KatB
Well-Known Member
Why did you choose that age? And have they turned out how you expected them to/wanted them to?
How old were your horses when you brought them...
- Thread starter KatB
- Start date
connie1288
Well-Known Member
Tink was 6 - tbh she was just what we were looking for but smarter than we could afford due to her napping, in a way she has turned out as I wanted, the 1st year was more problematic that hoped and now injuries cause us problems!!
Mary was 7 - she was slightly older than i was looking for but she had the sjing experience and we were struggling to find the right horse, she is smarter than i ever believed i could buy.
I tend to look for between 5-7 They are old enough to get on with the job, 4yo can need to take it slow, any older will be looking on the old side if it comes to selling and if it is at any level as an 8yo, then it will be way out of my budget.
Mary was 7 - she was slightly older than i was looking for but she had the sjing experience and we were struggling to find the right horse, she is smarter than i ever believed i could buy.
I tend to look for between 5-7 They are old enough to get on with the job, 4yo can need to take it slow, any older will be looking on the old side if it comes to selling and if it is at any level as an 8yo, then it will be way out of my budget.
JessPickle
Well-Known Member
Pickle was supposed to be 11 but he was actually 13. His advert and passport didn't match, yet the owners at the time were the people that got his passport
enough said. He is everything we wanted, a schoolmaster that has taught my dad everything and helped me to progress. He is 17 now and we are doing our first SJ comp away from my yard on sunday
he is an absulute star.
I was looking for something between 8-10 initially!
I was looking for something between 8-10 initially!
H_J
Well-Known Member
I would personally only ever go for a young horse now, no older then 5yrs they have too many of other peoples problems any older!! And the older ones who dont have problems as they have been ridden by pros are too difficult for amatuers to ride, just my personal opinion
AutumnRose
Well-Known Member
Blue was 5 although 4 in greeness. He is showing more potential in his first year with me than we imagined he would although we are having our ups and downs!!!! I think he'll be worth it in long run.
I was looking for a 5/6 year old although anything i looked at that was 6/7 was a bit too expensive. Also i wanted something, that if it was good enough, i could have for the whole of its career. I could only afford Blue because he was green for his age.
I was looking for a 5/6 year old although anything i looked at that was 6/7 was a bit too expensive. Also i wanted something, that if it was good enough, i could have for the whole of its career. I could only afford Blue because he was green for his age.
jules89
Well-Known Member
9 but had done next to nothing - only a year of SJ where he had progressed in leaps and bounds (actually I'm not sure how much he did in Belgium...!
)
But I can't use Z as an example beacuse I was looking for an Int/Adv schoolmaster and ended up with something who had never seen a Xc fence...!
But I can't use Z as an example beacuse I was looking for an Int/Adv schoolmaster and ended up with something who had never seen a Xc fence...!
Firewell
Well-Known Member
Vaya had just turned 5 and now shes 9, she hadnt done anything but hack on a loose rein when I brought her.
Im glad I brought young because shes moulded into what I wanted although its been such crazy hard work and im not sure I would buy as young again, id maybe go for about 7 next time with basics established (as long as i knew it had been brought on properly!)
In the first 6 months I had her when she couldnt even walk a circle I thought we were never going to get where I wanted to be and there were many frustrated tears. Our first dressage test I cried I just couldnt believe we were doing it. She took to jumping very easy but even so first clear round BSJA i remembered again how far we had come.
Its been an amazing learning curve and I have a fab horse who is consistent and capable in all discaplines but I dont know If I could have the patience to start from scratch again, especially with a sensitive competition horse type!
Im glad I brought young because shes moulded into what I wanted although its been such crazy hard work and im not sure I would buy as young again, id maybe go for about 7 next time with basics established (as long as i knew it had been brought on properly!)
In the first 6 months I had her when she couldnt even walk a circle I thought we were never going to get where I wanted to be and there were many frustrated tears. Our first dressage test I cried I just couldnt believe we were doing it. She took to jumping very easy but even so first clear round BSJA i remembered again how far we had come.
Its been an amazing learning curve and I have a fab horse who is consistent and capable in all discaplines but I dont know If I could have the patience to start from scratch again, especially with a sensitive competition horse type!
Bossanova
Well-Known Member
Boss was 7 and had done a bit of BE. He exceeded expectations and was cheap enough for what he'd done.
