EVENTERS! I need your opinions!

Please don't think me rude but without seeing your daughter ride it would be inappropriate to make any suggestions on which horse she/you should buy.

You don't mention any XC experience or any affiliated experience in any discipline. This should inform your decision on which type of horse she needs. Going straight into BE on a big [youngster] without much experience is not the same as competing unaffiliated on an older pony.

I would worry that she would buy a young big horse and loose her confidence.

If it were me, I would limit my search to smaller more experienced horses, to allow her confidence to grow before even contemplating a relative youngster that needs to be produced.
 
Please don't take this the wrong way its really not meant too and it has happened to me in the past but....
If I was selling a fairly expensive eventer with BE record and ambitions that the horse could go to star levels then I may be reluctant to sell the horse to a 15 yr old who has no expeerience in competing at BE, so just be preparered for that. I have both turned away potential buys of my previous horse as they were not suitable and I have also been turned away by a buyer as they weren't happy with my level of experience.
 
Hi Kate, you have lots of advice already, but I thought I would comment as I have a similarage and size daughter and we are currently also horse-shopping so I do have quite a bit of experience of what you are trying to achieve. My daughter went through the FEI pony system so has quite a bit of experience up to and including CCI* level, but on ponies which is pretty different from horses as you probably know. We have been looking in a fairly unconcentrated way since last summer, and we are fairly "in the system" so have had quite a bit of sensible input.

I would make the following points:

1) Size of horse: this is critical for a small, slight girl (imo). We have put miniTD on a variety of horses and it has become clear that anything over 16 hands is too big for her unless incredibly narrow; a chunky 16 hands is too big still, and 15.2-15.3 is perfect. Over-horse your daughter at your peril! ;)

2) Experience: if I read between the lines correctly and your daughter is pretty ambitious, I would disagree with the people saying don't buy a horse with BE points. Perhaps steer away from an Advanced horse - you don't need one anyway so it will be an unnecessary expense, and she would be ruled out of Pony Club competition if it had run at that level recently - but I would strongly advise you to buy a horse which DOES have a record at BE Novice/1* level. That way you will know the horse knows the ropes and can help teach your daughter up to ONu18s and Weston u18Champs which is what you may well be looking towards in the next 3 years. A horse with a good record at BE100 is by no means certain to successfully step up to the next level, especially with a small, inexperienced girl riding it. There are plenty of BE90Open, BE100Open and BE100u18 classes which your daughter could be competitive in while she learns the ropes.

3) DON'T buy a horse which has been ridden/produced by a pro, especially a man!! What is the poor creature likely to think when this rider is replaced by your daughter, however talented she is?? Look for a horse which is used to looking after itself and its rider, has been ridden by a teenager or an amateur.

So, in that context, returning to your list of possibles, I would say:

Horse 1 - no comment in light of what luci07 says.
Horse 2 - has never competed above BE100 and ridden by James Sommerville, no wonder it has an excellent record!
Horse 3 - lovely-sounding horse, excellent record apart from Osberton, amateur-ridden, expensive!! And could be too big? Worth looking at.
Horse 4 - says in advert "suit pro or comeptent young rider" by this they mean experienced BE jockey, so self-evidently not suitable for your daughter. Also Advanced - unnecessarily high-powered. And you will never get a cheap horse from Andrea, make no mistake!
Horse 5 - advert says "needs competent and competitive rider", I saw it being a handful at Aldon (John Johnston desperately hanging onto her!!) and it had two stops XC at its pnly Novice run so questionable whether it will step up to that level.
Horse 6 - ridden by Heidi Woodhead (extremely competent and forceful pro) never run Novice and faults XC in two if its BE100s - enough said!!

So that's my assessment :) There are horses out there but I agree with what you said yourself, you need to reassess ypur criteria a bit. You are really lucky to have such an amazing budget - miniTD would be green with envy! I do actually know someone who has a couple which would be worth you looking at - feel free to PM me if you want to know more. Best of luck, have fun shopping :) :)
 
