very nice!!

my favorite all time picture, just seemed to capture so much about horse racing and how exciting it can be....sunday silence and easy goer crossing the wire at the preakness. stride for stride.... it's amazing. not the head on, not completely side by side, it's at an angle so you can see them both well.

Thanks, I got lucky enough to stumble across that painting of Barbaro on Ebay. I can't believe that I actually got it. I won't be getting one like that for a long time because my bank needs a long break after that. Check out Pat Delong's other work. It is much better in person. She sells prints, T-shirts of the prints, and totes. You can actually get prints and T-shirts of my painting. Some of her original work may also be for sale. All of her work is beautifully detailed. She is going to become a very big name in the painting industry, at least, when it comes to horses. I also love the painting of Funny Cide and Jose Santos. She has some T-shirts of Man O' War, Barbaro, Ruffian and others for sell right now on Ebay.

I loved Easy Goer and Sunday Silence. That was one of the greatest rivaly's in horse racing ever. That sounds like a really nice picture.

You saw him in person, Da Hoss? Wow, I hope to have the same priviledge on Gold Cup day. I am in awe of this horse - not just for his talent, but because he is the most gorgeous speciman I've ever seen. In addition, he's simply beautiful to watch - what a stride. Seeing Bernardini in the post parade of the Withers really floored me.......I never expected him to look like that. I've heard that the colt looked fresh as a daisy after the Travers - he could probably run 2 miles. How refreshing in this day and age of speed. Plus, he seems very popular with racetrack goers.

I did post after the Jim Dandy that I thought this colt could be a tonic for racing, and I still do. If nothing else, he's certainly stirred things up on racing message boards!

To me, Bernardini looks like a high strung maniac, but that's just me. (Bluegrass Cat does too.) I appreciate the classic thoroughbred appearance and wide set eyes of Barbaro much more so if we're going to be talking about looks. You really can't even compare the two. Barbaro looks the part of a champion IMO.

If this doesn't appear bugged out high strung to you, then I don't know what.

In your opinion, Barbaro is a much better looking horse, but that's not fact. If one wanted to, one could certainly compare the two and say that Bernardini is the epitome of thoroughbred elegance. High Strung maniac is something that comes to mind when I think of Minister's Bid, not Bernardini; I haven't looked at your pictures because what's the point? All thoroughbreds are high strung, yes even Barbaro. I'd venture to guess that you are in the minority when it comes to Bernardini not looking the part of a champion.

I'm the conformation analysis expert on this board, and I say that both horses are awesome physical specimens of the Thoroughbred breed. I really don't think one outweighs the other in that department. Both look to be extremely intelligent animals because both have those large wide set eyes, especially Bernardini. Barbaro reminds me of one of the classy all-time great turf types, and Bernardini reminds me of the classy all-time great dirt types. You have to admit that Bernardini's presence, power, build, and movement remind you of those great horses such as Seattle Slew, Affirmed, and Secretariat for those of you blinded by your obvious bias against and dislike of Bernardini. BOTH HORSES ARE AWESOME.

you forgot self-proclaimed, I'd take my girl Cajun anytime.:eek:

Presently, Barbaro has more earnings because of the Derby purse. Regarding what they have done on the track, Bernie has a very slight edge

Barbaro..2 G1s and 2 G3s
Bernie....2 G1s, a G2, and a G3

Let's just have a horse-petting party and get it over with.

Of course thoroughbreds are high strung. They wouldn't be called hot blooded horses if they weren't. And I'm sorry, but I don't think Bernardini even compares to Secretariat. Seattle Slew... yes, definitely. Both Slew and Bernardini aren't built all that great, but both have run through their lack on conformation. The fact that you even compared Bernardini to Affirmed makes me laugh. I haven't seen a horse with his build and presence since Easy Goer. Talk about being blinded by bias! LOL

Horses who raced in the derby are coming back to the track now and really asserting themselves, which goes to prove what kind of field it was Barbaro trounced...Showing Up (wins the G1 Secretariart), Lawyer Ron (wins the St. Louis), Bluegrass Cat (wins the G1 Haskell), AP Warrior (wins a stakes race on turf), Point Determined (wins a stakes race), Jazil (wins the G1 Belmont)...
other horses beaten include Brother Derek (G1 Santa Anita winner), Bob and John (G1 Wood winner), Sweetnorthernsaint (IL winner), Sinister Minister (G1 Bluegrass winner)...

Very very good points. I think everyone has always maintained that the 2006 Derby field was one of the most talented in some time.

i've seen it given the highest praise, that it compares to the field which included iron liege, bold ruler, gallant man and round table. best since then has been said more than once....