Moon was an unbroken 5yr old and was novice within a year, intermediate within 2 so I'd happily do that again.
Moon was an unbroken 5yr old and was novice within a year, intermediate within 2 so I'd happily do that again.
miller
Well-Known Member
Was looking for a 7 or 8 yo to come off ponies on to 15.1/15.3 ish - had to have jumped 3ft3+ tracks and not out of BN
Ended up with a just broken 4yo who was 16.1 - spent more time in casualty than on him for the first month (demon bucker
)
Jumped up to 1.25 turned to dressage with him as a 13yo competed up to med dressage - should have been up to adv by now but no finances to compete for lest 3 years. Now 20 and still schooling at home like he did when he was 5 (more adv obviously!), never yet had a days stiffness.
I'm now looking for something between 2-5, gelding to dressage/SJ so dread to think what I'll end up with
KatB - let me know what you're ideal is and if I see anything that might suit you I'll elt you know as you're relatively local
Ended up with a just broken 4yo who was 16.1 - spent more time in casualty than on him for the first month (demon bucker
Jumped up to 1.25 turned to dressage with him as a 13yo competed up to med dressage - should have been up to adv by now but no finances to compete for lest 3 years. Now 20 and still schooling at home like he did when he was 5 (more adv obviously!), never yet had a days stiffness.
I'm now looking for something between 2-5, gelding to dressage/SJ so dread to think what I'll end up with
KatB - let me know what you're ideal is and if I see anything that might suit you I'll elt you know as you're relatively local
sare_bear
Well-Known Member
Betty was 6 to event - talented but quirky hence how I could afford her. She has been lovely and still have her 5 years later and even produced a lovely foal. (Opposition baby, so maybe not so lovely?!
)
Riley - ISH 4 yo, who was everything I wanted but has been plaqued by injury and has had more time out than in work. Will never risk eventing him now.
Tori - Polish Warmblood 5 yo. Looked long and hard for that elusive event horse to hopefully be a competitive novice, but ended up 6 months later with her. Paid good money and a year on not even got to our first show!! Definately not turned out how I wanted and am now on the verge of giving up my dream.
ISH any time!
Riley - ISH 4 yo, who was everything I wanted but has been plaqued by injury and has had more time out than in work. Will never risk eventing him now.
Tori - Polish Warmblood 5 yo. Looked long and hard for that elusive event horse to hopefully be a competitive novice, but ended up 6 months later with her. Paid good money and a year on not even got to our first show!! Definately not turned out how I wanted and am now on the verge of giving up my dream.
ISH any time!
Elle1085
Well-Known Member
One was 11 now 14 an sj schoolmaster, schoolmaster meaning he taught me how to stay on a stop, spin, spook, etc. The other one i bought in march is 16, a pony i had looked after and ridden at home for two years, he literally hated his owners and they only ever turned up at weekends to drag him off to a show, he apparently always loved me and i bought him. since march he's won more money for me than the other has in three years. I do look a bit odd having a 16.2 stunner and a 14hh cobby pony on the lorry but the cobby pony is the one most people would take home with them.
ets
I was looking for a 3/4 year old when i got the 11 year old and tried a few at the brightwells sj sale only to find their x rays were slightly dodgy. my horse came to the yard for me to ride and i foolishly fell in love and couldn't bare to see him sold on next time though i would be looking for ideally a 3/4/5 yr old blank canvas but i wouldn't rule out older ones cos you never know what might come up
ets
I was looking for a 3/4 year old when i got the 11 year old and tried a few at the brightwells sj sale only to find their x rays were slightly dodgy. my horse came to the yard for me to ride and i foolishly fell in love and couldn't bare to see him sold on next time though i would be looking for ideally a 3/4/5 yr old blank canvas but i wouldn't rule out older ones cos you never know what might come up
Grey_Eventer
Well-Known Member
Barney was 12, he was my first horse, moving from a v. naughty 13.2hh to a 15.3hh, he sort of fell into my lap, and i loved him so we bought him (we were sort of looking). Hes been great and totally what i wanted/needed. he knew at the begining that when i pointed him at a fence he should jump, now im a better rider he test me more!
