This is one of our new ones that we have high hopes for. He is very smart and energetic. He was originally bought for a trail horse by his previous owner, but he can be a little aggrevating on a simple trail ride due to his excessive energy. Although we purchased him for competetion, we still suffer through the trail rides just because it is good for him. He has about 10 months of barrels and poles on him and we will give him another 6 or 7 months before we really judge him. He works with such a lite hand that he makes you stay on top of your own riding skills.