Why aren't Quarter Horses More Popular in the H/J Ring?

[GotSpots]

Depends on the QH. Some do great; some are halter bred and just aren’t build to jump well or get the step down the lines. But in general, I think there are alot of great athletes of unfashionable breeds, and it helps to look for them when costs are tight. For example, my APHA was by blood 1/4 QH, 3/4 TB, competed through Advanced level eventing and did some jumpers. Folks regularly asked us if he was Dutch and would tell us he “couldn’t possibly” be a Paint. Well, he was, and dead cheap out of a pasture when we bought him.

Horses can’t read their papers. Buy the horse, not the stereotype.

[HenryisBlaisin]

There are two styles of QH, really (three if you consider the grotesque-looking halter horses a “style”): the taller, modern type, and the foundation type. I rode a lovely 16+ hh QH hunter type several years ago who you never would have guessed was QH. I didn’t show him, but IIRC, he did well in open competition.

My QH is a foundation type-14.3 hh and stocky (though still finer built than some). He’s a little butt-high and making the step would be really hard for him. I don’t show him O/F, anyway. He’s actually a decent mover for his build, and is becoming a decent dressage horse, to my surprise. But he was bred and raised on a ranch, to do ranch work. He LOVES to go out in the fields and will go all day-I’ve never hunted him, but he would probably love it. Working ranch horses should have the stamina needed for the hunt-they work all day!

Breed shows are an option for typey QH hunters, for sure. But watch the hunters in a QH show and what you will see is VERY different from what you see in an open show, so a talented open horse wouldn’t necessarily be a winning AQHA hunter. My horse has done very well in HUS in open company and beaten some very very nice horses, including nice WB’s and TB’s. He’d never get a second look at a QH show.

[Equino]

[QUOTE=Horseforthecourse;4662214]
That is a popular misconception especially among those QHs who were specifically bred for the H/J ring whether for the AQHA circuit, the rated H/J circuit, or both. There are thousands and thousands of QHs who are not built downhill and who at least have a 12 stride.[/QUOTE]

Agreed. My 1st Adult Hunter (he really should’ve been a mini-medal or jumper, but I wanted a hunter!) had a HUGE stride and at the smaller shows where the lines would be pulled in a few feet, I had the hardest time fitting in the right strides, I have left out strides out and people would say it looked like he had to move up for the “correct” #, not that he looked out of control, so he left one out! He was NOT QH show quality unless he did the Jumpers. I have one now with the same big, lopey stride (only he does the right #'s!) and he really could do either circuit-nice enough mover, but not long necked enough like the QH people prefer for their U/S. If there were more QH shows w/over fences classes nearby, I would love to show him there! Maybe someday we’ll go to Congress!

It really depends on the breeding of the horse though. Obviously a halter bred horse, or one bred for cow events, is not going to be suitable for H/J. Even though the HUS at QH shows are ridden VERY differently, they still breed for a big horse with a slow, long stride. I do think the ones that move REALLY well aren’t as good over fences, due to the way their shoulders tie in (not as much pick up of the knees when they are breed to be typical daisy cutters) but most are at least decent enough to do the 2’6-3’ divisions.

That said, I think most suitable type for H/J QH do well in the 3’ divisions: most are Child/Ammy friendly and can get down the lines easily. I think this is more likely than finding one suitable for the ammy/pros divisions, but there are exceptions to every rule. I know of more than a few “WB crosses” that are really QH/Appendix QH showing in various divisions.

[BigDreams07]

QHs are wonderful! My large pony is a quarter horse and he is just fabulous. He was bred for reining but I bought him dirt cheap and turned him around. He has a HUGE stride for a pony (14.1 1/2) and more than once I’ve galloped down lines in the horse strides some of the horses couldn’t make He has the BEST jump. Cracks his back everytime and a great front end. As for moving no, he’s not a great mover but he has a lovley, rhythemic canter the judges seem to like. I’ve only done the children’s ponys but I’ve jumped him up to 3’3/3’6. We we thinking of possibley playing in the greens this year. He’s been very successful in the children’s and beats all the fancy little welsh ponies over fences

Anyway.

As for endurance he is great at cross country and paper chases. The longest ride I’ve been on with him was 4 hours with fences up to 3’3 (of course we jumped them all haha)

There are so many good things I could say about QHs and I’d really reccomend looking at a couple. They have the greatest personalities too!

