2009 World's Championship Horse Show: Five-Gaited Grand Champion (from ClubEquestrian.com)

[stacien6]

Why have a horse look so stiff and unrelaxed I don't get why people like them to look so stressed

[funnysummerfun]

@stacien6 Stressed? Their ears are perked forward, their trot is lively and energetic, the tails are up and their feet are high. So much for stiff.........

[stacien6]

All have there own opinion neg and pos so the way I see it is if you don't like it don't read it people post to get. A reaction. Got to except some bad out of it

[bnmo4u]

Ran across this video and decided to read the comments. Interesting the few who wrote negative comments obviously know little about the sport and especially about the saddlebred division.

Continue below

[bnmo4u]

Being in my 60's, having ridden, trained and competed successfully both the Saddlebred and Dressage arenas I find it interesting to read the few negative comments written here. By interesting I am not referring to what these uneducated or ignorant persons appear to pontificate about but rather that they pretend to possess even a modicum of knowledge regarding any form of horsemanship. which truly is sad as some young budding rider may read this drivel and lend it credence when it has none.

[LauraRussell03]

@bnmo4u I ride quarter horses but I enjoy watching all types of videos, and your comment sums up the negative ignorant comments I see on youtube. Reading the youtube comments for almost any type of video is a sad look into the ignorance and downright rudeness of some people. If I went to my horse shows or to another breed associations show and there were people standing around blabbering about how the horses are sad and unhappy and sored up and 'abused' it would be ridiculous.

[animallover12698]

@bnmo4u Thank you! I just love how people can say such negative things about what we do and know very little about it!

[WillieAndCarlAcres]

I just love watching him go!!!

[maddy2026]

beautiful horses

[grapeape1919]

Beautiful horses. It's a good thing that wasn't an equitation class...

[ThatsSOKaitlyn]

HEHE look at all those heads turn!! BEAUTIFUL horse all those horses are treated like royalty.

[plips71755]

For the folks who make comments about saddlebreds being abused - you really need to visit these shows and see how well cared for and trained these horses are. These horses from the time they are just babies in the field trot with their heads held high and necks arched marching along with natural high action. Saddlebreds are not abused - in fact they have to be comfortable to be able to get the most out of them. They love to show off and love people. Don't be ignorant - go visit a top show.

[MegF142857]

Isn't the rack and slow gait supposed to be smooth? Well, compared to the bouncy bouncy posting trot, then guess that's smoother. 

[deanizome123]

These horses love every second of being in the show ring. In order for them to look as good as they do, they must feel GREAT and be extremely HEALTHY all of the time, so please don't say that saddlebred people are cruel to their horses. I have a 23 year old AS gelding who won at the world championship many years ago and he still carries himself like he thinks he is an amazing horse like Courageous Lord! :) These horses love what they do and their owners/trainers love them and care for them well!

[tystone48]

The Horse Showed and was Shown with Brilliance ! Good Luck in the Championships!

[kds3491]

@raidernicky109-often times, as the horses age, it becomes more difficult for them to gain and retain weight. As far as being retired for years and still not being allowed outside, there are probably reasons behind that. When a horse has lived inside its whole life/show career, being outside is totally new and often overwhelming. It's for the horse's safety that they are kept inside. There are horses at my barn who haven't shown in at least 10 years who hate being outside. It jsut depends.

[halfgoodhalfevil]

I hate when I see people arguing and being disrespectful. Yes, there are some abusive horseman/horsewomen. And Yes, there are really great horsemen/horsewomen. We can't decide what kind of horsemen/horsewomen somebody is just by watching short videos on youtube. All equestrian sports have pros and cons and same goes for the riders. People who don't realize this are a little bit ignorant.

[myPerfectImage]

I've never shown saddleseat in my life and probably never will so I might be wrong, but I do notice that this man looks unbalanced and awkward-- Compared to other videos I've been browsing, and the other riders in that ring. and @JackDaisyLover55, I don't mean to be a critic or doubt in any way, but it seems kinda weird and a little hard to believe that you've been state champion since you were 8? (but maybe it's a younger division, so it's possible)

[WillieAndCarlAcres]

@myPerfectImage For some odd reason all male saddlebred trainer ride like that...

