ADVERT advice please - where are we going wrong?

Hello

There is nothing wrong with your advert at all - but you need to put a definate figure of what you want for him and not offers over - but the ad and the pictures are fine - your problem is the current economy and even more speculation from the media is $hitting everyone up !! I work in a big bank and things arent as bad as what you hear on the TV but loads more people are now saving their money instead of splurging on things such as this - now you say he is an amature horse - therefore he isnt ever going to pay his way or be in the olympics - you are mearly selling a horse just for average Joe to enjoy - so ten grand is a HUGE amount of money to spend at the mo - hes probably never going to go up in value and cost them the earth to keep in training - lol - so a very expensive luxuary (sp) to have and not at all an investment.

Hang in there - keep patient and the right owner may come along - he would be expensive at 8 grand in this economy but thats not to say hes worth it!! You will get timewasters at his level too as people always want to try that dream horse and see what riding quality is really like.

Its nothing you are doing wrong - its just the whole country is skint at the mo and the others are all saving :-)
 
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With the video there are links to more on that site - it shows that he is calm around the yard and there are about 4 more ridden videos with the links.



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For £10k I would assume that he would be good to handle. Some people may have crap computers like mine where things take ages to load so I would just have one short clip of walk trot canter and jump.

The revised ad is better but still too long. The ad needs to be short and snappy as people can ask the detail on the phone. If fact sometimes less is more as they will 'just ring up to see if he is good in traffic' and then you've got them
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I would go for something like:


Stunning 16.1hh chestnut gelding by Garcon . Good conformation, super paces and bold /scopey jump. Working at Elementary level Dressage but still eligible for prelim (26 BD points). Part qualified Novice Regionals 2008. Has competed successfully BSJA and Working Hunter, and is ready to PN event. Easy to do at home and at competition, so an ideal prospect for someone who wants a consistent performer that is also safe hack and a nice chap to have around. Super home required for this very genuine horse. Please call/ email for further information.
 
Yes as said before the credit 'crunch' commente are inaccurate in my opinion when it comes to horse buying. Out of interest what level has this horse competed up to BSJA?

Have you tried any PC sites? He sounds like he could be ideal for a teenager coming off ponies and PC parents certainly where I am (Yorks) have spent that and more on very similar (and I may add not quite so attractive) horses. I think he's done more than enough in my opinion for his age aswell.

I def think he would fit a the critreria for PC eventer, dressage whatever though.
 
I think he looks lovely but he may be a bit expenssive and he may fall between two categories. What I mean is this:

- for a serious dressage competition horse, for this money, I would expect him to be working at Medium/Advanced Medium by 8 years old and have a decent competition record at Elementary. This late in the season I would also expect full qualification for the Regionals.

- alternatively if he has an amazing temperament, i.e. kind enough for an novicey/inexperienced amateur but good enough to compete BD/BSJA, I would be emphasizing this and be looking for someone who wants to have SAFE competition success at the Prelim/Novice levels now, poss Elem levels in the futurea dn jump safely.

I would think that the second strategy is more likely to be successful as there aren't that many horses around that can do all this safely and hack. Good luck!
 
We did do the short ad at first and found we got hundreds of calls and thought we'd try and answer some of the questions in the advert. It's so hard to know what everyone wants to see. For me when buying him I wanted to know his temperament primarily and then read what he had done.

Noting comments about his price but there is nothing I have seen any cheaper than him with quality, breeding age and temperament - and he wasn't cheap with his competition record etc.

He would be a definite step up from a lot of the RC types you see in quality - an expensive looking horse with a RC brain!
 
Booboos - your second comment is more like him - try and find an Adv/Med horse for that price and you can't!! But for the amateur who wants something talented but safe and fun to go to Adv/Med and also event, hunt, jump, etc etc and hack and doesn't need the constant demands most competition horses need then that's H!!
 
