“As seen on EquusMagazine.com”
Inspired by the traditional McClellan saddle, the modified model offers Army’s horses improved comfort and fit
January 31, 2025 – Edited Press Release
Over the past few years, the Caisson Detachment of the U.S. Army’s 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) has reached out to several top equestrians for advice on improving the living and working conditions of its iconic horses. These animals have been used for many years in both state funerals and military funerals at Arlington (Virginia) National Cemetery.
When it came time to reassess the traditional military saddles worn by its caisson horses, the Army looked west for ideas, according to a press release from trainer Julie Goodnight.
Brimming with pride
As the nation witnessed former President Jimmy Carter’s remains being escorted to the U.S. Capitol by The Old Guard’s horse-drawn caisson wagon on January 7, Goodnight followed the coverage from home in Colorado, wiping away the falling tears. “I watched the whole procession live on TV … I was mesmerized by the scene. Jimmy Carter became president the year I graduated from high school. I remember the election well. He was an amazing man,” says Goodnight.
But her tears were not only of sorrow; Goodnight was brimming with pride—and for good reason. She never could have imagined that a saddle based on her design would be used by the detachment’s majestic horses, thus playing a supporting role in a remarkable event in American history.
When Goodnight designed the Cascade Crossover Saddle as a lightweight saddle “ideal for trail riders,” she drew inspiration from the McClellan saddle—the very saddle used for the past 75 years by the U.S. Army Caisson Detachment.
“I rode on a McClellan training saddle as a teenager and remembered it being the most comfortable close-contact saddle I had ridden in,” Goodnight says.
After extensively researching the history of the McClellan saddle and working closely with Amy Orsak, a saddle designer at Circle Y Saddles, Goodnight released the Cascade Crossover Saddle, a respectful nod to the McClellan with changes to improve the comfort for horse and rider.
A new caisson saddle
A few years later, Circle Y Saddles alerted Goodnight that the U.S. Army had decided to replace the McClellan saddle, and that Goodnight’s Cascade Crossover saddle design was a top contender. In March 2024, Goodnight and reps from Circle Y Saddles traveled to Washington to meet with members of The Old Guard, discuss saddle specifics, and fit the saddles to their top team of horses.
“A few weeks later, I learned that a deal had been struck between the U.S. Army and Circle Y Saddles to manufacture a new caisson saddle—based off my Cascade saddle design,” relates Goodnight. “The Cascade’s utilitarian style made it an ideal choice,” explains Orsak. “We customized the finish and hardware to suit the military style and made functional adjustments to adapt the saddle for pulling the caisson.”
“It was a thrill and an immense honor to know they had chosen my saddle design … I’ve known for months that the saddles would first be used for Jimmy Carter’s state funeral, but it still seemed surreal watching it,” says Goodnight.
A matter of welfare
In 2022, the U.S. Army came under fire when the living conditions, health and welfare of its Caisson Detachment horses were brought to light and deemed unacceptable. Happily, initiatives have since been put in place to improve and maintain the highest standard of equine care for the horses that serve as the mounted escort to our nation’s fallen.
Goodnight was thrilled to share her expertise by providing a lightweight saddle that improved comfort, fit and function. Now all of caisson horses’ saddles and tack are expertly measured for a precise fit, with redesigned breastplates and additional padding helping to alleviate pressure points and transfer weight away from the horses’ necks.
‘Military aesthetic’
So what made Goodnight’s saddle stand out from the competition? For one thing, it weighs only 23 pounds. It offers “superior comfort” with a memory foam seat, is crafted from Hermann Oak Leather, includes a specialized girth, and “combines the best of English and Western saddles.”
For the rider looking for security in the saddle and close contact with a “bareback feel,” the Cascade Crossover Saddle is the perfect choice, Goodnight’s press release continues.
“This saddle has found its way to the therapeutic riding arena and attracted attention from many mounted law enforcement organizations,” says Goodnight. “And the inspiration we took from the McClellan has given it a very stately, military aesthetic.”
About Julie Goodnight
Julie Goodnight started her successful training business in 1985 and produced over 260 episodes of the award-winning TV show Horse Master with Julie Goodnight. She is a spokesperson for the Certified Horsemanship Association and was named the Exceptional Equestrian Educator by Equine Affaire in 2008.
She frequently contributes to Horse&Rider and Horse Illustrated, also hosting the monthly horse training podcast Ride On with Julie Goodnight. To learn more, visit JulieGoodnight.com.
