June 2020 ASR Diplomat of the Breed: Eveready

We are pleased to announce the June 2020 ASR Diplomat of the Breed sponsored by Freedman’s is Eveready (115335G*)1 . He was an eighteen-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 honor his memory and the impact he has had on the American Saddlebred community.

Eveready, a 2002 gelding, was  well-recognized both in the show ring and on social media. He was a product of Dr. Albert Alexander’s breeding program in Harrodsburg, KY, and was owned by Maria Gilman at the time of his nomination by former owner Christy Parker, before passing away in March. He set himself apart from others with his fine conformation, beautiful bay color, and five-gaited talent. In addition to his showring success, he was also an apt learner when being taught to perform tricks, such as bowing and drinking out of cups. His very unique favorite treat was fruit loops.

Eveready served the community by attending Girl Scout Meet and Greets that allowed many girls to see a horse up close for the first time and personally interact. American Saddlebreds that do such work are so important for the preservation and promotion of the breed, because it fosters moments where young people can come face to face with a good horse and potentially spark a passion for horses that will last throughout their life. It’s a powerful and beautiful thing for a young girl to know and later in life remember that it was an American Saddlebred whom she first met and who helped create her passion for horses.

4-H also created an opportunity for Eveready to represent the breed. 4-H meetings often have demonstrations or activities in addition to a parliamentary club meeting conducted by members and guided by adult advisors. Such demonstrations allow for a limitless variety of educational topics and by having Eveready perform, the groups have honored the breed and its versatility as interesting topics for American youth. Such demos provide some of the same one-on-one opportunities as a Girl Scout Meet and Greet, but also have high probability of generating interest in the breed among young people. A 4-H member that enjoys the demonstration may be interested in taking lessons on an American Saddlebred or owning/leasing a Saddlebred and showing them as a 4-H project.

Eveready represented the breed well to many other groups through his demonstrations for Girl Scout and 4-H groups, as well as through his performances in public breed demos. He also participated in World Cup and Young Rider competitions.  His character was dependable, friendly, and well-mannered. He was a grand example of the ideal family riding horse for which the American Saddlebred was developed.

His most recent accomplishment was introducing riders to the experience of riding a five-gaited American Saddlebred. His willingness to teach and represent the breed gave six (6) riders their first blue ribbons in gaited classes and more than sixteen (16) riders their first gaited ride. Horses like Eveready who are reliable in teaching riders are arguably one of the industry’s greatest resources; without them it would be impossible to bring new riders into the sport and to foster the growing experiences that keep equestrians motivated and interested throughout decades of a life with horses.

The American Saddlebred Registry and program sponsor Freedman Harness are honored to recognize Eveready for his great service in introducing so many to the breed we love, he is well-deserving of the title Diplomat of the Breed.