ossy said:
Please don't take this the wrong way its really not meant too and it has happened to me in the past but....
If I was selling a fairly expensive eventer with BE record and ambitions that the horse could go to star levels then I may be reluctant to sell the horse to a 15 yr old who has no expeerience in competing at BE, so just be preparered for that. I have both turned away potential buys of my previous horse as they were not suitable and I have also been turned away by a buyer as they weren't happy with my level of experience.
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Hmm, interesting and to be honest totally right. When we bought Mini TX's eventer she had done unaff and PC eventing with her last pony, who was a full up 148 cm ex JA pony. She bought our YOs mare, who she had bred and had produced up to PN level, along with a 4* rider very, very well. In fact the mare was about to go Novice when we asked about buying her. YO was great, as she was staying on the yard she knew she could keep an eye on it, knew her trainers and was a great help as well. The mare in question is a 15.1 hh perfect little first horse who had been impeccably produced. I think to be honest, Mini TX has been a very, very lucky girl as the mare is so uncomplicated and so easy to be around. To be fair, apart from the usual trials and tribulations of horse ownership, she has been a little diamond and hasnt given us a days trouble. I would add as well that the horse cost me quite a lot of money and although I dont have to justify myself to anyone here, she has been worth every penny and much much more with the fun and enjoyment she has given Mini TX. I have been offered some biggish sums of money for her, but she is a keeper and will be with us for life.

On the flip side, one of Mini TX's friends, who was on our yard and copied everything she did ended up buying a horse from our YO to event. To be fair to this day I still think she should not have sold her this horse as it was tricky, hard work and not really a teenagers horse (and I am talking about 13-14 years old for both girls). have to say though, the horse was gorgeous. YO had evented it to Novice (didnt have points), and the child thought all she had to do was sit there and let the horse do the work. It all ended in tears as the childs results were not that special, and both Mini TX and I used to get really embarassed at hearing her mother shout at her at events. Horse was sold as 'not good enough' and another 'made' horse bought, but thats another story.

It just goes to show that just because its a 'made' horse, it doesnt mean instant success for the partnership. They have to be able to ride it and also put the work in.
 
Surely the kid needs a 15.2 been there and done it JRN schoolmaster? Think what Laura Collett rode first, Walnut! The JRN legend! If you can afford it buy one of them! Although one would imagine there is a lengthy wait list so best get in now with coordinaters I guess. All those listed are ideal second horses, probably way to much horse for the pony horse transition.
 
I completely agree with everything that has been said. We were struggling to decide what type of horse would be more suitable (hence the variation of age/experience) and too we were hoping we wouldnt have to buy a horse to give her the experience (my daughter had the almost impossible dream of finding the perfect horse that will take her round her first events and then on to bigger things!) you have all helped us alot as obviously people ask 'what are you looking for?' and we genuinely just did not know what! but we are going to have a complete rethink! why cant it all just be straightforward eh?! I will update you all when we have hopefully found the ideal horse!
 
I have just written down my thoughts on the horses so I wouldn't forget which was which but TD has said what I was thinking with one exception! The rider of 3 is not an amateur but he still might be worth looking at as there seems to be a lot to like if he's not too big.

My personal advice for that age group is to go for something with some pony blood - a connie x or similar. I wouldn't be thinking of a horse that will go 3* or even necessarily 2* although there is no telling until you get there! You daughter will need a lot of mileage and experience before thinking on those lines and you wouldn't buy her a Ferrari as her 1st car! The ability to do 1* easily is sufficient for starters and will keep her going for a bit before upgrading to a more high level model if necessary.
 
kate.jessop said:
I completely agree with everything that has been said. We were struggling to decide what type of horse would be more suitable (hence the variation of age/experience) and too we were hoping we wouldnt have to buy a horse to give her the experience (my daughter had the almost impossible dream of finding the perfect horse that will take her round her first events and then on to bigger things!) you have all helped us alot as obviously people ask 'what are you looking for?' and we genuinely just did not know what! but we are going to have a complete rethink! why cant it all just be straightforward eh?! I will update you all when we have hopefully found the ideal horse!
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Your daughter can still have her dream! There has been many a good junior horse that has kept raising it's game due to developing a great partnership with the rider. Not all high level horses have great ability, just a desire to do the job. The important thing is to be aware that you accept limitations when they expose themselves and don't abuse the generosity.
 
Definitely, nothing annoys me more than when horses/ponies show their riders that what they are asking is too much but as honest as they are they still try. Its exactly what causes serious injuries both mentally and physically!
 
Having a little read through and agree with many helpful posts posted,

What your daughter needs (in my opinion) is a fun 15hh-15.3hh top class pony club alrounder, something that she can have a go at everything on and has the talent and ability to pursue any discipline that may take her fancy!!!!

