HELP! Is this even possible and if so where can we go?

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DiceArt

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Hello

I am a semi-regular poster but there is a very good and legitimate reason why I can't use my normal forum name for this. I am really hoping that some of you may have some ideas that can help here or you can be realistic and tell me it just isn't an option. Maybe a kidney needs to be sold to up the budget!

A very good friend of mine is searching for a new horse and I am helping out (not with a great deal of success so far it has to be said!). This is what she is looking for:

Probably best described as a good (or potentially good) RC type horse. One that you can have a lot of fun on but does not need to be a world beater -it won't be going to Badminton or anything but it would be good to be the type who could eventually do BE100s. It doesn't need to be the completely finished article but nothing too green. Ideally something established but with room for improvement. A fun honest and sound horse is the main priority.

Must be well-mannered and easy to handle from the ground - there is no room for compromise on this point.

15 - 16 hands (could possibly squeeze up to 16.1 at a push but prefer not).

5 - 10 years old but with some flexibility on this.

Mare or gelding - this doesn't matter. Neither does colour, breeding etc.

The budget is around 5k (is this where the problem lies?) but could possibly be stretched a bit further for the right horse. However the amount of stretch available is being eroded down by wasted journeys and vettings with dis-honest sellers unfortunately.

Based in the Midlands but very happy to travel to view a horse if it may be worth it (has already been to Cumbria for one!).

So wise people of Horse and Hound, is this budget enough to get this type of horse? I genuinely thought it would be easy having not bought one myself for quite some time but there seem to be very few that fit the bill. I think they are the type everybody wants (probably as the height is so in demand) so often the good ones are sold before they are even advertised. I have pretty good connections (hence the change of name so I am not recognisable) so I would have hoped I would have heard of something by now but nothing.

Does anybody have any recommendations for good dealers or know anybody that might have something suitable for sale?

I would be really grateful for any advice and help you can give. Having spent the last few years spending a fortune to care for a horse with physical issues that made him infrequently rideable (he is sadly no longer with us) my friend needs and frankly deserves to have some fun. It is really important that the horse is sound (obviously nobody can predict the future) thanks to the time, money and heartbreak that her last horse brought with him. There is a 5 star and very knowledgeable home awaiting.

So please, your thoughts on the budget and any suggestions would be most welcome. Thank you in advance, any comments much appreciated!
 
I was looking for the same thing last year and IME what you are looking for is what everyone wants so they are rare and I had more than double your budget! I looked at about 16 in the end and had 3 vetted - only one passed (and he went lame a week later but that's a whole other story :( ). You could try a Wanted Ad on HQ - I had a moderate amount of success from people that hadn't actually put their horses on the market at that point BUT you do also get a lot of unsuitable stuff sent to you too so if you do go down that route be very specific and be prepared to sift through a lot of irrelevant stuff too. Good luck!
 
Thanks for your quick replies both! I think the height is a real problem. I haven't bought for ages but I need something around 17hh for myself so obviously it is a lot easier! Be positive - that site is really helpful, thank you.

Can anybody remind me about Measles true identity please? I know she used to post here a lot and had an excellent reputation as a dealer but I cannot remember her website. I know she is in Scotland but my friend is willing to travel so might be worth a look.

Thanks again
 
I think it's totally doable. It just depends on how lenient she is in terms of what she'll stand for ridden-wise.

If she doesn't mind a bit of a bucker, or something a bit silly and sharp, then she's probably not going to be that close to 5k when it comes to buying.

If she wants a safe and sane sort who is fantastic on the ground and also capable of jumping a BE track without getting silly, then you're probably going to be nearer that figure.
 
I think that is a very reasonable budget in todays market. I started looking for the same but greener 10 days ago, found one and it passed the vet and arrived on wednesday with money left over for tack etc. But I must admit in the past vettings have been the end of many sales.

There are several for sale under 5K on the BE site if you've not already looked. Also keep track of the ones your friend likes but are beyond the budget as they may come down in price or be open to offers after a while. The only dealer I've met who I would recommend is Stubley Hollow in Derbyshire.
 
Have a look at Mane Matters on Facebook. Jo Linton. Seem to have a few nice horses who could fit the bill at the lower range of age requirements; based in Maidenhead. I don't know them personally.

Also think BE website is a good place to look.

That spec is hugely popular however so either a bigger budget or patience to find the perfect gem required imo.
 
