How "Huntery" does an adult eq horse need to be?

[Ibex]

So my mare is likely going to need a bit of a career change due to not having the cardio capacity for eventing beyond a certain level. It’s only XC that’s the issue, not Dressage or Stadium.

Adult Eq has a certain appeal to my anal-retentive heart, but no one is every going to mistake maresy for a hunter. She’s a tall, elegant bay, but doesn’t move or carry herself like a hunter (holds her head higher, more dressage-type movement). Has a very easy to ride jump, super broke on the flat. I’d turn her into purely a dressage horse, but she’s way too fun over fences.

Thoughts…?

(Although reading over the tests allowed in ammy eq in Canada… they don’t really make people over the age of 35 get on from the ground or jump without stirrups do they!!! :eek: )

[Linny]

EQ horses really don’t have to be hunter in movement or carriage. They do need to be very rideable/adjustable, preferably with an easy to ride jump. A good dressage background should help. She will need to be content being asked to extend for a longish line then collect for a rollback or broken line turn or such.
Typically, at rated shows, a horse does need some stride length so that the rider doesn’t always have to appear to be riding hard. The long and slow WB style is seen in most EQ horses. I am not certain about specifics regarding adult EQ vs. the juniors. I’m not sure if the courses are as technical in the adults. Most zones only do adult EQ at 3’ not the standard 3’6 for juniors.

[GotMyPony]

Does your mare look like Brunello? Because he’s not “huntery” either but it doesn’t seem to be holding him back.

[Ibex]

LOL. I’ll have to look up Brunello. I’m on eventer who has been dabbling in H/J for schooling purposes.

Maresy is actually really adjustable thanks to some solid schooling from my trainer. Naturally has a huge step (16.3hh and long legged) that had a lot of work/training to teach her to compact, which she does quite well now. When it comes to “schooling” I’m the one who will need work. She just likes to carry her head up, including over fences:
https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xap1/t31.0-8/10275510_10152199529346205_3548397613710902936_o.jpg
(And yes, we’d have to swap the micklem for a plain caveson at shows)

I wish she were more huntery… she’d be brilliant at the hunter derbies in terms of the the questions/jumps, but she just really doesn’t look the part… I joked that we might be able to do it if we tied a cement block to her head. Trainer suggested that could be insufficient ROFL…

[Come_Shine]

Why not just show jumper?

[Ibex]

Probably do some of that too… but variety is nice! Plus, I’m honestly not a huge fan of speed in confined spaces…

[Linny]

If you would like her to be a bit more huntery, you might try lessons with a hunter trainer from time to time. To a certain extent, her build and nature will determine her carriage but with some exercises, she could adjust her style somewhat.

[greysfordays]

It looks like she has a relatively flat jump, which honestly, is more of a virtue than a curse in the equitation. It will allow you to hold your position in air, land in one nice tidy package and be able to quickly turn or go on to the next question. I think she looks like a lovely eq mount. Having her head carriage high (as long as her hind end is engaged) will probably also help you stay nice and tall. You look like a tall lady (like me, I’m 6’ :() so I’ve always made a prettier picture on a horse with a higher head carriage. Just my 2c!

[lynne]

That head carriage is totally fine for eq, as long as it stays consistently like that (no head flipping or rooting, which might make the judge wonder if the rider is too reactive with their hands). Eq horses not only need to be adjustable, but able to adjust very smoothly. Lengthen without making a bid, shorten without looking like they’re resisting. The adjustments should be as invisible as possible.

[Ibex]

Yup, I’m 5’10", and that higher head carriage and the balanced picture it creates with my height was part of why we choose her as a dressage horse. She just made it clear she’d rather have a jumping career.

[woodhillsmanhattan]

She’s beautiful! She will make a lovely eq horse.

Eq horses generally have a 'presence" in the ring but don’t have to be beautiful movers or jumpers. If she is able to adjust smoothly she will be great. She will be even better if she is able to jump in similar style regardless of the take off point (making riding error less obvious). The horses that stretch a bit to cover up a long distance or still jump well with their front end in the deep spot make great eq horses because the course looks more consistent and flowing.

[woodhillsmanhattan]

I don’t think you said what breed she is…what is she? She looks a lot like my guy so I was just curious.

[Ibex]

Aww - thanks! She takes very good care of my and does her best to sort out my mistakes. At least in public. :lol:

She’s SWB/TB. Dad is Gaspari lines top and bottom, mom was Star de Naskra/Victoria Park/Roberto.

[BITSA]

[QUOTE=lynne;7768208]
That head carriage is totally fine for eq, as long as it stays consistently like that (no head flipping or rooting, which might make the judge wonder if the rider is too reactive with their hands). Eq horses not only need to be adjustable, but able to adjust very smoothly. Lengthen without making a bid, shorten without looking like they’re resisting. The adjustments should be as invisible as possible.[/QUOTE]

This. My mare is a jumper (draft cross–not hunter except for her rhythm), but very broke on the flat and adjustable. So she’s good in the eq (and waiting for me to catch up to her…) Your horse looks lovely

[yellowbritches]

Sounds like we are thinking of heading down very similar paths (former eventers turning toward Adult Eq and jumpers). From talking to my more huntery friends, my horse’s hang up will be his very expressive changes (if we can get them consistent, that is). We need to get them chilled out a bit. Otherwise, he isn’t huntery at all (although very cute over fences), but is super fun and should do well in the eq.

[BAC]

Your horse is beautiful and from her picture and your description she should make a very good eq horse.

[Rel6]

I wouldn’t rule out hunter derbies. There are a lot of smaller ones where you can do well getting around bravely and hitting your spots even if your horse doesn’t turn our to be the next Bruenllo.

He looks like he’d make a lovely equitation horse and those horses still find success in the derbies.

[hunterrider23]

Looks good to me. Go have fun! Eq will probably suit him well, and we definitely want updates! Don’t be afraid to take him into a derby or a few hunter classes, often it matters more about how smooth the ride is than the movement and head carriage, especially at 3’ with other adult ammies, depending on the circuit of course.

[Soaponarope]

Your horse is cute! I think he will be fine. I would suggest going on Youtube and searching under “Ariat medal” and “adult equitation.” You’ll be able to look at a lot of videos from local to A circuit and it helps you figure out what the competition looks like. Of course people will post their best videos but still I have found it very helpful. Good luck! Go adult riders!

[Duckz]

Here is a video of the 2013 Ariat Adult Medal finals, to give you an idea of what an adult eq horse looks like: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HeiNCG7JYhc