Horse shopping frustrations and a 'has anyone' questions...

vam

vam

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Has anyone had any experience of the Billy Stud? I’m trying to find a nice 4 – 6 year old about 16.2hh that will eventually jump 1.10m possibly 1.20m and its proving frustrating. Thought I would drop them a call but not going to bother if they are way out of my league both financially and ability wise.
I’ve got a budget of 6k which is probably my issue, every time I like something I can’t afford it and when I can afford it I don’t like it. I don’t want a unbacked 3 yo which I could afford as I don’t have the ability to back something plus I'm rusty which means it will just be a disaster. :redface3:

I’m tempted to give up and start again after summer but for some reason I can’t stop looking just in case even thou I don’t actually have much motivation. I just can’t seem to find anything I get excited about, combine that with the fact I really, really don’t like riding strange horses let alone in front of people means I'm possibly doomed to failure.
Anyone else find it hard to pluck up the courage to even ring in the first place? I seem to be at that point where I don’t even want to contact people as I think they are going to think I'm an idiot or I can’t afford it or a whole list of other issues I’ve made for myself. Far easier to not bother than find out you can’t actually ride anything more than a beach donkey. Thinking about it, going anywhere near the Billy Stud might actually finish me off. :redface3:
Confidence crisis? Full blown one apparently. :confused3: :frown3:

I can’t even offer any nice goodies to anyone reading that ramble as I'm on a diet :rolleyes3:
 
Any big stud will breed the best, some poor and many inbetween, Billy is no different.

They are experienced, with a good following so the really good ones will command a high price.

I've seen a couple come out of there privately, and also seen a couple presented at brightwelks that didn't reach reserve.

The people I know that bought privately had a good buying experience and are pleased with their horse. He wasn't cheap and personally I would have wanted more bang for my buck.

I wouldn't go to Billy with 6K in my pocket, you will just get bottom end from them.

You should get a nice 4yo from Ireland for that, the euro exchange rate is so strong that it's worth the trip over and agent comission
 
I can't offer any sensible advice

Just let you know im so with you about picking the phone up to people. Im a competent person but had a massive confidence crisis last year after an accident. I now presume people must think im a total idiot as im now very apprehensive on strange horses, although still event, hunt my older horse perfectly fine.

Confidence is such a funny thing. With it you can conquer the world without it you're screwed when it comes to horses
 
I visited the Billy Stud a few years ago when I was looking - I think you would need to increase your budget.

They certainly had a lot of quality horses to look at, mostly unbroken, if you are confident buyer I would think it was worth a visit.
 
I visited the Billy Stud a few years ago when I was looking - I think you would need to increase your budget.

They certainly had a lot of quality horses to look at, mostly unbroken, if you are confident buyer I would think it was worth a visit.
 
I'd second Ireland. I've never gone over there to buy a horse, but have ridden a few recently imported ones that would do that job happily :)
 
I think you need to make it less complicated. Most 16.2s with 4 legs would be capable of jumping a course of 1.10 imho, if you get one honest enough. It doesn't need to be flashy or special, just needs to be obedient and willing. Don't look at the ones where they think they've got the next milton in their stable, go and enjoy riding one you like and if you think it will do the job buy it.

Even if you bought the perfect horse there's nothing to say it wouldn't go lame a week after buying, so buy something you like and build a good relationship, thats more important than talent I think for most one horse riders. I firmly believe my horse is kind and forgiving to me in the ring as long as I keep the treats coming!!
 
stencilface said:
I think you need to make it less complicated. Most 16.2s with 4 legs would be capable of jumping a course of 1.10 imho, if you get one honest enough. It doesn't need to be flashy or special, just needs to be obedient and willing. Don't look at the ones where they think they've got the next milton in their stable, go and enjoy riding one you like and if you think it will do the job buy it.

Even if you bought the perfect horse there's nothing to say it wouldn't go lame a week after buying, so buy something you like and build a good relationship, thats more important than talent I think for most one horse riders. I firmly believe my horse is kind and forgiving to me in the ring as long as I keep the treats coming!!
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This is very good advice, you have the budget for a decent "average" horse, you are not looking for something to set the world alight so it should be possible to find something that you actually like and enjoy riding that is not going to ruin your confidence, do you have someone you trust to go with you that will also run through the ads in case you are overlooking something obvious when you weed out the ones you are not interested in, it is likely you are missing something that is being undersold that is untried over a decent fence so advertised as an allrounder or as a hunter because it has just finished the season.
 
Agree with other re Billy Stud. A friend went with £10K budget, possibly £12K and was made to feel that that was definitely not enough to get one of theirs...
 
Have you tried measles on here? They always have really nice horses and have great contacts as well. The only downside is the distance (they're in Scotland) but we flew up from Surrey and had a useful day there trying horses. The other one is Charlotte Uden who has a nice 6yo in at the moment who looks to be a nice capable character.
 
Thanks all, I will give them a miss.I have looked at a few horses but so far none have floated my boat, I don't have a preference on breed etc but I need to look at it and like it enough to actually want to see it and its these I can't seem to find in my budget. It seems 6k 5 years ago went a lot further than it does now but thats not really surprising. I have got other places to try, one of which might have something hopefully.

