What do you look for in a jumper

[Lord_Helpus]

I think your question boils down to: Do you have the budget to buy the horse you really want once it is showing? Or will you have to make concessions on rideability or talent or soundness to get your next horse?

In my situation, I cannot afford to spend $80,000 to get a really really nice green horse. So I spend $20,000 on a young one (yes, $20k ---- I wanted the talent I could only dream of, and talent costs money) and he is now worth approx 4x that.

I think that people often regret their decisions when they try to save money. Yes, those diamonds in the rough are out there, but ending up with a top horse for $5000 is a dream, not reality. I had to drop down and down and down until I was in a price range where I could pick and choose among the top horses I was looking at. For me, that was buying a 2 year old.

And, talking about the BEST in the age group, I have bought an in utero foal. Yes, it is a HUGE gamble, but he/she is by Baloubet du Rouet, and out of a Grand Prix mare by Cassini I. I could not afford these bloodlines once it was a living creature, so I bought the little black dot, and I am on pins and needles. Due date is in 1 week.

[arapaloosa_lady]

REALLY REALLY FAST!!!

…jk. But when I watch the low-level jumper shows, I do wonder if that’s the only criteria some people use.

I think it’s most important to have a horse who is aware of her body & is smart about how she uses it. I don’t want a horse who catches legs on things or will run into objects when spooking. If we’re hurdling over solid obstacles, both of us need to be on the same page about safely arriving on the other side.

[HiHopes]

I think it is different for each person and what their ultimate aims are and their strengths as a rider.

Personally I have to have a horse that is brave above anything else as I can’t abide anything with a stop in it and 1m20 is my limit so for me they need to have heart over ability.

My last two horses couldn’t jump when I got them as they were too young but the mare was super forward thinking and curious. She couldn’t see something strange without bravely taking a deep breath having to go up and sniff it out. I could just tell she was game and she was! She never looked at her fences but was clever and careful and she gave me a ton of fun.

My guy was the same. First horse with his head over the door, really nosey. I watched him being ridden in the ring and someone had left a lunge whip on the floor. His rider didn’t notice and he saw it last second and instead of spooking he simply jumped over it. I knew he was my guy!

He is fab, he never stopped or looked once when I was teaching him to jump and is just so non spooky. I love him!

The mare had a natural technique and was flawless from day 1 but my gelding took a few sessions of tripping over things to realise how to use his legs. He learned though and he is very careful now and as clever as a cat. She had a perfect style but he still has his own slightly wacky style, he likes to jump very up in front but that’s just him, he’s incredible at turning and can jump from the deepest spot without turning a hair. He does what works with the biggest smile on his face and my job is to steer!

To me if they are athletic, bold and willing you can teach them technique. My worst nightmare would be something spooky or precious or over reactive to silly things. Give me a scrappy, tough horse, who gets his feet out the way and won’t let me down :).

[Xctrygirl]

Conformation and brains.

Me personally I love great shoulders.

Here’s my 4 horses in an easy to see conformation to jump style collage

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m147/Xctrygirl/All%20Jumpers_zpsam99dfaa.jpg

~Emily