Iron Ridge Sport Horses
623 Broadway St.
Whitesboro, TX 76273
(940) 367-2673
The Search for the Perfect Horse
Heather Harmon grew up as a “city kid” who was obsessed with horses. From a young age she dedicated her life to learning as much about horses as possible. As early as she can remember, she skipped Saturday Morning Cartoons to watch Stadium Jumping instead. At the age of 8, she joined the local 4-H horse club. Heather did not own a horse at this time, but took every opportunity offered to her to learn. She eventually became a judge’s assistant with 4-H, learning about conformation and various disciplines. In later years, she volunteered at various stables, cleaning stalls and feeding horses, to learn more about general care. While in high school, she observed and assisted with training young horses with local horse owners.
Not only did Heather have hands on experience, but she also spent countless hours researching breed criteria, standards, and practices. While much of her knowledge was gained from literature (and much time spent in the local library) she also majored in Biology at the University of North Texas, with an emphasis on genetics, and spent 4 years working as a large animal veterinary technician
When in college, Heather was finally able to own her own horse. One quickly became 2, and she spent her time trail riding and learning to jump. Her second horse changed everything though. A Thoroughbred broodmare who at the age of 9 was still unbroke, Heather decided to try her hand at training. In only a short time, she had a magnificent jumper with a willing disposition. Eventually, she began assisting friends and family with horse training issues.
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Heather Harmon with her first horse Boojum.
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Heather riding Pelee's Ashes, the first horse she trained.
Having spent her entire childhood daydreaming of Olympic caliber horses, Heather had been disappointed when she began shopping for her first horse. There was nothing available in her price range with the future potential she desired. Too short, too hot, too green, and too often very dishonest sellers; the horse market was nothing like she had dreamed about as a child. Heather reassessed her goals but still felt that there had to be a better way. Heather's fiancee, Jason Page, convinced her to put her myriad of skills together and begin breeding the perfect sport horse for the amateur owner.
The quest for the ideal breed began in 2004. Many warmbloods, draft crosses, and other well known sport breeds were considered, but none possessed all of the traits important to us — people oriented, calm in nature, and built to perform at all levels of English riding disciplines while being a great pet.
Putting aside our biases, we began looking at non-traditional breeds. After a year of searching, we finally found what we were looking for: a breed that could consistantly produce great horses for all levels. While not perfect, we felt confident that quality breeding practices could result in the exact type of horse so many people desire.
The Appaloosa breed comes in all sizes, shapes, and colors. After much research, and even more shopping, we found the stallion of our dreams, a black fewspot unfortunately named “The Polecat”. “Spot” as he was quickly dubbed, is homozygous for the LP gene, and while color was never one of the defining criteria, all of his foals inherit some type of appaloosa pattern. His offspring are always social, and good natured, with the conformation to perform and stay sound.
Size quickly became the limiting factor with the Appaloosas though, and the program was “stuck” at 15.2 hands, way too small for most riders. While looking for a genetic infusion to add size to the program, Heather learned of the existence of a rare and almost unknown breed of horse, the Sugarbush Draft Horse.
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Sugarbush O Rosamunde and Sugarbush O Sweet Surprise
These heavier versions of the Appaloosa have all of the great qualities of a sport horse in a larger size. Created by a carriage company, the infusion of Appaloosa blood in the beginning of the breeds history, and 40 years of selective breeding has resulted in a draft horse built to ride or drive.
The Sugarbush Draft Horses have more suspension and forward collected motion then many more popular draft breeds. While they are not for every one because of their massive size, they are gentle giants with the ability to perform as well as a light horse. Due to the retirement of the Sugarbush breed founder, Iron Ridge Sport Horses was able to lease the last of Mr. Smith's breeding herd including the stallion, Sugarbush Harley’s Classic O.
When crossed to light horses, most commonly Appaloosas, our resulting foals are registered as Stonewall Sport Horses with the International Patterned Sport Horse Registry (IPSHR). These horses have all of the great qualities of both the light horse and the draft, as well as the perfect temperament for the amateur owner. Unlike most draft crosses, the Stonewall Sport Horse is more uphill built, and moves with natural suspension and collection. While not a well known breed, the Stonewall Sport Horse is proving itself to be the perfect sport horse for the amateur owner. We will never again have to worry about the difficult choice between choosing a great competition horse for the future, or a sensible loving horse for today.
Our work with the Sugarbush Drafts has made us believers in their abilities as well. While not bred to be high performance horses, these rare horses make great partners as trail mounts, driving horses, western events, and family pets. As draft horses they are wonderfully calm and sensible, and a great horse for a first time horse owner. This rare breed is in danger of dieing out, with only a handful of purebred horses left. Because of this, all of our horses are bred to compliment the Sugarbush bloodlines. We are doing our part to prevent the loss of one of the few truly American breeds of draft horse.
At Iron Ridge Sport Horses, we strive to make the horse market better. We do not believe in high pressure sales, and are so confident in our horses that we offer a return policy. We understand that the economy is making it hard for many people to afford horses of the quality they want, so we offer a lease to own program. Leasing a horse gives our clients the option to change their minds at any time, affordable payments, and the security in knowing that this really is the right horse for them. We also are willing to offer help and advice to our clients at any time, even years later. Iron Ridge Sport Horses are bred and trained to be a great horse for either the first time horse owner, or a seasoned professional looking for their next show horse. Temperament, conformation, and the ability to perform are what makes us so proud of our horses. We are happy to work with our clients to find the best match for them based upon experience, goals, and their desires, and to make buying a horse a wonderful experience.
Rorschach's Slow Burn - Stonewall Sport Horse
Sugarbush Harley's Classic O - Sugarbush Draft Horse
Located in Whitesboro, TX (940) 367-2673