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The Community of the American Saddlebred’s Salute To Service

Pictured: 2018 Folds of Honor Veteran Horse National Champion CH Jett Rink courtesy of Howard Schatzberg Photo

On this Veterans Day, we celebrate the commitment of the courageous servicemen and women of this nation’s military, but also the military heritage of our breed. Historically referred to as the “Horse America Made,” the American Saddlebred has a long and proud history that can trace its roots to the birth of our nation and its forefathers in the United States military.

The breed started as the “Kentucky Saddler” and earned them acclaim as a breed by their tremendous service in the military. In peacetime, the high demand for Saddle Horses enabled the industry to recover quickly. As the war ended, horse owners began to enter their saddle horses into the show ring, where they became stars because of their beauty, style, and utility.

As their days as a Calvary horse are long over, the American Saddlebred and the community that loves them have found a way to continue to be an alley to the servicemen and women and their families. From a desire to celebrate the breed, our National Championships, and Veterans Day, the “Veteran” Horse Class was born! Laufer of Overland Park, Kansas, has been instrumental in the creation and promotion of this class. Laufer shared that because the UPHA American Royal always falls on or around Veterans Day, the American Royal horse show committee wanted a way to honor our country’s servicemen and women during the week of the show. The Veteran Horse class is only for American Saddlebreds 11 years or older to also honor Veterans Day. The 2020 UPHA National Championship American Royal is once again be hosting the Folds of Honor Veteran Three-Gaited Show Pleasure division. The qualifying class champion title was taken home by CH Mighty Thor and Michael Petty and we expect 9 to return to go for the championship tonight and is available to watch on Richfield Video.

For each class offered, a donation is made to Folds of Honor. Folds of Honor is a foundation committed to providing educational scholarships to children and spouses of severely wounded or deceased servicemen and women. Folds of Honor’s mission is to “honor the sacrifice of America’s heroes while giving hope to the bearers of their legacy.” Every donation made to Folds of Honor goes to help equip and educate the loved ones of those that made the ultimate sacrifice for the United States of America.

The Veteran Horse series began in 2018 with classes at Bridlespur Horse Show, Chapter V Horse Show, St. Louis National Charity Horse Show, and the UPHA National Championship American Royal. This class enables donations to be made to Folds of Honor, as well; the winner of the class will receive a custom trophy.

In addition to the Folds Of Honor division in the Midwest, honoring Gold Star Families had a very special place during the North Carolina State Championship Horse Show. US Congressional Medal of Honor recipient Corporal Hershel Woody Williams served in the US Marine Corps, Marine Corps Reserve, and worked with the Department of Veteran Affairs.  A joint effort between attending barns and the Hershel Woody Williams Medal of Honor Foundation Gold Star Families Memorial Monument project connected a Gold Star Family and a show horse that would compete in honor of that fallen veteran. You can watch a sample of the special program at the North Carolina State Championship Horse Show showcasing American Saddlebreds for American Heroes

The American Saddlebred Horse Association (ASHA) is thankful to Military Veterans today and every day for their dedication and sacrifices. We are proud of the connection of the American Saddlebred horse to servicemen and women of the United States of the past, present, and future.