Dealers who export to the US?

prosefullstop

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I'm in the US (ex-pat). I've just bought a home with 20 acres and plan to put in a barn and paddocks at some in the next two to three years, at which point I want to buy a horse for myself, a pony for my kids and a mini donk for extra company :D

What I'm looking for in the US doesn't seem to exist. The quality horses, by and large, do the American hunter circuit or equitation. The showjumpers are fewer in number and seem to be way above my riding capabilities. In any case, I want a well-mannered all-rounder, about 16 hh, something that can do hunter paces, hack out alone on hilly terrain, maybe some dressage, drag hunt and be an all-round super horse.

Can anyone recommend quality dealers that export overseas? Because of the insane cost of horses in the US, I'd already (mentally) put aside $30-40k, so have a decent amount to spend.
 

HopeforMe

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Wow.
Not sure what part of the States you are in, but I am in Canada and there are loads of horses as you describe for far less money. Broaden your search and you should find something in the $5-10,000 range.
I just think you may looking in the wrong places.
 

SCMSL

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I do exports for clients in the US, but bare in mind export alone is around 10 000$ - may be less if its a gelding and several horses.
 

prosefullstop

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Wow.
Not sure what part of the States you are in, but I am in Canada and there are loads of horses as you describe for far less money. Broaden your search and you should find something in the $5-10,000 range.
I just think you may looking in the wrong places.

I'll be just over an hour outside of NYC. Board here typically runs 1500-3000 a month. It's totally crazy. Of course, I could travel to other parts of the States for a bargain, but I almost feel like the UK is more of a known quantity.

Elsiecat, I'd love to know that very thing myself!

These aren't horses in which I'm necessarily interested--just wanted to show you that in my area the kind of money stated above gets you something nice but by no means spectacular:

http://www.equine.com/horses-for-sale/horse-ad-2458547.html

http://www.equine.com/horses-for-sale/horse-ad-2615002.html

Just up the road--bargain! http://www.equine.com/horses-for-sale/horse-ad-2722610.html

Five minutes from my house--a 3'6 jumper for the sum of... http://www.equine.com/horses-for-sale/horse-ad-2810641.html

(Hmmm, saying that, this mare would be worth a look if younger: http://www.equine.com/horses-for-sale/horse-ad-2742248.html)
 

RealityCheck

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Of course those horses are expensive, they've been well shown at hits,wef, festival finals, neda etc. You would expect an English horse that's been to host to go for peanuts would you, so why be shocked at the price of superior animals over here?

For what it's worth, there are cheap, quality horses out here. Not necessarily the well bred, graded warmbloods you can pick up for £10000 in the UK, input not $50000 either :rolleyes:

http://www.warmbloods-for-sale.com/HorseDetail.asp?HorseID=32739&UserID=8801

http://www.warmbloods-for-sale.com/HorseDetail.asp?HorseID=31633&UserID=2573

http://www.warmbloods-for-sale.com/HorseDetail.asp?HorseID=32985&UserID=13211


http://www.warmbloods-for-sale.com/HorseDetail.asp?HorseID=29693&UserID=9192

http://www.warmbloods-for-sale.com/HorseDetail.asp?HorseID=32009&UserID=4910

http://www.warmbloods-for-sale.com/HorseDetail.asp?HorseID=34366&UserID=10106

All in ny or penn, none more than $15000, all with the potential to be good all rounders
 

TarrSteps

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I would agree . . . a horse that's been competitive at WEF is comparable to something that's placed at HOYS or a competitive JA pony. Even if such a horse COULD be a good all rounder you would not expect to get it for peanuts. Frankly, I think a couple of the horses you listed are optimistically priced and not even representative of their level but even so, they aren't "all rounders" in the way that you're using the term.

Don't underestimate how stressful it can be for a horse to relocate. Lots do it successfully but it's not like they can all get off the plane and out to the horse shows the next day, even leaving out adjustments to different feed etc. Asking that of a horse you already know is a lot, doing it with a horse that is completely alien to you, that you possibly don't even get to trial properly, could be quite an undertaking. Plus, obviously, if the horse is not what you want or has a problem, you are out of luck returning it.

I really do think you will be able to find what you want there. Perhaps not at the price you would pay in the UK - horses are cheaper here, to be sure - but certainly with the cost of import added.

Perhaps someone in your local hunt can give you some ideas of sales barns to contact or other places to look.
 

Rully

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Whereabouts in the US are you? I have exported hunter jumpers but ponies, but the chap I dealt with (he imports them for clients) does horses as well.
 

prosefullstop

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Whereabouts in the US are you? I have exported hunter jumpers but ponies, but the chap I dealt with (he imports them for clients) does horses as well.

It'll be Fairfield County CT.

I don't actually need or want something with superior bloodlines, just the kind of horse I grew up riding, that can turn its hoof to almost anything, and must be bombproof to hack out, good with kids etc. An ID/TB, Conn/TB or lightweight cob is more than fine. Morgans seem to be excellent all-rounders--loved the ones I've ridden--but I haven't seen one online that takes my fancy. I still contend that horses over here are far more expensive, though obviously I'm in the NYC metropolitan area and everything is expensive.

Do those horses still exist in the UK--the ones that could go round a 3'6 course of show-jumps one weekend, XC the next, fancy dress with young kids the next?
 

Firewell

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My horse is one of the ones you describe. Although he's a TB, which suits me as i'm small and light he is a super allrounder, very consistent, talented and safe. That's why I'm planning on flying him over when I move to the US! I too have looked at the prices and been shocked at how much horses sell for. He's def worth the 5/7k to bring him over! Not to mention he's my pet as well as a horse.
I adore bringing on young horses so the plan is when I move is to buy some cheapie youngsters, ones with nice temps but that are unbroken or just broken and bring them on to be 'English' allrounders. That hack, showjump, XC, dr, hunt, pleasure to be around ect not to any great level but to a nice amature friendly 3ft3 level. Have you thought about that? Buying a younger horse and doing it yourself? I find it takes about a 1-2 years to make them really nice and established :). I plan on doing it as a hobby at home and so my horse has others to keep him company. It'll be nice to turn a 1k horse into a 15k horse!
 
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