Saddleseat Organization?

[TrotAdmin]

A couple of the other threads got me wondering about this - it seems like I should know about this by now, but wanted to make sure I wasn't missing something.

Is there a saddleseat discipline specific organization? I know there are other organizations such as USDF, NRHA, etc. that are discipline oriented and encompass many breeds, but I can't think of one that includes/promotes Saddleseat and the related style of horses exclusively.

And yes, I know that technically it is 2 words, saddle seat, but since nobody else says it that way I am not going to either :)

[wilkinak]

The closest thing is probably UPHA, and while they do a lot, they certainly aren't in the league of USDF, USHJA, or NCHA.

If a United States Saddleseat Association were started, I would be much quicker to join that than ASHA.

[kross]

I think there is what is called The Show Horse Alliance...I actually remember reading about it here...and I believe that is what it's goal is/was to become the SS organization.

[SaddlebredMom]

A couple of the other threads got me wondering about this - it seems like I should know about this by now, but wanted to make sure I wasn't missing something.

Is there a saddleseat discipline specific organization? I know there are other organizations such as USDF, NRHA, etc. that are discipline oriented and encompass many breeds, but I can't think of one that includes/promotes Saddleseat and the related style of horses exclusively.


I was part of that discussion about breed association vs. discipline association, and I too was wondering if I had missed something.

We didn't. :)

[SaddlebredMom]

I think there is what is called The Show Horse Alliance...I actually remember reading about it here...and I believe that is what it's goal is/was to become the SS organization.

The Show Horse Alliance, established by the National Show Horse Registry, made an attempt at it. I was looking forward to the opportunity for us to show in some of these SHA classes at the Arabian shows here, but sadly, the SHA seems to have petered out.

Here's the link if anyone is interested:
Show Horse Alliance (http://www.nshregistry.org/SHAall.asp?ID=90)

[wilkinak]

After checking out the Show Horse Alliance website, if that's saddleseat's equivalent of USDF, we really are in trouble. Looked like a front for the NSHR. I couldn't find anything telling me where a show might be, or even who was in the leadership. I could see why they only had 250 non NSHs listed. It makes ASHA's website look outstanding.

[vlayne]

Interesting. I never realized that before, that there are associations for "discipline." I mean, I KNEW they were there but never thought too hard about what they mean or do.

There should DEFINITELY be one for SS!!! They exist for driving, cutting, reining, dressage, hunt/jump, eventing and many more I'm sure.

[smurphy0806]

Show horse Alliance is maybe 5 years old? The classes are only "National" classes and are only held at NSH Finals. That is why there are mostly NSH horses.

There is this... http://www.intercollegiatesaddleseat.com/

Its brand new. Don't know much information about it.

[wilkinak]

Seems to me that an umbrella SS discipline association would have to leverage off what already exists to be successful. Incorporate elements of UPHA, saddlebreds, morgans, arabs, DHH, NSH instead of building a new wheel. It would have to have the support of the dreaded "old guard" in each breed to work. They do bring a certain amount of credibility with them.

I remember when Renai and the SHA came out - they appeared to be the latest money making scheme by some individuals who had been in Arabs for years, rather than a credible discipine/advocacy organization.