Quarter horses were bred for the ranch disciplines of cutting, roping, and penning, and all quarter horses excel at gymkhanas, as they are quick and agile. However, their conformation doesn't mean that they will be the best event horses. For the best event horse look for tall, lanky, powerful thoroughbreds or warmbloods. Of course, jumpers can have any style, as long as they have the physical ability to clear fences in the allotted time without knocking them down . If you are planning on riding Saddle Seat, look for a gaited horse such as an American Saddlebred or a Tennessee Walking Horse.
Good ponies are almost worth their weight in gold, but worth it.
Take a knowledgeable friend or riding instructor along horse shopping with you. They will be able to point out things you may not see, evaluate conformation, and two pairs of eyes are always better than one. Go look at many horses, ride them, try tacking them up and brushing them yourself. Pop back in unexpectedly and look at the horse again, see if his demeanor is the same, or if perhaps he was given a mild tranquilizer to calm him down for your visit. Avoid falling in love on the spot and feeling the need to buy the first horse you see.