No - completely disagree - my best pal runs a very well established stud producing youngstock - and also young dressage projects and I went through their books the other day to help them out - the market is very quiet at the moment in all aspects - even in the equestrian business - even her riding school isnt doing as well as it has been and we have had a quick survey done from her clients and everyone commented that they were much more wary of buying things that were classed as luxurys such as riding lessons and horses. On average foals are selling a good 500/700 less than last year and ridden horses almost the same.

He will sell - you just need to bide your time and like Amy May says - sift through the crap thats coming to see him - hes a stunner x
 
Just give him to me...problem solved
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He is one handsome boy, but I agree with what Booboos said, he's falling between two different things at the moment and that might confuse people a little?
 
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I'd be quite brutal on the phone with potential viewers then. Tell them the price is not negotiable so don't come if you aint got 10K. Dont come if you want a ounger/older/taller/shorter horse. Etc.

And if they still come, but you get the feeling they are not genuine. Stop the viewing and don't let them get on him......

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I quite agree! I was advertising a mare this past winter. At first I was really grateful and enthusiastic with the callers I had (assuming they'd read the advert and wouldn't be calling if they didn't already know what it was that I was selling). Huh, by the 5th time-waster (2 saying she wasn't tall enough - DUH!, and the other three obviously lacking the finances), I became very blunt on the phone. Made sure I re-stated everything in the advert at least twice more over the phone, and then double checked they knew, 1) How tall she was and, 2) How much she cost!

You DEFINITELY need to state the price you want. 'Offers Above' would put me off if I were looking. If I had a set budget I'd probably skip the adverts for horses that I thought might be out of my price range. I'm funny like that. Don't like to phone up and then have to say, "Ah, bit too much for me then" when I've had to ask the price. Makes me feel a right muppet
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I've read the ad, but none of the posts, so apologies for duplication.
I wouldn't touch the horse because;
1. It has a poor competition record for an 8 yr old.
2. It is too expensive for what it is.
3. It is clearly talentless to proceed, or why would the owner want to replace it with a young event or dressage horse - 8 is not exactly old, after all, so that can't be the reason. Clearly it can't go any further in either eventing or dressage.

Not meaning to offend, but that's how I read it.
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Well we are insuring horses and the numbers coming in has not dropped off at all - in fact someone today has just purchased a £25K show pony (??!?) and we are getting more and more horses being bought at £10K plus! Some people's pockets do seem to be getting deeper! (not mine sadly).
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I think he is fairly priced to be honest. Someone will come along. I think there's just an awful lot out there at the moment.
 
Everyone who is calling we are 100% straight about what he is - if it is HUGE piaffe dressage paces then although he moves amazing he is not that. And for the lots of people who called and want a GP prospect - he is very very trainable and any horse who is trainable can be trained to that level but I see him more of a true allrounder or ladies fun dressage horse - someone who wants to hold their own, start low and build together with lessons and competititions, who also has a daughter or friend who fancies jumping him.

bex - it might come to that!!
 
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bex - it might come to that!!

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*prays for a miracle*
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Seriously, he sounds pretty special and because of that I'd imagine it will take a bit of time to find the right home, but I'm sure the right person will come along. And if not I might win the lottery!!
 
But to be fair if thats what you see him as - I can get a good 15.2 middleweight superstar allrounder for half the price and with good quality wardrobe - hes been made to sound way too good for someone just to love and build up on - so its one or the other. when you put it like you just did - wanting him to go to someone to buld up with - hes not worth the money - and people who want that type of horse will have a budget of 3k - 6k and not 10K.

Hes very nice though - im not trying to slate you or anything.

Also can see the insurance point about the horse market but you would insure a horse at that price but - there are tons of people who dont bother anyway and its these people that arent buying which is causing the market to stall from the bottom upwards.
 
Shilasdair - you couldn't be more wrong!

