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The Standardbred
By Catrina Godden

I am yesterday’s founding sire,
Today’s great dam.
The shadow of tomorrow’s
Famed I am.

I boast the great Messenger,
A clever pony or two.
The Morgan and Arabs all three,
Their blood courses through.

For a century or more
My breed has been whole.
My book was closed
With refinement and soul.

I have created new breeds,
This the Saddlebreds don’t regret.
The Tennessee Walkers
Requirements I’ve met.

Though I’m well known
In the arena of speed,
Performance under saddle
Is also my creed.

My gait is not unique,
Though highly refined.
I will travel with ease
Wether you sit on or behind.

With the disabled astride
I willingly obey.
Or as a dressage mount
I will exhibit more disciplined ways.

As a first horse
For the eager and keen,
Or working stock
I may be seen.

My colour abound,
Though no appaloosa or true black.
I am the chestnuts and brown
Of the traditional hack.

The grey with dapples,
All smoky and blue.
Roans with bay heads
Cream and buckskin too.

The warm woody tones of the bay
And blacks that are near night.
Some of my kind
God had splashed with white.

I carry the brand of distinction
For all to see.
That signifies I am a horse
For performance or company.

I’m often misjudged
Because of my name.
It doesn’t imply we are common
Just capable of the same.

I do vary in type
As I’ve been bred for speed,
A horse for all seasons
Whatever the need.

I may earn money and trophies
Ribbons galore.
But winning hearts
Is where I really score.

I am yesterday’s courage,
Today’s gracefully bred.
Tomorrow’s versatility,
I am the Standardbred.

Please visit the website of the author Skewbald Racing Stables

Used with the Authors permission

Standardbred Spotlight
Maatingly

(Equine Journal newsletter, January, 2007, by Pam Rhodes)

2006 Ambassador Horse

Late last fall, Lisa Watson contacted SPHO about helping to find a home for her retiring Standardbred."Bugs", as he was called at the track, was a four year old gelding, who had raced for a year and a half, but decided it wasn't for him. He was a pacer who loved to trot, had tremendous personality, was sound, and since he was only four years old, Lisa's main concern was that he find a good, permanent home. Maatingly became our Ambassador Horse and first appeared on these pages in Robyn Cuffey's article, "The Grays Have It", August 2006. His sire was the great Laag, whose beautiful gray color he perpetuates, confounding the common misconception that Standardbreds are bays.

Maat was boarded at the home of Molly Kinney from December 2005 until his adoption in August 2006. During his time with her, she enjoyed his youthful antics, but also recognized his athleticism and willingness to learn through longlining and under-saddle work. Despite his small size, she especially liked his huge movements. By the end of the summer, he'd also worked with Emma Ballou and Greg Cuffey, and had been in the Turner Parade, to the beach, and on trail rides. He was ready for adoption.

Wendy Wieland-Alter was looking for another horse. She already owned a Standardbred who convinced her that they are safe and sane,so went to the SPHO Web site where she learned about Maat. She came here from her home in Vermont, rode him, and decided immediately that he was for her. In his new home, it took about 20 minutes of pacing the fence meeting his new pasture mates for Maat to settle in.

Maat and Wendy will spend the winter getting acquainted doing a little ring work and on relaxed trail rides through the woods and along back roads. Already he has proven to be easy-going, enjoys helping with barn work, and eagerly accepts treats, but he also comes out ready and willing to work. Next spring Wendy hopes to learn more about Maatingly's interesting gaits, do some low-level dressage, maybe some jumping, and lots of trail riding. Congratulations to Maatingly and Wendy, and best wishes for many happy years together!

Ambassador Horse Program & Mission

While we are not an adoption agency, our ambassador horses are one way in which we are able to retrain and place Standardbreds. Horses of any age may be donated by their owner. They might have failed to show promise in early training, have had an injury that prevents racing,or have been retired at the compulsory age of 14. If physical problems are apparent, a vet check might be performed, but once accepted by SPHO-ME the horses are retrained for pleasure use. A panel of three SPHO members agrees to sponsor each horse to insure that no one person makes vital decisions. Members volunteer to board, retrain, trailer, and show the horses free, but are reimbursed by SPHO-ME for feeding, worming, annual immunizations, and other veterinary services up to the value of the horse. Volunteers also present these Standardbreds to the public at a variety of equine events, such as parades, open shows, trail rides, and other public venues, where they act as goodwill ambassadors for the breed. When the horses are deemed ready for adoption, they are put up for sale to a responsible owner with the proceeds being used to fund another Ambassador Project horse and/or to further SPHO-ME's mission. Now finishing its third year of operation, the program has successfully retrained and placed four horses, with another currently in training. It must be said, however, that many other Standardbreds are placed outside of this program simply by word of mouth between the racetrack and SPHO members.

SPHO-Maine is accepting donations of hay, grain or other supplies for the Ambassador Program. If you are interested in donating please contact Denise at 499-7556 or email denise@sphomaine.net

MISSION STATEMENT

Philosophy
All Standardbred horses deserve the opportunity to live a full, complete life in a safe environment.

Mission
The mission of the Standardbred Pleasure Horse Organization of Maine is to encourage recruitment, retraining, placement and promotion of the Standardbred horse's versatility for pleasure purposes before, during, and after harness racing careers. Further, the Standardbred Pleasure Horse Organization of Maine serves its membership by providing and promoting programs that will ensure responsible ownership of Standardbred horses.