The American Saddlebred Horse and Breeders Association Logo
Shop ASHBA
Login

You are now entering the old ASHBA website which will allow you to access your data using your original username and password.

We are transitioning to the new website, so be aware that some functions may not work on the old site and will redirect you to the new site. It is important you setup your new username and password on our new site HERE.

Otherwise click here to continue to the old ASHBA website

What Matters? Being “All In” Matters

We’ve heard it at our shows for many years at the end of classes when coming into the lineup, “All In. All Done.” It signals that we’re coming in for the verdict and we’re ready to move on to the next thing.The concept equally applies to our shows now, in this time where we’re inside the upside down. We have to be “All In” to move on. Just this week, the Joint Leadership Council issued a press release reminding all of us that following guidelines is key to keeping horse shows open going forward, available here.All of us in the show horse and sport horse communities are used to following guidelines and rules—“first way of the ring,” gaits on command, and, of course, “all in.”So, what can we do to be “all in” and keep us moving forward with a great season that all of us want and many of us need? There are some great examples all around the Lexington Junior League Horse Show this week in Kentucky:

    Look around the show everywhere and you’ll see people wearing high-quality green facemasks courtesy of our friends at Freedman’s Harness. These masks, which are free for charge for the asking, are supplied so that it’s easier to comply with the masks everywhere in the Kentucky Horse Park rule. Thank you, Freedman’s, for being “All In.” Stationed all over the place with masks in plastic bags and “The Show Must Go On” t-shirts are the members of the Lexington Junior League, encouraging us to wear our masks properly and maintain social distancing. For 84 years, these generous women have put on this show and despite unusual, upside down circumstances decided that the show must indeed go on. Thank you, Lexington Junior League, for being “All In.” It’s been hot and humid and, at times, thunderstormy, at the show this week. Despite all of that, trainers, grooms, exhibitors, owners are wearing their masks and complying with the regulations. In addition to being the right thing to do to protect each other and ourselves, some of these masks have made quite the fashion statement as is always true this week in Lexington. Thank you, mask wearers, for being “All In.” And the show has been spectacular with deep, competitive classes. It is evident our trainers, grooms, farriers, and veterinarians have been hard at work making our beautiful horses and ponies be in tip top, midyear shape despite a late start on the year. And our exhibitors have shown with a smile on their faces (even if their behind a mask when not on the back of a horse or in a buggy). Thank you, all, for being “All In.”

Throughout this pandemic, we’ve heard over and over and over, “We’re all in this together.” And to be “All in this together,” we all need to be “All In.” So, let’s follow the rules and help each other out so we can keep enjoying our horses, shows, and each other.What Matters. Being “All In” for each other matters.