He will go a lot further, that is not the problem at all - I am not in a position to take him there and he is not going to be TOP CLASS enough for his current rider who likes them sharper - the next step up in other words!! Hence asking for something younger we would could make back the money on who maybe has a bit more than H. He is absolutely not reached his limit whatsoever. An 8yo who has won almost all his WH over 3 seasons, who has picked up 26 BD in 4 outings (only limited on owners personal circumstances or would have lots more points by now) and who will event this season (can't enter because of ballotting) - how much more do you want? Then we get into the debate of over cooked warmbloods whose brains have gone!

Thanks for the reply - everyone is entitled to their own opinion. But go find me this quality and temperament for much under.... she says ducking now back behind the sofa!!
 
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Shilasdair - you couldn't be more wrong!

He will go a lot further, that is not the problem at all - I am not in a position to take him there and he is not going to be TOP CLASS. Hence asking for something younger we would could make back the money on who maybe has a bit more than H. He is absolutely not reached his limit whatsoever. An 8yo who has won almost all his WH over 3 seasons, who has picked up 26 BD in 4 outings (only limited on owners personal circumstances or would have lots more points by now) and who will event this season (can't enter because of ballotting) - how much more do you want? Then we get into the debate of over cooked warmbloods whose brains have gone!

Thanks for the reply - everyone is entitled to their own opinion. But go find me this quality and temperament for much under.... she says ducking now back behind the sofa!!

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You asked, I told.
I still think you are asking far too much for a second class horse, but I don't care enough to get into a debate about it.
Obviously all the other buyers are finding better quality (and temperament) for much under...or you would have had no trouble selling him.
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Firstly he looks a lovely genuine top end Riding club/novice event type horse. The trouble is, is that riding club people havent got £10,000 it is as simple as that! The next market you are then aiming at is the serious competition types, again his record isnt strong enough and he has no points etc eventing so you are seriously limiting your market, and he is 8, if it was me i would be looking at a 4/5yo to bring on not an 8yo. If you aiming at the riding club market, reduce your price to around 6k and you will sell him, otherwise get him competing eventing and prove he can do what you say, thats the only way you will get 10k. People wont buy potential on an 8yo.
 
Abolutley agree with Daisychain re the pricing, sorry.
Also 'Only the very best of homes please '. I always find these type of comments a bit strange/ futile / patronising tbh. As (a) don't we all consider ourselves to be offering 'the best' home, (b) are you actually going to vet the potential home - a bit off-putting for someone potentially paying £10k+ for a horse ?!
Anyway, unless you've had someone ring and ask how long your horse is cos their stable is only 'x' metres wide, you haven't had a timewaster !! (I'm not joking, this happened to me!)
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Hope this helps!
 
I dont agree - my wb is 7 and has wins dressage at novice, money on his BSJA card - up to discovery and is starting unaf. eventing - just building up his confidence.

He also has wins showing now....

If I was to sell him he would not be a second class horse, and would be sold as a pleasure horse at the high end of the rc market.

I would probably get £12k for him, and I have been offered far more at a show (should have bitten their hand off)

I think £10 is reasonable for what seems to be a fairly established horse with low mileage.
 
Totally agree with DaisyChain too. The final bit about swapping for a younger horse really pulls the rug out from under the ad right at the end, when someone might be considerig picking up the phone. I know you don't mean this but it does come across as though he has reached his limit competing wise. Silly I know. I'd remove that statement entirely if you need to sell soon.

Gorgeaous horse and I'm sure the perceived credit crunch will have a lot of people keeping their hands in their pockets for a while unfortunately.
 
Not being funny but you obviously havent bought and sold many horses! If it was as easy as that the horse would have sold...
 
Totally agree with daisychain, he looks like he will make a fantastic top end Riding club horse, suitable for a keen amateur. Unfortunately I don't think many people in this situation have that much money to spend. He's exactly what I would want but couldn't afford anyway!
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I'm sure some wealthy people have not felt the effects of the credit crunch but I think most of us are having to tighten our belts.
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It may just take longer to find the right person for him, he certainly is lovely.

