Getting a competent sharer?

[appennea]

I think I'm going to have to find someone to share both duties and costs of my v. talented mare soon. She's rising seven, Oldenburger, but a year behind in her work due to having minor op as a four year old from which she's fully recovered. She's now going strong and ready to go out serious competing - so far she's been placed every time out in the novice comps she's entered.

Has anyone had a similar experience of having to do this? How did you find the right person - obviously I don't have anyone in mind at the moment that I already know - that would be perfect. They are likely to get most of the riding for the next 6 months over the summer if they want to and then split that from then on.

With my last horse we had plenty of people wanting to ride but never asked them to cover any costs - however they most often became fair weather riders and let us down all the time. This horse has serious potential and I need someone reliable and responsible during such a vital part of her development but that are also confident riders who are willing to get regular training etc. Am I hoping for too much?

If I can't find a sharer she'll have to be sold and I'll be so sad

- I'll never be able to afford this kind of horse ever again and I've put a lot of work into her over the last 2.5 years.

Any helpful advice gladly received!
Thanks

 

[royal]

Hmmm...I know where I'm based, you would find it extremely difficult to find a sharer at that level.....if I had a competition mare such as yours, I know I would have to pay someone to ride/school her! If I'm reading this right anyway and you mean you need someone who can continue her training? Rather than someone who just wants to happy hack and school at basic level?
In my experience, riders who are at that kind of level either compete their own horses or offer schooling services for a fee.

Maybe someone else on here has had other experiences though?

 

[appennea]

That's exactly what I'm thinking. They don't need to be fabulous but definitely want to compete and have some decent training to at least keep everything as it is at the mo. once I'm back on board someone not so into competing/schooling wouldn't be such an issue. It's so hard. If she was a littler older I'd turn her away for a break for few months or have a foal from her but she needs to be getting on with it at the moment and proving herself. We were going to pay for livery yard to carry on her work but the girl that was working with us is moving away.

 

[duckling]

This might sound really ridiculous but are you anywhere near a university?!
I'm at uni - I'm competent and committed but can't afford my own due to student living costs. Many people I know from the uni riding club are in similar situations and had to sell before they got to uni. I'd give anything to find a horse like that to ride and care for. The only issue would be the money, everyone knows us students have a lot of time on our hands

If you could find someone who competes in BUSA riding competitions generally they are at a pretty reasonable standard.

 

[lizstuguinness]

you know i had exactly the same problem. my mare was brilliant, a handfull but boy could she jump.

I needed someone to share her, full competing rights included. But no-one wanted to know.
when i started competing years ago i rode anything with four legs that could get over the fence. it taught me a heck of a lot. In fact ive only ever had a handfull of lessons, but went international on other peoples horses.

I could never afford my own, but always paid the entry fee and helped with petrol costs, sometimes brought new rugs etc. I was GREATFULL of the chance.

I had my baby for 18 months and sold her as i couldnt find anyone to help me compete her. Im an event manager so work a fair few weekends, she was too good and got bored unless she was worked and competed.
i realy miss her, and now know that despite my ability to ride i can only ever own happy hackers. Good horses NEED proper homes, thats probaly why most warmbloods have a reputation as being handfulls, they are just bored or not worked enough.

Im horseless and will stay that way untill i can get and compete a decent horse.

 

[Scruff]

I'd have bitten your arm off for that sort of opportunity before I bought my mare, and was actively looking for a competing loan/share for some time, so there are people around, I guess you just have to sift through.

If I were offered this now, I'd probably take it on in addition to my baby as long as it was within a managable distance, as I'm always fishing for more experienced rides to keep me in practice. Maybe riding clubs, farriers, riding instructors and saddlers would be good ways to find of riders through word of mouth, as well as freeads, tackshops etc?