[funnysummerfun]

@myPerfectImage Actaully, many saddlebred slow gaits and racks are easy to sit to.

[JackDaisyLover55]

I just wish people would only comment positive things! It ticks me off to see people comment stupid things(like NewtonsMom)! If you don't have anything nice to say don't say it!!! But If ANYONE insults me and what I do I will defend myself!!!!!!!

[JackDaisyLover55]

NewtonMom....oh and I have one more question for you. Are you on something? Because it should does sound like it! I would be more than happy to check you into a rehab facility!;)

[NewtonsMom]

@SaddlebredLover144 Compare and contrast this rider/horse with...say Edward Gal/Morlands Totilas (search youtube for these names and see the FEI world Cup 2009 video). This SS rider looks like the flapping scarecrow from the Wizard of Oz. His arms flap, his legs flap, he's hunchbacked and bouncing wildly on the poor horses back. I challenge you face the facts. Which horse looks happier? Which rider is better connected?

[jzfield01]

What an awesome horse. Merrill is a true horseman and has done a great job with this horse. It is sad people need to be so rude about something they don't understand. This horse obviously enjoys what he is doing or he wouldn't be the best there is. As you heard Merrill say "This horse sometimes doesn't have confidence in himself." it takes a true horseman like Merrill to give a horse such as this the confidence he needs to be the greatest in his breed.

[raidernicky109]

I'm glad that there are people out there that take precautions for their horses health, but this past year, I got to visit a saddlebred farm. The older ones had hips that were protruding more than I think is healthy.Further more, these horses hadnt been shown in 2 years, yet they almost never got to go outside. I get that they are show animals but they are still horses and should be allowed to be horses. Props to those of you who excercise and really take care of your horses.

[funnysummerfun]

@raidernicky109 The horses at my barn live in their stalls and I ride saddlseat, The stalls are very large and spacious and they all have a healthy, balanced diet with a salt block and some have stall toys but they are all exercised so they wont become still or bored. We also let the horses run free in the outdoor ring if they havn't been ridden often.

[WinnepegParks]

That horse is amazing :))

[z74leatherface]

I do know about this style of riding, so I'm not just saying a mindless insult. I think saddlebreds are very beautiful movers and I know that that movement is natural. Not a cruel training method as some people would think it is. But I've heard that the saddlebreds are treated very poorly at their stables and that some trainers use crude methods to keep them on edge. Please correct me if I'm wrong, because i hope I am.

[funnysummerfun]

@z74leatherface I ride at Louisville Equestrian Center and ride saddle seat. All of the horses are feed a well balanced, nutricious feed and live in their stalls. We exercise them daily, several times a day for lessons. We do NOT sore any of them. We use stretchies and chains SOMETIMES during training sessions, never shows. The chains are light though and both are used to make the horse's legs stronger and durable, not for the high stepping action. The stalls are very clean and we give the

[funnysummerfun]

@z74leatherface horses salt blocks and some have stall toys their owners provide. We groom them, sometimes wash them and cool them out after every lesson. In the summer, we have automatic fly sprays and in the winter, we blanket them when nessicary. We do not use firecrackers but flutter garbage bags to desensitize them when showing. We feed them carrots, apples and sugar cubes. They have fans to cool them off in the summer and they are all taken excellent care of!

[ParkTrotPlease]

@ottopasquier And how can a sored horse trot and canter evenly? It's not like that can rack and slowgait the whole time.. Yeah right. Did you see that trot? No way he's sored.

[jdanceit]

newtonsmom - any type of bouncing around on a horses back is bad, this includes dressage riders the cant sit a trot, and jumpers who flop down not place themselves back in the saddle. as long as this isnt happening too much the horse is fine! i have been riding saddleseat/showjumping and eventing my saddlebreds in australia for 18yrs just fine and my parents years before me.

[funnybunny225ify]

ANewtonsMom.. I take it you have not ridden Saddleseat.

[Starzshine1212]

these horses are breathtaking. this crossed with a nice arab....mmm =]

[HarlemsBoomerangLvr]

@Starzshine1212 I love national show horses (arab X saddlebred) They are beautiful and awesome haha

[saddlebredhorsegirl]

i love saddlebreds they r so beautiful and powerful!

