The 14 Best Horse Breeds For Eventing

Eventing is an equestrian event where horse and rider compete against other competitors across the three disciplines of dressage, cross-country, and show jumping. The best eventing horses are keen enough to master the artistry required for dressage, brave enough to bring you around the cross-country course, and athletic enough to be successful in show jumping. You also want to look for characteristics like versatility, willingness, and dependability. Let’s discuss 14 of the best horse breeds that share these traits and why they are the best for eventing.

Desirable Traits of an Eventing Horse

Because eventing involves three wildly different disciplines, the horse you choose needs to be well-rounded, athletic, and have a good attitude.

They also need to possess certain physical characteristics that lend well to the speed, size, and stamina required for eventing. Here are some of the traits to look for in an eventing horse:

• Versatility
• Athleticism
• Good temperament
• Bravery
• Technique over fences
• Willingness to learn
• Good instinct

Which breeds have the characteristics that make them some of the best eventing horses? Let’s get into our list of the top 14.

1. Dutch Warmblood

The Dutch Warmblood is the best horse breed to use for eventing because they have proven to be successful in modern dressage and their eagerness makes them a wonderful mount for show jumping and cross-country.

2. Irish Sport Horse

Irish Sport Horses are seen not only competing in the upper levels of eventing but also winning. That’s because they have a hardy build that helps them navigate the cross-country course, the stamina needed for show jumping, and a personality perfect for the dressage ring. They are one of the best horse breeds to use for eventing, especially at the top levels.

3. Cleveland Bay

If you need a versatile horse breed to use for eventing, one of the best around is Cleveland Bays. They are suitable for virtually any discipline because of their eager and sensible temperament. Cleveland Bays have proven themselves in eventing competitions across the world as competent and successful sport horses.

4. Holsteiner

One of the most popular horses in the eventing world is the Holsteiner. Its athletic and well-proportioned body along with a bold and steady nature allows this breed to excel at the top levels of the sport.

5. Oldenburg

Oldenburg’s are best known in the show ring for being powerful, attentive, kind, and willing. This combination of traits makes them well-suited for competing across three uniquely challenging disciplines — dressage, cross-country, and show jumping.

6. Thoroughbred

Thoroughbreds are one of the best all-around horse breeds for many disciplines (including eventing!) because of their speed, stamina, and courageous spirit. Their trainability and a keen willingness to please is what makes this breed so sought-after for use in eventing. In fact, many of the horse breeds on this list have three-fourths Thoroughbred in them!

7. Danish Warmblood

A breed very similar to the Thoroughbred is the Danish Warmblood. With a slightly larger build than their counterparts, Danish Warmbloods excel in dressage and show jumping because of their strength and movement. They are also courageous and intelligent, which helps them do well on the cross-country course. This is another one of the best breeds to use for eventing for these reasons.

8. American Quarter Horse

The Quarter Horse is the perfect eventing horse due to their calm temperament and smart mind. They are dependable mounts, which is exactly what you want when you’re galloping full speed around a treacherous cross-country course.

9. Anglo-Arabian

Anglo-Arabians are a popular crossbreed — part Thoroughbred, part Arabian horse — for eventing. That’s because they share traits from each breed, such as speed and endurance, that help them excel at the sport.

10. Belgian Warmblood

There are a lot of warmbloods on this list, and for good reason. Belgian Warmbloods, in particular, are one of the best horse breeds for eventing because it is bred for use across all three disciplines. They are athletic, excellent jumpers, and willing to please. All of these traits make them adept in the dressage and show jumping ring as well as on the cross-country course.

11. Selle Français

The Selle Français, with its stunning gaits, does especially well in dressage. However, the breed has also proven itself in show jumping and cross-country events due to its willingness, power, and intelligence.

12. Trakehner

It’s no surprise that the Trakehner, another warm-blood horse, does well in the world of eventing. Athletic, trainable, and great under pressure describe this East Prussia horse breed. These common characteristics make it an excellent mount for dressage, cross-country and show jumping.

13. Hanoverian

The Hanoverian is one of the oldest, most popular, and most successful of the warmbloods. It is the best horse breed for eventing, seen commonly at the top levels of all three disciplines. The breed is balanced, level-headed, and eager to please — some of the top traits to look for in an eventing horse.

14. Westphalian

Bred for versatility, the Westphalian is a dependable and confident horse breed to use for eventing. It’s a light draft breed, which gives the Westphalian the power and rideability suitable for riders of all levels.

Summary of the 14 Best Horse Breeds For Eventing