An eventing(ish) related dilemma - options / advice sought

[Teasel]

Hello, I have a dilemma that I'm hoping you may be able to help with....

I'm putting this in Competing & Training as it is Competition and certainly 'Competing' related. I hope you don't mind - I've been mainly lurking here for quite a few years and much prefer the folks in Competing & Training to those who inhabit other areas of the forum! I know I'll get sensible and well thought out advice here

A bit of background first.... I'm 47, have ridden since I was 5, and owned horses for over 20 years of my life. I did have a 25 year break off riding (when I was at Uni.. having children..etc etc..), but have been completely addicted to horses again for the last 10 years.

I have a beautiful mare who is, as they say, my 'horse of a life time'. I initially bought her 10 years ago with the plan of eventing with her. A big ambition for someone back in the saddle for a mere 6 months after a 25 year break! And as it has turned out an unachievable ambition Despite many many efforts, and much tuition, and more help than I could ever have enough words to thank people for, Teasel and I have never really got jumping sorted. I've spent years thinking the problem was mine... but now know it is actually hers. She has had on and off problems with a leg, which are, looking back on it, exacerbated by jumping. She's been telling me for years and now finally I'm listening.

I know this now as I've been having lessons at a local riding establishment, specifically jumping based. And I LOVE it. I enjoy jumping, and want to carry on. My dreams of eventing (only really low level - I'm too old now to think I could make it to Badminton, LOL) have re-emerged, and I know that I can't do it on Teasel. Much as I would have loved to

I have another horse, Lottie, a youngster, who is 2 and a bit, which I'm planning to start next year (we are playing with flags, stones in bottles and all sorts of other spook buster things at the moment). I'd really like to get some competition experience (other than dressage - done plenty of that) under my belt before reaching the stage where I can take Lottie out competing. That way we won't both be completely new to it all. I'm not made of money and can only really afford 2 ponies at a time. So I'm here hoping that someone will come up with an option I haven't thought of.
Here's what I have thought of so far:

1) Sell youngster. Buy/ loan another that I can compete with.

Not an option I wish to consider.

2) Sell Teasel. Buy / loan another that I can compete with.

Also not an option I wish to consider.

3) Loan Teasel to someone who enjoys hacking and dressage. She is good at both, and should be able to compete reasonably at Elementary level. Loan or buy one that I can compete with.


I'm thinking option 3 may be the way to go. But I don't like the way it is making me feel. I really do love this horse to bits! And I've always wanted to give her a home for life. I feel incredibly selfish and guilty for thinking this way

Has anyone got any thoughts on this. Also do you think loaning a 'been there, done it' horse is feasible? Do people loan out horses that are experienced but maybe 'past it' for their original level but still capable of doing Riding Club 80 - 90 level for fun? Or is this an unrealistic idea anyway?

Thank you so much for reading this. Your thoughts on my dilemma would really be appreciated!

 

[McW]

I cant help with your decision but as you only live once I would look to move her on either loan or sell.

Re finding something at 80/90 level, yes they are there. I knew of one who would ever go much higher than 90 and he went for just under 4k.

 

[maxie]

I think you've answered your own question. Option 3 sounds like the only one you'll be happy with and it sounds like a good plan- she gets to work at what she likes and you still own her so you can have her back at any stage. In the meantime you get to build up your jumping experience.

 

[be positive]

If you go for option 3 you are still going to be able to guarantee her a home for life, she will come back to you at some point if you loan, unless something unforeseen happens, so no reason to feel guilty if you can find her a perfect loan home you keep control of her long term future.
The reasons you are considering getting another horse mean there is possibly someone in a similar position with a horse that has gone as far as it can eventing and is now holding it's rider back, there are plenty of older schoolmaster types around, for loan or sale, I have one here at livery that has done 1* and is now a schoolmaster for a teen, he sails round 90s and has done a great job giving her confidence, he is not always the easiest on the flat but jumps for fun and will soon be looking for a new home due to pressure of A levels.

 

[Twiglet]

As the above poster said, you seem to have anwered your own question a bit.
I would put the feelers out to loan your mare - perhaps put ads up at your local dressage venues and on BD. Be fussy about her home (suggest that she stays at the current yard?) and do a really good ad with decent photos, a video and competition history.

Then get a wanted ad up for a jumping or eventing schoolmaster....I don't think they're particularly easy to come by and most probably change hands through word of mouth, but they are out there. I would imagine something around the 16/17 yr old mark that's still out there doing the job but isn't necessarily up to bigger tracks would suit you perfectly.

 

[wench]

Just to throw a spanner in the works... what happen if you loan out your older mare and she comes back to you?

 

[miayates1]

Have you considered looking for a horse share on a competition horse?? Hard to find but they are available and MUCH cheaper you may be able to keep both your horses.

 

[Teasel]

Many thanks to you all for your replies - much food for thought there, thank you.

 

[suzi]

I found myself in a similar position about 3 years ago. My then horse was reaching the limit of what he could do and I was ready to push on a bit more.

I loaned him out (to a lovely PC family) where he is very happy and after 6 months bought myself a horse to compete...it's been great for both of us.

I promised him a home for life and while I'd struggle if he did come back to me I would make sure I managed!