The ancestors of the Saddlebred were easy-gaited Galloways and Hobbies. Brought to North America from the British Isles and bred selectively, they evolved into Naragansett Pacers which were crossed with Thoroughbred imports, resulting in the early Saddlebreds, known then as "Saddle Horses" or "Kentucky Saddlers".
The epitome of a show horse, the Saddlebred has a carriage and attitude elusive of description - some call it class, presence, quality, style or charm. A superior air distinguishes every movement.
The ideal Saddlebred is well-proportioned, with a well-shaped, finely chiseled head and large expressive eyes. The back should be short and level, the legs clean and straight with long, sloping pasterns and well-formed feet. Masculinity in stallions and femininity in mares are important. The average height is from 15-16 hands and the weight 1,000 to 1,200 pounds. Any color is acceptable; the most prominet: chestnut, bay, brown and black, with some gray, roan, golden and pinto.
Saddlebreds are shown in several major divisions: Show and Pleasure Five-Gaited & Three-Gaited, Fine Harness/Driving, In-Hand, and Equitation. A variety of classes within these divisions is offered based on factors such as age and sex of the horse and/or age, sex and amateur status of the rider.
The breed also is an ideal pleasure horse for trail-riding, jumping, carriage driving and dressage. Saddlebreds often compete in these events, as well as the more traditional horse shows.
(c) 1998 World's Championship Horse Show Program, pg. 38