She has this current ambition of eventing, but being 15 and also not having competed in the sport previously does not necessarily mean she is going to enjoy it/pursue it!!!

you have a brilliant budget but this doesn't mean you should spend it all at once- put it away and save it for a few years until she's had a taste of it and become stronger/matured (riding wise) and then buy her something special that she can really sink her teeth into...

I would have a look round for a really smart top class pony club pony, something she can get on all the pony club teams with- whether eventing, show jumping, dressage and hunt with her friends!!! and that is smart enough to have a little dabble is showing/working hunters and do well!!! so she can enjoy a broad range of disciplines, 15 is a extremely young to suddenly decide eventing is going to be her thing and buy a defiant event horse!

There are so so many lovely little horses out there which not only will introduce your daughter to the sport of eventing but will also be her best friend, a horse she can enjoy growing with and jump bareback in the summer and take hunting in the winter and not have to worry about a thing!!!!

Childhood is a precious thing (listen to me sounding all wise and I'm only 19 myself!!!) but you don't want to regret trying to grow up and mature as a rider too quickly- missing out on Pony Club and camp (which I unfortunately have a regret deeply) and messing about down the beach bareback!!!

I would advise getting your daughter a friend, so go for a non-pro horse as they are horses that would have been drilled into routine and ridden by strong experienced pros, and can be put off course when not drilled every day and kept in a very strong secure routine and a strong rider!

Get an amateur horse who has had a broad knowledge competing in a wide range of things + hunted!!! maybe an out grown small horse that can take your daughter round pony club and low BE to find her stride and discover what she really loves and wants to purse!!!

Horses like that always sell well for when in a few years if she decides she really wants to throw herself into eventing and move up the grades!!! remember she has plenty of time!!!


I hope this has helped, I shall have a little scour of websites now to see what I can find!!!


xxxx
 
Here's a few I have found and like the sound of- talented yet all-rounded I think is what you should be looking for :)

http://www.horsequest.co.uk/search.aspx?ds=1&c=&rn=65603

http://www.horsequest.co.uk/search.aspx?ds=1&c=&rn=65409

sounds a nice, yet competitive all-round sort-
http://www.horsequest.co.uk/search.aspx?ds=1&c=&rn=32725

http://www.horsequest.co.uk/search.aspx?ds=1&c=&rn=64026

http://www.horsequest.co.uk/search.aspx?ds=1&c=&rn=65129

sounds a really lovely genuine friendly sort, although maybe a little old for future selling on!-
http://www.horsequest.co.uk/search.aspx?ds=1&c=&rn=64939

shall keep my eye out :)
 
Hi! I just bought my second horse, but 3.5 years ago I was pretty much in your daughters position. I'd evented before with PC up to Pre Novice.

My first horse was really supposed to be 14.2hh but as we couldn't find one we looked at 15.2hh. I ended up looking for a Native X TB, and ended up with Tam, a 15.3hh Welsh X TB. She was always very straightforward to ride, pretty strong and probably bigger than I needed at the time. I had had tricky ponies though, so she seemed much more sensible. She was 7, had done a few seasons at BE90 and BE100 and had a good enough record.

She didn't look particularly flash, and was just like a pony to ride, so we didn't pay big money, but she was very appropriate for a 1st horse, I had a whale of a time and did 1* - she probably would have made it round an Intermediate.

I'm on my second horse now, and she's only 15.2. She looks much more like the horses you've suggested! Having hunted around recently for one, I would definitely say if it's not advertised as a teenagers horse, it probably might not be an appropriate first horse. I found the step up huge, so needed a sort of in between "pony-horse"!

Enjoy it, I love BE :)
 
Lyndsay said:
^^ My thoughts exactly!! James is a supremely talented rider who seems to get a fanastic tune of of almost everything he rides. Not entirely sure how well suited a horse he has been competing may be for a young girl.
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It actually hasn't run BE since August 2011 either so I would question if that is a current advert?

OP - you have had lots of good advice, TableDancers especially jumped out at me. I would never put a young teenager on a horse campaigned by a pro particularly a strong male rider. I'd look at PC types as my first option and ones that have brought their riders on with a bit of a pony brain if that makes sense. I think as she has never evented yet you need a stepping stone teach you the ropes type before the potential superstar type.
 
