Horses are naturally built to run, rear, and even jump over obstacles while galloping to their destination. Therefore, it’s not surprising that a sport has been created to showcase their amazing skills.
However, you can’t just throw any horse into a horse jumping field and expect them to do well in it. You must be intentional about what you want from your jumping horse and train it to give you just that!
Ultimately, the decision comes down to you and what you want. Factors like competition goals, budget, and temperament will also influence your horse choice.
While sellers will typically tell you about a horse’s temperament before selling to you, it’s also crucial that you know something about the horse breed yourself.
If you are interested in buying a horse for horse jumping, you can read all about the best jumping horse breeds in this article!
What Is Horse Jumping?
Horse jumping is a competitive equestrian event in which horses and riders are required to jump over a series of obstacles, usually within a certain time limit. These obstacles are usually designed for the show, so horses can jump over them with the right training.
Some events allow horses to warm up by walking and trotting them before the show begins. At the start of the show, the rider usually guides their horse towards the center of each barrier with their speed contingent upon each fence’s breath. The fences are usually 5.2 feet.
Different competitions have different goals. However, a rider will be penalized for all their mistakes and faults during a competition. Some competitions even convert faults into extra seconds, which causes your finishing time to be longer than it was in reality.
Types of Horse Jumping
Horse jumping is an entertaining event for both the participants and spectators. However, if you’re a competitor, you’ll want to do everything to win.
One of the areas competitors will always look at when preparing for major tournaments is horse type. Choosing the right horse requires that you know the jumping you’ll be doing. Different types of horse jumping events require different horses. Here’s a review of the three main types of horse jumping!
Hunter Jumping
Hunter jumping is becoming more popular nowadays, with several competitions in this category being held around the world daily. It consists of two main disciplines: jumper and hunter. In this event, both the horse and rider are judged.
This competition is best described as a fox-hunting event. It typically involves carefully negotiating through natural obstacles throughout the game. The judge then awards points to the horses based on their ability to jump over fences.
Riders must maintain a consistent pace and good style throughout the competition to win points. However, it’s important to point out that the jumps here are usually low.
The panel of judges that judge the rider’s ability to jump the horse over obstacles effectively differs from the panel that judges the horse’s ability. As a rider, you’ll need expert skills to keep your horse performing at its best throughout the competition.
Show Jumping
This is another popular but less demanding type of horse jumping event. Here, judges are very analytical when judging the jumping ability of the horse.
Horses don’t need to complete the course in the fastest time, but they need to have as few faults as possible in order to win the competition. Therefore, as a jumper, you’ll need speed and an extra level of care to win.
Total scores are calculated based on the time taken for the task and the number of obstacles you can jump over without touching. The judges will deduct 4 points every time your horse knocks down a barrier. You’ll also lose 4 points for every obstacle your horse refuses to jump over and one point for every second you waste outside the allotted time for completing a task.
Cross-country Jumping
Unlike the other two, cross-country events are often held at a lower level. It is typically a local competition organized to test the endurance levels of riders and horses.
As the name signifies, cross-country jumping competitions involve very long distances. Here, competitors ride their horses through rough terrains like hills, banks, logs, fences, and ditches. The event typically lasts for three days and can include stadium jumping and horse dressage.
Judges do not penalize horses or riders for disobedience. Organizers often say the lack of rules is a way of keeping the contest as natural as possible. However, competitors must finish the task within a given amount of time.
Some more organized cross-country jumping competitions have medals and other prizes for winners, while others are organized just for the fun of it.
Now that we know the basics, let’s go on with the list of best jumping horse breeds!
Best Jumping Horse Breeds
Dutch Warmblood (KWPN)
- Country of Origin: Netherlands
- Distinguishing Features: Unique body type suitable for dressage and show jumping
- Period of Development: 1960s
Otherwise famous for being one of the first breeds to be registered under the KWPN, the Dutch Warmbloods fall under the class of hardy workhorses. The workhorse is known for its stamina and average speed. It’s also relatively easy to care for since it doesn’t fall sick easily.
