I have a soft spot in my heart for Dixieland Band horses… he seems to have really stamped some of his sons, and they stamp too - most every Dixie Union horse I see is bay, solid, average mover, compact with big shoulder, nice head, and just a little bit downhill – and then nearly every Hookandladder horse is similar: bay, big, expressive eyes. Dixieland Band has quite a few sons that I love seeing in a pedigree. He brings a lot of jump to the table, I think.
In my experience they are not world-beaters, but are perfect ammy mounts. Usually average mover (not a bad thing) but good jumpers. I have heard over the years that Dixieland Band, Dixie Union, Dixie Brass, etc, have passed on “crazy” temperaments but I have not found that to be the case… I had one of the most mellow horses in the world by Dixie Brass who would just fall asleep in the middle of the class he was so quiet. I think the reputation for their difficulty stems more from the fact they can be incredibly, incredibly sensitive rides. Mine took a bit of work before I figured him out, but he ended up being a very wonderful horse.
Capote is definitely a line several people here who do resales look for - he is popular with the HJ crowd and has more of that HJ movement they favor.
What is more interesting about your guys pedigree is the line breeding to Seattle Slew. He’s a good horse to see in a pedigree on the premise that I think he produced some very, very rideable horses. They may not be infiltrating the upper echelon of sport but they fill a very important niche, which is the lower level market. SS is bepopulate in eventer pedigrees at the lower levels. His horses are usually trainable and intelligent, but are not always good movers. They typically possess very efficient gallops which make them good for XC.
Beyond that though, I really think your guy’s dam side is more promising for sport. You have Lear Fan, who I always like to see in a pedigree: he can really gallop and passes that on – he has a few horses from what limited horses he covered that showed up in the upper levels of eventing, but also apparently is in a few HJ horses. Lear Fan himself, IMHO, could not have had a better pedigree for long-format eventing. He himself had a bit of Blue Larkspur in him, which contemporary pedigree enthusiasts are just now realizing bids excellent for sport purposes. There’s Nasrullah, who by now we know is a strong, strong source of jumping and soundness. What excites me more is the linebreeding to Lt Stevens. Further back your guy has a lot of important names in the engine room: lots of Teddy (through MULTIPLE sons and daughters), Sir Gallahad, Turn-To/Royal Charger (another coveted line for sport), Sir Gaylord, Dr. Fager…
Personally on pedigree alone I’d suspect him to be a better eventing prospect than hunter, as on paper it doesn’t look like he would have the huntery movement you need – but he could probably do it, as the Dixie Union horses I’ve met seem to be able to dip their toes into any discipline.
Seller rehabbed him for 3 months before I purchased him.