With so many warmbloods out there now, does a good small junior hunter need a 13’ stride? i’m interested in your experienced opinions!
Not sure what you are asking?
I mean yes they still have to get down the lines? They don’t set the lines shorter for small juniors.
Yes, a small junior hunter needs the same step as a large. The lines aren’t set shorter for the smalls and it’s important to find one that has PLENTY of step (maybe even more than you might need) to avoid the impression that the horse is having to run to get down the lines.
I bought a three year old a few years ago that was advertised as 16.1 and he came all in his glory of 15.3!!!
I thought, cool he can be a lovely jr hunter since he has a HUGE step. Well a few years later he is now 16.2… Kind of sad but happy because I’m a taller rider 
Saying that - a soft, consistent, open, adjustable canter step on a jr hunter is always going to be what you want.
Reason some do really well in the jrs because they look like a big horse going around but not looking like they are going 90 miles an hour.
Hope this helps…
Lines, if honestly set and not “friendly” (like you see at smaller shows sometimes) are set for 12’ at 3’ and 13’ at 3’6", they can be set a couple of inches longer in bigger or outside rings. Always good to have a little more in the tank for combinations and compensating for operator errors.
If looking for a 3’6" horse, it needs to be confirmed at 13’ and be able to stretch that out for a bit more and make it look very easy. Most horses can’t do it, that’s why they price up.
In most smaller A shows where you might have a 12’6 step, chances are the small juniors will be combined with the larges, so you are going to have to compete against a larger horse who is likely to have a big step. Conclusion: Bigger step in a small is a winning strategy.
If you do get larger shows where the divisions are split, the lines will be set on the 13 (or longer) step. Conclusion: if you want to survive, a bigger step is a winning (and good life choice) strategy.
The good news is that a big step in a 15’3 hand horse isn’t exactly that unusual.
As much as possible. I would never want a horse with a limited step. I’d rather have to collect the canter some to make the distances than to run.
And I think with the athleticism of the warmbloods, most have plenty of stride. Even my 15h Hanoverian has no problem getting down the lines. I think you would have more problems with quarter horses or other off breeds getting the stride than the well-bred warmbloods.
I think this is why a legit small junior hunter is going to be priced typically higher than a comparable large junior hunter; it’s harder to find a small Jr. Hunter that can get down the lines with ease.