[cajunbelle]

I plan on going to a few Hunter shows this year! My mare doesn’t scream QH, but she is…

http://inlinethumb11.webshots.com/2250/2693227700105518453S425x425Q85.jpg

[Equino]

[QUOTE=BigDreams07;4662425]
QHs are wonderful! My large pony is a quarter horse and he is just fabulous. He was bred for reining but I bought him dirt cheap and turned him around. [/QUOTE]

My sister trains reiners and I have helped her find buyers for the “rejects” in H/J land as children ponies. What’s great is they are SO broke, have perfect changes, great minded and practically teach themselves to jump, then in a month, they are ready to cart a kid around the show ring!

[altjaeger]

Okay, I googled with no success; what is a “halter bred” horse?

[Equino]

Horses who are bred to supposedly be best representatives of the breed conformation. They have gone so far beyond what the breed is supposed to be, that it is like an entirely different breed. Here is a link to a couple of horses bred to be shown at Halter:

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://quarterhorselegends.googlepages.com/impressive.jpg/impressive-large.jpg&imgrefurl=http://quarterhorselegends.googlepages.com/home4222&usg=__S7svsJMaZTDru1EGrQjKZGw7WCY=&h=321&w=420&sz=22&hl=en&start=20&um=1&itbs=1&tbnid=N-boAjVXRwqsuM:&tbnh=96&tbnw=125&prev=/images%3Fq%3DQH%2BImpressive%26hl%3Den%26client%3Dsafari%26rls%3Den%26sa%3DN%26um%3D1

IMO, this is where some of the bad stereotypes of stock type horses come from. The QH was bred to be a ranch horse that raced on the weekends. Does the above horses look like that kind of horse??? There are also health problems that have stemmed from such a trend-in some lines HYPP is prevalent, in others the small feet that predispose the horse to navicular. EPSM is also something to watch for. It is really sad.

[chawley]

[QUOTE=Lucassb;4662058]
There are plenty of exceptions to every rule, but this is sort of like asking why you don’t see more TBs at rodeos.

QUOTE]

Lucassb - that line made me laugh! I love it. Anyway, I agree w/ Lucassb - there are exceptions in many disciplines in regards to the breeds that excel. In recent years, the QH people have begun to cross w/ the ‘right’ TBs to come up w/ true hunters that can and do compete at the A and AA level. My sister showed a wonderful appendix that was incredible both O/F and in the hack. Some of the top horses in the Working Hunter at Congress the past few years have been exceptional hunters that could and do cross over to the A and AA circuits.

WB are bred for this job, and certains lines of TBs adapt to it as well. The QH has to be crossed w/ the right horse to achieve these desired results because they simply were bred for something entirely different.

[Horseforthecourse]

[QUOTE=Equino;4662424]
Agreed. My 1st Adult Hunter (he really should’ve been a mini-medal or jumper, but I wanted a hunter!) had a HUGE stride and at the smaller shows where the lines would be pulled in a few feet, I had the hardest time fitting in the right strides, I have left out strides out and people would say it looked like he had to move up for the “correct” #, not that he looked out of control, so he left one out! He was NOT QH show quality unless he did the Jumpers. I have one now with the same big, lopey stride (only he does the right #'s!) and he really could do either circuit-nice enough mover, but not long necked enough like the QH people prefer for their U/S. If there were more QH shows w/over fences classes nearby, I would love to show him there! Maybe someday we’ll go to Congress!

It really depends on the breeding of the horse though. Obviously a halter bred horse, or one bred for cow events, is not going to be suitable for H/J. Even though the HUS at QH shows are ridden VERY differently, they still breed for a big horse with a slow, long stride. I do think the ones that move REALLY well aren’t as good over fences, due to the way their shoulders tie in (not as much pick up of the knees when they are breed to be typical daisy cutters) but most are at least decent enough to do the 2’6-3’ divisions.

That said, I think most suitable type for H/J QH do well in the 3’ divisions: most are Child/Ammy friendly and can get down the lines easily. I think this is more likely than finding one suitable for the ammy/pros divisions, but there are exceptions to every rule. I know of more than a few “WB crosses” that are really QH/Appendix QH showing in various divisions.[/QUOTE]

I have one like that too, but everything about him screams hunter from his movement, to his conformation, to his head below the knees jump over 3’0’+ jump The horse can easily take out a stride in a line set out 12’. He is not a very big horse either at 15.3 3/4. I was doing a clinic with an Olympian when he did a line in 4 strides that was set to 5 12’ strides. Her mouth dropped open, and she yelled out to me “That horse has a HUGE stride”. I think that she was surprised because he’s just not very big. Then, she proceeded to reprimand me for not collecting more:lol:. Have it all on video and it’s quite comical.

Personally, I don’t think I’ll ever own anything other than QHs and the occassional TB. As the QH hunters go, why would you limit yourself with another breed? QHs can do both breed and rated shows and are generally so versatile that you have a lot of options.

