Did you find a youngster with potential to event on a budget!!??! If so,where/ideas!?

Hels_Bells

Hels_Bells

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Bit of a speculative post really and I might be a bit pie in the sky here... but in the past I've always had a reasonable budget for buying a new horse, these days however, times aren't so flush!! :o:rolleyes: However, I am willing to put the work in on a project with potential.

I'm not in any hurry, but I'm also thinking that as Remy is now 14, I would love a young project with potential to bring on alongside him to event. I just want to be keeping an eye on the right places and looking down the right avenues and also interested in other people's experiences!

I am considering that an ex-racer could be an option as I'd be happy to work on reschooling one and god knows I almost certainly have the support network and patience (Remy was mission impossible when I first got him!!)! I would consider a loan (Remy is a loan) but my fear is the day that the owner might want a young horse back that you've poured your heart and soul into, I just don't think I could bear to part!!! Also horses that have or should have potential but have been deemed unmanageable etc seem to be a bit of a speciality!!

Anyway, just wondering really what other people have done, other's experiences and gathering ideas on what to keep an eye on!
 
I was in exactly this situation earlier this year, in the 'keep an ear open for something special but not actually looking for another one' camp.
Orangepony is 14, and after a crashing rotational teamchasing earlier this year, I thought a bit more about giving him a bit of an easier time of it if he wasn't feeling quite so spruce. I didnt actually start looking for another youngster as I had next to no budget, no spare stables at home, a degree to finish and travelling plans after uni. Cue a casual night in with a friend who knew of a poor little racehorse her syndicate had bought which would be heading to the sales but with some TLC could be perfect as an eventer...;) I am now the proud owner of a very lovely 4yo TB who didnt cost the earth (thank god!) & is shaping up to be pretty much a dream to own & re-school.

Definately recommend the ex-racehorses, although word of mouth/contacts is probably best as I know as much of my boy's history as possible. There is no way my parents were going to dig deep for a ready-made/schooled horse this time though as they have financed my way through uni and the money simply wasmn't there for a luxury pony so a budget buy was the only way (and only after much arm-twisting!!).

Good luck whatever you decide to do :)
 
For 2k I bought a well-bred ISH mare that is a natural jumper, has three good paces and is a doddle to have around.
However I think a lot of people passed over her as she was nearly 5, unbroken and being sold by a Dealer that had plenty of other broken in 5 year olds for sale, they assumed she was unbroken for a reason or someone had tried and failed. She was for sale for a month with no enquries until I rang up. It was also coming into winter and no one was buying horses.

I found her ad on Horsemart.
 
Thanks orangepony - I think you are probably in a very similar situation to me!! I don't live far from Middleham so I guess there must be loads of horses available there and maybe the sales at Wetherby etc would be good for a look round. But I agree with you that word of mouth can be a great thing and the way I prefer to operate if at all possible!

S_J this is something I've considered and will certainly bear in mind!

KH she sounds like an absolute steal!! I think even a 2k budget would be stretching it for me these days though but maybe this time next year things may have improved a little!! Must keep positive and all! :DF
 
I flew to Ireland 2 years ago and went to a dealers/show jumpers yard. I bought a gorgeous ISH 4 year old for very little. She had been sat on twice, and was sold because she hadn't grown big enough for the men to start riding her (she's a fine 15.2hh). I went back last year with a friend to the same place, and she was looking at bigger 5 year olds - who'd had an extra years work on top and they ranged from £5000-£15000. - Although they were all lovely as I got to ride them all! :)

Oh and shipping cost me £250 on top. :)
 
i think there are definitely horses out there- its just a case of having a good old root about! :D EXracers can be picked up for peanuts- but just bear in mind that if you then wanted to sell on in the future you might not get much back. otherwise look for unbroken- much cheaper than 4/5 year olds that have been backed...
 
