Advice on youngsters for eventing - in breeding aswell

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sorry trying to cover all bases here

I'm currently researching about maybe buying a 2yo and then breaking at right time and bring on to be my next eventer

What i like are TBXs but have no idea on costs - So lots of advise please about what to look for. At such a young age can you really tell how brave they are going to be???? Or doing you really just have to hope that their breeding has been pass.

When i find something i would defo have 2 star vetting done and would be very keen on good conformation

Wouldn't have large pot as there are so many thing that could and can go wrong before you get to BE, but is my pot bigger enough at 1.5k????
 
Put it this way, I certainly wouldn't sell my 2yo eventing bred filly for 1.5k, but I bet you can find something suitable out there. Word of mouth may be your best way to go, get in touch with people with racing contacts too, and keep an eye on the classifieds for stud dispersals etc. As long as you're not in too much of a hurry I think you will find something.
 
How about stick to your budget of 1.5k for a few months, say at least til end of September when people will start worrying about extra mouths to feed etc, then if you haven't found something think about upping it.
 
I think you should be able to get a nice 2yr old for 1.5K not privately but at the sales. I bought my mare as a yearling from Malvern sales for £1.2K, 5yrs ago but prices havent risen that much at sales. In fact last year at Malvern prices were lower.
I picked my mare out mostly on temperament. I'd actually gone looking for a yearling or 2yr old gelding. But I instantly liked the way she walked into the sales ring, she is very loose in her shoulder. I always look for a good walk, as I think it usually means you'll have a good canter. But above all she was totally chilled, despite being an incredibly spooky environment. I quickly checked my catalogue and found that her full brother had gone advanced and had represented Italy in the Junior eventing team. So a combination of breeding and temperament.
I agree coming into winter you'll pick something up cheaper. Malvern is in September if you can wait that long
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I know of a 2yr old filly off the racetrack up for grabs in my village (well it was last week when I was offered it) dunno much more than that really but have a pretty strong feeling it will be a less than 1.5 more like £500. PM me if you want the contacts details
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very useful, yeap i can wait money is defo not burning hole in my pocket........ I would prefer to go to private but lets' see what happens
 
I've been doing the same sort of thinking as you - get a yearling or 2-year old and let it grow up as current horses get older. I've been looking to buy direct from the breeder and let's just say, I haven't found anything I really liked the look of for 1.5K! You won't know if it is bold and brave jumping-wise but you can see if it is confident in itself, well handled and the kind of temperament it has. At that age, you are really paying for potential so anything with good breeding will be priced accordingly. You might find something privately from a home-bred type home for that money, or something smart-looking but not well-known breeding. If you can go over to Ireland, you might find something nice for that amount.
 
I think to be honest you're asking too much of a breeder to sell you something potentially that good for £1500.
We sell our cheapest foals for that, and the only time we go under that price is if something has a blemish .
With our youngsters we have proved with breeding a few generations of them that certain lines always are bold XC, some can be hot, and some really easy to train, if you have started with Grand dams and sires, it's then possible to see how each generation turns out.
I sell our two year olds for approx £2000 to £2500, and the three year olds from £2500 to £3500. For that you get a sire who is competing himself with a decent BE record; a dam who has either competed herself or has at least three full siblings who have proved themselves in competitions, and the knowledge the horse has never been messed about with!
Four year olds started and popping fences start at £5000.
The cost of keeping the mares/stallion and the youngster all has to be taken into account, which is why I'm saying your budget isn't really fair on the producer.
If you hunt around horsemart/quest/adtrader etc yes you will find some cheapies, but if you want a horse you would like to keep for life and be happy with, up your budget and go direct to breeders..
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You need to be realistic about what your willing to pay if you go to a breeder you are expecting to pick up an eventing bred two year old for 1.5K you will get laughed at .
I think people need educating as 1.5k does not even pay for the stud fee and vets work at stud when using a top class Stallion and there is 2.5-3 yrs keep of mare and foal until you buy it .Soon nobody will be breeding in this country because of this.
 
