The dark emporer

[jumpthefence]

Hi, does anyone know of the breeding for The Dark Emperor? Really like him, or does anyone know of any 148 ponies that act like him in in being very bouncy and fast. Am looking for something along those lines, so if you know of one that also jumps 1.20m+ and like him please let me know. Rider really benefits from forward and stronger ponies as she is used to them. Thank you!xx

 

[skewbaldmillie]

Hi, does anyone know of the breeding for The Dark Emperor? Really like him, or does anyone know of any 148 ponies that act like him in in being very bouncy and fast. Am looking for something along those lines, so if you know of one that also jumps 1.20m+ and like him please let me know. Rider really benefits from forward and stronger ponies as she is used to them. Thank you!xx[/QUOTE,]
He has a good amount of Welsh D breeding in him, his breeding isn't particularly to be relied upon, he just turned out as an exceptional pony!!

 

[skewbaldmillie]

If it's helpful I can give you Kate's email if you are seriously interested in his breeding. Some complex lines in there! Or check his Bsja records

 

[SpringArising]

Watching him makes for uncomfortable viewing IMO.

 

[TuscanBunnyGirl]

Watching him makes for uncomfortable viewing IMO.

Couldn't agree more.

 

[Antw23uk]

I love this pony. I saw them do the bareback jumping challenge at Bury Farm and a friend had given me the low down on him before he came in (she was so excited and has followed him for years)

He's like this little black ball of jumping fury and I think he is awesome

 

[asterope]

The way he jumps (mainly lands...) is bizarre.

 

[Lanky Loll]

Those that are critical of his way of going can I ask why? I've known several ponies that went like this over the years (mostly various types of Welsh) and that was just how they went - didn't make them any less successful / long lived, and of the ones I was lucky enough to sit on - they were fun.

 

[007Equestrian]

Those that are critical of his way of going can I ask why? I've known several ponies that went like this over the years (mostly various types of Welsh) and that was just how they went - didn't make them any less successful / long lived, and of the ones I was lucky enough to sit on - they were fun.

He's definitely had to be retired from top level jumping because of the way he jumps. His legs couldn't take it I believe, check his current owner's old instagrams.

 

[Lanky Loll]

He's definitely had to be retired from top level jumping because of the way he jumps. His legs couldn't take it I believe, check his current owner's old instagrams.

Given that the current owner has taken him into horses I wouldn't expect to see him jumping top level?! I've looked at the instagrams and can't see anything specific (without trawling through hundreds of pictures).
Anyway - I like the pony, he's been very successful for a number of jockeys, and whilst not the most conventional of jumpers it doesn't seem to have held him back in the past.

 

[007Equestrian]

Edited to add high quality pic

 

[Lanky Loll]

Thank you - I did have a look through her ASK site as well but there is nothing there beyond vets advice. Still the pony is 16 there's plenty that break down extensively without reaching that age and jumping at the top for as long as he has, plus I'm not sure your average Joe would consider 1.15-1.20 small, although I know it is compared to the top tracks.

 

[Merlod]

I’m in two minds, he’s is clearly a very bold an talented pony and I always enjoy to see native or part breds doing well but as for his way of going - pinned ears and the tail wringing, the regular breaking in the canter and the “gag neck” it is awkward and uncomfortable to watch at times – maybe it’s pain, maybe it’s just his way of going but it’s a shame to think if he was bit more carefully/professionally produced he would have been super but just appears like he’s been sold to teenage girl after teenage girl because he clears the fences

 

[SpringArising]

Ears constantly pinned flat back, bucking all the time, super high neck and head carriage, jumping hollow, landing on all fours. There's something not right at all. He's an incredible jumper but this is one of those times where just because you can, doesn't mean you should.

 

[007Equestrian]

I’m in two minds, he’s is clearly a very bold an talented pony and I always enjoy to see native or part breds doing well but as for his way of going - pinned ears and the tail wringing, the regular breaking in the canter and the “gag neck” it is awkward and uncomfortable to watch at times – maybe it’s pain, maybe it’s just his way of going but it’s a shame to think if he was bit more carefully/professionally produced he would have been super but just appears like he’s been sold to teenage girl after teenage girl because he clears the fences

Such is the fate of far too many top jumping ponies!

 

[Shadowdancing]

Just went to youtube and watched his HOYS 2015 round... looks like a very annoyed and unhappy pony in that vid. To be fair not looked at any others. But as I've said before he wouldn't be an isolated case.

 

[MotherOfChickens]

I’m in two minds, he’s is clearly a very bold an talented pony and I always enjoy to see native or part breds doing well but as for his way of going - pinned ears and the tail wringing, the regular breaking in the canter and the “gag neck” it is awkward and uncomfortable to watch at times – maybe it’s pain, maybe it’s just his way of going but it’s a shame to think if he was bit more carefully/professionally produced he would have been super but just appears like he’s been sold to teenage girl after teenage girl because he clears the fences

I don't know about this particular pony but I am a qualified equine body worker and the animals that I worked on that were the most stoic, shut down and tense/sore were some BSJA ponies, even the tinies-far worse than their horse sized equivalents. it was a bit of an eye opener tbh.

 

[GirlFriday]

Just went to youtube and watched his HOYS 2015 round... looks like a very annoyed and unhappy pony in that vid. To be fair not looked at any others. But as I've said before he wouldn't be an isolated case.

I don't know a lot about pony jumping so didn't expect to find it as obvious as in this video, couldn't even watch them finish the round :-(

Have no idea how much is down to breeding/luck/training but would be mortified to be jumping something that regularly looked like that round and can't see why anyone would want something similar.

 

[jumpthefence]

that would be great if you could message me her email? thanks xx

 

[atropa]

I think he's currently having suspensory problems? Seem to recall seeing something on YouTube about it. Agreed that he is painful to watch sometimes but he certainly clears the fences and it seems in general that that's what matters most in ponies..

 

[HashRouge]

I had a look at that HOYs video thinking people must be exaggerating, but that really was one of the least comfortable looking rounds I've seen. There looked like there was something very odd going on with his back end. I've certainly never seen a horse land on all fours before!

 

[ponies4ever]

I would love to know how he would jump if he was taught to jump in a conventional way

 

[skewbaldmillie]

Nero has an unconventional jump, and that has affected the length of his career, however having seen him as a 5 year old this is the way he has always jumped, even over 2ft! Recently he has been less comfortable in his jumping at the top levels but if you watch him at around 1.15 he is far less tense. Kate barely actually jumps neenes at home! He generally just hacks and flats at home so jumping is kept for shows and I believe his previous owner Natalie Mcquiggan was similar in routine for him.

 

[AdorableAlice]

Horrible to watch. He looks like he is trying to get the back end down to ease the pressure on the front. I would imagine he would be an interesting specimen under MRI or xray, be hard to know what to scan first.

 

[Merlod]

I don't think an a horse with the level of discomfort should be jumping 1.10, let alone at all.

 

[caitlin95uk]

Just because he's been jumping the same way since he was young doesn't make it ok.

Funny how one of the previous owners has a horse that rides similarly as tense with plenty of bucking.

 

[Lanky Loll]

Only just watched the hoys vid and there is a noticeable change in technique had a 14.2 years ago that started to do something similar, to honest to stop but didn't want to land, turned out his knees were degenerating