Difficult decisions

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seabiscuit

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Basically Ive got to cut down to one horse in October as will be going back to Uni.And am finding it absolutely impossible to choose between my two horses. I want to keep whichever horse is going to make the better eventer and I honestly dont know which one that will be, as both are still unknown quantitys.

I know people would think that the obvious choice should be Owen, considering the problems that he has and his XC record. But I honestly do believe that he is over all his physical problems now and that he will only get stronger and better the more work he does- the rate of improvement in him physically every month is just truely astonishing.
The XC probs- I think we had a real breakthrough with Sam schooling him yesterday and I do see light at the end of the tunnel now. Will be a long job to get him 100% on ditches/steps water but he will have got it by the beginning of next season I hope.

His good points are-

He can get super dressage marks consistently often leading the field.
He is an exceptionally carefull showjumper
He has great stamina and gallop and loves covering the country
Very good at sorting himself out of trouble, real 5th leg.

His bad points are-

He's not a horse I enjoy riding that much,I like them fizzy and keen, and he is bone idle most of the time, and I dont feel that I 'fit' well with him,you know how it is with some horses you just get on and always feel totally comfortable and in balance with and thus ride so much better? Although we perform reasonably well together it always seems to be quite a physical strain to ride him. Could be because of his problems.

He doesnt really have a true love of his job and working,(very boring ride at home) but he does pretty much enjoy his jumping.

His bravery XC is a real issue but *could* come with lots of patient training and hunting this winter. Could not ever come.

Pro's think very highly of him. (of his athleticsm that is, not his attitude, which quite frankly stinks.!)

Ellie-
3 good paces, super balanced canter, will do a nice calm test, but not as big a trot or walk as Owen. But looks flashy and has presence.
Fantastic jump, a little careless but she is only 4!
Good 5th leg.
Very brave, very gung ho 'go for it' attitude which I love.Very trainable, easy, straightforward

Not such a ground covering gallop, but again she is only a baby.

Gorgeous to ride, always feel very comfortable and balanced on her, like I just mould with her well.

Trainers like her, but its so difficult to tell at this stage what she will be like in the future.

So the question is, which horse stays? any ideas/thoughts welcome!
(Sorry for essay!!)
 
I'd keep ellie - she sounds more suited to your needs - an eventer with a good attitude.
What an awful decision to have to make
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xx
 
Well the fact you don't enjoy riding Owen as much to be honest is the line that does it for me. Keep Ellie. Both are unknown and both could go either way, but by the sounds of things Owen has already given you a good idea of what he could be, but there is always the "attitude" thing.
 
I'd say Ellie.. you can cope with feeling not quite together on someone else's horse but the one you keep for yourself should make you feel totally comfortable and she also sounds to have the best potential.
I have to say anything that is difficult XC re bravery would not be kept here, the ones that have the gung ho attitude are a far better bet when the chips are down and you need a horse to help you out of a situation.
 
I would keep Ellie. She is young so can be brought on and trained to how you want her, you gel and she is what you want.
Do you have to sell one or can you loan? That way you are not totally loosing one and can get them back when you have the opportunity?
 
I think that as amateurs we've got to enjoy every minute of doing our own horses.
I'd go with the one that you enjoy the most both in training and in competition. From what you've said I'd keep Ellie. She may not be a superstar but she sounds like she's worth taking a chance on, she sounds a bit like Moon- I realise that Moon's not an Olympic horse but she is just a joy to ride and totally stress-free.
 
Your post seems to suggest keeping Ellie. Do you have any recent pics of her? I love Owen to look at he just looks the right type but I didn't realise he came with an attitude and wasn't very enthusiastic... You also sound like you're smiling when you write about Ellie and not so when you write about Owen...
 
By the sound of what you are saying I would say Ellie... you sound like you enjoy her and if you're at uni then you don't want to be dreading/not lookingg forward to riding something... you want to enjoy what you've got?

also if the pro's love owen then would he be easier to sell for you?

I don't know just an opinion! Hope it all works out for you! x
 
Thank you all for all this guys!

I know it should be Ellie I keep but I cant understand why my gut feeling is so strongly telling me to keep Owen?! So my gut is saying Owen, and my head is saying Ellie ! Am wierd !!
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Irishcobs that is a great idea about the loaning. I think I might loan one of them out to a good rider, and then it stays at the same yard so that I can keep an eye on their progress at least then I have more time to make a decision and then theyve done more work. But am up to my eyes in bills so do need the money from a sale but can always find a way round that somehow!
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Severnmiles- latest photos I have of Ellie are on this site,go to Hoplands Equestrian centre, unaff dressage, then her file is Hierarchy Dressage pics
 
Having met Owen I think he is yummy. I do not think he is brave enough though to go xc at much above PN. I think he is a very careful horse which his Sj proves and that when it gets bigger he will terrify himself as he hates to make mistakes.
You have struggled so hard on Owen and I know if I was in the same boat i would not want to give in as nothing would gut me more than seeing him suddenly become a superstar but I think he is not what you want and even though you have such a good bond I think you want more than he is capable of.
I think poor Owen is walking in Trevors footsteps as he is everything Trevor was not.
 
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