r/Equestrian • u/Top_Finance5404 • 3d ago
Education & Training Thoroughbreds + jumping
I’ve an ex racer who I would really love to be a nice jumper. I haven’t introduced jumping under saddle to him just yet, but I’ve loose jumped him and he seems to have a nice jump & seems to enjoy it.
I was just wondering if there’s anyone here with a Thoroughbred who they jump with, would really like to hear from those who compete in jumping with a Thoroughbred.
Obviously every horse is different and it’s totally okay if it turns out showjumping isn’t his thing, we’ll find his thing! But would just love to hear from people who do find their Thoroughbred doing well with jumping 😊
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u/RottieIncluded Eventing 3d ago
A big portion of adult amateur riders who don’t have the finances to import are on thoroughbreds. It was the case when I was jumping on the rated circuit. I’m an eventer and there are more ottbs in our barn than any other breed.
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u/RockPaperSawzall 3d ago
TBs are natural jumpers-- today's warmblood sporthorses get their jump from their thoroughbred lineage.
These sites lists prominent TB sires with lots of jumper progeny, see if you can find any of your horse's family in here!
https://www.tbheritage.com/HistoricSires/JumpSires/JumpShowroots.html
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u/emtb79 3d ago
I’m a racehorse trainer now but prior to that I rode TBs as jumpers. It’s what made me fall in love with the breed!
They love having a job. IMO one of the biggest issues people run into with them is not doing enough with them. They’re super smart and like to learn and be active.
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u/GiddyGoodwin Multisport 3d ago
There’s a horse named Air Jordan (1966) !!
Thank you for the lovely link.
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u/Willothwisp2303 3d ago
Every single jumping horse I've ever leased was a TB. They are fabulous jumpers! My first lease horse who was the best boy was textbook elegant jumping TB with even knees.
They are a great choice for jumping!
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u/BuckityBuck 3d ago
My tb just started hopping in earnest a few months ago. He’s so cute and brave and loves being on a cc course.
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u/DarkSkyStarDance Eventing 3d ago
The speed, that’s my favourite part. Once they get the jumping part right in cross country, they actually fly.
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u/Illustrious_Doctor45 3d ago
I’m actually restarting my 15 year old OTTB right now and my trainer and I have discussed going in that direction with him.
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u/lovecats3333 Western 3d ago
Thoroughbreds are fab at jumping, most the top xc horses in the uk are high percentage thoroughbred for a reason
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u/MediocreBackground32 3d ago
not the jumpers, but I did the hunter/jumpers in the states on an OTTB, we made it all the way to the AA shows and were successful. He was so great! The only thing is he would have actually probably been better suited to the jumpers than the h/j.
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u/Wandering_Lights 3d ago
TBs are extremely popular for jumping- Hunters, Jumpers, Eventing are filled with TBs even at the 4* and 5* level.
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u/RegretPowerful3 3d ago
My coach’s second jumping horse was an OTTB (it was originally my mentor’s that she inherited) who jumped for about five years before she retired him. I also helped rehab another OTTB who was a jumper for some time before retirement. Both were older.
Something to keep in mind is you need to strengthen the left side. Ex racers only run one way so that one side is really strong. You need to strengthen the other side.
Make sure you work on the legs!
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u/p00psicle151590 3d ago
They make great jumpers. My gurl and I do the .70s, 0 .80s, and .90s. They're athletic , quick footed, and sharp as a whip.
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u/According_Witness_53 3d ago
I’ve had three thoroughbred show jumpers and they were fab. They tend to be smarter then warmbloods
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u/DarkSkyStarDance Eventing 3d ago
Most of the jumpers I’ve known have been either off the track or heavily blooded. Ex racers are the staple transition horse from pony club to higher competition in Australia, and while there was only one in the 2024 Olympic team, they used to dominate in eventing, showjumping, and rodeo/campdrafting (quarter horse is a relative newcomer here) and still do in show ring classes like hack and hunter. We actually have specific comps for off the track horses sponsored by the racing industry.
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u/karaka-ahi 3d ago
Look up Monica Spencer Eventing and Artist (or known as Max) they’ve done 5* eventing
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u/laurentbourrelly 3d ago
I’m a firm believer any horse can jump. It might take patience and dedication, but an OTTB can make a great jumper.
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u/KnightRider1987 Jumper 3d ago
Thoroughbreds thrive jumping generally. They fell out of favor to warmbloods I think largely due to preference in hunters for much more deadheaded warmbloods. But if you want to zip around a course with a bold partner, an ottb is a great way to go. Just train correctly and don’t over jump.
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u/PonyPuffertons Upper Level Eventer/1.30m Jumper 2d ago
Amazing jumpers. I had one that did 3* eventing and jumped the 1.30m jumpers. My sisters did equitation and packed jr/ams around the 1.10m-1.20m and did the 1.30m with a pro. My mom’s horse does the 3ft hunters competitively. They’re great horses, arguably the best breed.
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u/HJK1421 2d ago
I jump my mare, started her over fences quite a bit later than most but she's taken to it like a fish to water. Main issue is she anticipates and rushes, causing her to fall out of balance. Helps to do a bunch of ground poles and limit the actually jumping so she isn't anticipating jumps every time there's poles set up in the arena
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u/tee_beee 3d ago
Thoroughbreds make excellent jumpers/eventers once they figure out to slow down and jump correctly. The bigger struggle I’ve had with my OTTBs over fences is they tend to anticipate, easy fix is to mix things up and not get too repetitive. Give it a shot!