I would think it would be a disadvantage in the dressage ring… I’m not a dressage rider, but I see some large warmbloods being sold and always wonder why.
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Wellll, that’s a whole 'nother can of worms.
Sometimes they are being sold, just to be sold. The person is a reseller, importer, breeder, or had life circumstances (finances, time, money, etc.). Nothing nefarious.
Or that’s the type that dominates the market right now due to demand.
Then there are those that see the big flashy warmblood, buy it, and can’t ride one side of it/it’s too much horse. The horse gets sold on.
Or they change their preferences. I was into warmbloods until I started riding Iberians, for example.
I also had a big WB who was very nice over fences, but hated a life of mostly dressage. He was just odd about it, but could ride nicely between and over fences, and preferred this. So he wouldn’t do so well/be the best partner for a strictly dressage home. So a dressage rider sold him to a jumping rider.
So many possible reasons.
I am also of the belief (and I know someone will march in here and tell me I’m wrong) that bigger horses are more prone to soundness issues. This is just based off of what I’ve seen over my many years. So, anecdotal, I admit.
I prefer the 15.2-16hh range. Mostly the lower end of that range. I’m not a big or tall/long person, so could be that, and also that I just, on average, find the smaller horses easier to ride and keep.
Maybe someone can come along and list some possible advantages to a 17hh+ horse in dressage, but for me, personally, there are none from a physical perspective.
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I would definitely consider thoroughbreds. I have a gelding by Congrats and out of a Kris S x Quiet American mare who is a lovely mover, has a super canter and has a great brain. Super brave, quiet, lovely mouth, and is all try. He never gets flustered or says no. He hasn’t been to a show yet but hopefully this summer, I only restarted him this winter after a year and a half of letdown time with his breeder.
I also had a TB mare by Peruvian and out of a Broad Brush x Fred Astaire mare that had a trot that made a GP dressage rider stop and say “wow” and ask me what her breeding was and where she was imported from. She was the bravest horse I’ve ever sat on, trail rode by herself in a halter from day 1, and was just a delight in all ways (poster child for the chestnut mare stereotype being all wrong). We sadly lost her way too early due to an illness but I’d love to have another one like her.
Growing up, a friend of mine did dressage with a QH that had been bred to be a cutting horse but outgrew his intended purpose. He was a really cool horse and I’d have an eye out for something like that as a sport horse for sure.
I’d also keep an eye out for warmbloods. I have a Hanoverian mare I bought very affordably because she was quite green for her age. I’ve seen some nice ones pop up now and then that are just behind for their age or have had down time or a lack of experience for non-injury related reasons. You never know what you might find!
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Weighing in that I also don’t want a giant horse. I like 15-15.3 but can go north/south of that for the right horse. I joke, but all three of mine can wear Horseware size 75, so that’s a requirement of any future horse 
I just want something that finds the work a little easier than a level (not downhill) hunter, or a pacing STB that has to work really hard to contain his hind end. Brain beats all, of course, but I plan to actively shop for a horse with a great brain and a body that is suited to dressage. Expanding my search to certain breeds based on this - curious to see what I end up with, honestly! Watch it be a WB, lol. (I’m not at all anti-WB, just cheap!)
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Is someone breeding these on purpose? I’ve only ever heard of this one, and Iberian/TB sounds much too hot for a “regular” amateur.
The sire isn’t Jade from CAL, is it?
I’ve also seen some random crossed/we have no idea what this actually is type horses have a nice conformation suitable for dressage. Sometimes there’s even a decent canter there. So I’d just look on my price range and see what comes up.
Also as a lover of both TB’s and Lusitanos, I would never want a cross of the two 
I’m sure there are some fine ones out there, but good Lord that cross could really backfire.
I was wondering the same thing. There used to be a few coming out of CA from 2 separate breeding programs but that was at least 10-15 years ago. During the mid 90’s I was breeding a few because the welsh cob stallion I had booked to was sterile for about 18 months and my friend was standing two Andalusian stallions. As a result I bred my TB mares to one of them and ended up very happy with the results. Each baby was sold by 3 months of age because the interest had really started to peak in such a cross; but, seemed to not be sustained.
i have an 18h Percheron…he’s walking death on the pasture and paddock fences. He leans over to graze the other side and bends and breaks the boards.
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Do you know how they turned out or where they are now? I’d be interested to know career wise.
I’ve had Andalusians and Lusitanos and have never been a fan of TBs, though I know some can be great. All are known for great work ethic but a lot of them have only two modes: working and spooking.
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Actually Iberian x TB, QH, or WB turns out as a nice mix. TB or WB gives them a length of gait but they stay Iberian in general outline. The Andy x WB breeding program up North I mentioned makes nice ammie horses. I’m in an area that runs an annual national Iberian breed show so I’ve had a chance to see a bunch of full and cross breeds. Plus my coach has some.
WB just don’t do it for me, I’ve never really wanted one.
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I know Aztecas are somewhat popular and the new Iberians/WB at least make sense to me, though I haven’t been any that make my heart go pitter patter yet.
TBH, I think WBs and TBs can be genuinely dumb and I really don’t want hot and dumb. Breeding for gaits and submission/trainability isn’t making the smartest horses IMHO.
My experience has been that a half Iberian cross keeps the brains and agility of the Iberian side, and also the type. You don’t look at any of them and think TB or WB cross of some kind.
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I’ll put in a supportive vote for Saddlebreds. You can find very nice ones for cheap, even right now when that seems impossible due to skyrocketing prices and high demand for everything.
Sound, tough, uphill with great feet & legs of iron, trainable, comfortable, with unbeatable “I-will-turn-myself-inside-out-to-please-you” temperaments. Select one as you would any other horse of any other breed - with 3 good pure gaits and good conformation. The good ones are often “cast-offs” from the Saddleseat ring (they don’t “wear their necks up enough”, lol) and can be had for a few thousand bucks.
Good luck! 
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What a beauty! I rode Saddlebreds in high school and many were all-rounders. They competed in jumping and the local trainer’s Saddlebred was trained to Grand Prix. You are right that the rejects make great sport horses. I wouldn’t pass one up if it looked like your beautiful horse!
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@sparkygrace Thank you! She is even more beautiful on the inside - a total snuggle bug that thinks people are just the bees knees! 
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@ASBJumper With so many people I know thinking I’m nuts for having ASBs high on my list, I would ask you no longer share photos or info on your mare or others like her until I get my cheap, new horse:joy:
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Hahahaha, ok, I gotcha. Mum’s the word.
In case you need a place to start looking, you can join my FB group - American Saddlebred and Half-ASB Sporthorses. 
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Already there;). I plan to contact American Saddlebred Legacy when I get serious about shopping. I’ve seen some cute youngsters.
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I think I joined your FB page when I was looking, but all of the horses were too far away from the west coast. Bummer.
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ASB, that is a nice looking horse. She looks like…dare I say it…a modern, refined WB. Apologies if that’s an insult.
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