Are Arabian horses looked down upon in the hunter jumper ring?

Question

i own an arabian and want to start jumping her but i have been told that they are looked down upon as hunter/jumpers

Answer 1

Don't think about if they look down on you. Unless you are on a very competitive circuit, you shouldn't need to worry. They are usually looked down upon because they (for the most part) have a more uphill carriage and suspended, think dressage horse. Hunters are usually level (not down or up), flat footed (less bounce in the trot) and long legged.

Do hunter/jumper because you want to- not because of what other people think.
I show a 17.2h tobiano full draft horse in dressage. We stick out like a sore thumb at dressage shows, but we compete successfully at training and first level. Sure, there are snickers in the background, but I usually end up placing, or at least we both had fun and she tried her best (the most important things). Sometimes you get a judge that will state outright that you should not be there- but ignore them. There are others that do not feel that way.
My favorite show memory is at my first show- a girl outright laughed at me on her 16h warmblood. That horse costed about 20k and was trained up to 3rd level, but the girl only started riding and she was showing intro (as was I). Well, let's just say that I took first place with my $1200 bought draft horse, and her horse ended up bucking out of the ring because he was afraid of flowers.

Answer 2

For the hunters, Arabians won't place well in top competition. The reason being is they tend to have a flat, steppy jump that's simply not what the hunter judges look for. Remember, the hunter ring is very political. The horses that win are those the embody the ideal hunters: warmbloods especially, some thoroughbreds. However, in the lower level jumpers, you stand a better chance for success. Jumpers is judged based on speed and how clean you can get through a course. Courses at the upper levels are often designed for horses with a little more leg than a typical Arabian, but at the open or schooling level you should do just fine. I've competed against Arabs that have done just fine in the jumper arena.

You may also want to check with your breed association. If your Arab is registered, it should be eligible for the Arabian circuit. And I believe that circuit hosts hunter and jumper classes open only to other Arabs, so the natural jumping form of the breed won't be penalized. Something to consider.

Answer 3

Unfortunately it is looked down upon in the higher Hunter circuits. A local show you should be pretty even with the competition when it comes to Equitation classes which is judged upon the rider. Hunter classes on the other hand are judged on the horse.

An arab is not a typical hunter horse. They do not represent the traits that define a good show hunter horse. That's not to say that your horse can't be a hunter, say if you wanted to do Hunter Paces with your arab or take her on a real fox hunt that wouldn't be an issue. I'm only talking in the show ring where a floating, easy to sit trot and canter, both with minimal action on a fairly loose rein are very important. An arab can be trained to do this, but for some reason a bias against arab's in the Hunter ring continues and a judge will not place your horse or will place your horse low.

Good news is that Hunters aren't the only english discipline where you can jump. I mentioned Equitation above, which is judged on the rider's form both on the flat and over fences. This is highly competative with the more difficult classes jumping up to 4ft.

You can do Cross Country which is jumping and it doesn't judge based on your horse. It's judged on time. Same with show jumping. It's your time that wins, regardless of what horse you ride and there are classes for different heights. You can do jumpers at 2ft to start, then gradually move up to 3'3 jumpers, then up to 4ft jumper and higher. You can also do Eventing, which is a test of Cross Country, Show Jumping and Dressage. It's a triple threat! :)

There are many options outside of Hunters where you and your arab can excel. Good luck and I hope you find the discipline that is right for you and your horse!

~Jenn

Answer 4

It will all depend on your judge and your horses ability. I have show on and with many arabians over the years in the hunter arena, and some do well as others do not. The "hunter" frame is one of the biggest problems with arabians. An arabian has a natural higher head carraige, where in the hunter ring you want a low relaxed head and neck. If you can train your horse and condition it to be capable of carrying itself as a hunter then you should have no problem! Because as far as capability they are completely capable of competeing over fences. If you are interested in jumping, and don't realy care about the hunter side of it, you could enter her in jumper shows/classes. In these classes you jump a course and the only "judging" that's involved is faults and time. You could be riding a cow for all anyone cares just as long as you don't knock down a rail, don't go off course, don't have a refusal, and don't fall off.... all that matters is time! Best of luck with your mare, and if you want to show in hunters show in hunters. I have a student who rides a spotted saddle horse in hunter shows. She knows she'll never win, because he's not a hunter, but she enjoys showing and jumping.... so she does. Don't get caught up in the ribbons... that's not what matters, it's the relationship you have with your horse!

