Strength of Mind

I've enjoyed a super week of horse racing over the week of the Melbourne Cup and the weekends leading up to it. Great to watch the stories of SoYouThink and Black Caviar unfold, and fantastic to see the spoils distributed to about 20 trainers, rather than just a couple of the "names". Beautiful horses, and the quality is improving all the time, with the development of global breeding and racing!

So "Why Saddlebreds", I'm asked by colleagues who only know Thoroughbreds and by people trialling my horses??

I love their attitude, 'relatability' and 'strength of mind'.
These photos show Paeon changing shape as he grows and consolidates his training ...just over the last year: running in the paddock in October 2009, sunning himself in the paddock in May 2010 before starting some jump training with Emma, on course in his first ever event at WIngham in September 2010, then developing his flat work November 2010.
He turnes 5 next month!
He shows the temperament, or strength of mind, to perform under pressure. In the US the ASBs lift their performance in the show ring when egged on by crowds of thousands and the hype of music and ringmasters. I was fascinated to watch Pan completely ignore the drama of three young Warmblood/Thoroughbreds working in the indoor arena when trialled by a young 13 year-old rider. 2 youngsters on the lunge and another having his first ridden session. One on the lunge jacked-up and almost fell over backwards in front of Pan; not an ideal situation(!!!!)The ridden one was 'freaked' by horses coming directly towards him so Pan's young rider was advised to work around him, but Pan maintained his composure, and dressage frame(!) perfectly and did not put a foot out of place. He was totally switched on to his young rider. "In the Zone".

How impressive is that!! In the breed!..and, of course his confidence has a lot to do with the confidence he has been allowed to develop with super calm training from Jeremy, Christine, and Emma.

The problem with Saddlebreds??? They become part of the family because they always let you know they're pleased to see you and work for you ..and you want to see them develop to their full potential. It's hard to let them go!!