Standardbreds, trotters or pacers make excellent riding horses because of their versatility and good temperament. Standardbreds are incredible athletes, and make wonderful pleasure and competing horses.

Standardbreds are very versatile horses. They can be taught to jump and canter as well as any other horse. Trotters are very good at dressage because they already have developed the ability to extend and collect their trot, and they already know how to move laterally on command because in order to move around an oval racetrack, they must move sideways to prevent a crash. Standardbreds, especially pacers (who have difficulty doing dressage) are well suited (but not limited) to Competitive Trail Rides and trekking.

Standardbreds are taught to pull a sulky and by the time they are retired as racehorses, they have been taught to respond to signals to their mouth, and they have already had a girth around their belly. Standardbreds are already broken to harness, are well travelled, and are accustomed to being worked around daily by many different people.

For years, Standardbreds have been looked down upon as saddle horses because they were deemed "unfit" to do anything but race. Several organizations have been established to help place them in caring homes after their racing days.

The New Zealand Standardbred Riding Association was formed in 1992 with the aim of encouraging and promoting the ridden standardbred. The NZSRA tries to carter for all equine disciplines by running shows, training activities, trail riding and a variety of fun and interesting events. The NZSRA is not for profit. Membership fees and sponsorships go towards subsiding NZSRA and national events to make it affordable to enter.

Members also receive a regular newsletter that keep them informed about what the NZSRA is doing, plans for future events and educational articles, that coupled with activities are intended to benefit riders, as well as help them with improving the performance of their horses.

Your horse must have the official Harness Racing New Zealand Freeze brand to enable you to join as a riding member of the NZSRA. For identification purposes you are encouraged to register your horse with the NZSRA. Registration also enables you to compete for the highest points gained: Showing, Trail Riding, or the most Versatile Standardbred Awards.

So there is no reason why we can't get out there and show everyone what Standardbreds can do!