THE STANDARDBRED NAME Meeting the Standard By the time the studbook was opened in 1871, horses bred for harness racing had to meet a set standard of speed in time trials to be eligible for registration; thus the name of the breed, Standardbred. At this point, trotters had to cover a mile in 2:30 minutes and pacers in 2:25 minutes. In 1897, pacers gained respect when STAR POINTER broke the 2 minute mile barrier, and with the famed career of DAN PATCH, who won his first race in 1900, drew crowds wherever he appeared and was one of the fastest pacers ever (1:55 for the mile) they moved into the limelight. Harness racing brought the "sport of kings" to the common man and great harness racers were adored by the masses. Horses like ROSALIND, who in 1937, drew on her amazing stamina and heart to set a new record for the All-American handicap at Syracuse (3.12 ¼ for 1 ½ miles) when started 240 feet behind the wire and like GREYHOUND, who in 1938 was the fastest trotter on record, breaking the mile at 1:55 ¼ with a 27-foot stride, were among the most popular sport heroes ever. Since speed was the only standard, size is variable, from 14.1hh to 17hh, though most range from 15.2 to 16. Bay is the most common color, followed by chestnut and brown, and less often grey, black or roan. Body style is similar to a Thoroughbred, though often longer, more muscular and less refined, especially about the head; convex profiles are not rare. Ears may be medium to large, nostrils flare to allow for great oxygen intake, contributing to fantastic stamina, and manes and tails are luxurious. Bred for harness, the ribcage is generally flatter, and the hindquarters sloped, characteristics that also happen to lend themselves to broken gaits, and indeed, a high percentage of Standardbreds are easily encouraged into saddle gaits. |
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