A quick search on Google reveals that a “sport horse” usually refers to an equine bred for the traditional Olympic disciplines of eventing, dressage, and show jumping.  Such horses are typically athletic, graceful, bold, and have good muscle/bone and good minds.

Most often, you will find the term applied to breeds like Thoroughbreds, Trakehners, and Irish Sport Horses. Where, then, do Morgans fit into all of this?

The answer is, anywhere we like. Versatility is the hallmark of our breed. While it is true that the “main ring” disciplines like park saddle, Western pleasure, and hunter pleasure garner more attention and advertising dollars, the sport disciplines — which today can be thought of as including not only the Olympic disciplines, but also carriage driving (pleasure and combined driving), ranch horse, working equitation, and more – have a devoted following as well.

Even if a Morgan owner starts out in a “main ring” discipline, they may find that one or more of the sport disciplines is a natural progression to enjoying more time with their horse and extending their competition life: classic pleasure driving to carriage driving, Western pleasure to ranch horse, breed hunter pleasure to dressage, and so on. In fact, our breed is filled with horses who have made successful transitions from show ring to sport ring. Gaitwood Garmisch (park harness/English pleasure to carriage) see below picture, Heydey Blackhawk (classic pleasure to carriage) Hillwood Irish Keepsake (classic pleasure to dressage), and Armada Captain Morgan (breed ring hunter pleasure to dressage) are just a few of the horses that have found new jobs (and new markets!) as sport horses.

Transitioning from ‘show’ to ‘sport’ should not be thought of as ‘stepping down’ – far from it. If anything, one may find carriage driving, upper-level dressage, combined training, etc., even more physically and mentally demanding than even the most thrilling park saddle contest. But remember, the same attributes (good minds, stamina, presence, grace) that make our Morgans such desirable equine partners in the show ring also make them desirable equine partners in the sport ring.

So, if you feel that you need a change in your equestrian life or that perhaps your horse would benefit from a different job, consider entering the sport horse world. New York State has many instructors and venues to assist you on your journey.