I don’t know. I don’t think I’d truly consider anything a GP prospect til it was jumping 1.20M and making it look easy. There are so many that could be “prospects” bc of bloodlines or scope, but until they’re 6 or 7… showing the promise to go higher and bolder… I wouldn’t consider them a valid prospect or consider spending the money as an investment. Scope and step play a big part, but it’s also the right boldness and brain, which seems to waiver in the younger years and I don’t really think you know what you’re getting until they’re closer to 7 or 8 and showing the promise to answer all the questions… and even then… Horses.
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@ATXmom - where did you pull this from? I spend a lot of time in the pedigree databases and this is the first I’m hearing of a Black Type in showjumping.
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Yeah, I think it’s a different picture at different ages. Not like I’m an expert, but anything with good bloodlines and conformation is a prospect before it’s backed, and then the field narrows as time and training goes on.
Both of mine have the scope and quality of jump for GP, along with the breeding- honestly, I’m not being barn blind! But my older guy probably doesn’t have the extra je ne sais quoi that you need for the really big tracks- not heart, exactly, because he is a Very Good Boy and a trier for me, but maybe that bone-deep will to fight? He’s very happy to be directed and while he will hunt down the jumps in the show ring he’s not a self-starter. He will do what I tell him to do, and isn’t interested in making his own decisions. Also, he’s had me on his back bringing him along since he was 5, not some super-talented person, and at this point, in his early teens, he’s pretty happy and habituated into being an ammy horse.
My younger new guy is incredibly scopy with one of the best hind ends I’ve ever felt, but he is also so ridiculously extra-careful (like that second video posted above), and spooky, and sensitive that I think he’s better suited for an AO jumper life. Which is fine, because that is what he’s going to have!
So, there are some intangibles, too- you might have the athleticism but not the brain or temperament for it, or vice versa. And then the training is the other huge factor- if my older guy had been in a professional program instead of coming to little ol’ ammy me, perhaps he could have been made up into a big sticks kind of horse. My new one probably could, too, with careful management. But, they are ammy horses, so we will never know! I suspect there are plenty of really good jumping horses that have the potential but lack one or more of the key pieces to realize it.
Hippomundo lists it on their pedigree searches and the definition was from Google 
I had to look it up when I was doing research on the various horses we were looking at when shopping
Ratina Z for example (fingers crossed the snap comes through):
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Well would you look at that. I hadn’t even bothered to notice the boldface was used with a very particular consistency 
Something new, every day!
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I know nothing about breeding, but I thought brain and boldness (to a degree) is pretty inherent and you can count on most bloodlines throwing a particular, consistent type in those regards.
As mentioned above, my horse’s dam line is Baloubet and I had to switch trainers to someone who showed several Baloubet’s at the top levels because they are quirky and hot. Indeed that trainer did help me figure out how to ride a horse like that. I didn’t really do the research on her breeding until after I acquired her.
When talking about my horse’s breeding, someone made the comment that the Cumano made sense as it balances out the Baloubet.
But labeling anything a prospect requires speculation. All you’re saying is that there is a possibility the horse could reach a certain level, which requires speculating what the horse might become based on what it is now. Sure, GP prospect/UL prospect is a phrase that is incredibly overused but I don’t think that makes it meaningless depending on who is saying it.
This thread makes me think about the recent interview with HH Azur’s breeders, where they talk about recognizing her potential as an Olympic mount at a very young age. The article implied she was priced accordingly even though the justification for that price was questioned.
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I have not read the article yet, but props to them for producing a fantastic horse who met or even surpassed anybody’s expectations.
Also, huge props to McLain and his team for keeping her competitive at the highest level for such a long time. That is a rare feat. And he has done that with multiple horses over the course of his career. Sapphire won Olympic gold at two consecutive games, and very nearly went to her third Olympics.
That being said, I have a feeling that the percentage of times such predictions from a seller turn out to be accurate is quite low. Lol.
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Absolutely she is a very specific, special situation. But as we all know, there really isn’t anything certain with horses. To me, GP prospect just means the horse has certain characteristics (bloodlines, form, personality, etc) that make it more likely to jump the big tracks than most horses.
And no horse is going to make it to the top without trainers who know what they are doing.
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I bought a youngster a couple years ago as a hopeful Grand Prix prospect. Green broke 3yr old from Belgium. I saw him in a free jump video and the had a euro friend go sit on him. Noted he was quite difficult! Sire jumped 1.60m World Cups, dam jumped 1.50 and has produced multiple 1.60 horses. I look for flexible back and amazing hind end primarily. Decent front end but I find that often improves whereas hind usually does not. Character plus- I like to see something a bit tough. Youngster is 6 and jumping 1.20 but I’m no pro (husband is GP rider though) and have taken my time.
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Absolutely. And sometimes, even with all the advantages and potential in the world, a horse doesn’t make it to the top.
I own a horse that I would say was absolutely (on paper and in ability) a GP prospect.
Now… he much much prefers eventing and is such a flashy mover that he does well as he scores low enough that he can easily finish in a competitive placing, even with me in the saddle, in dressage and happily runs around clean in the other phases. (Admittedly only low level to this point)
You can see his Black type here:
https://horsetelex.com/horses/pedigree/1643916/jirrocco-ryal-k
His mother, “Windoctro Ryal K” is Keur, Preferent and Prestatie in KWPN
His mother has produced a current stallion who competed through 1.50, “Flying Dream”
She also produced DENYCHIN RYALK D LOBSTINATION, a mare who competed through 1.55
In addition to that, his mother had the sales topper at one auction for sure, this filly who is 3 this year:
He came with this pic from when he was 3 also. (I didn’t own him then… Don’t barbecue me… I would not have asked a 3 yr old to jump that)
He’s a lovely guy and fun to have around the barn, even if he is enormous. He does believe in adding air when in doubt.
Hopefully when the situation with my dad stabilizes a bit, I will get him ridden again and back to some events.
But given the ground, I am not upset to not be riding this year.
Em
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What a nice honest boy!
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And right as I was starting to gear up to start riding, I fell in my living room and have an injured rotator cuff. MRI in just under 2 weeks. But no riding yet.
Em
Ugh. That stinks. So sorry!!
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No EM 
You’ve had such a rough go as of recent. You need some good luck and good vibes going your way. I’m so sorry you’re back on the IR but hopefully it’s only short-term and you’re back in the saddle soon!
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Ooof take your time with that. You want to heal up properly or it gets much worse.
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