Thanks all. Your replies have been really helpful. We will definitely contact Measles. Must admit I had never heard of Stubley Hollow but I really like the way they advertise their horses!

Agreed, it is a difficult spec and there is no massive rush but at the same time it would be lovely to make the most of the summer with a new horse (although that's the same for everyone obviously so not the best time to be looking in some ways!).

Anymore dealer recommendations would be gratefully received and thanks again to those who have replied.
 
I've got one. Put mine on HQ last week and no interest at all. Can't believe it,as I would have thought she was somebody's dream horse. Well within your budget. PM me if you want details.
 
I will be selling mine but she will be doing be100s when i advertise her in a couple of events time but she will be going up for a lot more than 5K

That said she is an angel & worth her weight in gold &will be proven at be100 by the time she is advertised so is more than your friend is looking for.

I think she is pushing it for 5k even for something that has done unaff that is an angel good riding club types fetch a decent price i think if she stretches to 6.5k she can look at things that are 7k which will give her a lot more options :)
 
Hi cundlegreen and kassieg. Would you be able to PM me some more information about your horses please (there is flexibility in the budget, I think it just means other non-horsey things will have to be cut back on!). For some reason I don't seem to be able to send PMs weirdly. Thank you!
 
I follow Armstrong Equine on FB she events and brings on youngsters/allrounders. I've yet to see one I don't like and most fall within your friend's budget. Based Glous I think.
 
If you get something that needs a bit of work, you should easy be able to get something within budget. I got similar, slightly older for £1.5k a year ago.

If you want ready made... The sky is the limit!
 
Tina at tinderbox sports horses in Newark? Think she has a couple at the moment on her website which might fit the bill ��
 
I actually think the budget may be an issue when you come to try out horses as the criteria is so popular. I paid £4k last year for similar but mine is a green 5yo. Should become a good RC horse as has good paces and a good jump but had come over from Ireland and not done much in the school.

For an established horse with experience (realistically wont be younger than 7yrs for it to have experience) and safe so no quirkyness - probably 7k would be a better budget. If your friend can cope with some quirks then 5k would be achievable.

I have bought from Southgate Farm twice now. They have good RC sorts. 7-9yr olds are usually gold dust though.
 
I think it's doable on the budget but it would be much easier if the budget was 8k .
Soundness is always the issue when buying these types horses so a few failed vettings is something you might have accept .
Show jumpers that have topped out at 1.20/1.30 is a good place to look if your friend would enjoy the flat work training and XC work the horse would need .
 
Have a look at Sophie Damnent eventing, not sure what she has in ATM but when I was looking she had some lovely horses (unfortunately over my budget)
 
DiceArt said:
Hi cundlegreen and kassieg. Would you be able to PM me some more information about your horses please (there is flexibility in the budget, I think it just means other non-horsey things will have to be cut back on!). For some reason I don't seem to be able to send PMs weirdly. Thank you!
Click to expand...

It wouldn't let me pm you i have tried adding you as a friend to see if that works :)
 
Would she consider going to Ireland? For STG £5K even with additional costs of travel etc she would have her pick of finished riding club horses.
 
I just wanted to mention - as sounds a similar situation - a friend at my yard has just bought a 5yr old ex racer for £1500 from a very respected dealer (we have 5 ex racers on our yard now from her, one is mine), all doing RC type stuff, a couple doing BD, most have done unaff showjumping, combined training, showing, some Trec etc - true all rounders. This friend's last horse cost 10x this much, purpose bought dressage youngster and was more lame than not and is now likely to be retired at just 7yrs old having had all sorts of treatment and care, it has been a lot of stress, worry and expense for my friend so we suggested she get something she can have fun on and start to enjoy having (and riding!) a horse again. I think the budget of £5000 should be doable for what your friend wants and if you can find her a good ex racer you are on to a winner!
 
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You would easily get a super riding club horse in Ireland for that! Its always worth trying a few pro SJ or eventing yards in case they have any trade in's or ones which don't quite make the grade.
My friend who is a pro eventer passes his quiet and easy but not superstar horses to me to knock about at RC level and we would sell them for less than £5k and they are 100% in pretty much every way.
 
My friend just bought a 15.2hh 12 yr old who has done Be100.
He was a little bit bolshey on the floor but a short sharp shock about manners sorted him out and he cost a lot less than £1.5K

The gems are out there but you may have to look at those who are less than perfect and asses how much it will cost to make them perfect.
 
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