The issue is I'm very competative. I'm getting another to compete and do well, I have no plans on getting one that I don't want/can't ride just because it has talent but equally I'm not planning on getting something that isn't going to do the job.

I don't lack confidence riding but I do doubt my ablity a lot of the time, I'm capable but I not someone to put myself out there so can come across as either an idiot or nervy, pretty much how I'm coming across in this thread. There are times when my trainer looks like she wants to beat me with a stick because I put myself down or under sell myself.
I have very good people round me who know what I am capable of and I am not someone who thinks they are better than they are nor will they let me make a mistake and over or under horse myself.

My last one has oddles of talent and was just the nicest, most honest horse going. I don't think I am asking for the world to get something like that again.
Yes temperment is all but there are horses out there that can have talent without being a twonk, it just might take me a while to find it.

If nothing else this has given me a kick up the butt to get on with it, at the end of the day I'm not a useless rider, just a useless people person which is probably the better way round.

Thanks all :)
 
Go to Irish Horse Imports - they have loads around the 4k mark that would fit your bill. Explain what you want and when they next get a load in go and see them. I know two of their bottom end horses (last pair left from a load) who were bought for about 1.5-2k each and both have gone BE100 no problem.
 
The hardest part is picking up the phone..the rest is easy and once you start the ball will start rolling and Bam you will be viewing and riding horses..one small step and all that :-)
 
Agree with G_M-II, we've bought several from them over the years that have gone on to jump newcomers & fox no problems before we sold them on. They're straight to deal with as well!
 
You could buy unbroken for a bit less and pay to have it broken for you. Might be a bit longer before you can compete, but you might get a better horse for it. I paid £5K for my girl last year 3yo unbroken and she would be more than you are looking for. I often find they don't get naughty until they are 5 anyway!
 
Trust me you will NOT sound like an idiot!! The problem I had when buying was dealers trying to offload their quirky cr@p to me because they were so glad someone turned up who could actually ride! And I'm beyond average compared to anyone half decent!
When selling once I had so many numptys ring who didn't know one end of a horse from the other so don't be shy!! You will be a breath of fresh air for a seller.
You should get what you want easy for 6k, keep looking :) :)
 
I think its very easy to fall into the trap of paying more because someone with a silky voice who knows all the right words to say is selling it. If your limit of competing is 1.10 and you want to be competitive, go for an oldie moving back down the grades.

Look at the unlikely ads, the poorly described horses with rubbish pictures. Some people have great horses but don't know how to sell them. Lots of people have average horses and could sell sand to an Arab.

Horsey people for some reason think a horse is better regardless if its more expensive, don't be snobby about it - just ride something you like thats springing over 1m but is untried otherwise and go from there.

http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/clas...e__unit=4831&height__unit=4902&age__unit=5497

http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/clas...-and-ponies-for-sale/all-rounder/w/uk/surrey/

http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/clas...-and-ponies-for-sale/all-rounder/w/uk/surrey/

http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/clas...-and-ponies-for-sale/all-rounder/w/uk/surrey/
 
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Have a look on NFED.co.uk if you haven't already. It is New Forest site but well used in a wider area and when I was horse shopping there were a lot of good ones there. I like ref 117569 particularly (sorry can't do links from there).
 
Ask friends if you can ride their horses, or go to a riding school for some lessons to get a feel of riding different & strange horses in front of people.

Also never get on a horse you haven't seen ridden by the owner/seller, and take a friend or trainer with you so you have them to focus on.
 
drop budget to 4k and buy un backed and send it away to be backed with the remaining money-you will get a MUCH nicer horse that way.

have been looking with a friend (with a much smaller budget) and that was the best way to get a good horse for the least £££££.
 
I think you have to be realistic!

A 16.2hh, 4-6 year old, potential to jump 1.10+ is on most competition riders shopping list and if they are showing a scopy jump, good attitude and nice paces then they will be more than £6k.

So you will have to compromise.

Amazingly I have just compromised by buying a miniature, greener version of what I was looking for. For a while I was hung up on the fact he was 15.2hh but now I love him.

Work out on what you may be prepared to compromise on, perhaps they are sharp and you are confident to handle that, perhaps their flatwork is lacking or they get tense in the dressage and you only want to SJ, perhaps they nap hacking, not brave XC, a just broken 4yr old, from a sale or a dealer that turns then round quickly so there may be a lack of history, has a vice that you can live with.

The list goes on and on and you just need to work out what you are prepared to live with and then the perfect horse will be out there waiting for you.

You could also try an honest wanted ad on horse quest or post on Twittereventing adverts?
 
I was looking for something similar but do some dressage and eventing to BE100 ish and had a lower budget than you, tried a few and ended up with one from Gavin Reilly. had him couple months now, has a great temperament, still very green but honest, pops over 1m+ oxers easily and is sane and easy on the ground just needs more flatwork which knew when i bought him. it is worth a call , tell him what you want and go try some. very easy to deal with and no pressure.
 
Where are you based? If you're near Yorkshire/County Durham I'll send you some places to try that have nice horses that will be within budget....and are friendly. Or if you're not you could do a weekend trip
 
Try mark boscano, has some lovely young stock

Quite a few just broken 4 year olds & will be within your budget :)
 
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