Answer 5

It depends on the shows you attend and those around you.

My advise is to say "who cares?". If want to have an Arabian and show in hunter jumper, then do so.

Arabians come in all shapes, sizes and various breeding styles from different countries.

I have a 17 year old 15.1 handed Eqyptian Arabian who would be ideal for dressage, but not jumping due to her body type.

Now, my step sister, prior to selling her 14.2 hand Arabian, did hunter jumper better than all events. Won Champion at state in Hunter Eq I believe out of over 60 people, majority paint-TB and standardbred horses.

It is all about what that horse individually can do, not just the breed itself.

Answer 6

It is not true that Arabians have less vertebrae than other breeds. Although it is true that they carry themselves differently. People, along with myself, used to think that they did have less vertebrae and that rumor started bc of there high tail carriage. Ask your vet and he will tell you it is not true. Arabians are somewhat looked down upon no matter what they are showing bc they have a reputation as being "spooky" and "high spirited". However, that is no reason not to jump your Arab. I own an Arab and one time when I was showing in a bareback class, I slid off when she shyed from a bucking horse and someone outside the ring made the comment.."figures, it's an arab". Not even considering that the bucking horse was the Quarter Horse. My mare was protecting herself and me for shying away. If she didn't, we may have been hurt by the other horse. Arabs have the rep of being spooky bc many show horses are stall confined and who wouldn't be super energetic staying locked in a stall? AMy mare is a great horse and not at all spooky. Any horse or breed can be spooky. Each horse is an individual. i have seen many arabs do very well in jumping. Don't worry about what anyone else thinks of you and your horse. i have never heard anyone say anything bad about arabs jumping personally. I have actually heard good things bc it is more difficult for them bc of there smaller size.

Answer 7

Are there any breed specific shows in your area? You might try showing just with Arabian folks.

The only problem comes with how the Arabian carries itself. Their way of going is totally different due to the fact that they have one less vertebrae than other breeds, and they tend to be much more animated. If you are showing hunters, yes you may be penalized, as these classes are judged on the horse and its way of going over fences, and the judges hate to compare apples and oranges (if they are judging 20 Thoroughbred types, and one Arabian, they will tend to favor the larger group). If you are showing jumpers, you will be better off, as these classes are judged more on the horse/rider combo and how well they work as a team to negotiate obstacles.

Regardless, enjoy your horse and don't be afraid to experiment with it! Arabians are bold jumpers, and every one I have ever ridden all seemed to love jumping.

Good luck!

Answer 8

The H/J crowd has a type that they like, and Arabs don't always fit it, exspecially in the "A" circuit.

But locally, don't worry about it. If you're serious about ribbons, go with breed shows. If you just want to have fun, then enter the smaller open shows and just enjoy it.

Arabs have a lot of heart, they can be amazing jumpers over even high fences. They have a lot of "spring".

The main concern should be training and practice. Some Arabs will get entirely too excited about jumping and you have to keep a handle on all that energy.

Work on her form by trotting over poles to lengthen her gate and get her paying attention. Then throw in a few small cross rails to see how she does. See if you can get someone to video her form and your 2 point so you can watch yourself and correct your posture as you go.

Then work your way up from there. Always show one level lower than what you practice at home so you can go through with ease and confidence. Brings home more ribbons.

Answer 9

if your horse is capable of jumping 2ft 6'' to 3ft
fences there is no problem with breed in hunter class. You should be fine in local shows. The bad rap that Arabians get is they are too spirited. The best way to find out is to ask a well known instructor in your area to evaluate your horse. Another way may be to take a clinic in your area. GOOD LUCK!

Answer 10

yes, only by the Quarter horse breeders and other "hunter jumper" breed owners, but normally their energy and speed does help them out, not to mention the build of the horse.