Claudia was 6, shes now 17 years old! shes been everything we wanted and more. One day she would be hunting, a couple of days later she would be doing high goal polo then the next she would be doing pony club polo. shes a grumpy b|tch but shes been truelly amazing and has served our whole family. we have all ridden her at some point and has taken both me and my brother of ponies to play polo on horses.
Chumakka was 9 and Gunate was 8, they sort of came as a package together as Guante wouldnt pass any vetting due to his appualing conformation which makes him tachnically unsound and chumakka was very nervous at the beginning of the season. but guante had one BPP at St.Moritz. They are both fab, and are exactly what we wanted....
these are our current ridden horses... we havent been so lucky in the past, but i wont go into that!
Claudia was 6, shes now 17 years old! shes been everything we wanted and more. One day she would be hunting, a couple of days later she would be doing high goal polo then the next she would be doing pony club polo. shes a grumpy b|tch but shes been truelly amazing and has served our whole family. we have all ridden her at some point and has taken both me and my brother of ponies to play polo on horses.
Chumakka was 9 and Gunate was 8, they sort of came as a package together as Guante wouldnt pass any vetting due to his appualing conformation which makes him tachnically unsound and chumakka was very nervous at the beginning of the season. but guante had one BPP at St.Moritz. They are both fab, and are exactly what we wanted....
these are our current ridden horses... we havent been so lucky in the past, but i wont go into that!
langside
Well-Known Member
shel was 14 when we got her but she was bought as something to get me through summer (mainly pc camp) as my pony was lame
she had been there and done it but had been left in a field for 2 years so looked like she was in foal she turned out to be a horse in a million for us that cost us nothing
the beastie was 10 we got her after we lost our youngster in a freak accident she was older than we wanted but at the time couldn't find anything within our budget
we thought she would be straightforward but its took us nearly 2 years to get going
i think if she was younger she may have had less bad habbits that have took alot of effort to change
she had been there and done it but had been left in a field for 2 years so looked like she was in foal she turned out to be a horse in a million for us that cost us nothing
the beastie was 10 we got her after we lost our youngster in a freak accident she was older than we wanted but at the time couldn't find anything within our budget
we thought she would be straightforward but its took us nearly 2 years to get going
i think if she was younger she may have had less bad habbits that have took alot of effort to change
kit279
Well-Known Member
Perhaps I'm a little different in that I don't like to sell my horses on - I'm lucky in that I can afford to keep them and they can retire with my parents if need be so age is not enormously important to me. I bought my chestnut aged 11 because I had known him since he came out of racing and I knew he was a very tough sound horse to have stood up to 7 years of medium goal polo and he was such a nice kind horse to have around that I wanted him to have a permanent home with me.
As far as I'm concerned, when you buy a youngster, you are essentially saying 'I don't want to buy a horse then discover that it has been mucked about by numpties and has a lot of issues'. You therefore take a bit of gamble as to whether it has the courage/scope/soundness to do what you want and if it doesn't, well then, age is on the horse's side and it can be sold on.
I would buy any aged horse if it could definitely do the job I wanted and I knew its FULL history, any veterinary problems, any behavioural issues, and I knew it had been properly and correctly produced by knowledgeable people. The problem is that there are not too many people I know personally who I would trust to be completely honest about a horse for sale. In addition, if it is tough, sound and brave and of a reasonable age, why is it being sold and is it within budget? You'll pay a premium for a well-produced horse or you'll have to spend that money on its training and competing to get it to that level from a 4 year old.
As far as I'm concerned, when you buy a youngster, you are essentially saying 'I don't want to buy a horse then discover that it has been mucked about by numpties and has a lot of issues'. You therefore take a bit of gamble as to whether it has the courage/scope/soundness to do what you want and if it doesn't, well then, age is on the horse's side and it can be sold on.
I would buy any aged horse if it could definitely do the job I wanted and I knew its FULL history, any veterinary problems, any behavioural issues, and I knew it had been properly and correctly produced by knowledgeable people. The problem is that there are not too many people I know personally who I would trust to be completely honest about a horse for sale. In addition, if it is tough, sound and brave and of a reasonable age, why is it being sold and is it within budget? You'll pay a premium for a well-produced horse or you'll have to spend that money on its training and competing to get it to that level from a 4 year old.
