scopy young horses? How can you tell please?

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Alpha01

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I am just about to start looking for another horse who could take me pass Newcomer level in show jumping. Ideally a 5 years old. My question is this: How can you tell the scope of a horse for the level I am looking to achieve? I know about the front legs to be well tucked in and the back of the horse basculing over the fence...but how can you know with a youngster or any young horses who have just started bn, how far they can go in the future? If you ask the vendor or the dealer, of course they are going to say "Plenty of scope!". I only can afford to buy one so no mistake is allowed to be made on my behalf. Any proffesional suggestions would be more than welcome in helping the quest I have set to achieve!
 
I guess you could look at breeding? I don't I must admit know detailed stats but I'm guessing something that has parents and grand parents etc that jump to a good level must be likely to be physically able?
Plus at 5 it should already be jumping and showing scope and attitude? Mine is rising 5 and I have taken it very slowly but i'd like to think it's becoming obvious whether he is scopey or not? Plus attitude is v important.
 
Look at their attitude to the fence, and how they pick up on the fence. Newcomers isn't huge, and most 5 year olds even jumping BN should be jumping NC+ height at home, bearing in mind BN JO is 1m, and most will be schooling slightly bigger.

I knew my mare had plenty of scope even as a very weak just backed 4yr old, as she was taking strides out to 1m+ fences and still making it look very very easy. Her attitude to fences is also excellent, which is the main thing tbh!
 
not sure about you, but free jumping (jumping in liberty) always works. if it jumps, most times it's capable of jumping with a rider as long as the rider does not affect the jump too much. although, my mare is six this year. she doesn't jump anything above 70cm in liberty, but we jump a metre in the saddle. so although it might not say exactly what your horse can do, it might give a good measure :)
 
That was much better written that what I was trying to say re attitude Kat! I think you will know how scopey a horse is - jumped mine again for first time after his holidays yesterday and he's just thrilled to be back, and really feels so powerful over a fence, especially his back end. He makes no odds whether it's a x pole or a vertical, and although we were only using those poly jump blocks that top out at about 90cm he pops over the top of those as if it's the merest skip, merrily taking strides out and landing a stride beyond the fence.
I guess buying a 5 year old I'd want it to have a decent BN record
if it has been competed, and i'd want to see a keen attitidue, and making 90cm/1m look fairly easy. My little horse is not scopey, and if you watch/ride him over the same fences you can see he won't go much bigger as it's a proper effort for him.
 
I personally like it to feel smooth and easy- athletic and agile rather than have a horse make a massive effort. The first times I jumped my mare as a baby I knew she'd be 'the one' as she has always just felt like a gazelle.
A good hind action is also a must for me- a horse can neaten in front but it must want to complete the jump cleanly and get the hindlegs out the way
 
I would definately look at the breeding and also the sires offspring. If he has produced a lot of good jumpers odd are yours will definately jump at least newcomers as that isnt a lot to ask. Loose jumping is a good guide as long as the horse understands loose jumping as sometime they can frighten themselves. Back end is more important then the front end as you can help them out in front but there isnt a lot you can do if they arn't careful behind, and attitude, they have to enjoy it otherwise it can become a chore and will eventually become bored.
 
To be honst, anything remotely 'warmblood' that is sound and healthy should be able to jump Newcomers. If you want to be sure though anf only have budget for one, then go to a reputable Sport Horse dealer who will sell yoy what you want. I don't know what your ambitions are beyond NC's but sny dealer worth his salt eill have all his horses sussed and priced accordingly. Don't expect to find your secret superstar in this way though.
 
I agree with The Mule about the backend, and I also place more emphasis on the angle of the forearm than the actual 'tuck' of the front leg, they usually sharpen up with more experience, horses that tuck excessively IME are usually a bit too careful/suspicious and can be a bit more complicated than one with a slightly less flash technique. Agree with Rambo about going to a dealer, most reasonable WB's will jump a 1.25 track with a bit of training.
 
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