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Competitive show jumpers require two things: the love of flying through the air on a 2 ton beauty, and a horse that can do said flying. Both of these require some understanding of which horse breeds are the best jumping horse breeds in the world, as well as where to find them, and how to train them. What are the best jumping horse breeds for competition? An easy place to look for a list of the best show jumping horse breeds is in a studbook. One of the premier studbooks is KWPN. A studbook lists the estimated value of individual stallions for breeding purposes. Studbooks list the approved stallions, and list what skills might pass down. In this case "approved" means "approved for breeding." The expected breeding value for a particular trait is typically the breeding values of both its parents. Using this rule you can easily determine a horse’s breeding value. This value can then be used as a price estimate for the horse you wish to purchase. You probably want to choose an experienced horse with an existing track record. Or maybe you’d like to start from the ground up by choose a foal? Both have their pros and cons. It all depends on what you’re looking for and how you want to do it. The advantages of owning an experienced horse is that you can start competing almost immediately, saving you time on training. That said, however, you might also inherit the previous training problems an older horse might have. When purchasing a younger horse, you’ll need to have a bit more patience. But you’ll have the advantage of building a long relationship of mutual trust. This trust is the real secret to winning competitions. What are the actual best jumping horse breeds, though? We’ve compiled a list of a few of the best jumping horse breeds to narrow down your choices. Belgian Warmblood Clément Bucco-Lechat [CC BY-SA 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)] Discovered in the mid-1950s, this horse has a muscular body and a strong personality. It exhibits intelligence with an eagerness to learn. Dutch Warmblood Remy Overkempe [CC BY-SA 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)] This horse is a combination/blend of two different breeds. It’s bred specifically to eventually become a strong competing horse. Its average height is about sixteen (16) hands, and its athletic physique makes it the perfect choice to participate in show jumping events. With a strong body overall, it’s commonly found in grey, black and chestnut colors. Hanoverian Craig Maccubbin [CC BY 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)] This type of horse is the most loved and admired by riders and has a positive reputation in Grand Prix competitions. This breed is commonly found in solid colors. Its average height is 15 to 1 hands and also has a strong and athletic body. It is known to be both courageous and versatile. Holsteiner derivative work: Countercanter (talk)Cristallo.jpg: Louis [CC BY-SA 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)] Perfect for long distances, this horse has the strength and ability to become an excellent partner in competitions. Their height is 16 to 17 hands and they are generally found in black or chestnut. They move fluidly and are bred specifically to become adaptive competing horses. Oldenburger Martin Bahmann [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/)] This horse was initially used for farming purposes, however, over time, they became bred solely for riding and competitions. They reach a height of 16 or 17 hands on average and are found in bay, grey and black colors. These horses are powerful with an elastic and rhythmic action. What are your goals? Something else you need to ask yourself is what are your own capabilities? Do you only want to enjoy participating in competitions on a recreational capacity, or do you have the ambition to reach for higher aspirations? Both of these options have different requirements from the horse you’ll want to purchase. Behavior and the ease of handling are of the greatest importance; your horse’s ability to reach the Grand Prix is slightly less paramount. Look at your horse’s abilities first and consider their behavior second. This will ensure that you’re getting the best show jumping horse for your purposes. Finding the Perfect Riding Companion Finding the best jumping horse breeds for competing purposes seems like an intimidating feat, but it can also be very exciting at the same time. Think of it as something as similar to finding a partner in life; you’ll want to pick the best one, weigh all the pros and cons, and make sure you have a good relationship. All horses are different, they have different personalities, different needs, and an immediate connection is often a strong drive to decide if and when you’re ready to buy any particular horse. Owning a horse for any reason is no small task, and you must not take it lightly. It's important to educate yourself before making that commitment. There is always more to a successful relationship with your horse than having a connection. Of course, it’s a good start, but beyond that you have to look at what to expect in the years to come. It’s wise to consider and reflect on what your expectations are, and what you hope to achieve. Aside from the discipline that you’ll be using the horse for, whether it’s for show jumping or events, you need to prepare yourself for the levels of which you’ll end up performing, and the methods you’ll take to get there. Needless to say, if you want to perform in show jumping competitions, you’ll want to find a horse that is capable of doing so, one that has a strong background in it. Not all horses possess the same level of skills, and it’s vital to choose your horse wisely based on these factors. Even the best jumping horse needs Training After you’ve chosen your new horse, you’ll need to select the training regimen you’ll both be going through. Many amateur riders buy unbroken horses, which makes training a bit more intense. Finding the perfect trainer will give you the best start to a successful working relationship with your horse. Dressage can build up your horse to be more balanced, athletic and confident. No matter what future plans you have for your horse, it’s important to have this foundation set for it. You might want to develop a medal winning athlete, or you might want to improve your relationship with your animal, either way, an advanced and knowledgeable trainer can help you and your horse achieve whatever goal you’re reaching for. Perhaps you’re looking to cross train. Cross training leads to stronger and healthier horses by minimizing repetitive strain injuries while encouraging better physical and mental health. Through jumping exercises, fitness activities and proper instruction, a top notch training program encourages a beneficial learning environment. A trainer’s main focus should be building your horse up to be the best it can be as well as giving riders the confidence in both themselves and their mount. Training can be a grueling process at times, but you also want to make sure you’re having fun and building trust with your horse as well. Preparing for Competitions Once you’ve established a good training regimen and an even better relationship with your animal, it’s time to get ready to compete. Getting ready for a successful show season requires months of continued training and invested time, effort and commitment. It also requires having the proper equipment, a well groomed horse, and a set plan to stay the course. Rules for each show circuit can differ, so it’s imperative that your current equipment, the skills of your horse, apparel and grooming adhere to the rules of every circuit. There is no point in wasting your money and time by being disqualified for something as simple as wearing the wrong jacket or using the wrong tack. Every style of riding has its own requirements. You can easily avoid problems by creating a list of items that you’ll need to bring to each show; use said list during preparations. Choosing, buying, then training a horse to compete might seem like a huge undertaking, and in a way it is, but it's one of the most rewarding experiences you can have. Now that you're taking on this responsibility, make sure you're prepared. Give your horse the love and attention it deserves. And most of all, have fun. Don't compete solely for the money or the recognition, but rather make it an enjoyable experience for both yourself and your horse and you can't go wrong. We hope once you've brought them home, that you and your horse become lifelong friends!

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