How much would this horse cost in the UK?

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Xanthoria

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I grew up in the UK, now live in the USA. I am horse shopping and the prices seem really high for the quality you can get there
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I am looking for an eventer, and the TBs here are very downhill in build, and often have soundness issues due to being ridden at 2 or even before (!). So I'm looking for a WB x TB or the like.

Roughly how much would a horse like this go for in the UK right now?

- 16.1h-17h
- 3-6 years old
- Warmblood or WB x TB (lighter, modern type) although "trendy lines" and registration not necessary.
- Nice gaits - I'm not going to the Olympics, but need 3 pure gaits that aren't flat, great hock action, free shoulder, good overtrack, nice jump in canter.
- Jumping ability: ability to go up to 4', and having shown enthusiasm for jumping (if only through a chute) and a careful attitude.
- Sane enough to go out on long hacks and camping trips
- Sound (!) with straight legs, a level or uphill build. Doesn't need to be a beauty queen - just build to last and stay sound.
- Competition record irrelevant if horse meets above criteria.

I am starting to think that it might be worth buying a horse over there and importing it, even though that costs about $7000 and I am by no means rich! *sigh*

Thanks for any thoughts on this subject!
 
I have a friend who events over there (used to live in UK). She gets all her horses from Ireland and imports them over, then keeps the best ones and sells the others for quite a substantial profit as apparently irish horses are very sought after over there? She is rich though so can afford all the importing easily!
 
My friend and I were discussing this the other day
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we came to the conclusion that the standard of riding is much lower at the lower levels in the USA than over here (talking about the equivalent of unaffilliated not the top end), therefore standard of horses is lower too.

My OH is American and I was shocked to see in the chronicles of the horse that a bog standard 6yr old ISH that can jump at 2ft6 course with ability to go on a bit further was $15,000
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! That horse over here would be £3.5k!!

Without a competition record your prob looking at about 3-4k for your horse, with a british affilliated competition record you could be looking at anything over 5k depending on the potential, temprement and what its achieved so far.
 
[quote
My OH is American and I was shocked to see in the chronicles of the horse that a bog standard 6yr old ISH that can jump at 2ft6 course with ability to go on a bit further was $15,000
blush.gif
! That horse over here would be £3.5k!!



[/ QUOTE ]

Seriously, I couldn't afford to buy a horse in Canada the same as I have with Hattie here. If I had Hattie when I used to ride hunter in Canada, we would have cleaned up as she has such a North American huntery action and can jump 2'6" easily (although my bones can't handle it now!)
 
I have to say it's true about the lower standard of riding - some riders never even leave the arena and going hunting or galloping on the beach is considered madness for the average rider. (Some at my barn think I'm nuts cos I'll cross a ROAD to GET to the beach! Gasp!)

Anyway, the cost of a horse like the one mentioned above would be about $15-20k. And I still can't find one that's sound, sane and talented in the right combination.

Waaah! I might have to go home to the UK and try a few ponies when I am there - it would be cheaper!
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