However, my response to atypical horses was not from personal experience. I
started the long distance game after riding a book about a Morgan type and
the GMHA 100 (set in 1940's) when I was about twelve. This book "Pat Rides
the Trail" by Genevieve Torrey Eames truly inspired me in several areas
(including writing fiction for the 12 year old age group (1997 WILL be the
year I quit getting rejections!!!) I would have had Morgans but for an Arab
breeders quicker response (by the time I was able to have my own horse - in
my late 20's -- I'd read that Arabians were good for long distance). I did
what I'd never recommend today! I bought a 3 month old stud colt
(Arab-Welsh)!! (He was a gelding before he was much older!!) I've been
hooked on Arabians and Arab Welsh since, though, now that I drive, also, the
Dartmoor pony is intriguing -- wonder how they cross with Arabians?
Bottom line on typicality is that if a rider recognizes the strong and weak
points of any horse and designs an appropriate and realistic conditioning
program, some success at any distance (distance, not necessarily speed) is
possible!