GB dressage horses to be sold - has this been posted already?

I don't find it surprising. Horses are expensive to produce to such a high level and bills have to be paid.

Would you really not sell if you knew your horse was now worth potentially millions?
 
I get the practicalities, and they do have horses coming up. But just a bit sad to break up the partnerships.
I hadn't realised Alf was 17 as well, bless him.

Guess that's life and reality.
 
Ddin't realise Alf would be sold, that's a bit sad. But the other two, hey that's life. All these idiots in the papers and on the BBC taking the p and saying it's a sport for toffs, there you go. They gave all they had, and now they have to sell the horses they've worked with all this time. Because they're not 'toffs' and can't afford to treat it like a hobby.
If one more BBC presenter says 'tally ho' I shall have to smack someone. Thank heaven for Clare Balding.
 
I don't think it's about day today costs as much as Carl Hester realising a huge amount of money for himself and his business aprtners, that means the bills will never be an issue again!

Can't say I wouldn't do the same.
 
I really cannot see Alf been sold Laura would not part with him, as for the other two I'm sure they are already sold and I think a held of a lot of the emotion today was yes due to Charlotte doing a fantastic job but also due to it been the last time she rides blueberry :( such a shame to breakup such a fantastic partnership.
 
If you read carefully, there is nothing in what Laura has been quoted as saying to suggest Alf will be sold. She said 'Alf's future is up to Alf' - and in her explanation, I have taken that to mean that she will decide whether to retire him or not in the autumn, not whether he will be sold. Typical media, trying to put their own slant on it! :mad:
 
BeesKnees said:
I don't think it's about day today costs as much as Carl Hester realising a huge amount of money for himself and his business aprtners, that means the bills will never be an issue again!

Can't say I wouldn't do the same.
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I would imagine the money sunk into the horses was sunk on that understanding.

I inadvertantly looked at some of the comments pages on newspapers after the team victory - what a lot of bitter, twisted, ill informed people!

Some people saying oh it's an elitist sport - well, for heaven's sake, the olympics is all about elite sports. Do they think tennis players and gymnasts get where they are in trainers from Matalan and on a diet of kebab and chips?!

Sport at this level is all about sacrifice, and yes, the emotions were huge, because that is a big sacrifice.
 
_MizElz_ said:
If you read carefully, there is nothing in what Laura has been quoted as saying to suggest Alf will be sold. She said 'Alf's future is up to Alf' - and in her explanation, I have taken that to mean that she will decide whether to retire him or not in the autumn, not whether he will be sold. Typical media, trying to put their own slant on it! :mad:
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Have just read the article and agree with the above. Lauras words do not suggest that Alf is for sale in my opinion, she is saying he can retire if he wants to or carry on, see how he feels. If there is one of the team who doesn't have to sell her horse it's Laura. As for the others, I guess it's inevitable. You just wonder and hope that some one with some money might see the success and want a piece of it. footballer Michael Owen said the other day that the team medal had inspired his kids to learn to ride, inspire them abit more, put your hand in your wallet and keep these fantastic horse in Great Britain.
 
swanny said:
Have just read the article and agree with the above. Lauras words do not suggest that Alf is for sale in my opinion, she is saying he can retire if he wants to or carry on, see how he feels. If there is one of the team who doesn't have to sell her horse it's Laura. As for the others, I guess it's inevitable. You just wonder and hope that some one with some money might see the success and want a piece of it. footballer Michael Owen said the other day that the team medal had inspired his kids to learn to ride, inspire them abit more, put your hand in your wallet and keep these fantastic horse in Great Britain.
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I suppose we could have a whip-round?
 
I think it's inevitable that they'll be sold, and to be honest I don't blame Carl. They've reached the top of their game with these horses ... there is nothing more they can really ever achieve with them. So why not sell when the horse is worth tonnes? Enough that you need never worry about bills, can reward your owners for all their financial input etc.

It's heartbreaking, but it's business. Whereas, Laura who doesn't have such financial pressures will surely find it easier to keep Alf.
 
skewbaldpony said:
I would imagine the money sunk into the horses was sunk on that understanding.
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Absolutely. Unless the owners are already so rich that they are in it as a hobby, then you have to assume that it is an investment on future potential returns, whether that is sale / breeding fees etc.

I believe Carl Hester a number of his horses that live in blissful retirement at his yard, so he is no hard-nosed businessman. But he has to be realistic too.
 
BeesKnees said:
Absolutely. Unless the owners are already so rich that they are in it as a hobby, then you have to assume that it is an investment on future potential returns, whether that is sale / breeding fees etc.

I believe Carl Hester a number of his horses that live in blissful retirement at his yard, so he is no hard-nosed businessman. But he has to be realistic too.
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He does take his old friends back, Escapado (peanuts) came home to be retired to him and he had already said he wanted to have Uti back. I think we are forgetting that Uti was nearly sold before XMas and Carl went overboard to syndicate and keep the horse here for the olympics. You really cannot blame the owners for selling as you are talking millions and these horses are at the top of their game. I am personally said we won't be competitive with them for the next big Championship but fully understand why they are sold.
 
BeesKnees said:
That's the biggest shame of selling - that they may well end up out of this country
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I know, what I mean is wouldn't it be great for some one with the money to buy the horses with the intention of keeping them for their British riders. I don't like footballers and am sickened by the amount of money they earn but if one of them wanted to help us out here then I don't think we would say no!! Anyone have Waynes phone number!!! or Katies Prices maybe!!!!
 
skewbaldpony said:
Still, trying to buy the gold along with Totilas went T-U didn't it? ;)
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Also agree with this, money may well buy you Totilas but it does not but you Gold. Hard work does. If our horses go abroad, it will be interesting to see if anyone can repeat their success. Carl and Charlotte ride so beautifully, the horses are so relaxed and happy, not easy to copy I imagine.
 
If i win the Euros on Friday I'll buy them and be the silent owner while Carl and Charlotte continue to ride them :) Oh and Carl can give me lessons as part of the deal!
 
I understand the deals have already been done. They will have a holiday with Carl then go to their new owner/owners.
There are loads of rumours flying about.
Time will tell where they go.
 
I think before the Olympics it was clear Utophia and Valegro would be sold. It's such a shame although when Charlotte sold her own horse I think that's wat got her on the property ladder :)

I'd be surprised if Alf were sold.

I might put a bid in for Valegro - there I go again day dreaming :D
 
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Its a shame but that's life and I am sure the horses will go to as good homes as carl can secure. I am sure they have other horses in the wings for the next big comp so can prove that their training method is the key.
 
I told my horse today that she's lucky she's not a medal winning dressage horse and people aren't lining up at my door to buy her for millions of pounds. So she's stuck with me.
 
Can't remember where I read this the other day: It was a brief description of Carl/Uthopia, Charlotte/Valegro, and Laura/Alf. At the end of each blurb, there was a valuation in pounds of the horses. Uthopia and Valegro were each valued at £6,000,000. After Alf's name there were the letters "N/A, he's too old." I think that pretty much says it all regarding him being for sale. Not having sold an Olympic champion dressage horse lately, I don't know from where those numbers come.
 
These two horses may be sold but the new riders have to be able to ride them as well as Carl and Charlotte.

You can have the best in the world but if you can not produce the goods on the day then they are worthless.
 
If all the British supporters who were at Greenwich today put £500 into the kitty, we could buy both of them in a huge syndicate! Passports might take a bit of completing though!
I agree that so much of the magic of those fantastic horses is the complete partnership that they have with their riders which almost certainly would never be the same. So sad to think that we may not see them compete together again.
 
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