Pleased By What I Saw

[LuckyStroll]

This past weekend, I was at the Dixie Cup as a spectator for once (!!!!) and got to sit and watch whatever classes I wanted (!!!!). I have been a lurker on here for some time and have read all the posts concerning the general confusion surrounding the ASB hunter style. This has always perplexed me, since (on my circuit, at least) the Morgan and ASB people work closely with one another. Why don't the ASB people ask the Morgan people for help with hunters, like my barn (primarily Morgan hunters) has in the past with ASBs and saddleseat in general?

All that said, I watched a wonderful ASB hunter class this weekend! It was not huge by any means, but you didn't sit there, wishing they would just give the one exhibitor their blue already! :pinch: But every horse in the class looked like a hunter, the tack was appropriate, the riders sat like huntseat riders should, the horses displayed impecable manners and it was just a wonderful picture! I sincerely hope that this uniformity is a sign that the ASB exhibitors will continue to embrace this disciple as a viable, and enjoyable, alternative for the horse that isn't going to be WGC material.

Note To Self: Check the title for errors first when posting after midnight...

[SmartAlex]

I don't think it is so much confusion of what traditional hunter style looks like as it is trying to figure out how far we can push the limit. Most of us come from a saddle seat background, not a hunter/jumper background. We like a little bling. We hate fuzzy fake fleece. We have already purchased lots of tack. We are used to riding with no saddle pad, skinny reins, and dark pants that don't make our butts look like we sat in cottage cheese. Is there any wonder you see people showing huntseat with dressage pads, 7" weymouths and dark grey or green breeches? :pissedoff: There is also another longstanding tradition with ASBs.... if it doesn't specifically say we can't, then that means we can.

Personally, I don't mind seeing ASBs turned out more like show hacks. I think it suits the showier upright style of a lot of the horses. My own horse's style and frame leans towards the very traditional end of the hunter spectrum, so he goes in plain leather and the only liberties I took was a lighter coat and a running braid.

It's good to know that there are classes out there that are of consistent quality and style. It means the division is maturing.

[Mona129]

Saddlebred people do it with Panache!!

Brita I LOVE that you wrote what you did. It's the reason I was attracted to the breed initially. Sequins, shiny and bright colors this side of a vegas show girl, whats NOT to love? This coming from a girl who has black dressage tack but my pad is royal blue wavy velvet and my bridle's padding and crystals match :) as do my polo wraps....lol and my whips...I heard there are blingy spurs now too!

I have a feeling this is going to be a GREAT year for the saddlebred hunter and next year is going to be even better.

[ASBJumper]

We hate fuzzy fake fleece.

*puffs up chest* Whaa.. fake fuzzy fleece?? How dare you! We like nice expensive, luxurious genuine sheepskin, thankyouverymuch!! Cheapie white fake fleece is for schoolies and students. Harrrumph.

*goes off to stroke her pretty Christ half pad*

LOL!

[ErisAngelus]

I show a Saddlebred hunter, and I was in the ring at Dixie Cup. I must say that I am pretty happy about how much more interest there is in the classes. In general, the horses are nice, and the people are great! I also have a show pleasure horse, but I really enjoy my time in the ring with my little hunter much more. Maybe its because alot of people at AOT, maybe not. Regardless, Dixie cup did have a good showing. Its always a fun show.