Opinions on DHH crosses for jumping?

[Pennywell_Bay]

To answer the question posed- if I were advising or looking for a horse to do hunters/jumpers, the DHH is not where one that would be at the top of the list. That is just not what they were bred to do, and that doesn’t preclude the one-offs that have suceeded. Just like the Arab who placed at PF. The conformation of the DHH and what they were bred from and for, is not what easily translates into " natural jumping ability" as a whole breed.

Yes, we can name a few. If they excelled at the sport, you’d see much more of them.

I am all for " I love this horse and he does the job and is happy". Have fun, enjoy the horse you have, hopefully the horse enjoys the job. My point is- choose wisely if you are choosing to do a specific discipline in which you want to excel (and your enjoyment is contigent on ribbons). You can generally ride almost any horse in any discipline, and enjoy it, but not necessarily excel in competition. (depends on your goals and definition of success).

[enjoytheride]

Where did the poster say it was a “breed” she specifically said “cross”

[enjoytheride]

I think a good point that is often missed.

I had a friend who used to say “I didn’t settle on dressage I settled on Arabians and did dressage on them.”

[skydy]

[quote=“saratoga, post:554, topic:789934”]I
**I bought a 3 year old DHH draft cross about 3 years ago. I’m not sure of his exact background and we’ve had our trials and tribulations, mainly hon*estly due to me being an older DIY ammy who hadn’t started a young horse in a very along time and him being a giant doofus. lol. I’m finally getting him to stretch downward and relax his back somewhat at the trot but the canter is a huge project. I want to jump and event him someday and I do believe he has amazing potential but it’s going to be up to me to bring it out!! I think if he were with a professional he could be kicking butt right now. Anyway, he is the most handsome thing and as sweet and snuggly and in your pocket as can be. He can be looky and spooky and the the giraffe neck and head can be a lot to deal with but I am really enjoying being with him and working with him. I think the breed is really cool and versatile and though certainly not for everyone, I definitely am a fan.
[/quote]

@enjoytheride It’s right there.

[Virginia_Horse_Mom]

@Pennywell_Bay

To answer the question posed- if I were advising or looking for a horse to do hunters/jumpers, the DHH is not where one that would be at the top of the list. That is just not what they were bred to do, and that doesn’t preclude the one-offs that have suceeded. Just like the Arab who placed at PF. The conformation of the DHH and what they were bred from and for, is not what easily translates into " natural jumping ability" as a whole breed.

Yes, we can name a few. If they excelled at the sport, you’d see much more of them.

I am all for " I love this horse and he does the job and is happy". Have fun, enjoy the horse you have, hopefully the horse enjoys the job. My point is- choose wisely if you are choosing to do a specific discipline in which you want to excel (and your enjoyment is contigent on ribbons). You can generally ride almost any horse in any discipline, and enjoy it, but not necessarily excel in competition. (depends on your goals and definition of success).

I agree with this.

But…

Just to underline it…

if you were advising someone on whether or not to make an in utero purchase of a foal from a world renowned… but pretty hot (in terms of temperament) jumper stallion…

And you asked about what the dam side of the foal had going for it, and they told you…

“Well, the dam is in the KWPN studbook. But she has no show record at all, was purposefully bred as a harness horse, though she is apparently broke to ride. She is almost 18 hands tall. I have photos of her sire. Here he is:

And here is a photo of the dam of the potential in utero purchase.

…

Would you advise them that this potential foal seemed like a good “in utero” investment for someone who wanted a horse to eventually do hunters or jumpers with a few years down the line? Or… would you have reservations due to the type and conformation of both the broodmare sire, and dam herself?

[enjoytheride]

I understood it as she’s referring to her horse as a “cross” and the DHH as a “breed.” Either way I don’t see why you need to object to it twice.

[enjoytheride]

It’s not your horse or your money. The money we spend on horses is personal. That type of horse isn’t likely to get to the Olympics any time soon, but if your “friend” likes the breed and is happy with any limitations in their sport of choice then it’s not your business.

[Virginia_Horse_Mom]

Why are you making this about me? That’s weird.

My question was for Pennywell Bay and it was hypothetical. She’s knowledgeable about hunters and jumpers.

Is there a reason she shouldn’t look at the photos and share what she would advise someone who had Hunter or jumper goals for a foal?

[enjoytheride]

This is a BB and we are free to respond to any posts we like. It’s not about you.

[Virginia_Horse_Mom]

@enjoytheride

This is a BB and we are free to respond to any posts we like. It’s not about you

Right.

But you were responding to me and chastising me…

[enjoytheride]

OK? I was responding to a post you made. On a discussion board. I happened to disagree with your view. I am not sure what you want.

I personally think that as long as my “friend” is realistic about their goals for their off breed of choosing then my only job is to go “what color saddle pad are you going to buy.” My friend is free to spend their own money as they see fit. If they say wanted an off breed and had lofty goals and wanted blue ribbons then I might gently make sure that the off breed is what they wanted. My friend would likely have a lot of fun in the lower levels on their breed of choosing and perhaps when they wanted to do more they would sell it or buy something else, or maybe they’d have fun bopping around the lower levels.

