American Saddlebreds are off to our great Nation’s Capitol!
The Year of The Saddlebred’s most exciting promotion to date will take place at 7:00 P.M. on Friday, October 24th, 2008 at the Verizon Center in downtown Washington D.C.
The Washington International Horse Show will be celebrating its 50th Anniversary this year. In honor of this event, the American Saddlebreds have been invited back once again to perform in Washington, DC - as they did for the last time 36 years ago! Our American Saddlebreds will perform an exciting Exhibition before a spectator audience of many thousands in attendance Friday night to see the annual Puissance Open Jumper class. This event receives significant press coverage, and the possibilities of exposing the American Saddlebred to the general public will be endless.
The phenomenal lineup of World’s and Reserve World’s Champions is something you won’t want to miss!
Actor and fashion guru Carson Kressley will present the colors aboard CH A Magic Surprise, proudly owned by Pat Johnson and trained by North Wind Stables.
Representing the three-gaited division will be WC CH Blackberry Delight. This magnificent horse will be making his final appearance before a crowd of thousands.
Owned by: Shannon Sewell and Rachael Machamer
Ridden By: Rachael Machamer
Trained By: Hollow Haven Farm
The reigning WGC Three-Gaited CH Our Charming Lady
Ridden by: Mary Marcum Orr
Trained by: Evan and Mary Marcum Orr
Owned by: Donna and Jack Finch
Five-Gaited RWGC According To Lynn
Ridden by: Mary Gaylord McLean
Owned by: Golden Creek Farms
Trained by: Premier Stables
WC Callaway’s Winning Ways
Ridden by: Barclay de Wet
Trained by: Redd Crabtree
Owned by: Leatherwood Stud LLC
Fine Harness WGC Mother Mary
Presented by: Sandra Lilly
Trained by: Mercer Spring Farm
Owned by: Richard and Anita Simpson
RWC Kiri
Trained By: John Champagne
Owned and Presented by: Sheri Wechsler
WC CH His Supreme Reflection
Ridden By: Jaqueline Manzo
Trained By: Tom Sworm Stables
Owned By: Kimberly Moffat Jones
How It All Began...
Carolyn Folkers and Ann Wilkinson were having a casual meeting discussing ideas for Saddlebred promotion. Ann threw out the idea, "Wouldn’t it be neat to put on an Exhibition at the Washington International?"
Carolyn replied, "Let’s do it!"
The formal planning began this past January at the UPHA Convention held in Roanoke, VA. An Executive Committee was put in place to move forward with the goal of promoting the American Saddlebred. 2008 then became "The Year of the American Saddlebred". The committee consisted of Ann Wilkinson, Lynn Via, Owen Weaver, Shirley Smith, Sally Jackson, Pat Johnson, Rebecca Sturm-Clauser, and Carolyn Folkers.
Diane Hauslein, President of the Mid-Atlantic Saddlebred Association, representing the Washington, DC area, is acting as the liaison between the ASB world and the WIHS management for organization and implementation purposes. Diane met Carolyn at the ASHA Annual Meeting in February, 2008, was thrilled to hear of the possibility of American Saddlebreds returning to Washington, DC, and offered to assist in any way. "The efforts are a labor of love for the future success of our breed," states Ms. Hauslein. She continued, "The WIHS is an incredible opportunity to show a large, horse savvy audience our beautiful, athletic, and versatile breed."
The American Saddlebred Horse Association, working with ASHAV charter club President, Carol Reedy, continues to be enthusiastic and supportive about this tremendous promotional opportunity. A public information booth, fully stocked with informational literature promoting the breed, is being provided by the association for the entire week of the Washington International Horse Show.
Carolyn Folkers would like to personally thank everyone for their participation in both organizing and exhibiting our breed of choice, The American Saddlebred.
For further information, contact Carolyn Folkers at 434.386.4350, or Diane Hauslein at 202.415.1633.