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? Planting with Purpose Matters

‘Tis the season for planting. At the end of successful, purposeful planting, we see growth—beautiful, fruitful, productive, nourishing. When you think about it, it’s such a miracle. A small seed into the ground. It pushes upward against all resistance. Nourished by water and will, the tiny seed sprouts reaching every upward, optimistic, toward the sun. With more water and sun and nourishment and care, we weed out the bad and tend to the good. Suddenly, the sprout becomes a flower, or a tree, or vegetable. Life. But it had to overcome so much to get there. Life continuous; ever growing.So, too, are we in a moment where purposeful planting matters. It is important that we grow—grow as the American Saddlebred breed. Many would say that we have to hunker down and survive. And while that may be true in some cases, we also need to make the pivot to planting the seeds to thrive. So, what seeds are we planting?

    The Seed of Versatility: For our breed to thrive, we have to make it more accessible to more people—people who want to enjoy the American Saddlebred in more and different ways. One way is more sport horse opportunities. How can we work with our sister affiliates to identify and recognize American Saddlebreds and Half American Saddlebreds competing in their disciplines? Can we work with our Sport Horse Committee and VERSA Charter Club to create more activities, shows, and additional award programs? The Seed of Growing the Youth: We have to find ways to get more youth involved in our breed AND, importantly, keep them involved. Many end their junior exhibitor years and move on in their lives. How could we keep them involved? Could we create new classes? Could we create a database to keep in communication with our young people as they grow up and have families of their own? Could we invite them back for gatherings (when we have huggable gatherings again)? The Seed of Instruction: We need to develop more and more riding instructors. The ASHA is working with Elisabeth McMillan and others to help our instructors to succeed. Without instructors welcoming youngsters of all ages, we have no pipeline for the future. The Seed of Breeding: We need to foster and encourage new breeders and create more opportunities for the horses they raise. Can we get more people participating in the ASR First Time Breeders Promotion Program? Is there ways to help enhance the prize programs nationally and regionally to promote breeding and generate excitement for breeders?  Could there be a network created to lease broodmares or promote partnerships in mare or foal sharing in barn families? The Seed of Inclusion: We have to find ways to open our barns, events, and minds to create more inclusion in our community. How many former members of our community aren’t coming back to watch horse shows, visit their old barns, or wanting to get back involved with the breed? How many inquiring minds from passersby at horse shows or random barn visitors are we turning away without even realizing it? Can we look at ways to create homecoming events, welcoming committees at horse shows, and greeting guides for barns to foster more positive receptions and relationships within our own community and the outside world?

How else can we seed the future for growth? Through great challenges come the greatest changes. Just ask the mighty little seed who is quietly but persistently reaching up; relentless; bit by bit; optimistic and inevitable.What Matters? Planting Matters