Welcome to the
Mountain Pleasure Horse Association
Dedicated to the preservation of the Old Kentucky Saddler Horse
2024 Events:
April 20th MPHA Arena Obstacle Challenge – TBA
May 11th MPHA Arena Obstacle Challenge – TBA
May 25th MPHA Arena Obstacle Challenge – TBA
May 30-June 2nd *Campout – Elkins Creek, Pedro, Ohio
June 15-16th Ky Horse Park – Parade of Breeds Demo
June 26-30th EST SANA show – Lexington, Virginia
July 6-7th Ky Horse Park – Parade of Breeds Demo
July 11-14th Breyerfest – KHP, Lexington, Ky
Aug.3rd MPHA Arena Obstacle Challenge – TBA
Aug. 17-18th Ky Horse Park – Parade of Breeds Demo
Aug. 31st MPHA Arena Obstacle Challenge – TBA
Sept. 7th MPHA Arena Obstacle Challenge – TBA
Sept. 14-15th Ky Horse Park – Parade of Breeds Demo
Sept. 26-29th *Campout - Stampede Run - McCreary, Ky
Oct. 10-13th *Campout – Elkins Creek, Pedro, Ohio
Oct. 26-27th Ky Horse Park – Parade of Breeds Demo (Hallowhinny)
Nov. 24th MPHA/Drill Team Christmas Party – TBA (3-5pm)
*Campouts are set from Thursday-Sunday, but everyone is welcome any/all days you’re available to join us!!!! ** everyone must make their own reservations
Note: MPHA/AOC events have been approved through KHRC/KBIF for 2024 – we will be “revamping” our KBIF program for 2025-2027, so be thinking of ideas to improve!
** There will be day trail rides added at a later time…stay tuned!!
*** Rhythm Riders Drill Team practice will begin EVERY Sunday afternoon starting May 19th for BREYERFEST!!!
The Old Kentucky Saddler, also known as the Mountain Pleasure Horse, is the original parent stock of all North American gaited horse breeds.
If you want to ride the best, then ride the original...
The Old Kentucky Saddler
About the Breed
The Disposition….
The disposition and trainability of the Mountain Pleasure Horse may be the most appreciated characteristic for novice horse owners. They are a very intelligent horse that loves attention. Veteran trainers of other breeds are amazed at how fast they learn. It is not uncommon to see two and three year olds effectively competing with older horses at area horse shows or on challenging trail rides. Once the Mountain Pleasure Horse has been trained, they remember their lessons well. The Mountain Pleasure Horse is waiting with its natural gait and willing disposition, whether you ride once a week or once a month.
The Gait...
The Mountain Pleasure Horses’s distinctive, easy riding gait, allows the sure-footed horse to cover a lot of ground with minimum effort for both the horse and rider. The gait is an evenly spaced, four beat lateral gait with moderate forward speed and extension without exaggerated knee and hock action. The horse moves out with a gait in which one can count four distinct hoof-beats that produce a cadence of near equal rhythm. The gait is natural. It is bred into these horses through generations of proper breeding. No action devices, aids or harsh training methods are necessary or allowed by the Mountain Pleasure Horse Association. The unique thing about the Mountain Pleasure Horse is its’ ability to travel long distances at this gait with a variance of speed. Fast or slow, the beat remains the same. The Mountain Pleasure Horse is also unique in its ability to adapt and learn. You will find these horses in many competitions from drill team, competitive obstacle, barrel racing and extreme cowboy races to the gracefulness of the show ring. However, their forte’ is their sure footed ride on the trails. Combined with their easy, no bounce gait, the Mountain Pleasure horse is the perfect horse for the young and the young at heart rider.
Discover The Horse: Old Kentucky Saddler/Mountain Pleasure Horse
Many Thanks to Alyssa Mathews and her awesome crew for this fabulous video of our beloved horses!!