The Sugarbush Hitch Company

08/26/2025

Cassian is a descendant of Rosamunde

08/26/2025

Conde is a descendant of Rosamunde

08/26/2025

Rascal is a descendant of Harley Quinne

Rascal is growing up so fast! And definitely living up to his name. You can’t see the bite marks from Baggins.

08/26/2025

Citadelle is a descendant of Harley Quinne

After losing Versailles, Citadelle took it very hard 💔🐴. We moved her to another mare, our wonderful Scarlett, who is Puff's dam. But it was clear that she was depressed. We did our best to distract her and give her opportunities to entertain herself, but it was slow going.

It took her several weeks to perk back up, to play again, and to do more than stick with her adopted mom, eat, and sleep. She was grieving the only other horse she had ever known, her beloved dam. We haven't posted her as a result, because we don't like to make a spectacle of suffering. Our animals deserve a little more dignity than that.

In the last week or so, she has finally been socializing with the other babies, been playing, and leaving Scarlett's side to explore the paddocks. Baby steps for our beautiful little girl, but things are looking up 🌈

07/29/2025

Monnie and Harley have met so many fans at Breyerfest this year, it's been incredible! So many models, autograph cards, and hats have been signed and many, many pets, hugs, and peppermints have been given to Harley and Rip!

Photo by Ky Roberts

07/29/2025

07/29/2025

07/29/2025

What’s in a name? Ever wonder how the name Sugarbush came to be associated with the breed? The term Sugar bush refers to a forest stand made up of Sugar Maples or Black Maples, which are utilized for maple syrup. They can be found all over the birth place of the American Sugarbush Harlequin Draft. The farm where the breed originated is known as The Sugarbush. Breed founder, Mr. Everett Smith, had a successful horse drawn carriage business called the Sugarbush Hitch Company. Over time, his flashy Lp (appaloosa) spotted horses became known to his customers and fans of his horses as the “Sugarbush Drafts”.

Pictured is a herd of Percheron's and American Sugarbush Harlequin Draft horses owned by Everett Smith. A beautiful sight indeed! His beloved horses grazed in the lush pastures of The Sugarbush surrounded by the very trees that gave the breed their name.

We at ASHDA treasure these photos, giving us a look back to the early days of this wonderful breed.

Photo credits to Mr. Everett
Smith, founder of The Sugarbush Hitch Company and the American Sugarbush Harlequin Draft Horse breed.

07/29/2025

Swann is a Harley Quinne descendant

Swann’s new ‘do.

07/29/2025

Conde is a Rose descendant

06/22/2025

06/09/2025

ASHDA TBT.
Born in 1994, ASHDA Hall of Fame mare, Sugarbush Felina Del Noche, was an influential mare in Mr. Smith's breeding program. Her sire, Valley Vista Knighttime, was a well known Percheron stallion. Mr. Smith was very selective in the horses he chose for his breeding program and Felina would be a part of creating the foundation of this breed. In 1998, Mr. Smith bred her to ASHDA Hall of Fame founding sire, Stonewall Rascal, a striking leopard SSB (Stonewall Stud Book) stallion owned by Michael Muir. That breeding resulted in the iconic Hall of Fame E-Designation stallion, Sugarbush Harley Quinne.

Three years later, Felina produced E-Designation ASHDA Hall of Fame mare, Sugarbush O' Rosamunde, sired by Stonewall Domino, a flashy leopard SSB stallion.
Although Felina is no longer living, her descendants continue to contribute to the revival of the breed. Many of today’s founding line ASHDA horses go back to Felina and carry on her legacy.
Through them, future generations of American Sugarbush Harlequin Drafts will owe their heritage to this wonderful foundation mare.
Felina pictured with breed founder, Mr. Everett Smith, at the birthplace of the breed, The Sugarbush Hitch Company.