GB Dressage Team Horses FOR SALE

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Havannah

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Just seen an article on Eurosport Yahoo which says that all 3 of GB's gold medal winning dressage horses are now up for sale. Unsurprisingly it has prompted a number of responses.

I sure that all of us involved in equine competition as owners or riders, work hard with our youngsters to bring them on and in many cases sell them on. For many, that's the only way they can run their business.

The figure being mentioned in relation to our dressage horses is astonishing - tens of millions! Apparently interest has been expressed from the Middle East. Personally I can't say I'm suprised that these wonderful animals have a price on their heads...I just wish I hadn't seen it as a glorified headline so soon after such a stunning performance.
 
There were threads about it on here days ago, before the performance, it wasnt a secret. I dont think 3 are for sale/sold though, thought it was 2.
 
Sure laura said on BBC that alf's future was up to alf and that they would see how he was after having some time off don't quote me though may be mistaken :)
 
Laura wont be selling Alf! Its been known for a while that carls two were going after the olympics.
 
Firstly you can't believe all that's in the press, eg the Dutch team being put on the front cover as our British team!???
Secondly not For Sale... Sold already .... Keep up ,its the way of the world ....
Very very tough there were many reasons why Charlotte was so emotional I think.
Laura has no need what so ever to sell Alf.
 
Soooo......I wonder who has bought them then? Have we heard any rumours yet? Hopefully it won't turn into something like the totilas saga
 
although I think its quite sad, especially for Charlotte actually, I can see the commercial sense in it even for Laura.
 
I think for LB Alf is coming towards the end of his really competitive career, so I imagine what she means is that after his break she'll see whether he wants to continue at top level or do something else.
 
sj_xc_hannah_ said:
I think for LB Alf is coming towards the end of his really competitive career, so I imagine what she means is that after his break she'll see whether he wants to continue at top level or do something else.
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Yes thats what I took it to mean too.

I think it would have been tragic if the horses had been sold pre Olympics or now if we had nearly but not quite won. But having won, and given they didnt own the horses outright, I can think it is not so bad, upsetting of course but look at it this way: Hester will now have the money to buy whatever young talented horses he chooses outright, as well as a pension fund. Given his skills and judgement I think thats a good thing. Also bear in mind it was tragic when he lost Escapado, but he needed the money to set himself up and it was doing that which partly enabled him to do the Valegro/Uthopia thing. And he even got Escapado back when he retired!

The ideal of course would be for him to spend most of the money he gets from his half shares buying Valegro outright; but then theres a big issue...Valegro was always supposed to come to him after the lower levels but he left him with Charlotte - so how could he take him off her now....yet without doing that he would have nothing to ride himself at top level.

I think it is probably the best option overall, with the money he can buy the best young horses and train them for Rio and beyond.

Its upsetting for Charlotte but she can probably have Valegro back to retire if she really wants to, she will get new horses to ride ; and she has got an Olympic gold partly thanks to Carl's generosity in not snatching the ride back from her after lower levels.
 
I have heard that Carl was not going to be competing at such high levels but will be doing more teaching and bringing on youngsters. Although don't quote me on it! Yes very sad for charlotte but they are a job at end of the day not like our pets!
 
kezimac said:
i believe they are going to spain - one is def the rider of painted black
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Ah well that is reassuring. I really liked the new rider of Painted Black, and the spanish tend to train in quite a classical way. Thank goodness they aren't off to the netherlands!
 
Be interesting to see if it becomes another Totilas, IMO the horse and rider need to fit and understand each other, hopefully you ever has bought them will not expect 90% instantly! Also Carl will now be able to own his outright and therefore he decides there future noone else and I am sure within that scenario he has Charlotte very much in mind.
 
Kat said:
Ah well that is reassuring. I really liked the new rider of Painted Black, and the spanish tend to train in quite a classical way. Thank goodness they aren't off to the netherlands!
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I am sorry but I did have a giggle at that. The horse comes from Anky who brought him on from a youngster, the rider trains with Anky and the team trainer for Spain is Jan Bemelmans.
 
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