Buying horses from pro's for ametuer riders?

[bigboyrocky]

Christ, I can't believe I've done this but I've just waded through ALL the replies on this thread

So guess what, folks? I think this is just yet another of those tiresome grey areas where there is no right or wrong answer, and too many variables to deal with. BBR was perhaps a teensy bit over-enthusiastic in her original post but she's not vvery old and had just come away from a day's work experience with Austin, so enthusiasm is entirely understandable Equally, those who have first or second-hand experience of post-pro disasters, of which there are many, are understandably keen to voice their concerns and prevent BBR from breaking her heart and her Mum's bank balance all at the same time.

Surely, there are pros and cons? Potential pros: A well-selected, well-started young horse who knows his/her job, is confident without being ill-disciplined, and has some of the tools in the box to take forward to the next stage of development. Potential cons: Could be too used to a too-good jockey so insufficiently forgiving (but if you buy early enough you can probably get around this); could be unsound (but there are scrupulous and unscrupulous pros and amateurs); could be being shipped out as not good enough (but 1) Do you really want to compete at as high a level as the pro in question? and 2) this may not be the case at all - many pros rely on buying and selling to earn a crust and will sell ANY of their horses if the price is right); may be over-priced (almost certainly will be priced at upper end of the value as pros know what they have so it is true that you are unlikely to get a bargain); could become badly-behaved when leaving the discipline of the pro yard (true, but it should at least have been started properly andn it will be up to you to keep up the good work - personally I'd far rather buy a young horse that has had a decent start and learned the rules sympathetically but firmly than one which has trampled all over an over-indulgent amateur).

Sooooo, you go in with your eyes open, you pays your money and takes your choice. I suppose what has surprised me slightly is the strength of feeling on both sides of the debate when it seems to me to be fairly finely-balanced.

Lastly on the slight off piste debate started by antagonist: the issues you are raising really don't crop up in eventing (my sport) - they are largely, as far as I know, confined to showing. I can understand that it must be immensely frustrating to end up in the situation you describe but tbh, that's exactly why many of us don't do showing

Think youve summed it up perfectly tbh!!

Guess what everybody? .. i was schooling on of their 4yos today and loved her. Later went out hacking with Kathrin and she told me that she was for sale. Gah, what a co-incidence, shame its not the right time for us to buy! Thanks to everyone for experiences, views, and warnings!