Dressage - Which Breed?

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josephinebutter2

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Advice needed please.

I am planning to purchase a new horsey in the summer to compete mainly in Dressage, but will prob. do a litttle SJ and XC for fun.

Now I know normally a Continental Warmblood would be the horse of choice, but I have very limited funds, and wondered if you guys could recommend any other breeds that do well on the Dressage Circuit?

Will prob. get a youngster to bring on myself, so a natural aptitude for Dressage would be easier.

Any ideas?
 
anything can do well providing its trained properly and is built correctly, ie not on the forehand or croup high.

you dont have to have a warmblood to do well at dressage.

i brought a 9yr oldcob x tb from a riding school four years ago, i reschooled her myself, shes got over 140 BD points in just under 2 years, shes beaten big moving WBs at elementary, came 2nd at the Winters last year, qualified BYRDs nationals at elementary last year, qualified winter regionals elementary this year and has competed medium. However as shes 14 now im not doing anymore medium with her as her hocks arent great, so shes now on part share to a BYRDs rider.
 
I think, excluding WBs, u have to take it case by case!
I have a nice ID x TB who does well, but many dish for example.

I do like ID x TB as they are good all rounders but I dont think you can generalise about breeds. Even some WBs are bad at dressage!

Best thing is to try a few and see what suits you.
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You just need to look for something with good paces & confirmation to perform the movements you will require. What level of dressage are you aiming for? According to our instructor you don't necessarily need a big horse ie 17+ hands with big paces. TB x Welsh do quiet well as do any of the TB x's.
 
ISH are good all rounders and can go to med advanced or higher if you get a good one.they are usually nice tempered too.mine was at medium before injury
or a WB if you can!buying a younger one would be cheaper(unless its a 40k super foal!)
for the lower levels attitude is more important than movement and riding accurately will get alot of marks.
most breeds as long as bascially correctly made could go to medium though so i wouldnt limit yourself to any particular breed, go on the individual.
 
I think it depends entirely on your size, capability and purse etc. But like P_G said, I had a 13.2hh Fat thelwell style New Fprest pony who absolutley wiped the floor with the WB's!! he then went on to do BYRDS with his new owner.

I would just look to see what is around for the price!
 
My 1/2TB 1/4 Welsh D 1/4 ID does well at dressage - limited outings due to transport issues but her had approx 130 points and is working Advanced Medium/Advanced at home - like said before, any breed can do dressage as long as it is trained correctly.

TBH I would say conformation is as important as breed
 
Thanks guys.

I fully appreciate that any horsey can do dressage as long as it is trained correcly - have competed to elem. on an ex racer, and my boy is an Irish Cob and (before injury) did well at prelim, but could not extend sufficiently as very short coupled, so would never go any further - great little jumper tho.

Am planning to go round some breeders yards, so am really just trying to establish which breeders to go to.

Obviously I will have to look at the temperament, conformation and paces of the individual when I get there.

As for my age and experience - 27, 5'7 tall with experience training RC type youngsters and a couple of ex-racers up to elem. Realistically, would like to take my new beastie up to Elem - but the sky's the limit!
 
I see you're quite tall so this may not help but the natives do well at dressage esp the lower levels to so perhaps a native cross TB?
I did well on my connermaraxtbxarab mare and loads of people do well on welsh's.
Good luck ..
 
Where are you and what age are you looking for? I was once told that ALL horses, with the correct training should be able to perform a passable PSG test. There are a few ShirexTB's out there doing well at the upper levels - Walter, Giddy, Born To Be etc.....
 
I agree it def depends on the training and confirmation. I have a TB who is doing well in his training at Ele but if you get them young enough anything is possible.

I would say crosses could be better as you can have the best of a bred!!!
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Happy shopping though let us know what you get.
 
I have an ex-racerand he's doing ok at dressage. He has a fair few BD points in limited outings has won and been placed every time out at affiliated. Unfortunately he is built on the forehand and we do tend to lose marks on that front but because he's such an amenable chap he always produces a nice, accurate and obedient test - which picks us up a lot of marks and he regularly scores higher than some of the bigger moving warmbloods because of this. I would go for another TB myself when I'm ready but will be making sure it's built more uphill. I have seen some very nice TB's advertised in the past few months that would do well at pure dressage and they're at a reasonable price as people aren't that interested in TB's anymore for pure competition horses - the WB's have become very fashionable despite the fact that there are also a lot of bad one's out there as well. You can't beat a good TB as they are so versatile and will turn their hoof to anything and they're not all as loopy as they're made out to be.
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