World’s Champion American Saddlebreds Featured in Kentucky Derby Pegasus Parade
Thursday, April 28, 2016
The American Saddlebred Horse Association (ASHA) is pleased to announce that World’s Champion American Saddlebred horses will be featured in the 2016 Republic Bank® Pegasus Parade on Thursday, May 5 at 5:00 PM on Broadway in Louisville, Ky.
Originating in 1956, the Republic Bank Pegasus Parade is the Kentucky Derby Festival’s oldest event. Today, the Pegasus Parade is one of the largest in the country. Jansal Saddlebreds of Mocksville, North Carolina, led by Janelle Damato, is journeying to Louisville to parade 20 American Saddlebred horse and rider combinations. The Jansal Parade group will be easy to “spot” as many of the American Saddlebreds in their group are Pinto (spotted) American Saddlebreds decorated in silver saddles.
The American Saddlebred is known as “the horse America made,” whose heritage traces back to the founding of our country. A trotting breed that is incredibly intelligent, a quick learner, and with a willing attitude that allows many of them to learn two additional gaits in addition to the three natural gaits. Often called the ultimate show horse due to its majestic presence, they are strikingly beautiful with a long neck and animated trot and is suited for a variety of uses from the show ring to a personal pleasure horse. The American Saddlebred is uniquely suited for beginners to the most accomplished riders. The American Saddlebred capital of the world is Shelbyville, Ky., and the American Saddlebred World’s Championship Horse Show is held in conjunction with the Kentucky State Fair in Louisville.
Included in their parade group will be the combination of CHDoctor Zhivago and Dena Lopez. Dena, who hails from Versailles, Ky. holds the honor of being one of just a handful of females that has won the crown jewel of American Saddlebred competition, the Five-Gaited World’s Grand Championship. At the Pegasus Parade, she will be aboard black and white American Saddlebred, CHDoctor Zhivago, who is an eight-time World’s Champion.
Other world title holding American Saddlebreds in their group include World’s Champion High In The Sky, World’s Champion CHMade Ya Look, World’s Champion CHNew York Entertainer, Reserve World’s Champion Last Tango In Paris, and Reserve World’s Champion Sunlight and Shadows.
The public will have the opportunity to meet all 20 of the decorated American Saddlebreds and their riders, who have too many accolades to list, from the Jansal Saddlebreds parade group on Tuesday, May 2 from 5-9 PM at the Kentucky Exposition Center’s South Wing. Here, the public may also pick up free posters, coloring pages, and information about the breed provided by the ASHA.
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