The 15 Best Horse Breeds To Use For Show Jumping

Show jumping is a popular, well-recognized Olympic equestrian discipline alongside dressage and cross country. These three disciplines make up the sport of eventing. In competition, the horse is judged on its agility, fitness, and sensibility while the rider’s precision and responsiveness are tested. The sport is demanding of both and makes for an exciting performance to watch. Certain horse breeds are best to use for show jumping at the highest levels. Let’s track the top 15 breeds that have successfully proven themselves in the ring.

What Makes a Horse Good at Jumping?

There are physical characteristics — like conformation, power, and athleticism — in certain horse breeds that help them excel at jumping. Other traits like intelligence, willingness, and courage are also markers of a horse who will do well in the show jumping ring.

Let’s discuss the horse breeds to use for show jumping if you want an eager and capable mount to bring you around the course. These are the most common breeds not only seen in the show ring but also winning in it.

1. Holsteiner

A popular horse breed to use for show jumping is the Holsteiner. Laura Kraut’s horse Cedric is a great example of this breed’s jumping ability and agreeable temperament. The Holsteiners’ willingness to perform coupled with their athletic prowess make them formidable competition in the show jumping arena.

2. Irish Sport Horse

If you make it to the upper level of show jumping and look at the scoreboard, an Irish Sport Horse is bound to be in one of the top spots. This breed is confident and strong in the ring, allowing riders to tackle big jumps and tight corners with ease. Beyond show jumping, the Irish Sport Horse does well in the cross-country discipline due to their stamina and courage on the course.

3. Trakehner

Trakehners are among the best horse breeds to use for show jumping because of their tall stature and talent over challenging jumps. As a warmblood breed, Trakehners are bred for performance at the upper levels. They make the perfect mount for riders competing in the Grand Prix or Olympics.

4. Belgian Warmblood

Along with an elegant gait sure to capture the judges’ attention, the Belgian Warmblood has a natural talent for jumping. Olympic royalty King Edward is a great example of this breed’s capabilities and potential for success in the show ring. If you’re looking for one of the best horse breeds to use for show jumping, a Belgian Warmblood is a knockout choice.

5. Dutch Warmblood

In the show jumping ring, you need a horse with an even temperament to help you navigate the course. The Dutch Warmblood is a popular partner in the ring for this exact reason. As a warmblood, they are bred for performance, which is why you see many horses of this breed at the top levels of the sport.

6. Danish Warmblood

Everything you want in a show jumper — excellent conformation, scope over jumps, substance, speed, and strength — the Danish Warmblood has. They are also eager to please, courageous, and intelligent, making them excellent partners to use for show jumping at any level.

7. Selle Français

The Selle Français is a popular sport horse seen in competition rings around the world. It is one of the best horse breeds for show jumping and modern-day eventing competitions because of its versatility, good nature, and jumping abilities. Sturdy yet athletic, it’s no wonder the most expensive show jumper ever, Palloubet D’Halong, sold for $15 million in 2013.

8. Thoroughbred

If you go into a show ring for any discipline, you will probably see a Thoroughbred (or a Thoroughbred cross) there. That’s because they are an incredibly versatile and trainable horse breed. A Thoroughbred’s speed gets you around the course quickly, so it makes sense that they would be one of the best horse breeds to use for show jumping!

9. Oldenburg

In show jumping, you want a powerful horse that’s also rideable and easy to manage on the course. Oldenburgs are the perfect combination of agile and strong, so you get both a smooth ride and a jumper with plenty of scope. Plus, the breed is friendly and easy to manage, which makes them fun partners to compete with at any level.

10. Westphalian

Another popular breed in upper-level competitions is the Westphalian. Sturdy, athletic, and bred to excel as a sport horse, this breed is one of the best to use for show jumping. They are highly trainable and eager to please, which is why you see them at many high-level equestrian events.

11. Hanoverian

The best horse breeds to use for show jumping have a combination of traits like excellent conformation, power, and athleticism that make them ideal for the discipline. Hanoverians have it all! They are also willing to please and level-headed in difficult situations. This is exactly what type of horse you want when entering the ring, whether in a local show or at the highest levels of competition.

12. Anglo-Arabian

The Anglo-Arabian is a horse breed with Arabian and Thoroughbred in their bloodline. They are muscular yet light on their feet thanks to their careful breeding. Anglo-Arabians are commonly known for their endurance and talent over fences, making them quite the challengers in the show jumping arena.

13. American Quarter Horse

Quarter Horses are another versatile breed ready to shine in any discipline they are thrown into, even show jumping. Known commonly as a western or barrel racing breed, this horse holds its own over fences too! This is due to their quiet nature, willingness to please, and strength. While you won’t see Quarter Horses in the upper-level show rings as often as other breeds, you can never count them out.

14. Welsh Pony

It might surprise you to know that the Welsh Pony can keep up with larger breeds over fences, which is why it is one of the best horse breeds to use for show jumping as a junior rider. Don’t let their small size fool you though! This breed is trustworthy and spirited with the endurance needed to carry you around a challenging course of jumps.

15. Connemara Pony

The last horse on our list of the best breeds to use for show jumping is the Connemara Pony. Again, you might be shocked to know that this hardy breed is a popular choice for talented young riders entering some of the highest levels of jumping competitions. Their athletic ability, hardiness, and intelligence have allowed many riders success in the show ring with these Irish-bred horses.