Mark Todd and Charisma were the first thing that came to mind when I read OP’s post.
Yeahbut OP is not Mark Todd and she doesn’t need to lease a Charisma.
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This is so true. I have a 16.2 big-boned OTTB. I recently also got an almost 18 hand WB, and I actually have to put the stirrups up for the big boy! My leg sits totally different on him.
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Most of us don’t!
And he is a totally different discipline.
Definitely!
These are my two mares - one is 18.2 and the other 16.3. Photos from the same day - I’m 5’11" and very short-torsoed so appreciate a large horse. My 16.3 mare has a VERY wide barrel. I cannot imagine someone shorter than me riding her comfortably, I’ve had to go to PT for months to work on SI issues from the way I compensate riding her.
Edited to try to make both photos show… Not sure what I’m doing wrong. Fixed!
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These days, it seems like many sellers/lessors will demand a premium price for the tall (17 h plus ) horses, while there really are not that many riders who “need” such a big horse. Be careful not to overlook a better match that may not be 17+
I am tall and larger in frame so I appreciate 16.3 plus, but I can deal with a little smaller if it has a sizeable barrel , has the stride and I will appear proportionate on the horse.
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I am about 5’7" and my preference is 16.1 to 16.3, not for looks reasons, that’s just what I feel most comfortable riding. There’s a particular TB gelding at our barn that is around 16.1, but I just don’t like the feel of riding him. Then there’s a 15.3 QH who I love riding. I wouldn’t seek a lease just based on the size of the horse. I’d ride several and see which one feels best to you.
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thanks for the replies!! All of the horses in the photos shared are so adorable!
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Just keep in mind you need to find a horse you can comfortably ride and can do the job you need it to do. 
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Chiming in to say I am 5’9ish and have ridden horses and ponies from a maybe 14h-in-shoes pony to an 18h horse. I think most riders have a height “sweet spot” and then a barrel “sweet spot”. I think I look best between on a horse about 16.2-17.0, but as long as a horse is not slab sided, I’m comfortable riding it.
I’ll echo that I also anecdotally feel smaller horses stay sounder longer and are easier to get and keep fit.
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your trainer is right. My daughter an I are almost the same height and leg length. I feel most comfortable on a 17+ horse and she likes little sporty horses (16-16.1). The barrel of the horse will also make a difference. The only place size of horse might make any difference is in big equitation classes, where most of the horses tend to be bigger, but even that isn’t a hard and fast rule. Get a horse you feel confident on.
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Keep in mind if you’re shipping a horse anywhere yourself, you’ll need a bigger trailer for those tall boys!
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