Over the weekend I had the distinct honor of celebrating the 75th Anniversary celebration to honor my grandfather C. T. Rierson as the founder and creator of the American Cream Draft Horse Association. The American Cream Horse Association of America was granted a charter by the state of Iowa in 1944. The American Cream Draft Horse is the only breed of draft horse that can claim to be native to the United States. The roots of this rare breed go back to the early 1900’s. Three defining traits resulting are their cream colored coat, pink skin and amber eyes The skin is pink, manes and tails are usually white (and never docked), the eyes are amber/hazel colored, and a host of white markings are common. DNA color testing in the last decade reveals the ideal color genetics for the ACDH is not a palomino (chestnut with a single cream gene); it’s a chestnut and a single or double champagne gene. American Cream Drafts are considered a medium heavy-draft, ranging from 15 to 16.3 hands and weighing between 1500 to 2000 pounds with a marked gender difference. The American Cream Horse is known for its calm wiling demeanor. My grandfather farmed his farm using his American creams only never owning a tractor. Clarence T. Rierson, owner of a stock farm in Radcliffe, Iowa, was intrigued by these cream drafts and began acquiring horses to build a Cream herd. He researched the ancestry of each cream horse and recorded their pedigree. As Rierson had a flair for promotion, he promoted the horses, and showed them at county fairs. He also coined the name “American Cream” for the breed.
Needless to say the entire weekend was an emotional one as this was the first time since I was 14 to be around this beautiful horse I grew up with. The last picture is my favorite as it is of me at a very early age.