A friend of mine is a 3* event rider and has a 3yo TB filly for sale for about £1.5k - she's about 16hh now and would be ready to start working on this summer. She's full TB and quite a strong and substantial type in terms of build - more point to point than flat race type (her dams family is full of prolific point to point winners). She looks to be a really nice event type and has a super temperament. I think that the 'great plan' was to start her over winter with the view to doing 4yo BYEH classes next season but lack of time is becoming an issue as they have quite a busy yard and last I heard she was going to be sold on so as not to be wasted. PM me if you want more info.
 
i agree about buyers undervaluing the money that goes into breeding 'potential' sports horses... but in breeding forum the OP states she only wants to compete at PN which i think opens up a lot more options for a youngster as you don't need the bloodlines/ performing parents etc for that level but i still don't think £1.5k buys a nice 2yro in general.

fwiw, i bought my now 3yro as a weanling straight from the breeder for £2,250 and thought i had a bargain.
my now 4yro i bought as a weanling straight from the breeder for £1250- she is a lovely tempered horse and will PN but no further so is now going to be sold.

i said to my mum earlier this year that i wish i had bought a purpose bred eventing youngster a long time ago as i have spent many an hour on cheaper youngsters which aren't going to turn out suitable- a false economy in the long run!
 
thanks H, just info i need as i have not knowledge in this area of breeding and costs etc, but have produced horses.

As i say i'm very open minded and do need knowledge..... as it will be long term project as want new to replace my older boy.

I have lots of time and just started into looking into how things work
 
TBH, if you're happy to produce one yourself from scratch including backing etc. I'd think about getting a smart 3-4 year old ex-racehorse from the sales. You'll easily come in under budget, you'll be able to see exactly what you're getting and some of them have great temperaments and are very sturdy (contrary to what you might think). Plus you'll be able to see its breeding and tell whether it's a family of good bold jumpers or not. You won't be able to compete with the racing buyers when they're yearlings but as a 3-4 year old you'll have a better idea about them. I know not everyone likes TBs but I've got 2 and wouldn't get anything else now TBH.
 
Dont be drawn into something with amazing breeding for eventing and end up paying more, brain and temperament is alot more, and also IMO dont go for anything that is too big.
Tink is a preci spark horse that did all the age stuff, BYEH and Pavo, (or shall we say tried) she was so badly behaved as her brain just couldnt take it. A friend also has a very smart 4yo but he is being turned away as he isnt strong enough mentally or physically this year.
IMO if you are looking for a bargain look for something abit older as with a 2yo you will have at least 2 years of paying all the bills and not much in return.
 
well i've was very nearly sucked into this a couple of horses ago, so i'm very prepared to sit wait and see what comes along but really want to back myself really.

But i think it may have to be a word of mouth job
 
I'm with Kit I think exracers preferably with no more than 1 failed attempt at racing/season under their belt are fab bargains to reschool and bring on. Plus you can trace all their bloodlines and history, and contrary to popular belief if you contact their old trainers breeders etc most will be very happy to pass on all info they have about the horse.

I paid £1000 for Soap from the free ads paper 3 yrs ago and with work and time he has turned into a fab little horse. I know his sj needs work but he is mega bold xc with only one stop which was totally rider error in 3 season
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I also picked up a cracking little Saddlers Wells gelding who is now successfully p to pointing. If you like smaller compact tbs then I would look out for that bloodline. Soap is by Topanoora and a more traditional english type but from the research i have done on him and his relatives they all seem v honest and trainable.

Check out Exeter sales as that is where he came from, and or give some local race yards a call
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Go on get an exracer you know you want to!!!!!!
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i think you sussed me out as i do love pocket rockets, but was thinking maybe cooler blood tho.

But reckon i will end up with TB bay, gelding about 15h2
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Its a risk paying big money for a real super 'event bred' youngster as well. I know someone who has a welton bred horse which won't go higher than intro.

I would agree with the TB ex racer school of thought, if you really only want a 15.2 you may find one which hasn't even been put in training. My TB mare is 15.3 now, but as a 3yo she was 14.2, so racing people weren't interested even though her racing pedigree is rather smart. She was less than £1500.

Good luck.

Fiona
 
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