Bridon Beale Street. I am helping a friend with her 4 yr old Bridon Beale Street baby and I have to say I am not a big fan of draft crosses, and like a smart, forward beastie. This kid is all that - I have had to eat my words! Kind, sweet, quick learner and light on his feet. ADORE!
Braveheart RID
If you are considering RID stallions, take a look at Braveheart.
I have had him at my farm for the last 10 months in dressage training. He has a very easy temperament and wonderful talent for the dressage work. Braveheart was exclusively trained and competed in eventing thru Training Level by his amateur owner who backed him herself until he came here. A jumper trainer I know rode him over fences once and said that she was shocked to feel like his scope was endless. No matter what she cantered him down to, she knew he would feel effortless over the fence. Those who know the breed already know they have that, but for those of us used to TB or lighter WB types, it is a fun surprise to feel so much athleticism come in that package.
I also now have a 6 year old gelding son of his in the barn as a client bought him. At 6, and slowly started, he is easy, quiet and consistent. Lovely mover, natural balance and easy jump. This rider needed a horse that would be the same every day, and there is no questions that he is her perfect match.
I am very excited about the baby of his I have coming in 2015 out of a lovely TB mare I picked just for him. I expect added bone, a good topline (the mare brings it to the table as well) and supple gaits. The more of his offspring I see and sit on the more excited I get!
He hasn’t been heavily or professionally promoted, but the inspectors from Ireland LOVED him. He is on Facebook and also has a website.
Flagmount’s Freedom also stands in the same area of Texas that I am in, and while I have never sat on him, he is an AWESOME horse and his babies can seriously jump.
I love my warmbloods, but have definitely caught the Irish bug too.
Sounds like you aren’t looking at Hackney horses any more, but Fresno State college in California has an interest in preserving the breed, so they have purebreds and hackney/tb crosses for sale and you can check their website to see pictures.
Personally I would worry the knee action might not look right for dressage but I like the bone and substance on them. The Hackney horse looks a lot different from the Hackney pony.
But if I were looking myself, I’d go with an irish sport horse, cleveland bay or morgan cross