I agree that the last comment about part-exing him is a bad idea, it definately makes it look as if he's not up to the grade I'm afraid.
 
Righto, I am the rider of the above horse. He is more than a riding club horse. He finds lateral work easy and although not tried yet as been working on other things, he would pick up halfpass etc very quickly. He learnt changes in 1/2 an hour( good ones too!). He jumps anything you aim him for show jumping and cross countr. Since I have had him he has only had 1 pole down and that was with a lady trying him who was a bit nervous.
He has never bucked, reared, napped or spooked at any point and he comes out the same every day in all weathers with no sharpness.
He is great to hack and polite to handle in all situations.
He would happily be a novice riders horse to show off on ( and has also been tried and been polite with a para rider for dressage in a storm in the outdoor arena!) or you can sharpen him up to be a ride for some one with more ambitions.
The reason I am not keeping him is:
a) I like a much sharper horse, its what I get on with
b) He is a little small for me, I am not huge but I do have long legs and my other boy is 17.2hh
c) He is wasted not getting out and being competed more often- I run a large equestrian centre and I have to spread the few hours I have to compete between my horses and my other halfs- theres not enough days in the week.

The last time he went out to compete the judge came and found me to tell me what a super, special horse he is.
 
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Righto, I am the rider of the above horse. He is more than a riding club horse. He finds lateral work easy and although not tried yet as been working on other things, he would pick up halfpass etc very quickly. He learnt changes in 1/2 an hour( good ones too!). He jumps anything you aim him for show jumping and cross countr. Since I have had him he has only had 1 pole down and that was with a lady trying him who was a bit nervous.
He has never bucked, reared, napped or spooked at any point and he comes out the same every day in all weathers with no sharpness.
He is great to hack and polite to handle in all situations.
He would happily be a novice riders horse to show off on ( and has also been tried and been polite with a para rider for dressage in a storm in the outdoor arena!) or you can sharpen him up to be a ride for some one with more ambitions.
The reason I am not keeping him is:
a) I like a much sharper horse, its what I get on with
b) He is a little small for me, I am not huge but I do have long legs and my other boy is 17.2hh
c) He is wasted not getting out and being competed more often- I run a large equestrian centre and I have to spread the few hours I have to compete between my horses and my other halfs- theres not enough days in the week.

The last time he went out to compete the judge came and found me to tell me what a super, special horse he is.

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If he's so damn wonderful, why haven't you sold him yet?
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I like the current ad apart from the bit about young dressage/eventer, think you need to either remove that or reword it as it would make me wonder why he isnt a young dressage/event horse.
 
Well, perhaps you ought to come and try him then you can enlighten us with YOUR expert opinion as to why he hasn't sold yet.
You seem pretty knowledgable in this area after all.
 
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Booboos - your second comment is more like him - try and find an Adv/Med horse for that price and you can't!! But for the amateur who wants something talented but safe and fun to go to Adv/Med and also event, hunt, jump, etc etc and hack and doesn't need the constant demands most competition horses need then that's H!!

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Fair enough. I would be tempted to focus on his temperament qualities coupled with his competition abilities then. Perhaps a heading that says "Safe Competition Horse" - "Compete in BD and BSJA, AND hack safely with your best friend" - kind of angle. Horses with both temperament and competition ability are worth their weight in gold so then it would just be a matter of waiting around a bit for the person with the right finances to come by.

Oh one more thought: the video I saw was of the horse tacked up and standing there, perhaps a video showing his paces ridden would be more appealing. And get him fully qualified for the regionals and stress how he is so nice that the new owner go get on and have a go at the regionals.
 
Again though, the proof of the pudding is in the eating, he needs to have a really good competition record to sell for that price at eight years old, it just doesnt matter how good he is at home, people want to be able to look up his results and think wow! He is currently way over priced for what he has done, and like i said earlier he is to old for a pro to think of buying and producing.
 
Always tickles me when people come and ask advice from the HHO forum members and then get shirty when they don't hear what they want to hear!
 
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