Since 1917, the American Saddlebred breed’s World’s Championship Horse Show has been held in conjunction with the Kentucky State Fair in Louisville. The World’s Championship is one of the three gems of the Saddlebred triple crown along with the Lexington Jr. League Horse Show and the American Royal Horse Show.
While the show is a championship for Saddlebreds, there are also roadster horse classes, which feature only Standardbreds, and a full slate of classes for Hackney ponies. The Saddlebred breed’s saddle seat equitation championships are also held at the Kentucky State Fair.
Although Saddlebred fans and supporters have been pushing versatility in recent years, the World’s Championship is still overwhelmingly a saddle seat and driving show. In 2006, the show management made the decision to add Saddlebred western pleasure classes. There are currently two western classes offered during the show. However, the breed’s official championship classes for western pleasure, as well as hunter pleasure and pleasure equitation, are held at the St. Louis Charity Horse Show in September.
The show is available for viewing via live, online streaming. Click here to register.
Good luck to all the competitors. I hope no one is soring their horse.
I agree with you Horselover…Please no soring.
Soring isn’t really a Saddlebred issue. You’re confusing them with Tennessee Walkers.
The horse shown in the picture sure lifts those legs! No wonder he is wearing ribbons…. I also hope it’s not because of soaring.
hi! i am a saddlebred lover and rider i compte in the acedemy division which means im not able to show at the worldchampionships but i am abvle to show at shows like iashpa and upha and its awsom!!! and soaring is not a saddlebred issue its only for tenesse walkers also i may be going down to lousiville!! im so excited!
Sounds fun.