Do these horses exist? Searching for the impossible?

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pab

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Currently I have been searching since June, up to £7000 for a 15hh-15.2hh horse for my nervous daughter who is 15, to pc/rc, show jump up to 3'-3'3'' classes, xc up to 2'6'-2'9'', basic dressage test. Hack alone or in company, 100% in traffic, load into trailer.

We have found some that are suitable yet there are loads of people after them, or we have found ones which are too strong.

My daughter isn't used to and doesn't wish to have anything that is really forward going and any horse must have impeccable brakes!

any suggestion? SOuth central/west area.
 
Firstly that is a huge budget in todays market!

Secondly I would say that your requirements are slightly contradictory. A 3ft SJ/XC course is PC level 3/4 eventing, requiring a forward going horse to a certain degree. My sister is competing at this levels and the horses are all extremely fit, forward going, and usually TB/WB types.

If you mean you would like a nice safe plod who could take her out to compete locally if she so wished then this is different. Are you fussy breed wise? A CobX or lightweight Cob would give you the security and brakes and a X might give you that extra oomph to produce a nice RC horse (no, not suggesting cobs are useless, as I shared a fab LW Cob not that long ago!)

Have you looked at dealers? There is a lot of stigma surrounding dealers, when really they are the ones who have a reputation to uphold. You only have to ask on here and everyone will immediatly tell you who to visit and who to avoid. I could recommend several in the SE area who could have what you are looking for.

Might also be worth visiting riding schools. Some can have picked up nasty habits, but it is a good way of networking and letting people know what you are after, especially with such a big budget.
 
We've been generally looking for the same thing, but with a budget of £2000! I've seen loads around the £3-4k mark generally. I agree with the previous poster - a cob cross or larger cob would suit you.

FWIW, my friend had a similar budget, and after a long fruitless search, put a wanted ad in H&H, and found her perfect horse.
 
I dont think you need a forward going horse to jump 3ft. In fact I had one that wasnt forward going but had a scopey jump and jumped 3ft plus easily. Have you looked on Clipcloptraders website? Also equine agents are supposed to be good. If I was down there Id have a look at these two dealers.
 
I bought one 3 months ago privately for £3k, she is a complete star, will adjust herself up or down according to what is asked of her, is bombproof but with personality and loads of character and no plod. However, it took me 2 years and a couple of unsuitables under my belt before I found my Poppet so I wish you well and hope it happens more quickly for you, good luck!
 
skint1 said:
http://www.hungerfordlivery.co.uk/forsale.html

Second horse down (Reggie) looks suitable and is less half your budget, although he is 17hh. Bought our boy from this lady and he has been such a pleasure, I would recommend her to anyone
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This lady has also been highly recommended to me and someone else on here bought a lovely TB from them recently, beat me to it,and they are very, very pleased with him so might be worth contacting in case they can help with something smaller?
 
Pebbles said:
This lady has also been highly recommended to me and someone else on here bought a lovely TB from them recently, beat me to it,and they are very, very pleased with him so might be worth contacting in case they can help with something smaller?
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That was me! I didn't know anyone else was looking at him He is still lovely :D but you got your lovely grey mare in the end!
 
I shared a horse at Hungerford Livery, cant say I have heard of Reggie but Di is fab and they all know their stuff, would b v honest Im sure.

Second ClipClop, would have been the first people I would recommend in this area.
 
skint1 said:
That was me! I didn't know anyone else was looking at him He is still lovely :D but you got your lovely grey mare in the end!
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I am silly, have just been re reading your threads as suddenly realised it was you!! I was contemplating trying him but thought I might be too heavy for him!!! and yes I wouldn't swap my lovely mare for anything but so happy Basil is with you - alls well that ends well for each of us :-)
 
Pebbles said:
I am silly, have just been re reading your threads as suddenly realised it was you!! I was contemplating trying him but thought I might be too heavy for him!!! and yes I wouldn't swap my lovely mare for anything but so happy Basil is with you - alls well that ends well for each of us :-)
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What a small world!!

Shame HH are taking a hard line on dealer discussions. Understand why but word of mouth/recommendations are so helpful to people. Odd that positive comments would cause a legal issue but they obv feel they need to take a strict line on any comments at all.
 
