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North American Sportbred Breed Standard

North American Sportbred Vision

The North American Sportbred Registry is looking to build upon the quality foundation of horses found in North America to create a modern sporthorse. As with any new registry, we plan on carefully selecting foundation horses (which may be from various breeds, or even grade horses) in order to breed a new "type" with favorable results seen from the F1 (first generation), and then onward to F2, F3, etc., We will strive to consistently improve each generation in the hope of obtaining a stable and consistent phenotype by the 4th generation (F4) and beyond.

What foundation is the Sportbred formed from?

We intend on developing the Sportbred horse by using mainly American Saddlebreds, and some infused with: Warmbloods, Purebreds (TB, Arabian, Morgan, Andalusian, etc..), as well as a few carefully select grade horses. All foundation horses must be of "sport type".

The qualities we seek to breed into the Sportbred that are also exhibited in the American Saddlebred are: athleticism, refinement, drive, stamina, uphill build, strong high neck set, and an attentive energetic temperament.  We believe these qualities are essential building blocks for today’s sporthorse and recognize the need to focus on preserving them in future generations of the Sportbred.

Conformation

The desired conformation in a Sportbred is one that imparts athleticism and preserves soundness. Other then the obvious need for correctness and balance the Sportbred should exhibit an overall rectangular frame and an uphill build.

Overall frame: should be well balanced (the front, middle and hind of the body should be roughly of 3 equal parts) and the head and neck should be in proportion with each other as well as the rest of the body.

Head: is fine, medium-long in length with, wide set eyes, large nostrils, and long expressive ears.

Neck: is wedge shaped, medium to long in length, set on high (about one hand’s breath above the chest bone), and flows smoothly into a well defined wither.

Shoulders: are nicely sloped with a moderate width of chest and sufficient

 length of forearm of to allow for a free forward stride, and good overall

A fine example of Sportbred "Type" and Conformation.  

shock absorbing ability (particularly in horses destined for the jumping disciplines).

Midsection: A deep chest, round barrel, and well sprung ribs allow for full expansion of lungs during high aerobic activities.

Back: is strong, well muscled, and medium to medium-long in length. Excessively long backs are not desired. Good saddle placement is highly desirable since the main use of the Sportbred is for work under saddle

Croup and Loin: should both be strong, well muscled, and correctly connected with the croup sloping smoothly into a medium-low set tail. The Lumbar Sacral (LS) Joint should ideally set between, or just in front of, the hip bones at the top of the horses back. Correct placement of the LS joint helps to to allow the horse to gather his hind legs underneath itself, therefore, LS joints set behind the desired line are not desired.

 Legs: are medium boned and correct with no deviations. Correctness of the legs help ensure long-term soundness. The cannon bones are short, compact, and strong. A nice, long forearm in the front leg is desired. Stifle and gaskin connection in the hind leg should have good angulation and definition.

Hooves: are very sound with shoes rarely needed.

Muscling: Overall should be in sufficient quantity and quality but without excess, to ensure sound, long-term performance.

Color
Any color is permitted. Predominant colors are bay and chestnut. True blacks are few, but found as well. Predominate Color modifiers are Pinto (tobiano and overo variations) and dilute. Champagne and Appaloosa modifiers are few, but found as well.

Temperament

The Sportbred is an active and attentive horse that exhibits a willingness to work with a calm demeanor. Their keen intelligence allows for ease in training and progression up to any level. The temperament they exhibit allows them to be, in general, easier to train, respond well under pressure, and a pleasure to handle. The Sportbred’s incredible temperament makes them an ideal horse suitable for all ages and levels of showing.    

Movement

The Sportbred’s movement is one that is functional for any of the English disciplines. The general impression should be one of lightness and agility.  We strive for quality and purity of all gaits (good four beat walk, clear two beat trot and steady 3 beat canter). The walk should exhibit a clear overstride, signaling impulsion and engagement of the hind quarters. The trot and canter should be light, forward and appear effortless.

The ideal Sportbred should show the ability to;

1.) Naturally push off from the hindquarters during upward transition, and

2.) Maintain this impulsion and self carriage into and consistently through each gait.

These qualities prove very difficult to train into lacking gaits. However, it is specifically these two indispensable qualities, proven to be consistently inherent in the modern Sportbred’s natural way of going, that make them so appealing and much sought after. 

Thoroughbred X Saddlebred cross