had on the American Saddlebred.

CHHarlem’s Sweet Success, more affectionately known as Danny, is a fourteen-year-old gelding by Harlem Globetrotter and out of Glendale’s Radiant Duchess. While his breeding brings big dreams of a superior five-gaited horse, Danny found comfort and success in the Hunter Country Pleasure division. Five and a half years ago, the mother and daughter duo of Phyllis and Caitlin Brannon purchased Danny as an Academy Walk and Trot mount. Since that time, Danny has been amateur owned and trained, teaching and giving Caitlin the confidence that she lacked with her riding. As they continued to grow together and stepped up to the performance ranks, Danny began showing in the Hunter Country Pleasure division. Both Caitlin and Phyllis show him, having great success and making historical victories within the division for the breed. Danny is the only horse to win the Hunter Country Pleasure title at the UPHA American Royal, be the UPHA Hunter Country Pleasure Horse of the Year, and the Inaugural World’s Champion of Champions American Saddlebred Hunter Country Pleasure titleholder.

While Danny’s wins in the Hunter Country Pleasure division have made history, his other show ring activities are what set him apart from his peers and make him a Diplomat of the Breed.

Being amateur, owned and trained has brought so many blessings and opportunities for Danny. Boarding at an all Quarter Horse barn, the Brannon’s discovered Riding for the Handicap of Western Pennsylvania. Danny is a barn favorite of all the children and families in the program, leading them to meet the Messer family. Annie Messer was a participant in the program, who’s great grandmother just happened to have had American Saddlebreds. She began riding Danny leisurely at home, which soon turned into her competing at the UPHA American Royal. Annie and Danny competed in the UPHA Exceptional Challenge Cup with Assistance class both in 2016 and 2017. Earning Reserve National honors in 2016, they returned to be named the 2017 UPHA Exceptional Challenge Cup with Assistance Level 3 National Champions.

It is through Danny’s honesty and character traits as an American Saddlebred that allow him to succeed and flourish in all of his roles. Danny is quite the intelligent horse, knowing and understanding when it is time to be a show horse and when it is time to focus as a therapeutic mount. Knowing the personality of the horse exceptionally well, they try to adhere to a routine that is most pleasant for him and his riders. It has been so rewarding this past four years seeing Danny bring as much joy to others as he does for the Brannon family. Outside of the show ring and locally, Danny has also been a great ambassador. Danny’s owner Caitlin shares, “Through Riding for the Handicap, 4-H, Time to Ride Challenge, and many local horse shows, Danny has introduced hundreds of people to the American Saddlebred; leaving everyone in love with him. Sharing and displaying the breed that I have fallen head over heels in love with, is truly what has become #ASBdreams.”

The American Saddlebred Registry is honored to award CH Harlem’s Sweet Success the August 2019 Diplomat of the Breed. We are grateful for the work he and the Brannon’s will continue to do to promote and educate about the American Saddlebred.