From: HORSEPLAY magazine

The American Saddlebred In The Dressage Arena

If spots are a disadvantage in the dressage arena, a spotted American Saddlebred should
be a double whammy. But Margo Hepner-Hart and Captain Jack twigg, her 16.3 hand spotted 
American Saddlebred gelding, proved it could be done. Now showing at Third Level, this pair
has gathered wins and accolades throughout their two-year career, including a USET grant to 
train in Germany with Gerd Politz. 
"Hilda Gurney told me Captain has got it to go Grand Prix," notes Margo proudly. "Many other
dressage people, including judges, have told me he has the attitude and ability to be an
international horse. He could go all the way." 
  Margo has ridden dressage since she was 13, using Arabians, Thoroughbreds, 
Appaloosas--whatever was available. One of her favorites was an American Saddlebred mare, 
Fancy Dazzle. She bred the mare to Flashy's Enchanter, a spotted American Saddlebred bred 
by Scripps Miramar Ranch in San Diego and owned by her father, Glenn Hepner. Margo named the 
tobiano colt (he's double registered with the Pinto Association) Captain Jack Twigg, after a
distant Saddlebred relative. But she wasn't really sure what she wanted to do with him.
  In addition to dressage, Margo has also shown successfully in hunt seat, western, and 
saddle seat, and has studied jumping with torchy Miller and Robin Hahn of the Canadian Jumping 
Team. "I wasn't really planning to use Captain for dressage." she admits. "But he just kept 
growing taller and taller. He's big-boned and has a good temperament, and he learned fast."
  She's had some difficulty getting him to lengthen, and "when he gets frustrated he tightens up 
in the back, and his head goes straight up." But through more training and hard work the pair 
got through it and now has standing ovations for his extensions. Captain has so much natural 
ability that Margo and Captain will be showing in the future.