Thanks DB as a general rule I don't sell on so wouldn't be too worried about that aspect! I only would if I had exhausted horse's potential or it had exhausted mine! And even then I'd be more likely to loan it out. I think I will def keep an eye on the ex racers! God I wish I could clone Remy or Sam!! :D
 
I have never spent any money on horses and have always had perfectly competant horses. I have seen some stunning 3yos on Horsequest under eventers and have to keep sitting on my hands as they are very well priced. Also I tend to wait until October and November as prices do come down quite a bit!
 
LEC said:
I have never spent any money on horses and have always had perfectly competant horses. I have seen some stunning 3yos on Horsequest under eventers and have to keep sitting on my hands as they are very well priced. Also I tend to wait until October and November as prices do come down quite a bit!
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Ditto - there has been some really nice ones on there recently! There was also a few in H&H this week that tempted me!
 
i was looking through the cheap ads... preloved, ad-trader etc for a horse for a friend and came across 1 i liked the sound of for myself, went to view and bought her! 5yo, she was schooled to a high standard, schooled sj and xc etc but hadnt competed and been out of work for a couple months, they must of been in money trouble or something...i gave £500 ! brought her back to work and she recently won the showjumping at her 1st ever event, her xc schooling is more than promising as is her dressage, she will be eventing next season :-) bargain!
 
diggerbez said:
i think there are definitely horses out there- its just a case of having a good old root about! :D EXracers can be picked up for peanuts- but just bear in mind that if you then wanted to sell on in the future you might not get much back. otherwise look for unbroken- much cheaper than 4/5 year olds that have been backed...
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I bought a lovely little 4yo ex-flat racer last year for £450 who I taught to do a bit of dressage and jump and sold on (for a wee bit more than that ;)). He's now 5 and doing pretty well at BE100.
 
I know someone selling a 4yo backed and riding away WB with fantastic pedigree for what I consider to be very reasonable money for the bloodlines and scope she is showing, her only downside is she is 15.2 and they are over 6ft lol... I was tempted to buy her as a broodmare because of her lines but I REALLY do have enough horses of my own already :)
 
I was in exactly the same position as you few months back!! I would highly recomend not going down the loaning of a young horse as this is what i did last october brought the horse on over winter had the horse out starting be90's this year and jumped 3 double clears then the lady decided she didnt want to sell and would be best if she went back amazingly.

I have just bought myself a youngster unbroken as like you i was on a budget and didnt want to pay an arm and leg like some people i know just to have the 'perfect horse instantly' so i have just bought what i think wasnt to bad for a 3 year old dutch warmblood with fab jumping bloodlines. and although have never broken a horse in myself i too have a great network of help around me and i thought first time for everything!! so gave it a go!! and so far so good.

You dont need to pay top bucks for horses its spotting the right attitude i think and most horse will turn there hoof ;) cheesy i know to anything. Good luck in your search tho might be worth trying some smaller dealers as horses dont seem to be selling much atm. I do know a lady who helps find what your looking for at a budget price so if you want pm me and ill send you her details.. :)
 
I have a TB that I bought for £500 in November. He won the best trained race horse at Sparsholt Dressage Festival last month, he also won his first event with a 28 dressage and a double clear. So yep- they can be found. He only came out of training 6 months ago.
 
They are out there at a reasonable price.

I brought two to sell on last year, sadly they're being completely wasted atm :( hopefully that will change shortly though :)
 
Thanks guys - really interesting posts. I am totally up for the work of a youngster and not the price of a "ready to go" horse. In fact I really think the benefits of not having to undo other people's mistakes and having a "blank canvas" in a horse make up for the extra time you might spend! My current is a free/loan horse and just has so much potential, I just wish I'd had him when he was younger it's only his age that limits his current potential!

GB - really interesting I guess also getting flat horses you don't have the problems of reschooling the jump like you would with a jump horse?!

Charlie76 would love to know where you picked your TB up from, sounds like an absolute diamond!

Similarly, Wildcard I love love the sound of your find! Would you also mind letting me know how you found him? It sounds just like a younger/pre-messing up version of my current guy who is also a DWB from jumping lines and I would do anything for another like him!
 
Yes of course you can!

My boy J was 2.5k as a 4yr old, ex racer with a bit of re-schooling.

