What do you look for in a jumper

[Nadia1990]

I am curious for what everyone looks for when buying a young hunter/jumper prospect.

personally i have always looked for a horse that is soft and supple over a fence, doesn’t over jump and has nice tight snappy front legs and loose backend.

I ask the questions because one of my young horses I brought as a very green 4 year old because I loved her jump (exactly i what I described above), I found it very interesting that know one else seemed to like her (when she started at 2’6’’ she just found it so easy she just kind of cantered over everything) but 2 years down the track she’s stepped into 4’ classes and I have some many compliments on her fabulous technique and have had many offers to buy her.

so really me question is to look for shape/technique and ease or the big flashy ‘pop’ in jump.

[supershorty628]

In all honesty, assuming that their style of jumping isn’t dangerous, I take that into account second.

The first thing I look for is attitude. I want my jumper to think that s/he can do anything. I like horses who are a little cocky because they’re so confident. After that, I put a lot more emphasis on the hind end than the front end, although I will always prefer to have a horse who has a front end like a hunter.

I don’t mind overjumping if they’re overjumping to amuse themselves. Overjumping from being scared and overjumping just for the heck of it are 2 different things, in my book, and while both can be a problem occasionally, I really don’t mind the second type. It’s manageable.

[Winding_Down]

slipping over from eventing land. I do not necessarily look for a horse with great technique over low fences. I have had horses that were sloppy and “cantered” lower heights but when (as the OP notes) the fences got higher, they blossomed.

Interestingly, I have found that horses with a spook tend to be better jumpers as they also tend to be more careful and vigilant. It is not at all the spook that improves jumping, but rather the tendency to be careful and attentive.

The 3 best jumpers I have trained have all been spooky - and as they matured, they were not spooky going to the jumps but retained that vigilance. I had one horse that would be very spooky if you walked him up to a xc jump - but if you galloped him at it, he locked in and jumped well.

My young horse (by Lux) is all of the above. Jumps the smaller jumps like a toad but once they are larger, he is especially snappy with his hind end. And he looks at everything - still spooks at the jumps but that will disipate with experience.

[Lord_Helpus]

I have bought 2 unbroke young horses as jumper prospects and they have both turned out better than I had hoped.

First, I want to see them free jumped over something that challenges them. I agree that any horse can canter over a small jump; it can be hard to separate the wheat from the chaff at 3’.

Of course I look at attitude – but I look at attitude in every horse I look at.

I focus on the hind end with a jumper prospect. I want the engine to be powerful and, with a young horse, I do not mind at all if the hind end is so strong and the jump is so easy for it, that he flips his butt over his front end.

Frequently it takes young horses a while to figure out that they need to jump with both ends at the same time. While a young jumper who is so strong off the ground that he doesn’t use his shoulders as a free jumping baby will probably never win a style award, the front end can be improved 100% by teaching him to balance his weight on his hind end and rock back and pat the ground at takeoff.

Since scope is defined as the ability to jump high plus wide, I want to see the young horse jump some wide-ish oxers. He needs to be able to carry his power both laterally and vertically.

Right now, my 5 year old (who was horrible with his front end when free jumping at 2) is square and very tight below his knees and his forearms are horizontal. While he will never hit his throat latch with his knees , he gets his front end out of the way just fine at 1.20m (which is as high as he has been asked to jump)

So far this year, he has gone in about 20 classes (in 6 shows) and he has had a total of 1 rail down. I will take his style over a knee jerker any day.

[foursocks]

My last horse shopping adventure involved being very picky, because I don’t have the funds for more than one competition horse and because my trainer is SUPER picky and shot down almost everything I sent him to look at immediately! I also have had some really, really tough horses in the past and I wanted something fun and uncomplicated.