They were developed through a breeding program that became popular in the 1960s. Since then, they’ve gone on to become renowned successful competition horses.
However, its low stat in acceleration means that it’s not a preferred choice for horse racing. The main characteristics that make this horse breed a preferred option for horse jumpers are their fantastic stamina and muscular build.
It’s pretty easy to identify them from their long legs and muscular build, which makes them excellent jumping horses. Most users are impressed by their performance in competitions and their ability to exhibit a courageous spirit and even temper.
Another admirable characteristic of the Dutch Warmblood is their ability to listen to instructions. Yes, they are agile and active, but that doesn’t take away from the fact that they are trainable.
Most Dutch Warmbloods are brown, black, gray, and chestnut. However, you’ll always see noticeable white markings on them.
Oldenburg
- Country of Origin: Germany
- Distinguishing Features: Unique body type suitable for dressage and show jumping
- Year of Origin: 1970
The Oldenburg horse breed is also popularly known as Oldenburger. It is a warmblood horse whose origin can be traced to the north-western corner of Lower Saxony.
One look at Oldenburgers and you can tell that they are built for horse jumping and other similar sports. Their tall stature, together with their excellent gaits and jumping ability, makes them a great option for jumpers.
Apart from their outstanding physical attributes, many horse jumpers also prefer the Oldenburg breed for its innate understanding of the discipline its been bred for. They can usually learn their jobs pretty quickly, depending on how much effort owners put into training them.
However, we found that the relatively high prices of Oldenburgs can be a turnoff for people who are operating on a budget. Breeding them also attracts huge costs as breeders typically charge more to keep up with the horse demand.
Their agility and sensitivity make them an outstanding option for horse jumping, but you’ll still need to train them.
Quarter Horse
- Country of Origin: United States
- Distinguishing Features: strong, well-muscled body, broad chest, and rounded hindquarters
- Year of Origin: 1940
The Quarter horse is one of the most versatile horse breeds out there. It’s not surprising that many horse lovers choose to call it a jack of all trades.
Over time, the Quarter horse has gained success in several disciplines, including jumping and short-distance sprints. One of the most admirable features in Quarter horses is their temperament. They are also very easy to find since they are bred in abundance.
Quarter horses have unique physical attributes that make them excellent horses for physical sports. Their strong and well-muscled bodies, broad chests, and straight profile give riders control over the tracks.
You’ll find Quarter horses in several different colors, but the most common color is sorrel. Other available colors include brown, black, bay, gray, white, cremello, and roan.
Despite all these fascinating attributes, it’s important to note that they are not the best breeds for very sizable courses since they tend to become rebellious when exhausted.
Hanoverian
- Country of Origin: Germany
- Distinguishing Features: Unique body type suitable for dressing, show jumping, leisure riding, and show hunting
- Year of Origin: 1844
The Hanoverian is a popular horse breed thanks to its success in the Olympic games and other English riding style competitions. It is a Warmblood horse breed whose origin can be traced back to Germany.
The Hanoverian breed is one of the oldest, most successful, and most numerous of the Warmblood breeds. Although originally built to be a cavalry horse, decades of infusing more Thoroughbred blood has transformed it into a more agile horse.
The agility of this horse makes it stand out from many other Warmblood breeds. Hanoverians are also known for their outstanding temperament, beauty, grace, and athleticism.
Hanoverians are strong, robust, and elegant. They’re also known for their strong back, athletic movements, strong limbs, and powerful body. The most prevalent colors include black, chestnut, gray, and bay, although you’ll sometimes see small white spots on them.
Please note that there are regulations preventing the full registration of palomino, cremello, and buckskin horses.
Westphalian
- Country of Origin: Germany
- Distinguishing Features: Muscular build, strong forearms and legs, long neck, and deep chest
- Year of Origin: 1826
The Westphalian is a Warmblood horse breed famous for its performance in Olympic-level show jumping. Just as its name suggests, the horse breed originates from the Westphalia region of Western Germany.