Hes a lovely boy, no issues, really easy to train, never stops, loves dressage, easy to handle ect ect

Ive taught him everything myself, a nervous amature and hes 6 now and has done a bit of everything including carrying me round my first BE80 clear even though I was a bag of nerves! My instructors have said he has the scope for Novice easy, obviously to predict a horses ability to go beyond that is a bit difficult as you tend to find out along the way but theres no reason he shouldnt. Hes scopey, clever and has a fab work ethic:-

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My boy had raced once so he doesnt have much wear and tear.

Also I was looking on HQ today just being nosey at the ex-racer section and now they are becoming more popular their re-sale value once trained event horses is almost in line with other breeds! There were some Pre novice/novice horses with potential going for 10-12k which is very good for an ex-racer so if you pick a nice one as well as having fun yourself their value should go up as well :)
 
I bought Ted the roan jumping in my sig. for £610 from york horse sales. He was a 16.1hh TBX. he was 3 yrs old when i bought him and backed him, He was a fantastic jumper and I felt I was holding him back he now competes BSJA as was doing well.
I think York sales are certainly worth a look, I must admit i have bought a few from sales and York is one of the better ones.
There is also a schooling area outside so you can even possibly get to try before you bid.
Good luck hunting.
 
I bought B in Ireland as a 3 year old via a friend, he had just been backed a couple of weeks and was a total blank canvas but had the most amazing attitude. Vetted and imported he cost me just under £1300 - and that was 5.5 years ago when the market was better. We evented him up to PN unaf and BE90 where he was well placed, he got BD points, qualified for trailblazers dressage was an awesome hunter and won a number of WHP classes He had to scope for PT/JRN's but the jockey was not as brave! Ok so he was only 14.2 but he was a "beige" pony which always adds a premium ;)

As long as you are prepared to take the time and not have somethign ready to compete "now" there are some real bargains out there.
 
Saw some lovely 3 year old event bred fillies sold for under 1,000 euro at last octobers Goresbridge performance sale. They had sound certs and were related to international performers, bay and about 15.3/16hh both went to wales. The october sale is not as popular as the september sale so bargains can be got there and fillies are always cheaper than geldings and finally a lot of breeders are not in a position to bring on 3 year olds so they have to go.
 
mel brittain sends most of his flat racing 'failures' to york horse sales. Most are 2/3 yrs old with very little milage on the clock and can be picked up for about £500 - less in some cases. His are sold under the name of northgate lodge stud
 
As has been suggested previously Ex Racers and Irish horses are a good way to go. I have done both with success.
I have an Ex National Hunt horse which was purchased straight off of a local race yard. He has gone on to event to Novice and has been a dream to do in every way. Unfortunately he is now 14 and needs to slow down a bit so have just purchased a 4 yr old ISH Mare with fantastic breeding cheap. I got her from an Irish dealer who buys in bulk from Goresbridge performance sales and then just breaks them and sells them on cheap. She had been broken 2 weeks when I got her and she is proving to be excellent to do in everyway and is looking like a great event prospect.
 
Gamebird said:
I bought a lovely little 4yo ex-flat racer last year for £450 who I taught to do a bit of dressage and jump and sold on (for a wee bit more than that ;)). He's now 5 and doing pretty well at BE100.
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hehe- but you have the midas touch where project ponies are concerned :p
 
I bought my little grey chap for £200 (ex-racer) I have had him for a year, turned him away for 3 months of that, and he is now entered for his first BE90 at Firle.

Horses are cheap at the moment - I can't sell my mare (who has proven record at BE90 and jumped clear round unaff 100 @ tweseldown) for £1000 - it's absolute madness. She is not an easy horse, but you couldn't get horses with any kind of affiliated experience for that sort of money a few years ago.

The really decent ready-made horses seem to be fetching good money still, but elsewhere there are definitely huge bargains to be had!
 
I think ex-racers are a very good way to go, Major was £1000 (not OTT he'd been turned away for 2 years to grow up before i got him) i think if he was in the hands of someone who could push him a little more he'd easily event. So long as you get a good one they can be a very cheap, but good horse!
 
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