[jumpthemoon]

Originally Posted by notadumbld

As most of you probably know, my daughter Chelsea (Bay Blond Jumper) has a half Arabian, half Oldenberg mare. Last year she did a bunch of hunterjumper shows with her but seldom placed. I was told by several spectators that it was because Fiona was half Arabian and that many hunter jumper judges don't think they belonged in hunter classes. I know next to nothing and of course I always think Chelsea looks great. But I've been told by many that she has great riding form, natural balance, and should be placing.

Chelsea is thinking about concentrating on dressage with Fi since she's good good talent in that area but I know she'll miss h/j. SHe has a new/old instructor - her first instructor from 8 years ago - who I think is far better than the last one. I want her to set up a course in the spring and to really critique Chelsea and Fiona. Maybe CHelsea is doing something wrong that the other instructor didn't catch. Or maybe we should get Fi a big tattoo on her butt that says, "I'm a registered sporthorse and this is MY house!"

Any instructors or judges here?

I am not a judge nor an instructor but I am a mom. Although I had owned horses for many years I had no real H/J experience until my daughter became interested in jumping. When my daughter was about thirteen she was seriously wanting to focus on jumping. So, I sold the horse we owned since he was not able to jump at that point due to his age and physical limitations. I bought my daughter what I thought was a lovely young Appendix quarter horse.

During this time I became as educated as I could about the type of H/J competitions my daughter participated in. I watched a lot of lessons, I took her to clinics, I read books and magazine articles etc. We went to a lot of shows; sometimes just to watch. After a few years it became apparent that we needed to sell our appendix quarter horse; if my daughter was going to be able to be competitive at the next level. Even though he was 16 hands, he just wasn't built to have the longer canter stride needed to make it down the bigger hunter and equitation jump lines. Add to this his humerus (shoulder conformation) effected his form over the jumps. He tried his little heart out for her but she could not compete with the others mounted on horses with a longer strided more flowing canters and easier rounder more desirable jumping styles.

So he was sold to a great home and I found another horse that had the potential to be competitive at the next level. A horse that was far from perfect and needed a lot more proper training but that one I could afford. He did have the type of conformation, the size, the stride, the jump form, the mind (well most of the time) and the scope to do the job competitively. Of course; this was done with my daughter's trainer's approval.

My best advice is to find a professional to help guide you through all of this. Someone that is actively participating at the shows/competitions at the level your daughter is interested in competing in. Someone you trust and have them help you through this. Sometimes it is necessary to find another trainer/instructor as your daughter hones her skills. Go to clinics even if only to watch. If you can ever find any H/J judge's clinics in your area those are even better to observe. Go to the bigger competitions to watch. Don't be afraid to ask questions like you are doing here.

Best wishes for a successful year.

[NotFadeAway]

Hunters is all about type movement conformation- and many arabians dont meet the hunter critria. Its not discrimination, its just that most arabians arent hunters.

[royalrox]

how she goes aside, I don't think she looks very araby at all in those pics...she is lovely, just a bit more refined than a WB but she looks like she would do well in hunters...
perhaps here movement is not flat kneed enough because of her arab cross?

[jumpthemoon]

I just noticed this is an OLD thread and the OP hasn't even been on HGS for MONTHS. Perhaps it might need to be closed.