I think you should look at 16.hh max.
I'd be dubious about horses that have been ridden by a man if your daughter is petite.
If you go for a horse with points then it rules out some pony club classes & BE 90 & 100, however an older horse with experience at novice or 1* could teach her a lot.
As your daughter is inexperienced XC, it is important that whatever horse you buy is genuine & straight forward. It may mean that this purchase does not necessarily need to have the potential to go all the way to the top at this moment in time.
 
I would steer clear of anything that has been produced by a male rider.

I also think you need to go for something around 15.00-15.2 which can look after itself and won't need much balancing. A 16.00 horse can take some riding and you want your daughter to have fun not get tanked off with. If this works out OK, then start to look for a young horse with perhaps more potential that she can bring on, while gaining experience with the first one.
 
Ive had a look at the horses you suggested jessamess and the roan Dallas Stardust looked as if he would be ideal but after looking for his BE record unfortunately it wasnt all that great. Not one double clear and at least a pole down sj if not more. Thank you very much for taking the time to look for me, the coloured mare also seemed like she would be nice too!

And thanks again everyone it has definitely given me more to consider!
 
I quite like this one http://classified.pcuk.org/details/quality-allrounder-8/ although he hasn't done that much so far.

This one is also nice http://classified.pcuk.org/details/ultimate-pony-club-allrounder/

Not necessarily for your purposes :D

Is there is a risk she won't enjoy eventing? You say she has no experience.

I'd be looking at something which can do the pony club levels and start at the 80 BE rather than one that's already advanced. She needs to be able to handle it as well as progress.

It seems a lot of these horses get sold through word of mouth. I'd work my way into the inner realms of the pony club and try to catch a good one before it's listed!

Sorry not to be more helpful. Heightwise I'd say 15hh to 15.3hh. That's small enough for her not to look like a pea on an elephant (and not be over-horsed), but horses of that size can still progress through the levels. Think Teddy O'Connor, or Stroller, Lenamore and Little Tiger :)
 
I think I missed one of the numbers out when I typed it into the search bar! whoops! the 15hh seems very nice just a bit unsure about his age especially with coming from an eventing background. Will defo be worth thinking about though so thank you!
 
If you were to go that route , not necessarily him, but the smaller older schoolmaster type, then you would need to approach it with the mindset of a year or two experience before going up a model and becoming more competitive. I suppose it depends on your set up and what your plans would be when schoolmaster had done the job of introducing to eventing.
 
helenalbert ooh both of those are lovely too, my daughter enjoys both dressage and showjumping and although she hasnt done any ODEs or hunter trials etc she has been on a few fun rides with xc fences along the way and done a bit of xc schooling days but never a full course, She has also done a fair bit of fast work too which she loves doing but unfortunately has never combined the 2 so I suppose she may decide its not for her but it is the kind of thing she generally enjoys so I doubt it will be the case but you can never be 100% certain!
 
If you can find that in a younger model then that would be ideal. Having said that, I would want 15.2/3 by choice although 15h is fine if there is enough jump and a scopey stride.
 
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ihatework Depending on the age of the horse when it is time to move up we would probably lease it to other young riders and I dont think we would sell on unless to 5* home that we trust completely purely so we can always know the horse in question wouldnt end up in the wrong hands and would eventually live a happy retirement at the end of its career
 
oldvic I am probably thinking more along the lines of 15.2/3hh just as I dont want my daughter to outgrow the horse before she is ready to buy someone of a higher level but it obviously depends on the horses build too
 
We had one sold from our PC in the summer that would have been perfect for her, he was 15.2 and had done all the teams well and had competed up to BE novice.

As others have said I'd be looking for some thing under 16hh as a fellow small person (and I havnt grown from 15, so dont rely on her growing in to it) 16hh is a lot of horse to contain and get working well, I can make a 15.2 look massive at times.
 
Meant to say give Sophie Martindale a call http://www.eventingspecialist.org.uk/index.html

She is an agent for a lot of riders in the Cotswolds especially junior riders as its very competitive in this region!! She sources the schoolmaster 15.2 types that are generous and forgiving. She also finds the next step up ones that can make European teams after you've had the initial pony x JRN horse.
I've seen at least 6 of the ones she has previously sold that would fit your criteria, and I've seen them compete since with their new riders and they are all very generous horses!
 
Horse number 2 has been up for sale for ages. I've viewed it, it's way over priced and i think it would be totally unsuitable for your daughter if she hasn't evented before. Why not have a look on the pony club website? There's always some little crackers on there!
 
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