"Saddlesore Galactica" is the thirteenth episode of the eleventh season of the American animated television series The Simpsons.

In the episode, the Simpson family rescues a diving horse named Duncan from an abusive owner and keeps him as a pet.

Meanwhile, Lisa is upset over her school unfairly losing the musical band competition at a state fair and writes a letter to U.S. President Bill Clinton in protest.

Criticism has been directed at its outlandish plot, which, among other things, features elf-like jockeys who lure Homer into their secret land where they threaten him to stop Duncan from winning.

Lisa and the other members of Springfield Elementary's school band enter a music competition together at a state fair, performing James Brown's "Living in America".

However, they lose to the Ogdenville Elementary band, which performs John Philip Sousa's "Stars and Stripes Forever" and uses red, white, and blue glow sticks to form a flag.

Homer and Bart find a strategy for Duncan to win by turning him into a frightening horse named "Furious D", complete with dyed hair and (during his first appearance) one of Lisa's bracelets for a nose ring.

The jockeys reveal themselves to be crazy, arrogant elf-like creatures and threaten to eat Homer's brain unless Duncan loses the upcoming Springfield Derby.

Though frightened at first, Homer changes his mind due to his loyalty to his son and his horse as well as his own pride, vowing to deal with "those murderous trolls".

President Clinton then shows up at the Simpsons' house and presents Lisa with a plaque, overruling the state fair judges and declaring Springfield Elementary the winner of the music competition.

"Saddlesore Galactica" was written by Tim Long and directed by Lance Kramer as part of the eleventh season of The Simpsons (1999–2000).

[9] Gray noted that in "Saddlesore Galactica", "the action continues as normal, as sitcom memory (or lack thereof) is pointed out but comically not acted upon.

[15] On October 7, 2008, "Saddlesore Galactica" was released on DVD as part of the box set The Simpsons – The Complete Eleventh Season.

[16] According to Long, "Saddlesore Galactica" is considered by many critics and fans as one of the worst episodes in the history of the show, particularly for the scenes featuring the jockey elves.

While reviewing the eleventh season of The Simpsons, DVD Movie Guide's Colin Jacobson commented on the episode, writing: "I remember that 'Saddlesore' was much despised when it first aired, though I can’t recall if I joined that chorus as well.