I have to laugh a bit at this thread. There are a LOT more QHs out there than people think, problem is many of the nice ones on the A circut look like TB or Warmbloods.
And the comments about TBs? There are still a LOT of TBs out there doing the AOs, Jrs and even the regular working hunters. They are athletic with strides plenty big, they just tend to have a more “interesting” personality that keeps the ammies away…
I do not believe the European warmblood registries have to contend with lawsuits if a certain stallion is not approved. I certainly could be wrong on this. But AQHA does have to contend with being sued every time they “restrict free commerce” of one of their deep pocketed members. Not so different than why the US Olympic riders are no longer just picked by a selection committee.
That is why a famous QH mare can now shoot embryos out of her rear unrestricted, and the resulting foals all can be registered. Likewise, the deep pocketed Halter interests prevailed in still being able to register HYPP N/H foals. It was the racing interests who kept the stud book open to TBs when many AQHA members wanted it closed to TBs.
American breed registeries will probably never be able to craft their product through selection of only the best to breed like the Europeans can.
I have an Appendix who is more TB than QH, and no one thinks he’s an Appendix. I’ve had multiple people think he was some uber expensive WB. He’s not a hunter, btw. He’s a jumper. He could be a great hunter if he was calmer because he has gorgeous movement and a beautiful, scopey jump, but he gets a bit too uphill and quick for hunters.
[QUOTE=Rocky;4665662]
I have a “Sky’s Blue Boy” out of a TB mare-in my barn. Owned by a younger Adult Amateur. He has a great jump and always on top in the hack. Several people, including our vet, have mistaken him for an Oldenburg. I would take 20 of his brothers…[/QUOTE]
I have heard of some other SBB’s out there in the hunters. He is more than 1/2 TB, so a horse by him out of a TB is more than 3/4 TB.
I do. GI Jazz…also known as Wichita, right? I was utterly unimpressed with the GI Jazz videos…especially as he’s held up as the example of the QH that can do both AQHA and USEF shows well. I wanted to like him…I didn’t. Maybe it was the ride…maybe it was the horse.
I think GI Jazz/Wichita is cute, but I wouldn’t hold him up as a great example of a horse who can do both. There is a gray on youtube that does both circuits, was a very successful A/A Hunter and I cannot remember his name or find the youtube video. If I do I will post! But basically rides circles around GI Jazz.
[QUOTE=Parrotnutz;4667437]
Which would I choose for my next reining horse…Neither
And since I am not doing grand prixs and prefer temperament I will still go with the quarter horse…Threes and Sevens was a grand prix jumper 
Here in lies the ignorance of knowledge of people who know nothing of the breed of quarter horses.
Perhaps you may want to write to the AQHA and suggest registries… because one cannot assume because a horse is a quarter horse that it is a good reining horse…the AQHA does breed “certain” lines for conformation and temperament to be able to rein. The same goes for cutting horses, etc.[/QUOTE]
Again, you are proving my point. Threes and Sevens is half thoroughbred. He’s not a ‘real’ quarter horse - as in one without any other blood after 1940
You are correct that one cannot assume a horse is good at reining merely because it is a quarter horse. The difference with the European registries and why people tend to gravitate toward them is that you know what you are getting. European registries specialize in three slight different disciplines and their horses are purpose bred for that. They do not delve into endurance or racing or anything else with their horses. Just dressage, jumping and eventing and even some registries only really concentrate on one of those, with a few outcrops.
With the quarter horse, you can get ranch bred, reining star, hunter prospect…who knows. You need to study bloodlines, know more about the individual horse etc. Half the time, the horse that looks the part is not full quarter horse anyway, which does a disservice to the part that brings that ability to jump - the thoroughbred. The European registries have a similar problem, but at least they do not pretend they are a close booked, bloodline only breed.
So, as a buyer with limited time and not as much experience…why not stick to the breeds and registries that are bred and inspected to excel in your discipline of choice?
I would write AQHA, but I don’t care enough and their politics makes my head spin.
The BO of the barn I’m at now is big into the QH shows. All of her horses are Quarter Horses (some are appendixes, but they have their ROM so they’re registered as full Quarter Horses). Her mare has a “cowhorse” sire and a TB dam, and she was in the top 5 at the AQHA world show a couple years ago. She’s 15.2 and has a small stride, but she can do tight turns with the best of them. 