[Virginia_Horse_Mom]

@enjoytheride

OK? I was responding to a post you made. On a discussion board. I happened to disagree with your view. I am not sure what you want.

I didn’t even state my view in that post.

I asked Pennywell Bay about her view, and what she would advise in the situation I outlined. Because I think she’s pretty knowledgeable about hunters and jumpers.

I’m not really asking about managing interpersonal friendship dynamics with an acquaintance who also rides. The point of my post was simply about evaluating the horses involved, and the potential equine in utero purchase, and what a knowledgeable person thought of it.

[enjoytheride]

Someone in the world of high performance hunters is not going to purchase your proposed breeding so I don’t know what you want out of that. Its not even going to exist on their radar. It’s not a conversation that would ever actually happen.

Someone who likes that breed and wants to play around in the lower levels is more than welcome to do whatever they want and have fun.

I think that when someone is purchasing a horse in an open registry such as KWPN with several different types then they should do their due diligence regarding bloodlines and be wary of the occasional crazy breeder advertising their horses as something they are not. You seem to only have experience with a closed book with a breed that is produced for one or two sports. To me, it’s normal to look at a breed and then look within that breed for the bloodlines that have the conformation and temperament (and show record) for what I want to do with that breed.

I’ll also add, there are A LOT of breeds that do the whole in Utero/frozen/recip thing. It’s not limited to WBs.

[Ghazzu]

Regarding ammys and horses:

After my horse Tiger died, I was looking for a new Arab to show with (my stallion Brigade hated shows).
Went searching with my friend and trainer Karen, and we found a horse that we both liked.
As we were driving home after the first time I tried him, Bob asked Karen, “Is he as good as Tiger was?”
Karen told Bob–“No, but that’s the wrong question. The question you need to ask is–is he better than Ghazzu? And the answer to that is yes.”

[endlessclimb]

Maybe it’s just the type of horse I’ve seen, but these mega flashy DHH stallions do NOT seem ammy friendly. In fact, some of the flashier ones seem damn near unable to be handled by anyone but a pro. Similar to that high-end saddlebred flash, they’re right on the verge of wild.

That might be some people’s cup of tea, but not your average ammy.

[enjoytheride]

So I personally think that is 2 things

1. They do tend to be hotter in my personal opinion.

2. Handling handling handling. Some types of breeds and showing have no issues with a kite on a lead rope, and in the show ring an animated horse is ideal and someone is running it into the show ring w a plastic bag to make it more animated. I recently purchased a horse from a world that had different ground manner standards than I do. It took a bit, but horse has come around. To the point when a buyer wanted to see how animated it could trot I could not get it snorty enough and they passed on the sale!!!

[Virginia_Horse_Mom]

@enjoytheride

You seem to only have experience with a closed book with a breed that is produced for one or two sports. To me, it’s normal to look at a breed and then look within that breed for the bloodlines that have the conformation and temperament (and show record) for what I want to do with that breed.

Mares I’ve personally owned:

GOV
RPSI
Hanoverian
Hungarian Warmblood
ISH
TB
Anglo Arab
Welsh Cross
1/2 Arab

I’ve had more than one mare approved for breeding with more than one open book registry (other than KWPN) and know a little bit about the process, levels of mare books and pedigree requirements.

I’ve also owned geldings that were purchased as babies and started and competed in hunters and eventing…

Arab cross
TB x App
Holsteiner x QH

Disciplines I’ve ridden or competed in … all at pretty low level… include

Hunters (years ago)
Eventing
Dressage
Jumpers

I’ve also ridden western but just done fun local western games, and… I’ve driven ponies I’ve owned… but not competed. Just around the farm for fun. Several years ago.

So I actually do know a thing or two about many different breeds and types and do have a bit of experience with a variety of different disciplines.

I have no idea why you continue to make this about me, and have assumed a number of things about me. It’s strange.

[Virginia_Horse_Mom]

@endlessclimb

Maybe it’s just the type of horse I’ve seen, but these mega flashy DHH stallions do NOT seem ammy friendly. In fact, some of the flashier ones seem damn near unable to be handled by anyone but a pro. Similar to that high-end saddlebred flash, they’re right on the verge of wild.

That might be some people’s cup of tea, but not your average ammy.

Agreed.

Some are very large and very hot.

I’d imagine crossing them with a jumper stallion that is known to produce pro rides might result in a challenging foal for the average ammy to get started and eventually compete.

[enjoytheride]

I’m just responding to your posts. You have made a lot of them and some of them I have a different opinion about. It’s a discussion board. That’s it.

[endlessclimb]

I know this horse is razzed up and a stallion, but this type of stuff is what comes to mind. Right on the razor’s edge, needing a very experienced handler. I get that’s what it takes to have the presence so many of them have, but it sure doesn’t look like what I would call “fun”.

https://www.tiktok.com/@pearmanranch/video/7195524565278428462?lang=en

https://www.tiktok.com/@pearmanranch/video/7196517179758513451?lang=en