After the second world war, the Westphalian became popular as a sports horse when breeders started breeding it in the same standard as other German Warmbloods.
Like most other German riding horses, Westphalians are bold, appealing, and suitable for all kinds of riding due to their character, temperament, and rideability. They are known for their high level of athleticism. Horse jumpers will enjoy this athleticism because it means that they won’t become lazy during competitions.
Apart from their impressive agility level, Westphalians are also obedient horses. Their easy-going temperament makes training them easier.
Despite their easy-going temperament, Westphalians might not be ideal for beginners and casual riders because they are big movers. This means that it might be hard to control them.
Westphalians are easy to identify. Their noticeable strong legs and firearms make them athletic horses. Their most common coat colors are black, gray, chestnut, and bay.
What Makes a Good Jumping Horse?
Almost all types ofhorse jumping sports require speed and accuracy. Therefore, competitors must put in everything to ensure that their horses can jump across several barriers without knocking down any rails.
Apart from your efforts, you always need to ensure that your horse is ready for the show. Jumping horses need every bit of bravery and athleticism. They also need to easily adapt to new environments and be willing to jump over different kinds of obstacles.
If you are competing to win, you must ensure that you have everything you’ll need to succeed on the tracks. One such thing that will give you a head start is your horse’s physical and mental condition. You need to check to ensure that your horse is as ready as you are.
In case you are still trying to choose the right horse for your next competition, here are some factors that you should look out for when deciding which horse will be best for the event!
Agility
This one is a no-brainer! Jumping horses should not waste time obeying their riders’ commands. Throughout the event, riders will constantly be adjusting their pace quickly and frequently. That being said, their horses should be able to move quickly without making mistakes.
During your selection process, we recommend choosing a horse that’s light on its feet. Before the event, you should have trained it to take extra care when jumping, even if they’ll be jumping from an unfavorable distance or across scary-looking fences.
Apart from being able toscale through obstacles, agile horses shouldn’t get tired easily, especially during events.
Good Form
If you are an ardent horse jumper, you’ll notice that different horses have different periods of peak form.
Therefore, it’s crucial to observe your horse’s form and be sure that they are ready for the day. This is where regular practice comes in.
Don’t just train with your favorite horse. Involve other horses in the training session so that you can easily switch horses if your horse suddenly starts showing signs of form decline.
Form decline can also be a result of ill health or other underlying issues. So, you should run proper checkups on your horse.
Bravery
Your horse will probably not be jumping in a course that it’s 100% familiar with. They might even be exposed togigantic courses that they’ve never seen before. Therefore, there’s a need to have horses that can handle any course, irrespective of the size or look.
Remember that some event organizers build courses with the intent to trick the eyes of jumping horses and cause them to stop. To be successful, you must train your jumper to adapt to different situations!
An excellent way to help your horse develop this level of bravery is by training with it in different courses. It takes bravery for horses to approach jumps that they haven’t tried before.
Sure-footedness
Finally, you want to be sure that your jumping horse is adjustable and well-balanced to take on any course. It takes a significant level of adjustability to turn and jump out of tight spaces.
Therefore, it’s essential to train your horse to be focused on its job and be ready to approach the next fence. Your horse must also maintain concentration in order to avoid tripping or approaching a fence wrongly.
Conclusion
Now you should have a basic idea about what the jumping horse market looks like. There are so many breeds out there, and each breed serves a particular purpose. It’s not enough to buy a horse breed that can jump, you also need to train them to develop agility and strength.
If you are looking for a jumping horse, this article offers enough information to get you started. Beyond reviewing the best jumping horse breeds, we’ve also provided information to get you started with horse jumping.
We hope that this article has helped you learn more about horse jumping. You can also check out ourbest horse boots article to see how you can protect your jumping horse!