Best horses for jumping, barrel racing, and poles?

Come talk about what breeds of horses that would be best for jumping, barrel racing, and poles! This will help other users figure out what type of horse they need to lease, board, or buy if they would like to compete. -Aubrey

Well..
I have a STB and we do hunter/jumper, and barrels for fun.

Lots of breeds are versatile.

Though I wouldn't take a Clydesdale and do barrels with him, that would just be silly..

Yeah but it would be a lot of fun to watch.

The horse that would be best for all 3 of those is the horse that is well conformed, athletic, and willing to please, regardless of breed.

Generally speaking, the horses that excel at barrels and poles are stock breed horses; quarter horses, paints, appaloosas, etc. However, the type of horses that are competitive at those sports may not have the physicality needed to be a good jumper. The same is correct the other way. Generally the better jumpers tend to be among the longer legged breeds like thoroughbreds and warmbloods...but they are not conformed for the quick tight turns and fast acceleration needed to be competitive in gaming.

Long story short, you can pretty easily find a horse that will do okay at all 3 events in pretty much any breed. You can also find horses that are really good at either jumping or gaming and, at best, are mediocre at the other. Horses that are good enough at both to be competitive beyond lower levels are fairly rare and usually expensive.

I honestly think that an Appendix QH would be your best bet, but it would have to be well conformed, good minded and very trainable.

Quarter horses are one of the few horses that are good at a lot of things, barrel racing and poles because of speed, sharp turns and stops, jumping because of agility and speed. They can do it all...

I have an Egyptian Arabian and he used to do barrel racing. I trained him to do hunter/jumpers when I bought him, and he's the best hunter I've ever ridden =]

I would have to suggest an Appendix QH. Quarter horses are highly versatile, but having TB in the line as well may increase height and stamina, depending on the cross, which would aid well if you want to do jumping.

My bestie's Anglo-Arab would run in the 14's in barrels on a bad day, and would also Jump Very well.. Matter of fact, he was also good at just about every sport she put him in, lol.. Depends on the horse really, not so much the breed.. In my opinion.