There is no conformation analysis in this post . A comparison to three great horses you are " reminded " of which were nothing alike in build says nothing . Which parts of whom are you comparing ?? What turf types do Barbaro look like and how ?? Same for Bernardini . As mentioned, Seattle Slew was not a paragon for the body beautiful . He was awkwardly put together. Conformation people talk of bone, length of cannons, symmetry, joint angles, general correctness which indicates efficiency and soundness . Secretariat was considered by a panel of experts in fields in and out of racing to be a horse whose conformation indicated that he could do anything a sporting horse of any discipline could do---THE horse selected to have this physical makeup---over horses of all breeds . While Bernardini and Barbaro may be fine physical specimens whom you have seen on TV and possibly in still pictures, you give no serious evidence for your comparisons and critiques . Opinion and analysis are very different .

I'm not self proclaimed. I am very credible in this department, have many experts who will recommend me, and I have the awards to prove it. I was ranked second in the nation at it when I was 18.

we know as well as literary awards, riding titles, expert on police brutality....

get a sense of humor

She might be blonde. Cut her some slack.

is there anything more off-putting than a person who is constantly announcing how wonderful he or she is?
--I will bet my house that you have not been up close to either of these horses and that television is not shot for conformation analysis.
What they do with what they have is not the same as truly deconstructing the horse to assess him.
I believe that you do know your game and judging but remember you are only ranked second among those who COMPETE and there are MANY MANY people who are just as good or better than you are who don't.

Agreed . I for one, would be REALLY interested in a savvy account of the physical similarities of the horses in question ... A good professional analysis would be educational to all . A whiney defense of this person's anonymous accomplishments is just that .

yup. ME too--I had the pleasure of spending an hour with Bernardini on sunday and could tell you all about his personality etc. But since he was in a stall I would not feel comfortable speaking to his conformation. Nice horse though.

I am jealous .

She's still young and learning the game, by her own admission...still, she did put herself out there...I'm curious as to what breed she was judging, Palomino American Saddlebreds perhaps? and she finsihed a close second behind Wilber Post...:rolleyes:

Wiiiiiiiiiilllllllllburrrrrrrr sure knew how to pick 'em .

If you want me to go into a long analysis on Barbaro's and Bernardini's strengths and weaknesses in their conformation I will because I have the knowledge to do so, and learned from one of the best in the nation. Carole Moore is a legend in that department. Get ready to pull out a horse judging manual or a veterinary encyclopedia. In fact, I could actually tear both Bernardini and Barbaro apart in that department. They aren't perfectly conformed from a horse show world judging standpoint, but from a horse racing standpoint, they are certainly built to run. Form follows function. Secretariat is definitely not the best physical specimen there is, but he was perfect for racing. Buckpasser is one that comes to mind, but I would have to really look into the Thoroughbred breed to see what I could find. Also, I have found the perfectly conformed horse for another breed...one that stands out about all the rest. One that the horse show world agrees is actually the best. A unanimous champion. His name is Magnum Pysche, and for an Arabian, he is as close to perfect as you get. I cannot find a single fault in him. He has a perfectly flat croup, a perfect shoulder, perfect angles, a perfect head, a perfect back, perfect cannon bones, perfect forearm muscle...perfect everything and the world agrees.

Watch the entire video. He is a legend.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KkPV-k9Mvbk

Secretariat was not perfectly built but he was certainly very, very good. I find that most of the horse racing conformation analysis experts in the horse racing world aren't really experts in overall conformation analysis to the rest of us. I have actually been quite baffled by some of the "good" conformation horses racing analysis experts have put up because, in truth, the horses had horrible conformation. See, in the horse show world, we actually have hundreds of classes that actually judge conformation. This is what I am good at. They are called halter or model classes.

Oh yeah, and I judge all breeds! Prudgery you are right in that pictures are can be very misleading, but video is less so. I learned a lot of what I do know from watching videos.

Thank you for your response . As I said, Secretariat was judged by persons OUTSIDE the racing field to be perfectly made for any sporting discipline, NOT just racing . Nowhere did I say he was perfect . I always felt his feet were a tad small---as halter horses are horribly known for, especially in the QH world . I know about the horse show world . Plenty of fat and fads as well as quality assessments . Good confirmation may be more geared for speed and efficiency in the racehorse, but the principles are the same --balance,strength, efficiency and symmetry, always . Show people aren't used to the stripped down look of the racehorse which often sports the upside down neck and the like . The yearling sales, conversely, are more show-like, as the yearlings are fat and curvaceous for eye appeal . I assume you are a h/j girl . I am dressage . What looks good to you guys doesn't always apply to us--and most dq's are not Tbred fans . Still, the basics are universal .

