Finally made a very hard descision - but where the hell do I start....

E

eventgirl

Well-Known Member
Joined
27 June 2008
Messages
173
Location
Warwickshire
Visit site
After much soul searching, and numerous attempts at kidding myself, I have finally decided that I need to sell my horse.
I bought her un-broken in march 08 as my potential event horse, but sadly this is not the case, as it turns out shes not a big fan of jumping!
She goes beautifully on the flat, and really enjoys schooling, and has been placed and won numerous unaff prelims and novices. I have done polework and she will jump showjumps, but shes not the easiest -shes almost too careful and very spooky and sharp, and as for xc, not a chance!
I am devestated, as she loose jumps 1.10m and makes the most fabulous shape, but while she will happily pop smaller jumps with me on board, she is too difficult for me and I feel like I am making her do something she doesnt want to do.
She is currently being schooled a few times a week by a very good pro dressage rider, who thinks she has a lot of potential.
So how the bloody hell do I advertise her?and where?and for how much??!
Shes rising 6, 16.2hh with no vices, lovely to do in the stable. very responsive ride on the flat, quick learner and moves beautifully, but she can be sharp and definatly needs a really confident rider.
I dont really mind how much I sell her for, as I just want her to go to someone who can bring out her full potential.
So, please does anyone have any ideas, as I am at a complete loss as to
 
I would put her on horse quest under a dressage category, and just be honest with people in the advert and when they phone. Explain that she is very good dressage and would take to doing that competitively but that jumping you find her too sharp. If you are up front and honest then you should find the best home for the horse, and don't feel in any way you have failed because she hasn't turned out to be the event horse you had hoped, sometimes the partnership between horse and rider doesn't work and it takes a bigger man to admit that they can't get a tune out of a horse and move it on to a more suitable home.
 
Try not to put people off before they see the horse by being too much about her bad points. I've made this mistake before and you'll find it very hard to get people to view her. Have a look through other adverts for similar horses to get an idea of prices and wording etc. The other thing you could do is send her somewhere to be sold like a dressage yard it's expensive but takes alot of stress away from the process.

Good luck she sounds really nice so i'm sure you'll get interest in her
 
Thanks guys. I just feel really cr@p as I have have a sneaking suspision that all her sillyness is down to me. She goes so so beautifully for the guy who rides her for me and I just get more and more disheartened every time I see it. She was only 15.2hh when I bought her you see, and now shes full up 16.2hh, my 9st just isnt enough to hold her together. So i bet with someone who could actually ride her she will probably jump fantastically and I will be gutted if I see her out competing. I just had such high hopes for her. and I have no clue how much to advertise her for as the way I feel now, I wouldnt pay a fiver for her, so makes it hard to be objective about the whole thing
frown.gif
 
Sorry to hear about your decision - must be hard, but probably wise, as I firmly believe good eventers have to be naturally bold, and also really enjoy jumping.

One interesting thought - a top SJ producer told me once that he NEVER loose-jumps his youngsters! He reckons that it can put them off completely when they then do it with a rider on top. Both the extra weight, and the fact that they are not allowed to do it 'their way' can really unnerve them, however good they were when loose.
shocked.gif


He reckons there are a lot of horses who would have been superstars (talent-wise) but have never made it because of this!

Could this be the case with your horse?
confused.gif
 
Honestly, just because she isnt your ideal horse, doesnt mean she wont be someone elses. Well done for making the decision.
 
I wouldn’t feel bad we cant get on with every horse and have you thought she might prefer a man rider there are so many horses out there that really like the way a man rides.

You are doing the best for your horse and that is the one thing we all try to do.

Well done you for making a very difficult decision.

Just think for proud you will feel if you read about her in years to come because she has achieved great things.
 
Oh!!!!!!! Sorry!
shocked.gif
Certainly didn't mean to upset you!!!!!!!!!!
crazy.gif
I don't know you or your horse, and it doesn't sound like it really now I have re-read your OP. Especially as she will jump, but doesn't like X-C!! As the post above says, maybe she just isn't the right temperament for what you want to do, and I would advertise her on Horsequest, where you can put the ad in several sections for the same price (ie Dressage/All-rounder/Young Stock etc)

That way, it is up to the buyer to decide!

GOOD LUCK!!!!
 
It's really NOT a problem if she doesn't like to jump - the vast majority of dressage lovers, hate to jump. So if she can flick her little toes, she will find a good home.

Secondly, don't beat yourself up. You didn't click with this horse, it doesn't mean you are a bad person, or a bad rider. You just weren't the right partnership. I had the same thing a few years back. I sold the horse and I have had my current horse for 8 years.

I'd prefer H&H for the ad, and don't make her cheap, just because she doesn't jump, does not mean she is rubbish. The more people pay for a horse, the more they value it.
 
Firstly, make sure the pro-rider knows she's for sale. He may just have a client that is looking for exactly her.....
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top