01/13/2026
Deardorff Stable wholeheartedly supports this division!
Mastering The Future....If you build it they will come!
So often, I talk about our young riders in the Weekly Happenings. I discuss their progress, their families, and try to share stories to help inform and encourage the journey of horse crazy kids, whether itโs riding lessons, academy shows, or owning and showing their own horse.
This first week of January is dedicated to lifelong equestrians. The riders that have ridden their whole lives and continue to love the horses and the sport. The adult riders that always wanted to ride and took up riding when they could finally afford it. The riders that rode as children then grew up, started careers, had families, and now finally the children are grown, and it is time for them to return to something they have always loved and have never forgotten.
In both the Arabians and Morgans, the adults Iโm describing have a very popular division available to them at all the shows, and it is finally starting to make its way to the Saddlebred world. This division is for riders 60 and over and is called the Masters Division. In the Saddlebred World,
there is lots of debate over session length, the number of available classes, small numbers, and whether or not those things just dilute classes in order to help win the coveted blue ribbon.
2025, as I have shared, was a year of a lot of changes and challenges for me personally. As we step into 2026, I am here to tell you that if I have learned one thing from the past year, it is that I will not hold back if I believe in something, and I believe that the time has come for our industry
to embrace Masters classes.
When you start something new, it is scary. The numbers may be small, but you have to believe in what you are doing. You have to look down the road, and be brave enough to use your voice for the greater good. Masters classes are needed in the Saddlebred industry. Masters classes merit a five year plan to grow into what I know they can be for our exhibitors who have loved this industry, stuck with this industry, and want to continue to show in this industry in classes designed for their needs. There is a big difference between an 18 year old rider and a 60 year old rider. Their hearts are the same, but their bodies are not.
Our High Caliber Masters riders are the heart of High Caliber Stables. They have seen the horse industry through all of the ups and downs and they are still here riding, working hard, and supporting the industry. Just think about what it does for the horse industry if you have Masters classes: you sell more horses; horses have jobs for longer periods of time. Masters riders do not feel discouraged, but instead feel encouraged. Rather than seeing it as potentially diluting a class, why not flip that and view it as growing a new division? Why are those classes not worth the extra 20 minutes of a show session? How is making divisions that suit all of our riders not a way to help our breed move forward? In order to continue to grow and sustain our industry, we need good spots for both people and horses to go.
Things change, and it is time for the Saddlebred industry to include the classes that support the exhibitors. It is time for the horse shows to provide the classes that help us have spots for all of our horses, not just the "Michael Jordansโ. I know people love and enjoy basketball at all levels and all ages. I also know that there are teams created for all people to compete fairly because of age. Just โbe glad you are able to show at allโ is not an answer I will accept anymore.
It is not about the blue ribbons. It is about competing with people your age on horses that are appropriate for the division. Iโm not suggesting that all adults age 60 and over must ride in Masters classes, but having Masters classes available will potentially keep more adults age 60 and over showing longer.
I have watched the Jr. Exhibitor Park division grow from one horse classes into a huge, thriving and competitive division this is now as big as any class. You have to build it! They will come. Hunt Seat, Western, and Walk and Trot Pleasure are often the largest classes of the show. I believe that is because people feel successful and have fun when they are competing in divisions that most closely match their skill sets with horses that suit that division. It also encourages breeding horses when breeders know that trainers can find a spot and a job for all levels of horses. Just think how many people might keep going if there are more divisions available to them and their horses. I believe more available options encourages people to participate and attend - even if the numbers are small to start. I do not think Masters classes dilute existing divisions. I believe adding Masters classes is a growth mindset that will take time to have increased entries. I believe the time to start is now.
I am excited to share the information and research I have gathered in support of Masters classes at the upcoming UPHA Convention. I look forward to going to show management and asking for Masters classes to be added to the schedules. This division has been proven successful for Masters age riders in the other breeds, letโs follow suit! Don't be afraid to try. Don't be afraid to speak up, and most importantly, take action for ideas that will help ALL of us grow and sustain a sport and industry we love.
If you build it, they will come!
Add the classes. Take the chance. If we work together, we will not fail!
Have A Great Week.
Weekly Happenings from High Caliber Stables - https://mailchi.mp/8aa7a1a07522/weekly-happenings-from-high-caliber-stables-14255374
