In the late summer of 1977 I took my seven-month-old daughter to our first tournament at Spruce Meadows. I can still see the Spruce Meadows ticket dangling from the strap of her little pink overalls. We sat on blankets on the grass because there were no stands then and she played happily while I watched horses like Texas and The Flying Nun jump the huge outdoor course. Who would have thought that 30-odd years later thanks to Performance Standardbreds I’d be watching that baby, all grown up, riding her own horses at that same venue, also much matured.

I had always hoped that my daughter, Holly, would inherit my love of horses and she has. While she was growing up, we were somewhat limited financially in the kind of horses we owned so she didn’t always have a horse to match her potential. That changed when a colleague of mine who was involved in harness racing approached me about a four-year-old in their racing stable who was not going to make it on the track. Bare Essentials, a big bay gelding affectionately known as Bart, had a great mind, perfect conformation and a terrific disposition. He was also in desperate need of a good home. The horse was gorgeous, the price was right and Bart took his place in our pasture and in Holly’s heart, where he remains to this day.

Bart took being broke to saddle in stride. His training on the track had given him beautiful ground manners. He stood quietly and accepted new equipment and experiences with no fuss at all. “Saddle? Okay. You want to sit on my back? That’s odd, but, okay. Legs on my side? Feels a little weird but if that’s what you want, okay.” You could almost see the cogs turn while he tried to figure out what was wanted and as soon as he knew, he gave it. I’ve had the same experience with every other Standardbred I’ve owned.

Holly now had a sound and incredibly athletic horse. She and Bart participated successfully in Pony Club and local shows. Thanks to Performance Standardbreds, they competed at Spruce Meadows in the Battle of the Breeds for many years. Bart even went with Holly to study Equine Science at Olds College. Many Standardbred stereotypes bit the dust once the potential of these great-hearted horses was recognized. Holly and Bart, and later Renaissance, are proof that Standardbreds can compete and win in disciplines other than harness racing.

Bart is now in his 20s and taking good care of my grandchildren. There have been other Standardbreds in my life since, including Katy Did, my current four-legged partner. We two matrons, human and equine, share the philosophy that a little light work now and then is all we need or want. No fuss. No worries. Just do it. And if I want to talk, she’s a pretty good listener.

In 2008 at the age of 55 I entered my first horse show, Performance Standardbreds’ Chaos to Collection. Katy Did performed acceptably well and this year at my second show I won my first red ribbon, also aboard a Standardbred. Standardbreds truly are The Best Kept Secret — Affordable Sport Horses. They have the temperament of a warmblood and a work ethic unmatched in the horse world. Carefully bred to be athletes, they are born for horse sport, be it jumping, driving, dressage or pleasure. (Some of them even make pretty good racehorses.)

Performance Standardbreds has played an important part in my life. Solid friendships have been forged through the group. What better way to spend a few hours than talking horses with like-minded individuals? The club offers clinics, guest speakers, special events and an annual schooling show. There are opportunities to promote the breed by volunteering in information booths at the Stampede and other horse-related events, and by participating in the Breed Showcase at Spruce Meadows. Team Standardbred always made a respectable showing in the Battle of the Breeds, and hope lives on that with new members and horses coming up, Team Standardbred will ride again!

Looking for a competition prospect? Looking for a pleasure horse? Looking for a companion? By letting a Standardbred into your life you gain a great heart, a great mind and great character. By joining Performance Standardbreds you gain a great support group and great opportunities for learning, enjoyment and participation — not to mention a few good stories to tell.

I hate to think what I may have missed if I hadn’t opened my mind when that first bay gelding came my way.