Trakehner for Eventing?

I am currently in the process of buying a 13 year old 16.3 hand Trakehner mare. She has done a lot of dressage and won reserve in intro to dressage last year. She hasn't done much jumping, just a few 2ft. She has done trail riding so she is fine with the cross country atmosphere. How are Trakehners jumping and eventing? This will be my first warmblood so please give advance.
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It depends on the particular horse. Not all warmbloods are built to stay sound galloping and jumping. Some are only talented in dressage. I'd want to be sure the horse displays good technique while jumping and doesn't hang its knees, jump crooked, or anything like that. Not worth the risk going over solid obstacles. Definitely get a PPE done to make sure there aren't any underlying problems.

BTW, trail riding =/= XC and it's a pet peeve of mine when people think they're equivalent.

Me too- I know someone who thinks XC is the same as Steeplechase

If the horse can jump safely and still be sound, then lower levels should be fine. Not much galloping going on...

If the horse can gallop soundly, then go for it. Just make sure you horse likes it's job too.

I just thought of something... there is a jump called Trakehner and a horse... Hopefully your horse will like that jump more than mine does

Okay, first of all, intro dressage is simply walk trot. I don't want to offend you by saying this or anything, but any horse with proper basics in flat-work could bring home endless ribbons, firsts, reserves, and champion ribbons as long as they are relaxed, consistent, and obedient.

Secondly, keep in mind she's already 13 years old. She is likely pretty set in her training and be aware that she may be more cautious and a little more nervous about something completely new being introduced to her. That's not to say an old horse can't learn new things, just keep it in mind.

Thirdly, if you can, see if the current owner will let you take her somewhere nearby to go cross country schooling. You need to get her out and see if she'll be okay jumping out in a big field by herself over solid fences. Even if you're just jumping over the tiny 2'0" amoeba jumps, you'll be able to get an idea of how she handles cross country, especially if you have the opportunity to string multiple jumps together and create a mini "course" of sorts.

Also, I know you said she hasn't done much jumping in general, but in an arena ask her to jump some things that are more than just 2'3". Most warmbloods have an aptitude for jumping (they're bred for it!) but don't actually enjoy it once the jumps start having more substance.

Of course, get a thorough pre-purchase exam and all that jazz. Call up the horse's current vet and ask for records of any previous injuries or ailments. Plenty of warmbloods compete in eventing nowadays, and I'm sure this mare would be fine taking you around the lower levels.

Trakheners make great jumpers and as they tend to have a more TB look about them than the typical warmbloods they have more of the scope that's needed for X Country
My only concern with this horse you are looking at is its age at starting out in a really demanding sport, if it can in fact jump and has the courage for the job - and you need to be thinking big spreads not just uprights and not perfect arena footing - you would need to allow more time in your fitness programme than you might for a younger horse
A full PPE is vital

Trakheners have been bred for (hundred+) of years to be the all around horse. They used to have to race on the flat/(steeplechase)over fences/do dressage/stadium/roads and tracks (rarely done any more).

There is no reason a horse of any age cannot be progressively taught and get more fit over time. Methodical work (caveletti and fences in the arena and then presentation of different types of small fences uphill/downhill/across grade). The question is does the teacher/trainer know how to progressively present the work?

That said, won at intro (meaning she is only going w/t at 13)....why? A schoolmistress for a beginner or ???

Michael Pollard with Pollard Eventing just added a Trekehner to his string of horses, they have high hopes for this horse to be a 3 star horse. So yes they are lovely event horses.

As mentioned by others, the only concern I have is her age. However I suspect you don't have goals of taking this horse to the Olympics, so her age wont be a big deal. My first event horse was a dressage horse that did fun shows for jumping. He was 15 when I got him and started eventing him at 16, took him training level when he was 18. He put a couple good seasons in until I had moved past him so he went to a lovely little girl who did low level pony club stuff with him.

Take it nice and slow with her. Do some small derby days if there are any in your area. Do some more trail riding doing conditioning rides, work on building stamina. You will need to start jumping lessons and make sure you keep her dressage nice and solid. More times then not, your dressage score is what will make the difference between 1st place and 2end place.

It depends on what level you're looking at. Any horse can do Entry level (not sure what that is outside of Canada) so long as they're sound. As long as her flat is good, which is sounds like it is, she should be fine on the lower levels. After that it gets more subjective to the horse.

That being said, Traks are generally pretty good for all around. One of the girl at my barn has one that she's planning to start eventing with this summer. Warmbloods are getting more and more popular in the eventing circles. As long as she's not too heavy and has a decent build you guys should be fine.

There was a very good Trekehner called Summer Song that did very well in the UK and was sold to a French rider and then met with a fatal accident in the field. There have been a few others too.

To look at a breed for eventing is really useless, it is not a particular breed but a horse's attitude to the cross country, conformation, hopefully giving pointers as to if it will stay sound with the exertions taken on event horses and its bravery.