United States Eventing Association

The Young and Future Event Horse article series is being provided through a partnership between Mythic Landing Enterprises, LLC., and the USEA.

Stephen Bradley is one of the most recognized names in Eventing, holding titles shared by only a select group of American riders. Bradley won England’s prestigious Land Rover Burghley CCI4*, becoming one of only two Americans to do so. Additionally, Bradley is a two-time Pan American Games Gold Medalist, was named Equestrian Athlete of the Year by the U.S. Olympic Committee, is a Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event Champion, and has represented the United States on Olympic and World Equestrian Games Teams. Throughout his career, Bradley has ridden a range of horses spanning across many different breeds and backgrounds. With a spotlight recently highlighting on the Off-The-Track-Thoroughbreds, Bradley believes that Warmbloods also have a lot to bring to the table. Included in Bradley’s current string of competition horses is the German Sport Horse mare, Lunetta, and the Westphalian gelding, Catapult, both owned by Charlotte Harris. Bradley started working with these Warmbloods at a young age, and they are now slated to move up to the Intermediate and two-star levels this year.

When evaluating a Warmblood’s conformation, Bradley says he looks for the same qualities that he would in any other horse he’s interested in purchasing. “I’m looking for a horse that’s built uphill, has good angulations to their hind quarters and straight legs,” Bradley explains. You can see these qualities in Bradley’s most recent German Warmblood import, Armicor, recently purchased by Team Armicor. Bradley believes this 5-year-old has the potential to reach the top levels of the sport. Armicor’s conformation pictured below. Photo courtesy of Stephen Bradley.

Armicor, 5-year-old German Warmblood Owned by Team Armicor.

Warmbloods tend to be much bigger at a younger age than most breeds, which is also important to remember. It is imperative that whether you’re importing or buying domestically that you do a thorough pre-purchase exam with a veterinarian that you trust. “They get big quickly. When it comes to vetting out a Warmblood you will want to take full sets of x-rays and joints. When they are bigger at a younger age, they can be pre-disposed to lesions in their joints,” Bradley continued. “Additionally, it’s important to take x-rays of the hind ankles as well. I’ve learned that the vascular lines in Warmblood’s feet tend to be more enlarged, which has been misconstrued as navicular. However, this is perfectly normal for them and should not scare off potential buyers.”

Throughout his riding career, Bradley has learned, like most Warmblood riders, that they can be a bit dull to the aids and it’s important to establish that forward thinking mentality early in their training. “It’s very important to teach these horses at a young age to be quick off your leg very early on and to not be slow to react to the questions you’re asking them. I’m always working to get these horses to think more quickly. In comparison, Thoroughbreds have that natural work ethic and with the Warmbloods it’s something that you sometimes have to encourage.”

With a sport that’s constantly transforming, it remains the same that a horse who performs well in the dressage ring can give you a competitive edge. “I always look for a horse that has a very good walk and a very good canter. To be competitive at the highest level your horse needs to have three good gaits. Typically, Warmbloods already have a natural push from behind as well as a good walk, trot and canter so it’s just about making it better, it’s not something that you will necessarily have to teach them how to do.”

For horses that are going to be able to maintain a lengthy career at the upper levels, they must naturally have a great deal of strength in their hind end. Bradley continues, “I’ve found that the Warmbloods are naturally stronger behind in comparison to the Thoroughbreds. At the upper levels the horses are required to jump bigger and answer more technical questions. The horse must have the ability to sit down on their hind end and spend more time in the air, which I’ve found to be more of a natural occurrence in Warmbloods and Warmblood crosses.”

To learn more about Stephen and his program, please visit his website at www.stephensbradley.com