The horse I had before my current horse was also an Appendix. Well, we still own him but he’s retired. He was an eventer (showed up to Prelim, which is I think 3’6") before we got him, and I showed him in the hunters, eq, and jumpers! He had an ernormous stride, and he didn’t ever ride downhill to me. I learned how to ride in a frame with him, so we worked a lot on keeping him light on the forehand. He does have the little QH feet though, and it’s definetly one of his weak spots. 
I have not read all of the posts but I wanted to say this. I have an Anglo Trakehner gelding who is my dressage partner, and I have his mom, a sweet TB mare who did the hunters and some dressage (as tolerated by herself… she was not so much a fan… wanted to be an eventer really). Thankfully my boy is much more of the dressage mind. Bugs was never bad, just bored. I am a die-hard Trakehner and TB fan… PERIOD!!!
So, anyway, I have a boyfriend. He is interested, maybe, in learning to trail ride and maybe in the future, if we have our own property, having a horse of his own. He said, “I do not want to break my neck.” I said, “Don’t worry honey, I will shop and shop and we will get you something very trustworthy and steady. Probably a nice QH.” He said, “Aren’t they too small for me?” (He’s a big boy, over 6’3" and over 200 lbs. I said, “Well, we’ll shop around. These guys have great minds and they are so sturdy, we’ll find a good match for you… ahem… and I will teach it to jump when you are are not trail riding and we’ll kick some hunter ass at the local shows.” LOL Frankly, some of the most stylish jumpers I have seen have been QHs and I am not a QH person. So, maybe they won’t win the hack, fine, but as a non QH person, I have not been able to deny their ability to look good over a jump. Two of the QH’s that I remember fondly actually pinned well (first, second or third) in rated shows… one of which would pin at the hack too, she was outstanding. She and her young rider qualified for Giddings as well.
So, well, what does all of that mean? You got me. But one things is for sure, they have good minds, can cut a cow like nobody’s business and, ya know, they can jump cute too!
[QUOTE=Equino;4667924]
I think GI Jazz/Wichita is cute, but I wouldn’t hold him up as a great example of a horse who can do both. There is a gray on youtube that does both circuits, was a very successful A/A Hunter and I cannot remember his name or find the youtube video. If I do I will post! But basically rides circles around GI Jazz.[/QUOTE]
I didn’t say that he was THE example, but he is the most proven current example that I know.
He was the World Champion in 2008 in the 3’6" working hunter class at the AQHA World Show the year before last.
He also has a very nice show record in the 3’6" AA divisions in Florida that improves every time out. With his record alone, it would take one heck of a horse to run circles around him.
IMO, he is better over 3’6" than he is in the lower 3’0" division on that video with a youth. Unfortunately, I don’t think there is a video up of him showing 3’6" anywhere. I do believe he got very good ribbons at the youth world show as well in the past.
Not only is Witchita a very nice mover, but his consistency, conformation, manners, and flawless lead changes win classes. No matter where he shows or who he shows against, he is a the type of horse that will always be in the ribbons unless something unforeseen happens. That to me, is a great horse. He exemplifies everything that I look for in a horse. I would LOVE to have him in my barn even if there are others out there that are a little more brilliant than him.
Here is For the Record winning the 3’6" Working Hunter Class this year. Very Nice.
http://vimeo.com/7657255
Never met a full QH that fits the bill
I have been breaking/training horses for 20 years for hunter/jumper, dressage, eventing, and foxhunting circles. While there are exceptions to every rule, my experience has been that qh’s just don’t cut it. They lack the scope, the step, and loose gaits required for upper level showing. I think they are most suitable for the backyard or local show person as an all rounder.
The appendix, however, can be a different story if enough tb blood has improved upon the overall athleticism.
They were bred to work the ranch and they do it well.
Has there ever been a full blooded QH in any olympic competition?
[QUOTE=FoxHillFarm;4668280]
I have been breaking/training horses for 20 years for hunter/jumper, dressage, eventing, and foxhunting circles. While there are exceptions to every rule, my experience has been that qh’s just don’t cut it. They lack the scope, the step, and loose gaits required for upper level showing. I think they are most suitable for the backyard or local show person as an all rounder.
The appendix, however, can be a different story if enough tb blood has improved upon the overall athleticism.
