What is the best breed for dressage?

ANY horse can be used for this sport, and ALL breeds of horses can benefit from dressage training. It's true that most of the Warmblood breeds are heavily favored right now, but that doesn't mean they are the only breeds which are capable of doing dressage and doing it well. My former employer and coach owned and trained an Egyptian Arabian stallion who was a 3 time National champion at Grand Prix level, which just goes to show that any horse of any breed can do well in the sport, provided that they get correct training. There have also been Thoroughbreds, such as Hilda Gurney's famous stallion Keen, who did very well in the sport. Lendon Gray became famous for riding two Connamera ponies, Last Scene and Seldom Seen, in the Olympic Games. Kyra Kyrkland of Finland rides a Fresian stallion. And of course, no discussion of dressage horse breeds would be complete without a mention of the Lippizans at the famous Spanish Riding School. THESE animals WERE BRED with dressage in mind, and they are probably the world's finest horses in the sport.

The primary horse used in Eventing, which also has a dressage phase in it, is usually a Thoroughbred or a horse which is predominantly of that breed. There is a long, long list of horses which are famous- too many to relate here. Teddy O'Connor, the famous eventing " super pony" who died so tragically in a pasture accident a year and a half ago, was a Connamera/TB cross. This is not to say that Warmbloods can't event- they can, and they have.

Dressage Horse Breeds

Typically Warmbloods are the "best" at it. Oldenburgs, Trakehners, Dutch Warmbloods, etc. Thoroughbreds do well too, but aren't as common at the high levels.

My aunt is doing dressage with her Paint at the moment. He's a gorgeous horse and is doing phenomenal at it. He's 16.1 hands and BIG with gorgeous movement and he could probably go up to 2nd level, so says his trainer, but at the moment he's still doing Intro and Training level.

I have done the Intro tests with my horse and he's done very well. He's a Quarter Horse Appendix. (Quarter Horse x Thoroughbred)

I've seen Arabians, Morgans, Paints, Quarter Horses, even some Gaited breeds to dressage. The Gaited Dressage stuff is obviously modified, but it's the same thing and they look just as good in many cases.

If I was seriously looking to get into dressage I would be going down the Warmblood/Warmblood mix type of road. Here they go for big big money as they (generally) make wonderful performance horses, given all the normal conditions like conformation, correct training, heart for it etc.

Having said that you see so many sorts of horses in the dressage arena these days which is fantastic. I have a friend competing and moving up the levels on a little Appaloosa gelding who is stunning to watch. I also love watching pony dressage which has all sorts of pony breeds (Welsh ponies, Riding Ponies, Arab cross ponies) competing and they are achieving beautiful suspension and extensions and elevation.

Hanoverian and warmbloods are the most common. Especially warmbloods because in 3 day eventing. You need a horse that can jump and do dressage well. And warmbloods are known for their amazing jumping, and beautiful dressage! Hope I helped! Best of luck! ~Hannah

Dressage is a classical style of riding involving grace and control. Typically, you picture Thoroughbreds, warmbloods, Arabians, and other classic English type horses, but I have even seen Percherons do well. It really depends on the horse, the rider, and the extent of traingin both have how well they do. Look for a horse with a graceful way of going, a classic elegance, that is trained to or slightly above your level.

The ones you see doing top dressage are the warmbloods. Hanoverians, Trakehners, Oldenburgs, Holsteiners, etc. Any horse can do training / 1st level. But once you get to second and higher they expect more and warmbloods typically have the umph to get the scores at that time.

Depends on which one wears the dress the best. Which ever breed you like the most, all breeds of horses are shown in dressage.

Warmbloods, and TB's if you are an eventer.

I have a standerdbred X quarter horse, MY GAWD! She is sooo comortable, she feels like she is flying!