Mares: The Fairer Sex?

It is well known that a prejudice exists in the showjumping world against mares and it is not without some cause. Mares can be harder to ride, more highly strung and sensitive, and much more likely to accept suggestions rather than demands from a rider. While it is true that mares do not suit all riders, and few beginners, riders aiming at higher levels should not overlook them. That renowned sensitivity for which mares are famous can be channeled into carefulness with training and trust. With a rider who is equally sensitive and can form a true working partnership with a mare the results can be nothing short of amazing.
A quick glance at the record book confirms this at once. America’s two-time Olympic Gold Medalist, “Sapphire,” is a good case in point. Ridden by Mclain Ward she is a study in consistency, winning all over the world including last year’s Pfizer Million, the richest Grand Prix in the US. “Touch of Class” and rider Joe Fargis achieved the ultimate showjumping success winning both team and individual gold medals at the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles. “Kitty” as she was known to her fans had three strikes against her: she was a mare, she was small and she was hot. Yet, in the hands of Fargis, a master of American forward riding, she took on the world and made it look easy. At the 1992 Games in Barcelona the Dutch team were Gold medalists and four years later in Atlanta the Germans were victorious. What these teams had in common was a bay mare named “Ratina Z” who has the unique record of being an Olympic Gold Medalist with two riders, Piet Raymakers and Ludger Beerbaum.
Of course, no conversation about mares could be complete without mention of “Halla” who was the longtime mount of Hans Gunter Winkler. She is, to date, the only three-time Olympic Gold Medalist. She was quite sensitive, high strung and “marish” in every way. She was also, in the minds of many knowledgeable showjumping aficionados, the best horse in history!

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Comment by Marlene Thoms on April 29, 2011 at 11:21am: I never knew all this about mares. By coincidence I had only ridden mares, and found them wonderful companions, maybe just occasionally a little silly when in season, but generally no problem. Now I have my first gelding and it's taken me a while to figure him out. But we are getting there, it's just taking a little longer, he was more sensitive, but Arabs don't necessarily just give their heart away so quickly.

Comment by vickie lawson on April 29, 2011 at 4:47am: i just love my mares!!! my current one is a 5 yr old that we bred from my daughter's champion hack ottb. my 5 yr old looks after me always and is quite quick to tell her 3 yr old brother off should he not behave as she expects. mares loves to be told how beautiful they are and how lovely they have 'performed'. mine practically shines when i praise her. just super!!

Comment by MagsNMe on April 28, 2011 at 4:01pm: I admit, I love my mares. However, it's true, they aren't necessarily as tractable as one might like. I was kind of disappointed when my mare gave me a colt, but you can geld them... Oh but when the girls are on your side, they can be so brilliant. My mom's mare is a care taker, she'll keep you safe if it's within her power ... she literally threw me back in the tack once... but I've also seen her buck my trainer out of the tack because she wasn't 'fair' in the mare's estimation. Geeze... they sound like... women....

I've heard it estimated that you lose 60% of your market by having a mare to sell.

Comment by Jackie Cochran on April 28, 2011 at 11:16am: I find that mares often demand better riding. This could be a part of the reason the mares you cite win big, their riders may have to ride the best they can with them, while on a gelding riders often just don't have to ride as well. Better more accurate riding can help winning at the top levels.