As per his and my requirements I wanted a horse who had a lot of suspension in its movement and natural suppleness- easily able to do the dressage flatwork required to make an upper level jumper. I wanted something with a really good hind end, good jumping technique overall, and a lot of scope. My eventual goal is the high A/Os, so I need a horse with a bit extra in the tank. I also wanted something with no baggage with its confidence intact. And, because I could not afford anything made, I wanted a young horse with a really good foundation that I could build on.

By being really picky and having the right connections I lucked out with the one I got- he is better than I could have ever even remotely imagined and he is only 6. Like Lord Helpus, I don’t need a knee snapper over the smaller fences. My horse barely notices 1.10-1.15m (our level right now), and often doesn’t bother to really tuck up his front legs. He is square with them, but he also is way up over the fences pretty much all the time. If he has a rail it is always pilot error- because I didn’t balance him properly or our pace is too slow. Most of our work has been to get him working back to front so he is really balanced up, adjustable, and able to get to the deep distance without trouble. This is physically very easy for him, so it is simply a matter of furthering his education.

A representative picture (I love this horse so much!): http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a298/sproutsie/S%20and%20me%20SL%203%2041115_zps1oktbior.jpg

Or here- this is only 3’3" and he was all: Meh. http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a298/sproutsie/Steve%20Purple%20Oxer_zps9811q14n.jpg

[effervescent]

Foursocks your horse is beautiful!

[greysfordays]

[QUOTE=Lord Helpus;8164960]
I have bought 2 unbroke young horses as jumper prospects and they have both turned out better than I had hoped.

First, I want to see them free jumped over something that challenges them. I agree that any horse can canter over a small jump; it can be hard to separate the wheat from the chaff at 3’.

Of course I look at attitude – but I look at attitude in every horse I look at.

I focus on the hind end with a jumper prospect. I want the engine to be powerful and, with a young horse, I do not mind at all if the hind end is so strong and the jump is so easy for it, that he flips his butt over his front end.

Frequently it takes young horses a while to figure out that they need to jump with both ends at the same time. While a young jumper who is so strong off the ground that he doesn’t use his shoulders as a free jumping baby will probably never win a style award, the front end can be improved 100% by teaching him to balance his weight on his hind end and rock back and pat the ground at takeoff.

Since scope is defined as the ability to jump high plus wide, I want to see the young horse jump some wide-ish oxers. He needs to be able to carry his power both laterally and vertically.

Right now, my 5 year old (who was horrible with his front end when free jumping at 2) is square and very tight below his knees and his forearms are horizontal. While he will never hit his throat latch with his knees , he gets his front end out of the way just fine at 1.20m (which is as high as he has been asked to jump)

So far this year, he has gone in about 20 classes (in 6 shows) and he has had a total of 1 rail down. I will take his style over a knee jerker any day.[/QUOTE]

I 1000% agree with this. I think too many people focus on the front end and not nearly enough on what the hind end is doing. Of course, you can build strength back there, but most of the power/scope is pretty innate and the hind end is what really tells you what’s what.

[foursocks]

[QUOTE=effervescent;8165477]
Foursocks your horse is beautiful![/QUOTE]

Thanks!

[Feliz]

When I’ve been shopping I’ve always looked at horses that are going under saddle and over fences as I can only have one horse at a time so they need to be my type of ride.

I look for a horse that wants to jump – that locks on to the fence and is very much “I’m going to jump that!” The horse must be forward, as I can’t ride a kick ride to save myself. He or she must be scopey and clever, to get me out of trouble. I like it when they make a bigger jump look effortless.

It does seem that the horses like that come with a bit of confidence & attitude, like supershorty said.

I had to compromise on my current horse – he has brains and scope and willingness – but by golly some days I wish there was a bit more rideability and a bit less baggage. We’ve come a long way from “I can only swivel to the left” and “What is this bend thing you want?” and “ZOMG your leg touched me!” and “DON’T touch my mouth” (oh wait, I never really fixed that last one, but hackamores have been a revelation for this horse.) There’s still a long way to go for both of us.

