Cost of competition horse

So, do you think it is selfish?

  • Total voters
    0
X

xp0u4076

Well-Known Member
Joined
12 April 2007
Messages
110
Location
NW
Visit site
Just having a 'heated' debate with my mum about how much our budget should be when looking for another horse. I'm looking for a youngster to do intermediate and above eventing, I know its hard to tell when they are young but the cost of 'potential' seems to vary wildly depending upon the seller..
Basically my parents think horses are a nice hobby but are not keen on spending much money on it, and as a uni student my finances are stretched by the cost of eventing let alone buying another horse!

I'm going to try and add a poll to this post but if it doesnt work how much do you think is reasonable to spend on a horse?
 
I've just read that post back and it sounds very like a spoilt brat! I'll just add this would be my money from selling another horse, my mum is just not keen buying an expensive horse as so much can go wrong. I feel its no fun to have it sitting in the bank tho!
 
If someone's spotted its potential for intermediate plus then expect to pay over 8k, even for a baby without much experience.
You're probs best to buy a schoolmaster if you want to guarentee you'll get to jump those tracks as they actually often prove far cheaper to buy.
There are nice youngtsers out there who *could* go where you're aiming for but you might need t use a bit of lateral thinking- buy unbroken or an ex-racer for instance
 
I've got a novice eventer at the moment and he'll be doing some intermediates later in the season (after my exams if they ever end) and I bought an ex-racer last summer thats been coming along nicely until she injured her tendon recently and i think this is whats putting my mum off spending any more! I dont mind buying unbroken but what exactly do you look for?
Is it willingness to try something new e.g. go over poles if not seen them before..
 
[ QUOTE ]

Is it willingness to try something new e.g. go over poles if not seen them before..

[/ QUOTE ]

Absolutely- boldness and an attitude. If you buy unbroken make sure you check whether it will accept a roller/ saddle first and jump around it a bit. Had a nasty experience when bought a cheapie unbroken with all the potential but it turned out impossible to back!
 
I bought a just backed 5yr old, who I thought on a hunch had a lot of potential, and am finding out that I was right, he may not go as far as intermediate
grin.gif
but he is definatly going places, hopefully with me on him, and he cost an awful lot less than your lowest figure

It is definatly worth thinking a little outside the box, and seeing what you can find
 
What else do you look for?
My novice horse has the best attitude out of any horse i've seen, he's never refused a jump and has tonnes of scope, i dont think he'll go any further than intermediate tho as he is not flashy (although he does a correct test) and hes not the speediest xc. I would love him to prove me wrong tho!
 
[ QUOTE ]
What else do you look for?
My novice horse has the best attitude out of any horse i've seen, he's never refused a jump and has tonnes of scope, i dont think he'll go any further than intermediate tho as he is not flashy (although he does a correct test) and hes not the speediest xc. I would love him to prove me wrong tho!

[/ QUOTE ]

So long as he jumps, thats all that matters in my opinion!

Re a youngster, it's so hard to say! Attitude really is all you can go on at that stage and gut instinct. I bought a little mare last year, technically when I bought her I had broken her and knew her a bit but even before then there was just something about her I knew would make her special. Very hard to explain!!
 
I agree with Bossanova. A decent competition horse will have cost well in excess of £5000 to breed and produce so expecting to get one for less than £5k is rather optimistic. I ticked the £7000-£12000 bracket. If you are expecting the horse to have already done some respectable competitions, I would think that is a reasonable price.
 
Paid between the 7k and 12k bracket for my young horse, as thought she will make a potential eventer.

But just don't expect that by paying that much that you won't come across problems, although my horse was v expensive, i bought her as a relatively long term work in progress, which is hopefully progressing!!!
 
Paid under 5k for mine with the intention of one day getting to Intermediate. He had been sat on half a dozen times, and loose schooled over small fences. However, I brought him from Ireland, and anything similar over hear from between 5-7k.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top