Competing Someone Elses Horse

Someone I know bought a fab horse. Lots of potential, but rider not quite up to what the horse had to offer so it went to a pro. She still rides the horse on lessons etc.. but he competes in Young Horse Class etc... she will eventually do BD herself but in the meantime he is being trained and ridden by a pro so will hopefully be a grand horse for her and he will be more mature and she will not have to put up with the "I am young and want to pratt around" situation!!! As far as buying a horse and never riding it... well I suppose it keeps all the top riders in work and they can sit back and say.. "thats my boy" or "girl"!!!! We want people who have money to buy horses for the pros, they I suppose enjoy the "glitz and glam" and pros or even amateurs have the chance to ride fab horses!!!
grin.gif
 
If I had a million pounds going spare - unlikely I know, I'd buy the following:

Sensible schoolmaster for me to learn to ride properly on (plus lots of lunge lessons from good instructor until I'd got the muscle memory for the correct position).

2 young eventers with potential - to be ridden by a professional - am not brave enough to do eventing properly.

Possibly and expensive, established eventer (3 or 4 star) if a rider was looking for an owner and to keep the ride (obviously would have to be the right rider!)

A couple of young racehorses/pointers - to be trained and ridden by a professional.

That way I could enjoy spectating and being an owner without needing skill or bravery, which I will never have...

So I completely understand why people would buy horses for professionals - I would IF I had the spare cash - admittedly very unlikely!
 
I have owned my horse for 7 yrs. Presently, my friend is competing him in dressage for me. I can honestly say I would never have wanted that in the past - And I did find it difficult to begin with. However, I broke my back 18 months ago, a very nasty break with surgery and metalwork put in place. I have not recovered my nerve. My friend agreed to compete him at a few comps until I feel ready. I am now enjoying it. I have none of the pressure, am the proud owner and could wish for no one better to compete him. Without this I guess he would be bored and not enjoying any outings, so I personally think it is great for him and that is the number one reason I am doing it.
 
My horse has only ever been ridden by two people - myself and my friend. She was the jockey when he went to my trainer to be broken, and she rides him beautifully. I never thought I would want anyone to ride my horse or especially compete him - but I actually get loads of pleasure from it. He competes at a far higher level with her, it inspires me to ride him better because I see what he is capable of, and when (if) he does well I am so proud of him
grin.gif
. I suppose it may be different if there was money involved but at the moment I clean him up and get him there, and she gets the chance to compete for free. And when I compete him she can give me really good advice because she knows him so well. It works very well but I think that is because we are good friends.
 
I have an advanced horse that I do OPN on, but he also competed at Gatcombe Championships with my "rider". It was the most fab experience...we had a champagne reception hosted by Mark Phillips and it was so exciting seeing him at that level. I felt really proud just hacking him through the crowds after his showjumping round. Im not good enough to compete at that level but my ambition is to get a horse to badminto. If I have to pay thru the nose then I will.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top