They were bred to work the ranch and they do it well.
Has there ever been a full blooded QH in any olympic competition?[/QUOTE]
Since you recently signed on here to promote a “warmbloods only” forum I am not sure I will take your post as the most unbiased one here, :winkgrin:
I would say because they are not in style, at the moment.
Yes, a lot of QH are built downhill, but there are a lot of QH with good conformation that are good movers. They are snatched up and are used for other events other than h/j.
Our best hunter was a tiny QH mare that was a reiner. She was cute over fences, perfect form and she was so well broke. Her lead changes were easy as you please. She was so quiet and easy to be around.
A reining rider bought her before a hunter rider, so the rest is history! She could have been a super children’s hunter.
I appreciate all breeds for who they are, I try really hard not to be biased. I break whatever breed is presented to me. But I also can’t deny my love for warmbloods, I really believe they dominate the equestrian world as far as versatility, performance, and temperament. (especially top level hunter/jumper) Of course, I have met my share of warmbloods that fall short of my expectations 
[QUOTE=Horseforthecourse;4668192]
I didn’t say that he was THE example, but he is the most proven current example that I know.
He was the World Champion in 2008 in the 3’6" working hunter class at the AQHA World Show the year before last.
He also has a very nice show record in the 3’6" AA divisions in Florida that improves every time out. With his record alone, it would take one heck of a horse to run circles around him. [/QUOTE]
Now, I think GI Jazz is a really, really lovely horse… but I don’t believe his amateur owner ever showed him in FL (outside of the AQHA shows there) let alone in a 3’6" class there. I appreciate you arguing the case (since I am on your side)… just gotta check your facts!
On Record and his half brother Broker of Record are great examples of current AQHA hunters. I can’t imagine anyone who wouldn’t want one of them in their barn.
[QUOTE=FoxHillFarm;4668422]
I appreciate all breeds for who they are, I try really hard not to be biased. I break whatever breed is presented to me. But I also can’t deny my love for warmbloods, I really believe they dominate the equestrian world as far as versatility, performance, and temperament. (especially top level hunter/jumper) Of course, I have met my share of warmbloods that fall short of my expectations ;-)[/QUOTE]
Having bred and shown QHs for over 30 years, I will agree with you. Nobody loves QHs more than I do. But having taken up the sport of H/J, I began to breed and show WBs because they are best suited for the job. Are there QHs showing in the H/J ring? Of course. But they are the exception to the rule. I think if you statistically looked at the numbers, you would find that WBs dominate the sport and GOOD, WINNING QHs in top comtetition are few and far between.
This is not a knock on QHs. I’ll probably go back to showing them someday when I’m too old to point horses at fences. But I’m realistic enough to shop for a horse that is best suited for the job if I want to win. Looking for a QH to do that job, is like looking for a needle in a haystack. Believe me, I tried!
[QUOTE=Ajierene;4668069]
Again, you are proving my point. Threes and Sevens is half thoroughbred. He’s not a ‘real’ quarter horse - as in one without any other blood after 1940
You are correct that one cannot assume a horse is good at reining merely because it is a quarter horse. The difference with the European registries and why people tend to gravitate toward them is that you know what you are getting. European registries specialize in three slight different disciplines and their horses are purpose bred for that. They do not delve into endurance or racing or anything else with their horses. Just dressage, jumping and eventing and even some registries only really concentrate on one of those, with a few outcrops.
With the quarter horse, you can get ranch bred, reining star, hunter prospect…who knows. You need to study bloodlines, know more about the individual horse etc. Half the time, the horse that looks the part is not full quarter horse anyway, which does a disservice to the part that brings that ability to jump - the thoroughbred. The European registries have a similar problem, but at least they do not pretend they are a close booked, bloodline only breed.
So, as a buyer with limited time and not as much experience…why not stick to the breeds and registries that are bred and inspected to excel in your discipline of choice?
I would write AQHA, but I don’t care enough and their politics makes my head spin.[/QUOTE]
Politics amongst all, AQHA, USEF,USDF, etc…all makes a head spin.
I am a buyer with limited time, but took the time to educate myself and for me it is worth it. I love my hunter QH’s. My preference and nothing against warmbloods. Arguments can be made either way as I have a friend who after many many years of owning OTTB saved her money and bought a fancy WB imported from Europe. HE was awesomely talented and beautiful…only problem he turned out to be a bigger spook than any horse she had ever known. I used to board at a multi discipline barn for years that was 80% dressage and warmbloods. I learned that when a WB says NO he really, really means it.