That being said, my QH has way too big of a stride to ever make a WP horse (I tried and failed miserably at my attempt), but he is also a fantastic showmanship horse.

I don’t think its an exception to the rule for QHs to have big strides and make good hunters. I have to question anyone’s knowledge about QHs who thinks otherwise at this point. There are so many out there doing it. Like Shawnee Acres and YankeeHillBilly, my barn has come across a lot and showed a lot of QHs that were fine hunters.

I can name 4 rated show hunters off the top of my head that are rated hunters. Mine, a friend that lives in VA and will sometimes show in NC, another friend that has a fantastic pony, and my trainer’s horse. Two of these are Appendix horses. The other two were bred on the same line, and don’t have any TB in them for 4 generations.

[sunnycher]

Some are HOT

I always thought (the ones I know) that QH’s were kind and mellow, BUT now I live in cowboy land - ropers, cutting, reining, etc. The ones bred for those disciplines can be VERY hot. Not your average nice ranch gelding.

I have the cutest, sweetest QH/belgian cross. She is little, just 15hh, but smart and willing and very CUTE. She looks like a little warmblood, fancy mover, jumps whatever I show her and goes down the trail like she’s done it her whole life.

Good luck.

[mypaintwattie]

Because QH breeding has become so much more ‘event specific’ in the past 10 or 20 years, there is much more TB breeding in the english horses. When you stand a halter horse next to a hunter-under-saddle horse you will notice that even though they are the same breed they are built differently. In fact, i’d wage a gamble that there are many more QH or Appendix QH showing on the HJ circuit than many would think- so many of them look like a TB or WB. I know there are 3 at my barn alone that show on the A circuit and the AQHA circuit, and do very well on both. And as far as movement, some can make the strides just fine. My horse is a paint and while schooling one day I was asked if she was a colored sporthorse, nope, she’s APHA throughout!

[Touch_of_Gold]

I own a Thoroughbred/Quarter Horse Cross and absolutely love him:D He’s not registered so we can’t prove that he’s Thoroughbred/Quarter Horse, but he has the classic, muscular Quarter Horse butt and a very cute head:D I think Thoroughbred/Quarter Horses definitely have the greatest personalities. I show him in A, B, and C shows and as long as you keep him moving forward, he will get down the lines with the correct strides. He’s not the fanciest horse, so we don’t always do great on the flat, but he has a very tight front end so we do very well over fences at shows. Sandy Farrell said that my horse was the bravest horse she’s ever seen when we did a clinic with her:)

[ohrebecca]

I actually grew up riding QHs and Appendixes in C/B shows, way back when. There were 2 in particular that always placed pretty high, even showing against TBs and the VERY occasional WB. Shopping for my first horse in high school, I almost always looked at Appendixes, best of both worlds, if you ask me! I know a “hony” who is a breeding-stock paint, awesome little jumper who can do 3’9" honest, no questions asked, and cute, too. I bought a Selle Francais/TB 2 years ago at a bargain basement price and haven’t regretted it, but would not hesitate to look at Appendix horses for my next horse!

[Equino]

The 1st one I had was 1/2 QH, 1/2 TB, and bred to be a race horse. He was too slow, so I bought him and he became my Youth All Around horse. I’d show him in Showmanship, Equitation on flat and o/f, HUS, Working Hunter, Hunter Hack, Horsemanship and Western Riding, all in one day! He was definitely more suitable for the English events, but held his own at the local AQHA recognized shows, got a few All Arounds. I showed him a few times in the Children’s and then Adult Hunters at “C” shows and he always got down the lines no problem, knees were up and even but never spectacular form, super consistent and pleasant, always in the ribbons, just a good boy no matter what task I asked him to do. He really looked more TB than QH, TB head, long ears and lean body. His laid back, serious mind and way of going was more QH-“sit back and cadillac” style. I did so much crap on that guy and he just dutifully carried me around like a good 1st horse should!

The other two have much more TB (7/8ths) in them, you would never mistaken them for a WB and they were very hunter-y looking-long legged, tall, beautiful QH-y heads with tiny ears. Both have huge strides and can be quick to react. One is hotheaded, the other super quiet. You could definitely pick out the TB and QH traits. VERY QH smart and “ready”, so, IMO, that made them a bit more of a creative ride Vs the popular simplicity of the WB.

[GrafGranite]

[QUOTE=quietann;4662017]
(speaking in very general terms here…)

A lot of QHs are built too downhill… That big butt doesn’t help the horse get over a jump much if it’s way higher than the withers! There’s also the issue of very small hooves not taking the pounding of over-fences work well. However you’ll see Appendix QHs, which have a lot of TB blood, in all sorts of “sport” disciplines as well as H/J. And also I’ve heard tell of a few “Warmbloods” that are actually Appendix QHs ;)[/QUOTE]

Haha! My “WB” has a healthy dose of QH in him And he has great conformation for the H/J ring!