Foursocks – you’ve pretty much described what I’ll be shopping for next time – I’ll just have to start saving now

All that aside I love this horse and jumping him is such a joy. I posted a short video on FB a while back and my little 4yo niece (who he gives pony rides to) asked if we were floating or flying. That really sums him up so well!

[Lord_Helpus]

Here is Waldo at ages 3 4 and 5. At first, his front end was totally overwhelmed by his back end, but it gets better with training. If I had been looking for a snappy front end, I would have missed out.

I was fortunate enough to get a horse who is 100% straightforward, has a 100% willingness to please and a 110% work ethic. Man, did I luck out.

http://i394.photobucket.com/albums/pp25/PeteyPuppy/Waldo%20at%203%204%20and%205_zpsnjrbttva.jpg

[foursocks]

Gorgeous, LH!! Definitely a great find!

[aascvt]

First off, I love this thread. : )

I was in the process of figuring out exactly what was on this list for me, when I stumbled across a 2yr old prospect that summed it all up.

She had a lot of presence for a young horse. She trotted into the ring like she owned the place and went right into the jump chute on her own. She had plenty of scope and a fabulous hind end. Her front end was a little looser in the beginning but this steadily improved once she was jumping under saddle.

She was hot and spooky (just my type) but totally reasonable. She was smart and extremely interested in everything around her. She seemed willing to learn anything new that was thrown her way.

VERY well balanced. I don’t need a jumper to move like an upper level dressage horse. I just need them to have 3 good, sound, rhythmical gaits and an uphill canter. She met these requirements perfectly and she is extremely comfortable… added bonus.

I also knew that she was started well (just ground work) and that I was working with a clean slate. I would much rather make a horse up from the start than try to fix a problem hose.

6 years later I couldn’t be much happier with her. She is exactly what I hoped for. Super quirky and still the spookiest horse that I have ever known, but amazing in the ring. If she thinks that a jump is a little scary, I just need to grab some mane. : ) She absolutely always tries for me and that is the best feeling of all.

[rosebecard]

Wow, LH! Waldo is gorgeous- that hind end is amazing! What is his breeding?

[Ambitious_Kate]

aascvt - great post - that’s my kinda horse. I have one like that at this time. Several times approaching a jump correctly, but I just knew - grab that mane - mostly because he sits so well I don’t want to slide off the back as he powers up. But I just enjoyed your description I was right there with you on that little mare!

[Feliz]

I’m curious – does anyone who can only have one horse buy unbroken? What do you do if the horse then isn’t the ride that you like?

I would love to be able to buy a youngster with all the right potential, but I’m way too worried that I’d end up with something that didn’t suit me. With a bit of luck I won’t need to buy another horse for a good long time, but it’s something I’m curious about.

[doublesstable]

[QUOTE=Nadia1990;8164814]
I am curious for what everyone looks for when buying a young hunter/jumper prospect.

personally i have always looked for a horse that is soft and supple over a fence, doesn’t over jump and has nice tight snappy front legs and loose backend.

I ask the questions because one of my young horses I brought as a very green 4 year old because I loved her jump (exactly i what I described above), I found it very interesting that know one else seemed to like her (when she started at 2’6’’ she just found it so easy she just kind of cantered over everything) but 2 years down the track she’s stepped into 4’ classes and I have some many compliments on her fabulous technique and have had many offers to buy her.

so really me question is to look for shape/technique and ease or the big flashy ‘pop’ in jump.[/QUOTE]

Are you asking about a Jumper or Hunter? I don’t know much about searching for jumpers, but hunters I LOVE looking for…

I fall in love with a good floating hunter trot!!

[Lord_Helpus]

[QUOTE=Feliz;8166327]
I’m curious – does anyone who can only have one horse buy unbroken? What do you do if the horse then isn’t the ride that you like?