I'm a hunter/jumper person, but I love dressage as well. Other disciplines of riding could learn a ton from dressage for sure. It's tough to find well conformed thoroughbreds in the dressage world since the warmbloods have taken over, isn't it? LOL

Actually, all riding is dressage in theory . With Tbreds, the downhill look is definately not dressage material, but there are plenty of uphill guys . The big issue with the Tbred is whether they have a strong back, loins and the patience required . I watched the Magnum Arab guy video . Lovely elastic horse, but in halter classes don't they have to stand square ??? He doesn't behind .

Yes, Secretariat's hunter jumpers are very good. I actually show against one of his grandsons regularly, but Chucker always kicks his a s s. Chucker is a very good horse though who has kicked a lot of horses a s s e s in the show ring. I'm a dressage, h/j, and western pleasure girl. Weird combination I know, but I love the suspension, fluidness, and perfection of dressage, the adrenaline of jumping, and the easy soft gait of a good western pleasure horse. I've also had the pleasure of riding a champion padded walking horse who won at the great Celebration Horse Show in Memphis, TN. I've won at very big shows in all three. My horse Chucker has won at breed shows, open shows, 4-H shows and C, B, and A circuit shows in model/halter classes, dressage, equitation, jumping, and hunter. I love that horse. I would like to see your horses if you have any pictures of them. I think that dressage is just such a beautiful sport. My dream is to own a Don Schufro or a Gribaldi foal one day. I'm not really a TB fan either unless the right one comes a long. A good horse is a good horse no matter the breed.

Thanks for the crash course in Conformation 101
Barbaro & Bernardini I'm sure are more than adequate
but at this point I'm not sure how it pertains to deciding a champion
Showing Up MAY go to the BCC, beating Bernardini would be poetic justice
and certainly crown Barbaro KING of the 3's in doing so!

Oh yeah? Well I can fart the national anthem.

Back on topic: Barbaro as of right now probably holds a slight lead over Bern for top three year old due to the sentimental vote. BUT if Bern wins the JCGC and runs in the money in the Classic, then he absolutely has to win the award. Anything less would be robbery.

It definitely is in theory, but not all people will work on training level-1st level which I believe is imperative in most other disciplines (especially jumping.) All of the lesson horses out at the barn with maybe the exception of one do at least first level dressage, most do 2nd level. I did an internship at a trakehner farm (primarily dressage) in North Florida when I was 17. I learned so much that summer. I just started riding again the past several months and I am so out of shape. :eek:

Well, they show the Arabs differently. They show them as being more saddle horse type. They want them standing with their hind end out from under them a bit like the Saddlebreds and the Walkers. See, in all three of these breeds, a strong short back, and strong croup are highly desirable. Thus, the standing of their hind legs out behind them gives them the appearance of having a flatter croup. With these breeds, as I'm sure you know, a flatter croup, and a short, strong back is desirable because a flat croup puts the withers higher than the croup. This way, it is easier for them to rock their weight back to thier hind end and lift their shoulders higher. It is then easier for the animal to lift his legs up higher resulting in more action. Magmun Psyche really didn't have to stand out like that to see what a fantastic croup he has.

I am horseless at the moment, but ride an OTTB with issues . I am a TB fan. Have ridden other breeds--Morgans, QH, a few Walkers, WBs, and a foxtrotter . Rode an advanced reiner once----superschooled that did spins---very dizzying . We are hijacking this thread, you know .

My horse can do up to third level. I think that dressage is especially important for open jumpers and big EQ horses. My theory is that all hunters should be trained to first level. Of course, they really all are trained to training level aren't they.

I'm meant that I'm not a TB fan in the dressage ring because the Hanoverians, Holsteiners, and other warmbloods seem to have more overall suspension, length of stride, smoothness, and conformation as a breed than the TBs do. It is a lot harder to find a good TB for that discipline than it is to find a good warmblood. Overall, I'm a huge TB fan of course! They still rule the hunter ring, although the warmbloods seem to be taking over the jumper ring.

Not all horses can do a training level test. Trust me. LOL

Ain't that the truth .

runs in the money in the classic...? Well maybe, Flower Alley was second, so was Medaglia...both were also Travers winners correct? When is the last 3 to win the BCC? it was Tiznow right? I suppose he'd move ahead of him witha Jockey Club win, but it seems to be coming up a bit light, just like the fields in all the other races Bernardini wins...