Schoolmaster definition

Slightly lame horse well past hey day with 'easy to manage' health condition that long ago learnt to ignore any aides it didn't like the colour of on a particular day? ;-)

More seriously: it depends on the context - to me it means a horse with more confidence and experience (in at least one, almost certainly competitive, sphere) than the rider who won't panic at slightly inconsistent aides but may well not respond to them either.
 
A horse that when ridden by a fairly capable rider will respond in a way that will give them an idea of what they are trying to do.Usually very well trained in its area of competition and able to take a rider forward to improve their abilities. Most need a person willing to learn and understand that if they dont get it right they may not get it at all but to make the effort to get it right. It is not a horse anyone can sit on and go to the olympics they dont exsist. Although I think some people think it is possible
A lot of horses sold as schoolmasters are never the same for their new jockey as with everything they are all very individual.
 
It depends on a schoolmaster what....

As in a schoolmaster eventer would be capable at whatever level it is being advertised as a schoolmaster for, usually a level lower than the top level the horse has competed at, but not necessarily so. This type of schoolmaster may still have quirks, but is capable.

A schoolmaster hacking horse however would be one where he/she is great in traffic, great in company or alone, great in open spaces and not have quirks.

A schoolmaster 1st pony would be a total saint, not nip, not buck, try his/her best to interpret the signals and if the jockey starts to fall will do their best to keep them in the plate.

A schoolmaster dressage horse would be capable but again could still be quirky. A schoolmaster Riding Club horse will be able to perform well but not necessarily be a superstar all all activities, as well as being good to travel etc.

Any schoolmaster could have low level health impingements, that won't prevent the job being achieved but that may need care.

IMO people do not value these horses enough.

However, many people advertise horses who are not really schoolmasters as such. Many people advertise horses who have too much physical issue, or who have simply shown that they are not a top performer, without having the X factor that I believe a real schoolmaster has, that of being mentally able to show a new rider how to go on.
 
In dressage terms - This! A bit old and creaky, but still willing and able to do the twiddly stuff - if asked properly. Riders first ever go at tempi changes

[video=youtube_share;lSDhC9kevTQ]https://youtu.be/lSDhC9kevTQ[/video]
 
I think Red-1 has covered most things but a catch all might be, " established in it's work and able to cope with a less experienced rider without losing the plot but not necessarily a novice ride" They are worth their weight in gold and difficult to find and true schoolmasters sell for a premium. I get really cross when I see youngsters described as "schoolmasters". We bought a five year old connie/tb that as a 9 yr old was competing at the highest level (FEI PTs) but was not going to be a team pony. He went on to be a fantastic schoolmaster, teaching a host of young girls to ride all three phases, he adapted to his rider and although a bit cheeky at times was very safe and an absolute saint to handle. My current horse is rapidly becoming an AM dressage schoolmaster, he is very established in all the AM moves (will go on) and does them really well if asked correctly and is capable of getting high marks. He is easy to do but not a novice ride as he is sensitive, forward going and gets tense but he's safe in that he doesn't do anything nasty when he's upset. On the other hand I paid a lot of money for an AM dressage schoolmaster a few years ago and although completely established at that level, fit and sound he wasn't a school mster just sour. He's now enjoying life in a hacking and veteran showing home.
 
I consider my mare (had her 7 months) a schoolmaster from a schooling perspective. She's trained to medium (competed regularly at BD through the levels) and very capable but also very forgiving and is teaching me so much. If I get aids right she delivers but she also tries hard to understand what I'm asking. She's not quirky at all, she's an absolute dream to handle and ride generally and whilst she can have the odd spook and snort she's also easy to hack. She wasn't advertised as a schoolmaster but I did have to up my budget to get her. Best money I've ever spent and she has a home for life.
 
I completely agree with Red-1.

My share horse is a dressage schoolmaster to Advanced Medium (but getting a bit too creaky for some of it) in that he is trained to perform the movements, will do so without evasion when given the correct aids, and will tolerate being given confusing aids from a novice. However, he's a quirky, nervous ride who couldn't be classed as a schoolmaster in anything but dressage. Hacking is... exciting.

A lot of adverts seem to think that a 'schoolmaster' is the sort of horse who'll put up with anything. To me, that's a nanny or a nursemaid. A schoolmaster is a horse that can, to some extent, teach its rider.
 
Pippity said:
I completely agree with Red-1.

My share horse is a dressage schoolmaster to Advanced Medium (but getting a bit too creaky for some of it) in that he is trained to perform the movements, will do so without evasion when given the correct aids, and will tolerate being given confusing aids from a novice. However, he's a quirky, nervous ride who couldn't be classed as a schoolmaster in anything but dressage. Hacking is... exciting.

A lot of adverts seem to think that a 'schoolmaster' is the sort of horse who'll put up with anything. To me, that's a nanny or a nursemaid. A schoolmaster is a horse that can, to some extent, teach its rider.
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Agree with Red-1 and Pippity. My boy is established at AM and schools upto GP at home (albeit not with me!) However that doesn't make him anyones ride as he's still a fit competition horse at the end of the day. He's taught me masses in the 11 months I've had him, but he'd probably scare the pants off a novice rider. I imagine he would also be a damn sight spookier with a nervous rider onboard as he can be a bit of a drama llama, especially when hacking and in those moments needs someone to calmly sit/reassure him and kick on. He's my absolute horse of a lifetime, and I still pinch myself when I think of how lucky I am to have him in my life, but he very much needs a rider to ride him and will happily shine a light on you if you try to be a passenger on him.
 
A schoolmaster may not necessarily be an a safe all rounder which I think often people looking for schoolmasters want.

I would expect a horse that has at least three years experience of regularly doing whatever they are a schoolmaster in and does not require a rider who is riding at a very high level to get them to do whatever it is they have been trained to do. If you give them the right cue they will do want you want and if you don't then they will try and work out what you mean and help you out, they will be safe to ride in the discipline that they specialise in.
 
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