horse shopping in Ireland - recommendations/tips/advice!

[Rosy apple]

Hello!

I'm looking for a quality ISH for low level eventing, dressage & hunting and have decided to look in Ireland for my new horsey partner! I'm a Brit now living in the USA and will be in Ireland for 3 days in April to view horses (I appreciate it's not many days but its a start!)

Any advice or recommendations for sport horse yards/dealers that are highly reputable, trustworthy, friendly and are experienced in international shipping within 1.5 hours of Dublin?

Should I just contact them a week before I arrive to see what they may have available? I want to try and utilize my time the best I can by arranging viewings before I get there but horses seem to sell so fast these days! Any tips on arranging viewings/vetting. I'll have a friend with me to video horses so I can show my trainer back in the USA but apart from that I'm doing it all on my own .

I'd love to hear your thoughts on making the trip successful! Thanks!

 

[MuffettMischief]

Definitely contact Cill Dara sporthorses

 

[Red-1]

I would contact Olivia Chamberlain. I have been very happy with the horse I bought from her.

I don't think she has a huge number 'in stock' so to speak, as she produces them for a time so she actually knows them and improves them before putting them up for sale, rather than doing a quick turnaround. That said, she would have a bunch of contacts and may also act as an agent, especially as I can't think January is a busy time for the production of babies (although I may be wrong!).

 

[Rosy apple]

Definitely contact Cill Dara sporthorses

Thank you! Yes, I’ve been following them on FB and she has lots of lovely ones so I’ll definitely plan a visit. Have you experience buying from her?

 

[Rosy apple]

I would contact Olivia Chamberlain. I have been very happy with the horse I bought from her.

I don't think she has a huge number 'in stock' so to speak, as she produces them for a time so she actually knows them and improves them before putting them up for sale, rather than doing a quick turnaround. That said, she would have a bunch of contacts and may also act as an agent, especially as I can't think January is a busy time for the production of babies (although I may be wrong!).

thank you! I found her on FB and will contact her.

 

[MuffettMischief]

Thank you! Yes, I’ve been following them on FB and she has lots of lovely ones so I’ll definitely plan a visit. Have you experience buying from her?

yes I have! Really lovely horses and great people to deal with

 

[Mule]

Yes, Chris Ryan breeds lovely eventers and sells a lot to America. He has a very good eye for a horse and is good to match . He specialises in traditional Irish sport horses. This is his website
http://www.scarteen.net/#

 

[spacefaer]

Cill Dara and Olivia Chamberlain as mentioned
David Geraghty
Tom Macnamara
Richie O'Hara

Off the top of my head - there are others too - I'll add them when they come to me!

It's around $10k to import a gelding, a bit more for a mare/stallion.
I'd contact sooner and get a relationship going with whoever you're going to see. Then they'll have a better idea of what you're looking for by the time you get over.

 

[Rosy apple]

Yes, Chris Ryan breeds lovely eventers and sells a lot to America. He has a very good eye for a horse and is good to match . He specialises in traditional Irish sport horses. This is his website
http://www.scarteen.net/#

Thank you! I’d not heard of him so will definitely check out his website.

 

[Rosy apple]

Cill Dara and Olivia Chamberlain as mentioned
David Geraghty
Tom Macnamara
Richie O'Hara

Off the top of my head - there are others too - I'll add them when they come to me!

It's around $10k to import a gelding, a bit more for a mare/stallion.
I'd contact sooner and get a relationship going with whoever you're going to see. Then they'll have a better idea of what you're looking for by the time you get over.

Thanks! Geraghty was recommended to me too but I’d not heard of the other two so I’ll check them out. I’ve had people not getting back to me so wondered if I was contacting too early as horses seem to go quickly - but they’re probably just super

 

[Rosy apple]

Thanks! Geraghty was recommended to me too but I’d not heard of the other two so I’ll check them out. I’ve had people not getting back to me so wondered if I was contacting too early as horses seem to go quickly - but they’re probably just super

busy so I’ll keep trying!
yes I’ve budgeted about $10k to import. It sounds pretty straight forward and the dealers Have lots of experience shipping.,?

 

[onemoretime]

Hello!

I'm looking for a quality ISH for low level eventing, dressage & hunting and have decided to look in Ireland for my new horsey partner! I'm a Brit now living in the USA and will be in Ireland for 3 days in April to view horses (I appreciate it's not many days but its a start!)

Any advice or recommendations for sport horse yards/dealers that are highly reputable, trustworthy, friendly and are experienced in international shipping within 1.5 hours of Dublin?

Should I just contact them a week before I arrive to see what they may have available? I want to try and utilize my time the best I can by arranging viewings before I get there but horses seem to sell so fast these days! Any tips on arranging viewings/vetting. I'll have a friend with me to video horses so I can show my trainer back in the USA but apart from that I'm doing it all on my own .

I'd love to hear your thoughts on making the trip successful! Thanks!

Contact Lorraine Keith she has a Face Book page. She is very good and has a great eye for a horse. She would know lots of people to go to and also who to stay away from.