[StockHorseGirl]

I am going to look at an Arabian tomorrow to be my dressage and possibly hunter jumper horse. How do judges think of Arabians at shows that are not for Arabians only? Any input or pictures of Arabs performing in these disciplines would be appreciated.

[AtomicPenny]

I don't have pictures but there's a few arabs that show on the dressage circuit and do exceptionally well. The big things with the arabs is to be sure they truly are engaged and moving from behind through their topline. They have nice action and gorgeous heads, a lot of times they get shown at levels that are above what they should be doing. But they are certainly capable of it. Hunters, if the horse is consistent, accurate, and calm you have the main tasks taken care of and can do well. Arabians have a jump that is all their own, and is not similar to the fairly flat style that is the current trend and is common among the majority of horses - they do an almost straight up, then straight down sort of thing with a little bum flip thrown in at the vertex haha. An arabian is not going to jump like a warmblood, but with proper training and excellent negotiation of the courses they do very well....a hunter course is, after all, just a flat class with obstacles in the way haha.


Heres a link with some pics...it can certainly be done....if the horse your looking has a good attitude toward working and decent conformation I'd go for it.

Karen

[JumpingBean]

Originally Posted by AtomicPenny

I don't have pictures but there's a few arabs that show on the dressage circuit and do exceptionally well. The big things with the arabs is to be sure they truly are engaged and moving from behind through their topline. They have nice action and gorgeous heads, a lot of times they get shown at levels that are above what they should be doing. But they are certainly capable of it. Hunters, if the horse is consistent, accurate, and calm you have the main tasks taken care of and can do well. Arabians have a jump that is all their own, and is not similar to the fairly flat style that is the current trend and is common among the majority of horses - they do an almost straight up, then straight down sort of thing with a little bum flip thrown in at the vertex haha. An arabian is not going to jump like a warmblood, but with proper training and excellent negotiation of the courses they do very well....a hunter course is, after all, just a flat class with obstacles in the way haha.


Heres a link with some pics...it can certainly be done....if the horse your looking has a good attitude toward working and decent conformation I'd go for it.

Karen

Wait, what do you mean by flat? I have yet to see a top hunter that is even remotely close to flat. They are back-crackin' super round jumpers, haha.


An Arab can do quite well in the hunters at schooling shows or at breed shows, but I do not think they will pin at a rated open show unless they don't look like Arabs. Typical Arab movement and jumping style (knee action in movement, higher head/less bascule for jumping) does not match the hunter standard.

[sirius-dressage]

Arab hunter:



Arab dressage:









He is a better dressage horse than a hunter, he doesn't have much jump in him. But he easily does first level, working up to second level at only 7 years old. He's got the potential to do up to at least third, IMO. I think the Arab is very well suited to dressage, assuming you are looking at a more athletic horse. They are short backed, and are naturally able to perform many of the movements of collection that may be difficult for a larger, longer-backed horse. As far as winning on the hunter circuit...I wouldn't count on it too much...but there is a type and look they go for and Arabs just don't fit it.

[kellidahorsegirl]

I think arabs could do pretty well in dressage too. As for hunters, I'd worry about it. I think you'd need a pretty special one to come out on top at A or AA hunter shows. The arab's typical flat jump and animated gates just won't fly in today's (or yesterday's) big hunter rings.

As for schooling shows and/or B rated shows, depending on the horse, I think you could do just fine. I think at that level it weighs a little more on the smoothness of the round rather than more on how the horse jumps (my opinion fyi). Because schooling is the beginning stages of hunters, while by the time they're at A rated or higher, the horse should have a good jump in it or go home

[Kissitgoodbye]

Go check out Hilda Gurney.

[EventingDayDream]

I Love Hilda

[everhopeful]

It's nice to read this/see the pictures. I'm riding dressage with my half-Arab, and he's doing fine so far, but we're only doing schooling shows at intro level (hope to move into training level by the end of this season--he's only four). I have no desire to do anything else. I would be lying if I said I didn't have Warmblood envy sometimes, however.

[Caterina]

YouTube - Chocco Arabian Dressage Horse collected trott

[Caterina]

YouTube - Lost Hounds Horse Trials - Noble Lad Dressage