MegaBeast
Well-Known Member
6yo, went out looking for something between 5 and 7 that had been out and about a bit. Unfortunately was lied to about what she'd done (told she'd one an unaffil ODE that I later found out she didn't complete etc etc). Should have been perfect but subsequently found out she's had some real rough xc rides from male pros which have totally knocked her confidence so we're building things up little by little.
Am looking to buy a horse from friends of friends. He's older than I want (prefer young so can sell on as schoolmasters) at 10 but I trust the seller implicitly and having been had once I'll compromise on age to get something that I know will perform. Also means I can have fun on him for a while whilst I bring my mare on.
10 is the absolute top age I'd consider though.
Am looking to buy a horse from friends of friends. He's older than I want (prefer young so can sell on as schoolmasters) at 10 but I trust the seller implicitly and having been had once I'll compromise on age to get something that I know will perform. Also means I can have fun on him for a while whilst I bring my mare on.
10 is the absolute top age I'd consider though.
jumptoit
Well-Known Member
The two that have turned out to be what we wanted were both just turned 5 and only jumping 2ft 3 with little flatwork in place.
We have also bought 11 and 12 year olds which have both been cases of buying someone's problems.
In future I would aim for 5 - 8 as I much prefer a blank canvas so to speak.
We have also bought 11 and 12 year olds which have both been cases of buying someone's problems.
In future I would aim for 5 - 8 as I much prefer a blank canvas so to speak.
oofadoofa
Well-Known Member
Nemo was 5 rising 6 when I bought him. I px'd my last horse and had the choice between Nemo who had jumped a few rounds BSJA (with a pro) and a 7 year old that had evented up to novice. I chose Nemo because of his face
but yes, eventually he has turned out the way I wanted him, now aged 7.
Safina
Well-Known Member
My new boy is 12. I bought that age because I wanted something with a bit of been there, done that but with plenty of scope and learning ability left.
I have owned him for 30 days and been working abroad for 29 of those days so no feedback yet whether my thinking worked!
I have owned him for 30 days and been working abroad for 29 of those days so no feedback yet whether my thinking worked!
finefeathers1
Well-Known Member
Barney was 11, he and I just clicked together. I had a break from riding for 20+ years and started having lessons again 5 years ago. He was a dusty, miserable old sod who had been a riding school horse for 6 years. It was love at first sight! He is now 16 years old, sleek, handsome and full of life, in fact he is getting younger, not older. Laugh is I set out to buy a 16.2hh schoolmaster, grey preferably. I got a 14.3hh black irish cob with an attitude, who was definitely not a schoolmaster!
Bonnie was just six when we bought her. Our YO had bred her, broken her and taken her to PN with some success. When my daughter sold her old pony, she was just sitting there waiting for us. We've had her just over twelve months and she has taken my daughter from Pony Club eventing to BE100 in that time. On top of that, she is beautiful, have a lovely nature and is brave and honest.
Bonnie was just six when we bought her. Our YO had bred her, broken her and taken her to PN with some success. When my daughter sold her old pony, she was just sitting there waiting for us. We've had her just over twelve months and she has taken my daughter from Pony Club eventing to BE100 in that time. On top of that, she is beautiful, have a lovely nature and is brave and honest.
coedcae
Well-Known Member
My best ones have both been bought as yearlings. The others I bought as 4 and 5yr old just broken or done a bit, haven't been nearly as pleasurable.
wizoz
Well-Known Member
Wylye was 6, he'd already done quite a bit as he'd raced unsuccessfully then he was bought to event and did 3 pre novices with Sam Griffiths before his owner decided to sell. He was so easy to take out anywhere and a pleasure to own.
Boo was 6, green as the grass and a nightmare. We wanted to buy something relatively untouched so that I could do the work and make him MY horse, things didn't really go to plan to start with because of all the time off he kept having to have due to various ailments. Then when he did come into proper work he was a little git and got sent to boot camp. After that, I got to grips with him and started to really make my mark on him, then he had to go away
If I were to buy again, I would be looking for something who has done a bit, so not green, with a trainable brain. Actually, i'd buy Wylye all over again
Boo was 6, green as the grass and a nightmare. We wanted to buy something relatively untouched so that I could do the work and make him MY horse, things didn't really go to plan to start with because of all the time off he kept having to have due to various ailments. Then when he did come into proper work he was a little git and got sent to boot camp. After that, I got to grips with him and started to really make my mark on him, then he had to go away
If I were to buy again, I would be looking for something who has done a bit, so not green, with a trainable brain. Actually, i'd buy Wylye all over again
Baydale
Well-Known Member
William - got him at 5 as I wanted something to start eventing, novice or maybe intermediate if I had my brave pants on
: he'd done nothing other than a couple of hunter classes as a 4yo. Turned out to be 100 times better than I expected.
