Ode to American Saddlebreds

Three Gaited, Five Gaited, Western or Show Horse?

Dressage, Driving, Jumping or Sport Horse?

What division shall I choose so not to upset anyone’s creed?

Perhaps leave her in the stall…..that would be the death of the breed.

But I have a secret; one shared by you all,

The beautiful Saddlebred who can do it all!

So if my dreams tread a different path to you

I’ll praise your success as it reflects on us all.

There is no need to criticize if you go a different way,

As the converts we all make will lead to the day

When everyone will want a Saddlebred horse

To be enjoyed and ridden, whatever your choice.

Remember that diversity is the key to life,

So what if you’re different…it needn’t lead to strife,

If we had horses all performing the same

There would only be losers and that leads to no gain.

Temperament, grace and a willingness to please,

The Saddlebred’s character…should we not emulate these?

On the many different paths that we all follow

All leading to the same place, today or tomorrow.

Sport Horse, Show Horse, I commend you all

Help each other along, don’t trip them to fall.

Take pride in their achievements however they are made,

Because, don’t you know we have “The Horse America Made!”

Lynn Jarvis - London, England