When it comes to eventing, not all breeds are created equal. Some are more suitable for certain disciplines than others — think of the dressage-friendly warmblood or the cross-country-friendly thoroughbred. But no matter which event you’re thinking about entering, there’s a horse breed out there that will help you excel in your chosen field. In this article, we explore some of the most popular eventing breeds to help you decide which one is right for you and your future as an equestrian competitor!
Arabian
One of the most well-known eventing horse breeds is the Arabian. You’re likely already familiar with the breed thanks to the iconic image of the rider on a desert-colored horse in a headscarf. The Arabian is known for its calm temperament, great movement, and excellent ability to jump. In fact, it’s one of the most successful jumping breeds in the world.Some popular names include The Smiling (or The Happy) Horse, The Desert Beauty, The Desert Horse, The Desert Princess, and The Desert Maiden.
Appaloosa
Another well-known eventing horse breed is the Appaloosa. This horse is known for its striking color combination — usually a dark-colored horse with white markings on one side of the face and hoof. The Appaloosa was developed by crossing horses with white markings on their faces with wild-roan mares. This process gave rise to a horse with a unique and striking color combination that is now a popular and well-known eventing horse breed.Some popular names include The Black Jack, The Appaloosa, The Black-White Horse, The Black-White Maverick, The Black-White Trapper, The Black-White Buckwheeler, The Black-White Splash, The Black-White Splat, The Black-White Splatter, and The Black-White Splotter.
Basenji
The Basenji is an incredibly unique and unusual horse breed. It’s often referred to as the “noodle dog” thanks to its long curly hair and “smiling” face. The Basenji is often kept as a companion animal as it prefers to be around people. Its relaxed, laid-back attitude makes it an ideal choice for beginners or those who are just getting started in eventing.Some popular names include The Happy Horse, The Noodle Dog, The Black-and-White Horse, The Black-and-White Dog, The Black-and-White Noodle, The Black-and-White Noodle-Noodle, and The Black-and-White Noodle-Doodle.
Breeding to get the perfect eventing horse
If you’re thinking about breeding your horse to get a winning eventing partner, it’s important to consider which event is your goal. Each event has its own set of requirements, both in terms of the breed and the overall temperament of the horse. For example, a breed that is great for jumping but not so much for dressage is not ideal for an eventer that wants to show in both disciplines.Once you’ve narrowed down your choice of event, you can start looking for a suitable partner. The best way to do this is to put out a call on social media or even in your local community. You might be surprised by the response you get.
Conclusion
At the end of the day, it’s important to remember that all eventing horse breeds are truly amazing. Each has its own unique set of strengths that make it a great competitor in its own right. From the Arabian’s calm temperament to the Basenji’s laid-back nature, there is no shortage of eventing horse breeds that are guaranteed to challenge you and push you to your very limit!