[2011beebee]

Our Charming Lady is such a beautiful mare! Square trot and gorgeous conformation!

... & to whoever believes that saddlebreds are mistreated or abused, you are simply uneducated about the breed of this horse.

[highhorse313]

American Saddlebred horses are not hurting when they are performing - in fact, far from it. Their performances reflect health, vigor, and unparalleled ability. An experienced horse person should easily recognize that.

[LoonaBolti]

@highhorse313

I can easily recognize a very harsh bridle/bit combination. I also see a horse with his head and neck in a position that makes it difficult to breathe. I see legs flopping and stiff, ungiving hands with elbows up like a chicken trying to fly.

[plips71755]

@LoonaBolti Please go visit a really good show. These horses can breath just fine. As to bridles etc. go to a show and watch a really showy horse and then watch them go on a completely loose rein during a timeout or after the class is over when some proud parent puts their 5 year up on them to ride back to the barn. These horses are fine tuned, they have a lot of natural suspension and push and some just bound you out of the saddle - it's the part we most enjoy riding. Try it.

[funnysummerfun]

@LoonaBolti The bits are no worse then the ones used in jumping, barrel racing, dressage or cross country. "Legs stiff and flopping Unforgiving hands and I also see a horse with his head and neck in a position that makes it difficult to breathe." The neck position is natural to saddlebreds, that is what makes them so beautiful and it is easy to breath, it makes no difference. We use soft hands but bump lightly back and forth. The leg action is very natural. Saddlebred foals display high steppin

[NewtonsMom]

apparently you know nothing about the biomechanics of the equine spine - get a clue.

[chloeburger1220]

@NewtonsMom and ummm about the spine? i do this style of riding and we have a chiropractor come to our facility once a month and she ensures that the horses are doing very well.

[NewtonsMom]

@chloeburger1220 - The thing is....if you were not flapping wildly on the horses back and could get him to lift from his stomach - you wouldn't NEED a chiropractor. Sure...you're horses are probably doing very well .....at helping her make money, that is.

[missruby98]

@NewtonsMom, Wow, How could you possibly be so self centered. Horseback riding is a diverse sport not just what YOU like. Theres Saddleseat riding which is very beautiful and elegant, Theres crosscountry, show jumping, eventing, Pleasure riding, barrels and many more and just because you think what you do is best doesnt mean it is. So get life and stop picking on saddleseat you bitch, Jeez!

[NewtonsMom]

@missruby98 It's not about me, Miss Ruby - I'm an advocate for the horse.

[NewtonsMom]

It saddens me that there are people that think that this is a good way to ride a horse. Try dressage....western pleasure....anything but this. It's abuse (and ugly).

[chloeburger1220]

@NewtonsMom i take it you are very uneducated about this style of riding, i dont want to be mean at all, but it really is truly amazing, and these horses love what they do!

[JackDaisyLover55]

@NewtonsMom All im saying is that you are an IDIOT!!!! I get very offensive when people talk badly about Saddlebreds and what we do!!!!! It is far from abuse we treat our horses like royalty!!!! Oh and it is the most beautiful thing I have ever seen!!!!!!!

[NewtonsMom]

@JackDaisyLover55 - I think you mean "I get very offended" - not "I get very offensive". You probably ride like you use the English language....sadly. If saddle seat is so great, why are there no saddle seat events in the World Equestrian Games, nor in the Olympics? Do your horse's back a favor and learn to ride with your ears, shoulders, hips and heels in a vertical line.

[JackDaisyLover55]

@NewtonsMom If you hate it so much why even bother commenting! You are just an immature idiot who doesn't who doesn't have a clue about what you are talking about!!! Oh and I am an honors student in everyone of my classes!!! And a matter of fact I have held the champion state title for 6 years(which is how long I have been showing saddle seat:)). I have tried other seats and I like saddle seat the most!! But the saddest part is...is that you're a mom. I would hate to have a mother like you!

[TheRealDevilDoll]

@NewtonsMom There aren't Western riding events in the Olympics, either. They only have English/Dressage/Hunter-Jumper because it's universal. Saddle seat and Western are American, and not world-wide. So, it has nothing to do with saddle seat (or Western) being "bad".

[eowentada]

cool video... always like hearing the trainer/rider comments on the ride!