[Perfect Pony]

I went to a big H/J show near me this past weekend, all excited to watch the top hunters around this area. Lovely horses I guess, but they just didn't excite me. There wasn't a TB or anything that even slightly resembled one to be seen.

I know people try to say that a nice TB will still place/win blah blah blah, and I now find it very hard to believe anymore. At least here on the west coast.

Anyway, I just miss those sleek, fit, gorgeous TBs I guess. All the horses were so big and fat and looked like overgrown stuffed animals.

[Perfect Pony]

I went to a big H/J show near me this past weekend, all excited to watch the top hunters around this area. Lovely horses I guess, but they just didn't excite me. There wasn't a TB or anything that even slightly resembled one to be seen.

I know people try to say that a nice TB will still place/win blah blah blah, and I now find it very hard to believe anymore. At least here on the west coast.

Anyway, I just miss those sleek, fit, gorgeous TBs I guess. All the horses were so big and fat and looked like overgrown stuffed animals.

[TheJenners]

Not sure where you went, but TBs still dominate the classes I see. And the Canadian shows I see on TV. http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_c...n_confused.gif

[gibson06]

Both of my hunters are TB's i love em.

[teal tea]

Nope, I own a TB. http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_c.../icon_wink.gif

[ponymom64]

All warmbloods here in CT http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_c...icon_frown.gif

[Perfect Pony]

I went to a big show, here in CA, with a lot of the top trainers here in CA, and watched the hunter classes.

I am sure there are some TBs out there, especially at the local shows around somewhere. There also might be a few TBs here and there that have been really fattened up and "look and move like WBs".

But for what I can tell, the TBs, real TBs that look like TBs, old time hunters that were long and lean with that gorgous canter that floated over the ground like air. Well, they are well gone.

Anyway, it made me a little sad. I'll go back under my rock now http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_c.../icon_wink.gif

[pleased-as-punch2800]

Just wanted to say that here in MD its not much different. However my TB (pictures below) was a very competitive Jr Hunter before i bought him, and now that I have started doing the A/O's I have jogged in every O/F class I have done this year. At three AA rateed shows in very very good company. In fact at Culpeper in July I pinned higher (in 2 o/f classes) than a horse ranked 4th in the A/O's Nationally.

Its not True!
So, I say if your TB nice enough it can beat out even the best WB's.

[chawley]

Growing up in the late 70s and 80s, there were a lot of TBs showing in our area (zone 5). My parents actually bred some of them. I definitely see a lot more warm bloods today. I guess that is the type many want, but I still ride a TB, and I probably always will - just my personal preference.

[Timex]

nope, don't miss the TB's - i still own 2. but both of mine are larger boned mares, very easy to mistake them for WB's. but i still see plenty of TBs showing.

[toomanymares]

I ride one but I know what you mean. LOTS of warmbloods around here. I used to lease a warmblood and I loved him but everyone else was on TB's and now I'm on a TB and everyone has warmbloods. Go figure.

[Smiles]

The t.b.s that are in the hunter don't look like a typical t.b. because they look like a slab of beef. Except for the few that never hold there weight in the ribs. http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_c.../icon_wink.gif My gelding was like this. Everyone asked me what w.b breed he was and when I said he was a t.b. they thought I looked at me funny. http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_c...n_rolleyes.gif

[irishannie]

We have a big TB gelding who does the locals and the A's. He does well at both. I think they are the classic hunters.

[Hopeful Hunter]

I love TBs. I just like the movement and the mind - even the silliness. My horse is an OTTB in fact. The WBs can get the slow, crawl to the fences lines but I like the sleeker step of a TB myself.

[Show_hunters]

Both of my horses are TB/QH crosses. I used have TB's, however I'm over their mind set. So, now I have a horse with a brain, yet looks like a TB. So best of both worlds, people are shocked when they see my 4 year old, they have no idea he's 50% QH!!! http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_c...s/icon_eek.gif

[PiedPiper]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Show_hunters:
Both of my horses are TB/QH crosses. I used have TB's, however I'm over their mind set. So, now I have a horse with a brain, yet looks like a TB. So best of both worlds, people are shocked when they see my 4 year old, they have no idea he's 50% QH!!! http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_c...s/icon_eek.gif </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Got to say that line is kind of offensive for those of us that love TBs. Not sure what you were buying or what kind of rider you are but have struck gold already with the two OTTBs that I have now. They are polar opposites, the first is very warmbloody, but the second is by far the prototypical TB and he is just wonderful. Have to say, to ride a TB you have to know how to finesse and to know how to vary up your teaching as well as your skills.

The TB just takes a special kind of rider.

[Janet]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Show_hunters:
Both of my horses are TB/QH crosses. I used have TB's, however I'm over their mind set. So, now I have a horse with a brain, yet looks like a TB. So best of both worlds, people are shocked when they see my 4 year old, they have no idea he's 50% QH!!! http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_c...s/icon_eek.gif </div></BLOCKQUOTE> That is very strange, since "having a brain" is one of the main PROs TBs have over most other breeds, IMHO.

(I have a TB, a TBxConn, and 3/4 TB x 1/4 QH, and I just sold a straight TB. And the straight TBs have the best brains.)

[Sing Mia Song]

The TB brain isn't for everyone, but it sure is for me! I love TBs and vastly prefer them to anything else. However, I had a lovely QH as a junior hunter, and now have a WB that is sweet as pie, but takes getting used to in the brain department.

[bwf]

I am with you 100%!!! http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_c.../icon_razz.gif I have been saying this for a few years now! I see less and less TB in the Hunters. I am seeing a whole bunch of WB's. JMO I have never been a huge fan of the WB, but I do admit to likeing some of the lighter breeds. I am even now sseing the WB's in the pony's. http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_c...s/icon_eek.gif I really worry about how the WB's. will impact the breedig of some of the American TB sport horses and now pony's. I have clients that will not look at anything unless it is a WB, because that is what is popular and there are so many of them. I just got an OTTB and would not trade him for any of the other horse in my barn. http://chronicleforums.com/images/cu...milies/yes.gif He is great! When you look at the Big EQ's there are really almost no more TB in those classes either. Makes me kind of sad. http://chronicleforums.com/images/cu...ilies/uhoh.gif

[Lucassb]

My last horse was a TB and he was wonderful, but my current horse is a WB and I have to say I prefer his ride. And I think today's courses favor the warmbloods.

Years ago when it was more common to show hunters on big outside courses, you could really show off a TB's ability to gallop and jump. Not to mention a little brilliance was an asset, and the horses could show some enthusiasm for their jobs without penalty http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_c.../icon_wink.gif

These days, it is the big, slow-off-the-ground quiet jump that is rewarded, especially in the amateur ranks. Seems like everything is about four strides out of the corner, and a horse that walks the lines and jumps around without changing expression fares the best.

Don't get me wrong, I think there is a lot to love about TBs, but I think it is harder to compete with them now. Not that there aren't plenty of lovely TBs that do very well - but they are in the minority any more.