At Fairfield South, we train American Saddlebred horses. Saddlebreds are an especially beautiful and intelligent breed, that are fun to ride or drive. The ideal Saddlebred has a long, arched neck that is carried high with elegance and expression. Saddlebreds are also bred for high “motion” or stepping. They are an animated breed that is highly responsive and comfortable, like a finely tuned sports car. Style, quality, and refinement are desirable traits of Saddlebreds.

One of the breed’s special features is that it has inherited a special predisposition for learning two extra gaits: the elegant slow gait and the flashy, fast rack. These are man-made, four-beat gaits that certain Saddlebred horses are trained to do at a young age. The slow gait and the rack are gaits that are only found within the Saddlebred breed.

Several five gaited horses often frequent the Fairfield South training program throughout the year. Above everything, the American Saddlebred breed's most distinguishing trait is its high intelligence. Happy, alert, and curious, American Saddlebreds possess a people-oriented personality, endearing them to their owners and admirers.

For more information please visit:

www.american-saddlebred.com
www.saddlebred.com
www.asha.net

Gary and Marsha Garone have been training and showing horses for over 30 years. Together they have paired many successful teams, in divisions from Equitation, Pleasure, Three and Five Gaited, Hackney Ponies, and more. Gary and Marsha found their love of horses on Marsha's parents farm in Vermont. They began showing horses, and soon developed a passion for Saddlebreds strong enough to make it their career. After school, Gary moved to Missouri and then Kentucky to work for the era's most successful Saddlebred trainers. He cared for and participated in the training of horses, and learned from his influential employers. Marsha, who had taught riding lessons from her parent's farm in Vermont. participated on riding teams and maintained her interest while completing school. Afterwards, the two began Fairfield South, and have shared their passion with their students ever since.

The training program at Fairfield South emphasizes horsemanship above all. Gary and Marsha strongly believe that the rider must learn how to ride their horses to their utmost ability. A strong emphasis is placed on maximizing the performance of the horse and rider as a team, and the two encourage riders to reach their true potential. Gary and Marsha both play important roles in the training process at Fairfield South. While Gary does most of the horse training and Marsha most of the instructing, the two blend their efforts into each lesson. Each are heavily involved with each horse and rider combination, utilizing their talents into each student.

The teamwork between Gary and Marsha extend out to the rider and horse, too. It is important that the rider feels comfortable on their mount, in order to reach their goals. Gary and Marsha will discuss goals with the rider and their family to determine the correct plan in order to reach the horse and rider's full potential. They search for the optimal horse for the family's budget, teaming the rider with a horse of the appropriate level of challenge, in order to be as successful as possible at the desired level of shows the client participates in.

When a new rider enters the Fairfield South team, they are welcomed as a new member of a family. Our clients share not only the competition aspect of the sport, but also the sense of sportsmanship, warmth, and fun. Gary and Marsha always encourage the enjoyment of the sport, and clients and riders participate in barn parties, sleepovers, dinners, and other events, to maintain a strong connection with each other. Our students work hard on and off horseback to reach their goals, but there is always a sense of family and fun along the way.

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