I’ve jumped small stuff in a western saddle before (like, under 2’ small), but only on horses that already knew how to jump and usually then only like once or twice just b/c I happened to be tacked up Western and want to pop over a fence or two. Figure regardless of the pain of the horn in my ribs (I usually “cap” it with my hand) the back of the saddle whacking down can’t be good for the horse. In fact, it tends to set off bucking sprees… I’ve also done barrel racing, though again, only for fun at fun-day type shows where no one was a professional at it. But then, I have a very eclectic horse background 
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As for Arabs, well, I really like them . Granted, most of my experience has been limitted to the one my mom raised, but she’s not the best horsewoman in the world and he turned out ok despite that. He’s Polish though (Bask lines and Tornado, but beyond that I only remember his sire/dam) and I think those are typically the more “sporty” Arabs… Sure he gets himself into trouble but I’ve never noticed him being more spooky than any other horse and he’s insanely smart about learning stuff (ie flying changes took him a whopping day and he remembers them even though we only do them about once a year). I’d agree they’re not for everyone though. He was a pain until he turned 5 and then overnight it’s like he suddenly figured out he had a job to do and that I wanted him to do it. :roll: