Not so. The horse of dreams does exist the American Saddlebred. Although rare in this country, he is attainable, the super-structure exists to make him a possibility.

Following on from Ilaria Dotti’s story of her Dream Come True in Italy (see last issue), this article is about the realisation of the dream for three Saddlebred enthusiasts in the UK - myself, Jane Green and the Neal family.

Rare Visions wowing the crowds

For me it all happened in 1990, when after a life-time of willing it, the circumstances prevailed that made it all come true. I had known for many years that the horse of my waking dreams was an American Saddlebred, and some trips to America to shows and training barns had proved it to me beyond doubt. When my chance came to acquire one, I set my friend in Kansas City, Janet Rorhman, the onerous task of finding a suitable five-gaited mare for me. Eventually she sent me photographs of the mare she thought I would like and within a few days theshipment agent, International Racehorse Transport (IRT), were instructed and the mare had her pre-quarantine blood tests and passed them; funds were transferred bank to bank; the horse was hauled from Kansas City to Long Island for her 30 days quarantine, and waited to become an immigrant to the UK. The staff at the quarantine farm were used to handling Thorougbreds, but this was their first Saddlebred and they fell in love with Rare Visions the grooms squabbling over who should have the privilege of giving the mare her walking exercise each day. They even sent a message to me, via Gillian Macfarlane of IRT, to tell me I had purchased the most wonderful horse,and how lucky I was.

I soon found that out for myself. At sunset on 2nd May 1990 she arrived on a Federal Express jumbo jet at Stansted Airport, having travelled with a Thoroughbred companion and a consignment of HM The Queen’s priceless paintings.

A lorry ride brought her to her new home in East Sussex after dark. She seemed fresh and happy, was in fine condition and ate her strange new food and new hay with relish. The next day she was exhausted. She slept from 10am right through until 3pm and did the same the following day. Excited as we were, we left her in peace as much as possible, and by the third day she was ready to get to know her new country.

From that day to this Rare Visions, (pet name: Scarlett) has undertaken displays and demonstrations to promote the talents and virtues of the special five-gaited American Saddlebred.

Her work has led to the importation of more performance mares.

The Dancing Vixen

Mr Robin Neal had harboured an image of his ideal horse in his head for most of his life, but had failed to find anything that came close until he saw Rare Visions. Very shortly he asked me to acquire him a similar horse. At the same time, Jane Green, who also had been keen on horses for years but felt no affinity to what was available in England, also placed an order for a five-gaited Saddlebred. So once more Janet Rorhman was sent out on a mission to locate the right horses.

Within a few weeks two horses had been identified, photographs and videos approved, purchases made. The two horses: a 16hh mare, The Dancing Vixen, from Iowa, and a 16.3hh gelding, Will’s Gazette, found in Wichita, Kansas, went into quarantine.