The few Canadiens I know have been sweet and food-motivated, but I’ve never seen one above third. The one at third had questionable changes and his owner was constantly asked about her draft cross, much to her chagrin. Much lamenting was heard to anyone within earshot. 
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I have not entered into this conversation, because it’s pretty clear what my favorite is. I was a professional in a former life, and trained and competed virtually every breed out there. I had clients who had very well bred warmbloods that I worked with and competed, and I had boarders and instructors who worked out of my facility teaching and training people on every breed, and had horses shipping in for lessons, etc. We held schooling shows, where I got to see a bunch of different horses, and clinics where there were many horses of different breeds. And still, I came back to my roots.
Not every American Saddlebred is going to do Grand Prix, and not every American Saddlebred is going to be a competitive dressage horse. That’s true of virtually every breed. I had ASB show horses as a kid, and I have always owned at least one. My first horse was able to change into whatever I was into at the time. I wanted to jump? She did, too. I wanted to do dressage? So did she. My Mother wanted to do dressage, and that mare carried her around. The mare was also a flag bearer at the Bicentennial in Valley Forge when Ford’s helicopter landed mere feet from her. She spun once, spun again, and then stood there and shook- but she kept my mother on her back the whole time. She never said no to me until the night she died.
It’s that spirit that inspired me, and then, I found the horses within the breed who could do the work that is dressage. They are naturally uphill. They are naturally forward. They are sensitive, and not for someone who doesn’t understand that they are going to do what they believe that you want them to do. You need to be a thoughtful, thinking rider. But, I’ve seen them take care of fools, also.
I wanted to prove that they are the real deal, and I took them to DAD to see what really great judges would do to them. A colt that I pulled into the world got a 78% as a two year old in hand, with me showing him- not a pro. Still unrivaled by an Olympic level judge- Hilda Gurney. He was just that nice.
They are out there- and too many end up pulling buggies, because they are misunderstood.
If you want comfortable, doesn’t need pizza cutter spurs, reasonably priced, and in your pocket, let me know. I still know where to find them- and I can point the direction- only as an advocate. But do not look for one if you do not know how to work with them. This breed descends from the breed of choice for General Robert E. Lee’s officers, and would not exist if Grant had not allowed Lee’s officers to take their horses home. They will march into hell for you. But, you need to tell them that it is OK not to.
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For those asking about Arabs in dressage, some ancient history.
Col. Carl-Heinrich Asmis on Rafmirz
And the FB Page for Arabian Horse Historical Photos showing some of the breeders including Never Die Farm
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LOL - a couple years ago I took an unregistered gelding on trial that the seller said was ASB/AQHA. Ended up not buying, him, then a horse flipper bought him and had him advertised later as TB/QH. We’re out west and I suppose she thought that was more marketable here than ASB, and no way to prove anything… Whatever he was, he did not want to be a dressage horse, which is why I passed on him (though the one time he got excited he showed a nice passage).
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I have an OTTB that is now competing in the Prix St Georges classes. He turns 10 this month. We also jump in the 1.20m classes and event at 1*. We plan on moving up the levels in all three disciplines. I also own a wb x tb, but the OTTB is much more willing and forgiving - always tries his heart out.
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What’s his breeding? Sounds like a cool guy! Any videos?
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Struggling to find a video that’s small enough! But here’s some photos!
He is by AP Arrow (AP Indy), Dam is Michaela
He’s the same horse that’s in my profile pic
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If I ever get really, really drunk one night, fall and hit my head, and then decide to breed Hermosa again, I’ll let you know. Her mum is black and her dad is grey dun with the nd1 gene, so you could get an interesting baby if you bred her to a black stallion or a cream one.
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Psssst, for all you Saddlebred lovers… Saddlebred Rescue has a really cute sport type 4 year old gelding for a very reasonable adoption fee. SBR Sampson is his name. Just thought you’d like to know 
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The scariest, meanest horse I ever met was a 15 h canadien. He truly wanted to kill me - would turn around and try to take a chunk out of my arm or swing in a second to try to kick me, and slam people sideways against a wall to try to pin and kick. Good under saddle mostly and I assume he had some sad experience previously, but ooof they’re not all angels all the time (Others I knew were very sweet or somewhere in the middle).
Did amazing at lower levels regardless but I think it’d be tricky to get many of them to the higher levels. They don’t typically seem built to sit and lift.
Came back to review this thread for ideas and excited to update that this is the year I’ll be shopping! I’m getting my fourth stall next week - I’ve had one huge stall and a gap on one side of the center aisle, since I was scared I’d fill a fourth before I was ready.
I’m starting the hunt with American Saddlebred Legacy and the Secretariat Center at KHP. I love New Vocations but I want to ride my new horse before buying. At least, I hope to. I know the market is nuts, so we’ll see how things go…
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Be sure to take a look at Saddlebred Rescue (altho it is a bit further away I realize!). You might even call Nealia and see if she can keep an eye out for you.
https://www.saddlebredrescue.com/index.html
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I had a wonderful ASB cross that did absolutely EVERYTHING. He had a fantastic temperament and a lot of try. Very people oriented, forgiving, and willing to please. I wouldn’t have called him a dressage prospect, but he did dressage a lot better than I did at the time.
Best of luck with your search! I hope you find a great partner.
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The very first time I rode a piaffe was on an Arab/Saddlebred cross. The little horse did all of the Grand Prix movements. The first changes I did (inadvertent) were on a Thoroughbred. Of course, it was a long, long time ago before everyone had a warmblood. People trained what they had breed-wise.
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Yay, that is wonderful news! 
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My coach just told me about a category in dressage shows called VSH.
What heights designate VSH, 14.2 - ??.?
A small horse is under 163cm shod, under 162 barefoot. That would make a qualifying small horse just under 16h. It’s not VSH, it’s a separate organization supporting ponies and small horses and it’s just called Small Horse.
ty for the info.
Every horse i have, except two mustangs and my Percheron, is a V? SH than …LOL. well, i’m 5.0 so im a vsp … so we’re matchy-matchy
Is this a real category within a dressage show by this supporting organization, or a totally separate dressage event so that off-breeds can compete against eachother / get placements…and not have to try to compete in the land of the giants? Sort of like a breed club’s dressage class at a national or something…
