The Sugarbush Hitch Company

29/07/2025

Monnie and Harley have met so many fans at Breyerfest this year, it's been incredible! So many models, autograph cards, and hats have been signed and many, many pets, hugs, and peppermints have been given to Harley and Rip!

Photo by Ky Roberts

29/07/2025

29/07/2025

29/07/2025

What’s in a name? Ever wonder how the name Sugarbush came to be associated with the breed? The term Sugar bush refers to a forest stand made up of Sugar Maples or Black Maples, which are utilized for maple syrup. They can be found all over the birth place of the American Sugarbush Harlequin Draft. The farm where the breed originated is known as The Sugarbush. Breed founder, Mr. Everett Smith, had a successful horse drawn carriage business called the Sugarbush Hitch Company. Over time, his flashy Lp (appaloosa) spotted horses became known to his customers and fans of his horses as the “Sugarbush Drafts”.

Pictured is a herd of Percheron's and American Sugarbush Harlequin Draft horses owned by Everett Smith. A beautiful sight indeed! His beloved horses grazed in the lush pastures of The Sugarbush surrounded by the very trees that gave the breed their name.

We at ASHDA treasure these photos, giving us a look back to the early days of this wonderful breed.

Photo credits to Mr. Everett
Smith, founder of The Sugarbush Hitch Company and the American Sugarbush Harlequin Draft Horse breed.

29/07/2025

Swann is a Harley Quinne descendant

Swann’s new ‘do.

29/07/2025

Conde is a Rose descendant

22/06/2025

09/06/2025

ASHDA TBT.
Born in 1994, ASHDA Hall of Fame mare, Sugarbush Felina Del Noche, was an influential mare in Mr. Smith's breeding program. Her sire, Valley Vista Knighttime, was a well known Percheron stallion. Mr. Smith was very selective in the horses he chose for his breeding program and Felina would be a part of creating the foundation of this breed. In 1998, Mr. Smith bred her to ASHDA Hall of Fame founding sire, Stonewall Rascal, a striking leopard SSB (Stonewall Stud Book) stallion owned by Michael Muir. That breeding resulted in the iconic Hall of Fame E-Designation stallion, Sugarbush Harley Quinne.

Three years later, Felina produced E-Designation ASHDA Hall of Fame mare, Sugarbush O' Rosamunde, sired by Stonewall Domino, a flashy leopard SSB stallion.
Although Felina is no longer living, her descendants continue to contribute to the revival of the breed. Many of today’s founding line ASHDA horses go back to Felina and carry on her legacy.
Through them, future generations of American Sugarbush Harlequin Drafts will owe their heritage to this wonderful foundation mare.
Felina pictured with breed founder, Mr. Everett Smith, at the birthplace of the breed, The Sugarbush Hitch Company.

29/04/2025

Solo is a Harley Quinn descendant!

✨🐴Saturdays are for Stallions🐴✨

Pardon My French moving like the wind knows his name—tail fully frosted and flowing. This one feels like a moment. 🤩

22/04/2025

Swann is a Harley Quinne descendant!

We are continuing our spotlight of our Nationals winners!

Today is Sugarbush Classic Star, owned by Five Oaks Sweet Spot Drafts !

"Swann" won:

Res Champion Yearling
National Champion 2023 Fillies Conformation

Congratulations to Swann and her owners! She is one of the four daughters of ASHDA Hall of Fame mare, Stonewall Virginia, to bring home a National title during our show!

19/04/2025

The Everett Smith and Shirley Smith Award winners from the first ASHDA Nationals. Highest pointed Stallion and Mare descended from the original Sugarbush Hitch Company Program.

Pardon My French, 2021 bay blanket stallion owned by Red Earth Farmstead and Sugarbush Smokeshow, owned and bred by Trinity Appaloosa Farm.

Both are great grandchildren of Sugarbush Harley Quinne, sired by two different grandsons of his.

14/04/2025

Solo is a Harley Quinn descendant!

Pardon My French didn’t just bring home ribbons—he brought home something much deeper.

He’s the first-ever recipient of the Everett Smith Award, given to the highest pointed stallion descended from the original The Sugarbush Hitch Company program.

To have his name tied to Everett Smith—the founder of the breed and the heart behind so many Hall of Fame horses—is a moment we will never take lightly.

Our goal has always been to carry ourselves in a way that would make Everett proud, while helping move the breed forward with purpose, respect, and passion.

This isn’t just a win—it’s a legacy in motion.

📸 Trinity Appaloosa Farm