Founder of the Half Saddlebred Registry, Roberta Nye Busch, 89, of Medina, OH, died Monday, November 12, 2007.

In 1970, Busch purchased a 15-year-old stallion named Flying Eagle Peavine. When owners of other breeds bred their mares to her American Saddlebred stallion, Busch perceived the need for a recording organization for these half-Saddlebreds. Thus, in 1971, she established the Half Saddlebred Registry and remained as its administrator for 25 years from her home in Coshocton, OH—performing all the registrations and transfers on a modest typewriter. On July 15, 1996, at the request of Busch, the American Saddlebred Horse Association (ASHA) acquired the Half Saddlebred Registry.

Today, more than 3,000 horses with a purebred Saddlebred as either its sire or dam have been registered with the Half Saddlebred Registry. Half Saddlebreds are eligible for ASHA's FEI Disciplines Year-End and High-Point Awards, and many have been recognized for their achievements in FEI disciplines over the years.

Busch is survived by her daughters Anitra (Dain) Redlefsen of Medina and Laurine Busch of Cleveland, OH. She was self-taught in the field of classical music. According to her daughter Anitra, Roberta treasured her extensive library of classical music. Anitra also says her mother was proud to have been the founder of the Half Saddlebred Registry of America.