Which quality is more important in a competition horse?

I like character, quirkiness is good but only if you can use it in a positive way in your ridden work!
You've met Moon- she's opinionated and a pain in the backside at times but when the chips are down she tries really hard.
Part of a horse trying hard is the partnership with the rider- some horses may be classed as difficult and lazy workers with one rider but may really try hard for a different rider.
 
But I get the impression from Moon that she'd never stick to fingers up at you - she tries her little socks off but sometimes likes to insist her way is the best way!

I agree that some quirkyness is a good thing, but I wouldn't want to ride a horse that decided it had had enough and turned itself inside out to show you as much!

I suppose in eventing you need horses to have a bit of an edge, something to get themselves out of trouble or a bravery that you can put your trust in and its near impossible to come across a decent eventer that won't have the odd quirk BUT I've been noticing more and more very flashy horses that will prance around looking pretty but would quite happily see you on the floor when they have no inclination to do the job whereas the less "talented" ones that have been produced well tend to be more consistent and actually may take you further than you may expect.

Does that make sense?
 
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But I get the impression from Moon that she'd never stick to fingers up at you - she tries her little socks off but sometimes likes to insist her way is the best way!


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Ahh but this comes back to the partnership thing- wen mos people get on her she does stick two fingers up- she generally plants herself and any attempt to make her ove triggers rears and kicking out at the leg/tic. Bless her!!

But no, you're right, you dont wanta horse with a negative attitud. They have to want to do the job and want to work with you, not always jut for you
 
I went for attitude (temperament) and my lad was worth every single penny just on that alone.... luckily he is very talented and does absolute wonders putting up with a novice like me at times.... but we are getting there.... I'm very slowly catching him up! and when we do have a light bulb moment, the partnership is great!
 
Well in an ideal world they'd have both the attitude and the ability, but back on planet earth (otherwise known as the dwelling of the lottery loser
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There would be nothing more demoralising for me than knowing the horse I was sitting on couldn't make the grade. At least if I know they have the raw talent then I know that it's down to me to unlock it. Bo is this horse for me.....he can do anything....but I have to tune into his way of thinking and keep him sweet to get the results. The slightest slip up from me and we are back to square one...but at least I know it is down to me to get it right
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For an amateur id say attitude everytime. You need something that will tootle along and do everything you ask everytime. Not something that will be a bugger one day and fabulous the next!
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Thats a bit of an odd thing to say!! I think some of us amateurs are quite happy to work a bit for our results and take the highs with the lows- isnt that the exciting thing about the sport??!
 
I'd say a good brain first, I am sure the pro's would agree on that too. Second is ability. No good having ability if you cant do anything with it.

Edit to add, I dont mind sharp, as long as they want to do the job in hand, enjoy their work and try to please.
 
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For an amateur id say attitude everytime. You need something that will tootle along and do everything you ask everytime. Not something that will be a bugger one day and fabulous the next!
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Thats a bit of an odd thing to say!! I think some of us amateurs are quite happy to work a bit for our results and take the highs with the lows- isnt that the exciting thing about the sport??!

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Boss i wouldnt call you an amateur. WHat i mean is, u get some seriously talented horses, but some also have serious issues. If the horse in question was my only horse and i didnt have a yard full of them then i would much rather have something that i knew was safe to handle would go where i asked it too, and do a nice performance. Rather than one that had the potential to be a superstar that was not a pleasure to take places and scared me shitless.
 
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For an amateur id say attitude everytime. You need something that will tootle along and do everything you ask everytime. Not something that will be a bugger one day and fabulous the next!
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Surely a push button ride/expereinced schoolmaster is not the same thing as a horse with the right attitude to its work? I think this thread has already shown that while some horses are beyond quirky despite being hugely talented others may still have their quirks but they also have the right attitude - a trainable one - even if they are not the most talented

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For an amateur id say attitude everytime. You need something that will tootle along and do everything you ask everytime. Not something that will be a bugger one day and fabulous the next!
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Surely a push button ride/expereinced schoolmaster is not the same thing as a horse with the right attitude to its work? I think this thread has already shown that while some horses are beyond quirky despite being hugely talented others may still have their quirks but they also have the right attitude - a trainable one - even if they are not the most talented

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When did i say a schoolmaster/pushbutton ride was the same?
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The rest of your post says basically what i mean.
The right attitude and a horse that doesnt want to kill you is far more important than spomething that has a trot for a 9. Especially if you are not being paid to ride and compete it. IE are and amateur and not a professional. which is what OP asked.
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Boss i wouldnt call you an amateur. WHat i mean is, u get some seriously talented horses, but some also have serious issues. If the horse in question was my only horse and i didnt have a yard full of them then i would much rather have something that i knew was safe to handle would go where i asked it too, and do a nice performance. Rather than one that had the potential to be a superstar that was not a pleasure to take places and scared me shitless.

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Hmmm, I think I'm an amateur- only got one horse and am in full time education
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I know what youre saying and thats def true, a pro may have to take a chance on something naughty to get results on paper. However, most top pros wont ride anything with the wrong attitude as their own health and fitness to ride is essential- their business would be seriously affected if they were to be injured.
I quite like 'seriously' naughty, it appeals to me!!
 
I would go for something that wants to do and enjoys the job. In all honestly I'm not a good enough rider to cope with 'seriously' naughty and I wouldn't want to. I like going to shows and doing well. So if a horse could jump 1.50 but was bit of a git, I would go for the nice sensible horse that could win a 1.20. I would have more fun on it.

Saying all that I have somehow ended up with a 'special needs' horse. She is a complete saint, and would never dream of doing anything naughty but when you sit on her she is on a mission, and could probably scare someone if you didn't realise that she wasn't going to disappear with you over the horizon. But once she gets in the ring she is a complete pro and a totally different horse to sit on. All I have to do is count the jumps and try and survive the prize giving
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hmmm difficult, ive had both. Fiddler had his heart firmly set in the right place and wanted to please no matter what, but he was never a world beater and although he was eyecatching and a force to be reckoned with at pony club one day events, when it got to B.E. he just didnt have the paces in the dressage but was so brave and bold XC.

On the other hand Hattie has oodles of talent sprouting out of her ears and underneath her quirkiness she is extremely trainable but only if she push the right buttons - its taken a year to get her enjoying going XC - now she loves it.

So i would say if you just want to go out and have loads of fun definitely a horse with the right attitude, but if you can persevere for a while with a horse with huge talent but maybe a more difficult kettle of fish - in the long term you may be on to more of a winner
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i would go for talent and quirky.
i am quite confident though and my ex competition mare is hot
if i thought it would be constant battles so it would prevent competing or the horse was dangerous i would go for the easier horse.
i wouldnt go for manic and talented!
 
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