Irish Nobility, “Spike�, is a 16 hand, 8-year-old registered American Saddlebred gelding with numerous champions in his pedigree. A lovely red chestnut in color, he has a left hind sock and a small white star on his smaller and prettier than average head. Spike has muscled up considerably since I purchased him two years ago; however, he needs additional work to fully develop his topline. His gaits are correct and comfortable when he is relaxed and working through. Unlike many Saddlebreds, Spike’s natural inclination is to carry his head and neck in a lower, hunter style frame. Spike cribs, mostly during and after eating, but has had no health problems associated with this behavior. In fact, his teeth have done well with only one float a year. Before Spike came to live with me he spent a good deal of his life in a stall. He prefers to be in the paddock, and turnout lessens his tendency to crib. Spike has been successfully shown on a limited basis. His record includes several blue ribbons in Saddlebred Country Pleasure Hunter and Training Level dressage classes; scores in his first year of competing were in the mid- to high fifties, and he has the potential to score higher. He has also competed in the Saddle & Bridle Hunter Seat Classic class and will jump small basic stadium fences. Spike tends towards an anxious temperament and needs a confident, experienced rider who has more time than I do right now, with a small child and full-time job taking precedence. He would benefit from and enjoy being ridden 4-6 times a week. If you have experience, time, and the desire to polish the “diamond in the rough� then you might be Spike’s ideal partner. Spike is priced at $3500. I would consider a trade for a similarly priced horse that has more miles both in the ring AND out on the trail.