You could be describing my arab...... ;) H has done all that in the 21 years that he's been in my life, in addition to driving, chain harrowing, racing, endurancing, le trec, mountain climbing, getting me through my horse exams and being an all round best friend and soulmate :) And I'm not the bravest rider by any stretch of the imagination.
 
bernster said:
What a small world!!

Shame HH are taking a hard line on dealer discussions. Understand why but word of mouth/recommendations are so helpful to people. Odd that positive comments would cause a legal issue but they obv feel they need to take a strict line on any comments at all.
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Yes indeed! Totally agree re the dealer comments, as one who has been badly bitten why should they not be named and shamed too, would stop an awful lot of heartache and pain for the poor horses in some cases. Good dealers have nothing to fear as shown above, we are always pleased to pass on good recommendations to our fellow riders. On that note OP try Southgate Farm, I can thoroughly recommend them if you want to use a dealer - good team of people.
 
there was a 15.3 mare advertised on horsequest as a schoolmaster all rounder, it was less than that and sounded really nice. The owner was offering to loan it with a view to buying. It was too small for me, so I didn't call. Have a look on the site.
 
I had one I sold a few years ago, 15.2hh pure bred conemara. I had him for hunting and BSJA. He was a superstar, could put anyone on him. A lady bought him for her daughter to do pony club, they then sold him on after a couple of years and he took a girl through pony club and is now PN Eventing on him. Has won so much at pony club/riding club dressage etc.
I would 100% recommend a Connie or connie X or any native x tb really. There is a girl who hunts with us on a Highland x tb beautiful little horse and does everything.
Speak to the local pony club? I only sold mine as my instructor asked if I would sell him as she thought he would be ideal for her other client. I sold him as it was an amazing home and it gave me the opportunity to go travelling!
 
You have a good budget for what you want so should find something, however what you are seeking is a very sought after type, especially if it has to be competitive yet very compliant for a nervous rider. They are few and far between.
Have you put very strict criteria on age/sex/colour/distance/comp results that is limiting your choice - you may need to expand that criteria?

I purchased a rising 5yo in January for a bit less than your budget who would pretty much exactly fit your criteria with the added bonus of that he would jump bigger (in time) and will certainly do more in the dressage arena. Only 'if' is that he will fizz up a bit in company. I would expect looking for a nervous teenager you would exclude horses so young, but the point I'm trying to make is temprement is everything when purchasing for a rider lacking confidence.

I'd second the advice of looking at clipclop traders.
 
claudiacox14 said:
I shared a horse at Hungerford Livery, cant say I have heard of Reggie but Di is fab and they all know their stuff, would b v honest Im sure.

Second ClipClop, would have been the first people I would recommend in this area.
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Did you know our Basil when you were there? Apparently they had him, then he was sold, then he came back, then we bought him

272977_10150248629021235_711586234_7799284_1712513_o.jpg


(sorry for the hijack OP- hope you find something suitable!)
 
pab said:
Currently I have been searching since June, up to £7000 for a 15hh-15.2hh horse for my nervous daughter who is 15, to pc/rc, show jump up to 3'-3'3'' classes, xc up to 2'6'-2'9'', basic dressage test. Hack alone or in company, 100% in traffic, load into trailer.QUOTE]

^ I have 2 of these :) and the cost for both was far less than your budget for 1 :)

one of mine is a "tradiitional" coloured cob and the other is a cob x

Theyre both forward going, responsive, respectful, jump, hack etc and 99% of the time have fantastic brakes! lol

Theyre not "dopes on ropes" by any stretch of the imagination but i always feel very very safe :)
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Skint1 - Was he owned by one of the liveries there, a mother and daughter? Think only the daughter rode him (if Im thinking of the right one) but mum was always there too so Im not sure. Daughter was probs in her 20's? Theyre the only people I can think of that had a big Chestnut!
 
I have a coloured mare for sale that ticks most of your boxes, but she's 15'3 and 14 years old (she's also around a third of your budget!). I think sometimes being too prescriptive limits your choices un-necessarily. Good luck with your search.
 
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