[Hunter_Mom]

[QUOTE=sunnycher;4662755]
I always thought (the ones I know) that QH’s were kind and mellow, BUT now I live in cowboy land - ropers, cutting, reining, etc. The ones bred for those disciplines can be VERY hot. Not your average nice ranch gelding.[/QUOTE]

I am the proud owner of two QHs now. Mare is more of a foundation-type girl - big booty, just a smidge downhill. She’s got a mind that is awesome, though, and is super willing to do almost anything. My almost 8 year old rides her now, and she’s happily trotting over crossrails with her. I topped out iwht her at 2’6", and her stride wasn’t enough to make the numbers even then. While that is the case, she is a 7+ mover and has an adorable jump to boot. If I showed to a judge who didn’t care about the politically corrrect number of steps vs. the correct number of steps for my horse, we usually got a primary ribbon even in good company.

My new boy is a jumper. Period. He is much more of the lean style QH. While he gives me an ‘old lady ride’ on a regular basis, I’d best be on my toes because I NEVER know when that is going to change and his true jumper-ness will come out. He’s a blast to ride. Willing and athletic. Will DD get to do more than walk or trot him for a long time? Nope. Am I having a ball? Yes!

Even when they’re being feisty, they’re still willing and great to work with. Both are out of racing lines, so I know they’re both Appendix. He was raced, she wasn’t. I was so happy to find another QH to love.

[Plumcreek]

The conformation you would want in a QH to do working hunter is slowly getting more prevalent as the QH showing fashions change. Even the western pleasure studs have better uphill conformation these days. This is one of the top WP sires currently:

http://www.steveheckaman.com/potentialinvestment.htm

If this Hunter Under Saddle specialist stud was allowed to stand with his head up, he would look like a nice hunter stallion.
http://www.theseironsarehot.net/index.html

I agree there are many USEF hunter QHs out there in disguise.
My Encoriva bred QH gelding could lope the A Circuit lines. He would never have made it in the flat classes at QH shows.

[eqrider1234]

[QUOTE=Plumcreek;4663091]
The conformation you would want in a QH to do working hunter is slowly getting more prevalent as the QH showing fashions change. Even the western pleasure studs have better uphill conformation these days. This is one of the top WP sires currently:

http://www.steveheckaman.com/potentialinvestment.htm

If this Hunter Under Saddle specialist stud was allowed to stand with his head up, he would look like a nice hunter stallion.
http://www.theseironsarehot.net/index.html

I agree there are many USEF hunter QHs out there in disguise.
My Encoriva bred QH gelding could lope the A Circuit lines. He would never have made it in the flat classes at QH shows.[/QUOTE]

The second one you posted doesnt move like a rated show hunter though… and when he is moving he doesnt look like one either.

[Horseforthecourse]

[QUOTE=HenryisBlaisin’;4662416]
There are two styles of QH, really (three if you consider the grotesque-looking halter horses a “style”): the taller, modern type, and the foundation type. I rode a lovely 16+ hh QH hunter type several years ago who you never would have guessed was QH. I didn’t show him, but IIRC, he did well in open competition.

My QH is a foundation type-14.3 hh and stocky (though still finer built than some). He’s a little butt-high and making the step would be really hard for him. I don’t show him O/F, anyway. He’s actually a decent mover for his build, and is becoming a decent dressage horse, to my surprise. But he was bred and raised on a ranch, to do ranch work. He LOVES to go out in the fields and will go all day-I’ve never hunted him, but he would probably love it. Working ranch horses should have the stamina needed for the hunt-they work all day!

Breed shows are an option for typey QH hunters, for sure. But watch the hunters in a QH show and what you will see is VERY different from what you see in an open show, so a talented open horse wouldn’t necessarily be a winning AQHA hunter. My horse has done very well in HUS in open company and beaten some very very nice horses, including nice WB’s and TB’s. He’d never get a second look at a QH show.[/QUOTE]

That’s not really true.

Here are some QHs at Youth Worlds.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ad7Oj8ZJ1zQ&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtOy_yAJl5U&feature=related

Here are a bunch of AQHA horses in this video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8qNxb5SQH4o

I hope this dispells the fictional myths now that QHs aren’t out there showing on the rated hunter circuits and that their style is different. These horses are not really exceptions to the rule.

ETA: I realized after I wrote this that you were talking about HUS horses. You would be correct in your assessment of them. They differ largely from rated show hunters, but a lot of them are talented enough to do well on the rated circuits if they were ridden in a different frame.