The current exhibition 'History Captured: American Saddlebreds through the Photographer's Lens' features many images from photographers working today. This beautiful image of Source Code (Fort Chiswell's Royal Kiss x Sue Ebony) was taken at the Rock Creek Horse Show in 2021 by Gayle Strickroot.
Strickroot has had a long career in horse show photography and tells us the story of how she came to the profession. "I was always taking photographs at horse shows, but it wasn’t until the digital camera gained popularity that I focused on photographing American Saddlebred horses. The American Saddlebred is an elegant and versatile horse both inside and outside of the show ring and my admiration for this horse has lead me on an amazing photography journey. Over that last 25 years, I have had the opportunity to work with an amazing group of clients. It is their dedication to the Saddlebred industry that has enabled me to create a successful career in this industry."
📷: Source Code, Gayle Strickroot, 2021
Are you attending our SOLD OUT Summer Garden Party on July 7? Make sure you are familiar with the amazing LIVE AUCTION items and be ready to bid!
A VIP Experience at the Hambletonian
Football Lover's Package: See UK @ Florida in a Luxury Sky Box Suite
CH The Daily Lottery Rocking Horse by Tommy Lovell
A Charming Bungalow in Carson City, Nevada
Descriptions are listed on our website at /summer-garden-party Can't make it to the event? Email our staff for remote bidding museum@asbmuseum.org.
We have reached capacity for our Summer Garden Party on Sunday, July 7th. We look forward to seeing you all there and hope that everyone attending the Lexington Junior League Charity Horse Show will plan to visit the Museum and enjoy our new Heritage Garden!
There are some amazing LIVE AUCTION items to bid on at our Summer Garden Party on Sunday, July 7 at 1:00 p.m. Get your tickets now for the opportunity to bid on some one-in-a-lifetime opportunities.
Live auction items include a VIP Experience at the Hambletonian, UK at Florida Luxury Skybox experience, CH The Daily Lottery rocking horse by Tommy Lovell, and a Bungalow in Carson City, Nevada. To see the details about these amazing items, go to our website link in bio.
There is going to be an amazing silent auction too--so be ready to bid!
Happy Father's Day to fathers and father figures everywhere.
Here is a story you may not be familiar with about the famous photograph by John R. Horst of the great champion and stallion CH Wing Commander.
Dodge Stables trainer, Earl Teater, and photographer, John Horst, were good friends. Horst made the iconic photo (facing right) of Teater's most famous mount, six time World’s Grand Champion, CHWing Commander, and it was the photo that appeared in all the advertising for the show horse and breeding stallion throughout his career. But there was another photo taken on the same day at Dodge Stables, and it was Horst’s favorite (facing left.) Horst and Teater discussed the choice; some may say they argued. But the decision was Teater’s, and once it was made, it was made. Teater wanted no “retouching” and let Horst change very little about the exciting likeness of the stallion.
One can imagine that John Horst presented the other lovely photo to Teater to change his mind, or to show him what a beautiful photograph it was and to encourage its use. But Earl Teater’s chosen photo was a perfect portrayal of the wild-going stallion and became famous in and of itself.
John R. Horst, CH Wing Commander, Earl Teater up, 1949
John R. Horst, CH Wing Commander, Earl Teater up, 1952
#happyfathersday#stallionsofinstagram#americansaddlebred#saddlebredhistory#saddlebredsofinstagram#equinephoto#vintagephoto
On #NationalBourbonDay , we would like to send a nod to a great American Saddlebred -- Genius Bourbon King. Foaled at Kentucky’s Dixiana Farm, the well-bred son of Bourbon Genius and Blessed Event was originally named Shoreacres Genius. Mr. and Mrs. J.L. Younghusband, of Valley View Farm, purchased the young stallion and changed his name to Genius Bourbon King. Despite limited breeding during his years at Valley View Farm, Genius Bourbon King earned a reputation for passing on his wonderful disposition, superb confirmation and brilliant show ring presence. The notable horses he sired at Valley View include WC CHMiss America, WGC and WC sire CHValley View Supreme, and WC sire The Rambler.
In 1962, his owner’s health began to fail and several parties competed to purchase the stud. Mrs. Judson Large told her husband she had fallen in love with the most beautiful stallion she had ever seen. With his encouragement, she purchased Genius Bourbon King and her ownership, he sired Hall Of Fame Broodmare Lifetime Affair, WC Terra Cotta and Mrs. Large’s greatest broodmare, Aires Golden Gift (BHF), dam of multi WGC Five-Gaited CHSky Watch. Rarely does a stallion produce get who dominate both in the show ring and in the breeding shed.
📷 John R. Horst, Genius Bourbon King, 1953
Do you love it when you get fancy mail? Museum staff were tickled to receive this lovely envelope with three vintage American Saddlebred stamps! These twenty-two cent beauties were released in 1985 as part of a four block series featuring American Horses. The set included Morgan, Appaloosa, Quarter horse and Saddlebred.
This lovely group of ladies from the Barbourville Women's Club visited the Museum's Library yesterday to research an important American Saddlebred farm and horse from their town. They found useful information about Minton Hickory Farm and The Feudist in our library and archives. Keep us posted on your research ladies, we are excited learn more about this great horse.
Did you know the Museum has been located at the Kentucky Horse Park for 40 years?
The American Saddlebred Museum was founded in 1961 but officially opened to the public in 1962. The original location was in the carriage house behind the historic Spindletop Hall in Lexington, Kentucky. The Museum moved to the Hart Hardware Company building in Louisville, Kentucky in 1977. In 1982, the Museum started looking for a new space and the new Kentucky Horse Park. On June 1, 1984, the Museum held a ground breaking ceremony for our current location. The new museum was opened to the public in 1986.
See how the museum has changed on on July 7 at 1:00 during our Summer Garden Party. We will be celebrating the establishment of the new Heritage Garden designed by Jon Carloftis. To purchase tickets and see full event schedule including lunch, fashion show and pop-up shops go to our website link in bio.
📷: Jamie Donaldson, American Saddlebred Museum, c. 1986
