When buying an event horse...

W

Wan2bEventer

Well-Known Member
Joined
6 November 2007
Messages
321
Location
Buckinghamshire
sacramenta-z.blogspot.com
Would you be put off by something smaller? I have heard that a smaller horse with big scope would actually be more useful as it gives you more flexibility when riding the XC courses, which are becoming increasingly technical.

Opinions please! Are there any real benefits or problems with having a small event horse?
confused.gif


A gelding I am going to look at is only 15.3, but is jumping 1m 30 tracks at home. The rider he is placed with has plans to take him from PN up to Novice by the end of April, aiming at two star by the end of the season.
 
15.3hh isnt small IMHO!! I wouldnt be put off at all, I prefer smaller horses to something bigger as they tend to be a big quicker with their feet!
tongue.gif
Seriously wouldnt bother me aslong as felt comfortable on it.
 
Just to add, I am currently riding a 15.1hh with "pony" breeding (arabxwelsh) who easily has more scope than anything I have jumped before, as agreed by my trainer who has ridden Advanced. He also finds most "horse" distances short!!
shocked.gif
SO depends on the horse !
tongue.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]
I have a 15.3 and he would jump the moon if he could.
He feels far bigger to ride than my 17h
smile.gif


[/ QUOTE ]

Ditto! Infact my 15.3 jumped my 17HH!
blush.gif
 
If you go into my profile and click on my 'homepage' it will take you to webshots. Then go into the 'more horses' folder and there are 3 pictures of Glen.
 
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
I have a 15.3 and he would jump the moon if he could.
He feels far bigger to ride than my 17h
smile.gif


[/ QUOTE ]

Ditto! Infact my 15.3 jumped my 17HH!
blush.gif


[/ QUOTE ]

How did that happen?
 
All 3 of mine are 15.3 or under and never had a prob round big xc courses! In my sig left to right they are 15.2, 15.3 and just under 15hh - last 1 isnt jumping very big as she is just a baby but has plenty of scope. Would def go for something smaller as long as it has enough scope it wouldn't be a problem!
 
My little hunter is only 15hh and she can jump 5ft hedges without blinking. She could do Novice standing on her head. I was slightly concerned she wasn't big enough to cross our country hunting but was amazing. She did struggle slightly in the very deep going which is where the extra height of a bigger horse may help. Slightly smaller horses can be very clever and useful in trappy places.
 
My horse is meant to be 16.1hh, but he's a very small 16.1hh, show pony type build. He's been round plenty of intermediate/CCI* tracks clear. The only problem I have had is making distances, more show jumping than cross-country but that is partly as he is not the boldest show jumping and I can be backward in my riding, I don't think it has to be a problem with a small horse. I had a giant horse before him and I couldn't ride it - too far to the ears, too far to the tail, too far to fall off! I wouldn't look at anything over 16.2hh next time round.
 
When I worked on a hunt / event yard back in 2000, they used to prefer smaller horses for as they thought them to be in general sounder than the larger ones... I supose slightly more robust!

My little 15.1 had great scope it was just me that held her back!! Like Headly Britania you have to ride them forward to make sure you make the distances but then they are equally as capable of putting in an extra stride to get themselves out of trouble!!
Saying that my 17hh can manage to shove a tiny pony stride occasionally to get himself out of trouble!!
grin.gif
 
Although I dont event I have done unaffiliated ode's on my mare (at poplar park/stratford hills) she is only 15.3 but rides bigger than my YO's 16.2 but she has the added bouns of being super quick on her feet

I have 3 horses, 1 is 15.2 1 is 15.3 and the other is currently 16 but think will grow some more. But my 15.somethings are much more fun and next one i purchase will deffo be that height to
 
15.3 sure isnt small!!

I like riding small horses, I feel much more at home on them and generally trust them more. There's no reason if they have talent they'll be limited in any way.

The two in my sig are both 15.2, Boss the grey easily did 2* and if he was mentally stable I believe he could have jumped the biggest tracks going.
 
Love small horses - in fact wouldn't buy anything over 16.1 max! This is my 14.3 Anglo Arab x Connemara which went round Windsor CCI** and several intermediate Junior trials:

AlecWindsorXC.jpg


AlecRagleyHallXC.jpg
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top