So my point being…there are good and bad in every breed. What I object to is the snobbery against any horse other than a WB. Everytime I post that there is only a select group who are capable of riding 3’6" or affording to campaign a horse at 3’6" no one has corrected me, why? Because it is true.
I just wish people would not insult me when they see my mare by saying…why tell people she is QH…she looks like a WB. I feel no need to hide what she is, I am proud of her lineage. I don’t want to change her very quarter horsey name
And again most people who buy the breed, show at the breeds shows because there are money classes at the “big” levels and the incentive fund pays you for ever point you earn. So why would those people want to cross over to H/J? So everyone could say you don’t own a “real” QH and thumb a nose?
Again I repeat…what is the difference between a Baroque warmblood and the “modern” warmblood that is finer boned. Isn’t it the TB blood that is introduced? is there an appendix registry for WB like QH?
Now I understand better. I knew you had a chip for some reason and that would annoy me as well. My mare has been called a standardbred before, as well as a quarter horse. I had one cowboy tell me he could get quarter horse papers on her and I should show her as a quarter horse. Um, not interest in less than ethical methods and um…don’t plan on going the breed route anyway.
One major difference is that the warmbloods are registries, NOT breeds. One of the main differences is that the horse has to pass an inspection in order to be approved. It is more on individual performance than on pedigree. Even a Hanoverian stallion with Hanoverian pedigree going back to 1500 is not automatically approved as breeding stock. An exceptional thoroughbred or arabian stallion may be approved as breeding stock because the registry feels he will do well to improve the breed towards a particular purpose. There was a thread on here a while ago discussing a certain stallion. If memory serves correctly, he was a warmblood and an Olympic mount and NOT approved by a certain registry - because while he was stellar, his conformation/temperment/something was not what that registry was looking for, so they said NO.
The mares have different books according to their breed and personal performance. That is, a full Hanoverian mare can be placed anywhere from the highest to the lowest book, a mare that is an approved thoroughbred or has one thoroughbred parent may only be able to be approved in one of the lower books. Most registries have markers that will illustrate a mare’s status, especially if she achieves elite status. Elite usually indicates a certain amount of offspring successful at a certain level/producing horses successful at a certain level.
The main difference in the Quarter horse registry is that while they accept a horse like Threes and Sevens based on is performance (ROM points), he is equal to that fugly stallion in someone’s backyard. Threes and Sevens had to do more work than that fugly stallion to become ‘approved’, because he is half thoroughbred, where the fugly is full quarter horse. Were they a registry that ran similar to the European Warmblood registry, both stallions would have been on equal standing.
I’m not sure if that made my opinions more clear…though it was long enough!
Thank You…you acknowledged my points and are the only one to agree on the above about 3’6" showing.
And I totally get where you are coming from on breeding your TB.
It’s not so much a chip on my shoulder. One of the only things thats gets me argumentative on these forums are when people come up with what I consider “lame reasons” for something. With quarter horses it is always the tiny feet, bad conformation, no step, reasons…I do not like stereo typing anything be it animal or human.
Or the same ole…well how many are doing the 3’6"?
I guess one could say I am old and cranky and a mare…LOL
I think we all who post on these forums have one thing in common, and that is a love of horses. So why look down upon any breeds. We are fortunate enough to be able to own a beautiful creature so why knock it?
Thanks for your post back at me…I did appreciate it
[QUOTE=Parrotnutz;4669233]
so much a chip on my shoulder. One of the only things thats gets me argumentative on these forums are when people come up with what I consider “lame reasons” for something. With quarter horses it is always the tiny feet, bad conformation, no step, reasons…I do not like stereo typing anything be it animal or human.
Or the same ole…well how many are doing the 3’6"?
I guess one could say I am old and cranky and a mare…LOL[/QUOTE]
Eh, its like how I got into trouble with the commander of my Air Force Reserve unit because I get tired of people scoffing at the physical work it takes to ride, especially at the competitive levels. I can handle it from a ‘punk kid’, or the honest question from someone - but do not pretend to be a mature leader of people and act like a punk kid!
So, yeah…trouble ensued…
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