I would love to be able to buy a youngster with all the right potential, but I’m way too worried that I’d end up with something that didn’t suit me. With a bit of luck I won’t need to buy another horse for a good long time, but it’s something I’m curious about.[/QUOTE]

A good question. The first young horse (weanling) I bought does not suit me. His trot is almost un-post-able because it has so much suspension. He also ended up enormous – I made a 4 step mounting block just to get on him. But, the nice thing is that if you buy smart, you will have a horse which is worth more than you paid for it and is resellable (saleable?) for enough $$ to buy again. (Petey also ended up as a horse who will never be sold — I let top riders have fun with him and I have fun watching him be successful.)

If you want to own a horse which is far nicer than you could afford to buy when it is already under tack, then the best way to do it is to overlap your current horse with the young one. I have a farm, so it is very cheap to have a baby hanging around, just growing up. But even if you have to board the young horse, it still can be done with crafty management.

I think that the biggest issue is: Do you have the knowledge and skill to start a young horse? When you get a blank slate, it is very easy to go wrong in the initial training which will create problems down the line.

Here is Waldo being well started:
http://i394.photobucket.com/albums/pp25/PeteyPuppy/P1020017_zpsaedd644a.jpg
http://i394.photobucket.com/albums/pp25/PeteyPuppy/legup_zps86133faa.jpg
Yes, he was started by a lady who was a barrel racer. $25/ride. For $500 I got a beautifully broken, responsive, unflappable horse, who knew his leads, did lateral work and was ready to go on to learn his job in life. It can be done cheaply if you realize your own limitations and search for the right people who specialize in young horses.

[foursocks]

Exactly what LH said about buying an unbroke horse. When I lost my previous jumper a wonderful friend gave me her coming-3 year old, who was 3/4 Dutch WB, 1/4 TB and very tall but relatively short-coupled (I like a square for jumpers). He had been started under tack, was off for a bit, and then came to me. He was amazing- easy to start, loved to learn, big jump, lots of suspension, beautiful, etc. I backed him and then handed him for 6 weeks to a dressage trainer at my barn who put some nice buttons on. Then we shared duties for a couple of months, and then I mostly took over and eventually began taking him to my regular trainer.

I lost him, horribly, to colic, and after that did not want to go through the whole breaking and first steps process again, so I bought a coming 5 year old who already had young jumper show experience. But I did love that part of it- he was an absolute joy and I will never forget his first walk under saddle, with me perched on top, both of us nervous but game, and how much fun he was to teach things to in general. He was like a giant sponge. If you find a promising youngster and have the skills and/or have a trainer who can help it can be extremely rewarding.

[emilawrence]

[QUOTE=foursocks;8165272]
My last horse shopping adventure involved being very picky, because I don’t have the funds for more than one competition horse and because my trainer is SUPER picky and shot down almost everything I sent him to look at immediately! I also have had some really, really tough horses in the past and I wanted something fun and uncomplicated.

As per his and my requirements I wanted a horse who had a lot of suspension in its movement and natural suppleness- easily able to do the dressage flatwork required to make an upper level jumper. I wanted something with a really good hind end, good jumping technique overall, and a lot of scope. My eventual goal is the high A/Os…

A representative picture (I love this horse so much!): http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a298/sproutsie/S%20and%20me%20SL%203%2041115_zps1oktbior.jpg

Or here- this is only 3’3" and he was all: Meh. http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a298/sproutsie/Steve%20Purple%20Oxer_zps9811q14n.jpg[/QUOTE]

Your horse is adorable !!

[Feliz]

Thanks for the thoughtful replies on my offshoot question.

I’m a little bit stuck on the time I would ‘waste’ on a potentially unsuitable youngster (not that time spent with a lovely horse is ever really wasted). I’ve already done that once with a green broke mare who just wasn’t the ride I wanted over fences – I learnt a lot, I made a bit of money but I’d rather not do it again.

But then a friend bought a 5yo who was extremely well started and going beautifully over fences, bred to perform and purchased from extremely reputable people. He’s a nice horse but he’s just not that generous when the fences go up.

Horses are just such a gamble, aren’t they?