Tango - got him at 6 as William was getting older; again wanted something ready to go (big mistake). He promised me the world but never quite delivered, sadly,
not his fault, more his early upbringing.
Hector - got him at 3, unbroken. Decided after Tango that I could cope with any problems I'd created, but not other people's. Turned out well enough other than not being robust enough to be a big-time eventer.
HH - got him at 3, unbroken, having fallen in love with him as a foal - shame he just kept growing and growing.
Still turning out to be what I wanted him to be and teaching me how to be patient along the way.
Jupiter - got him at 2, obviously unbroken - he's out of a mare I evented to Intermediate who I adored and by same sire as HH. Turning out to be just what I want, much like HH but in a smaller, more manageable package.
Tango - got him at 6 as William was getting older; again wanted something ready to go (big mistake). He promised me the world but never quite delivered, sadly,
Hector - got him at 3, unbroken. Decided after Tango that I could cope with any problems I'd created, but not other people's. Turned out well enough other than not being robust enough to be a big-time eventer.
HH - got him at 3, unbroken, having fallen in love with him as a foal - shame he just kept growing and growing.
Jupiter - got him at 2, obviously unbroken - he's out of a mare I evented to Intermediate who I adored and by same sire as HH. Turning out to be just what I want, much like HH but in a smaller, more manageable package.
FigJam
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
How old was your horse when you bought her?
[/ QUOTE ]
14, although I'd been loaning her for 9months before I actually bought her! She will turn 17 this year.
[ QUOTE ]
Why did you choose that age?
[/ QUOTE ]
I didn't really choose that age, as the loan arrangement just kind of happened! Then when I moved house and went to give up the loan arrangement it a) broke my heart and b) the owner decided they didn't want full time horse back and so told me she'd be sold! So the lovely Mr FigJam bought me the most wonderful Christmas pressie!
If I'd been looking to buy from adverts/dealer etc, I would probably have looked for something around about 10-12years, so she wasn't that far out of the bracket really! (although I did say if I ever bought a horse I'd want a gelding, 16hh or bigger and coloured, I have a mare, passported at 15.1hh who is dark bay!!!)
[ QUOTE ]
And have they turned out how you expected them to/wanted them to?
[/ QUOTE ]
She has been the most incredible first horse for me, a proper school mistress who can turn her hoof to anything. With her, I've competed for the first time in dressage, SJ and XC and we're doing our first ever ODE later this month.
We hack for hours on end, alone or in company and she's happy to do as much or as little work at life in general allows me!
I just wish I could clone her and make her 7 years old all over again, but with the same attitude to life!
She definitely doesn't act like an old horse though, so fingers crossed we have a good few years having fun together ahead of us.
How old was your horse when you bought her?
[/ QUOTE ]
14, although I'd been loaning her for 9months before I actually bought her! She will turn 17 this year.
[ QUOTE ]
Why did you choose that age?
[/ QUOTE ]
I didn't really choose that age, as the loan arrangement just kind of happened! Then when I moved house and went to give up the loan arrangement it a) broke my heart and b) the owner decided they didn't want full time horse back and so told me she'd be sold! So the lovely Mr FigJam bought me the most wonderful Christmas pressie!
If I'd been looking to buy from adverts/dealer etc, I would probably have looked for something around about 10-12years, so she wasn't that far out of the bracket really! (although I did say if I ever bought a horse I'd want a gelding, 16hh or bigger and coloured, I have a mare, passported at 15.1hh who is dark bay!!!)
[ QUOTE ]
And have they turned out how you expected them to/wanted them to?
[/ QUOTE ]
She has been the most incredible first horse for me, a proper school mistress who can turn her hoof to anything. With her, I've competed for the first time in dressage, SJ and XC and we're doing our first ever ODE later this month.
I just wish I could clone her and make her 7 years old all over again, but with the same attitude to life!
SSM
Well-Known Member
Buckeroo was and still is 4
and yes he is perfect, just have to perfect the rider!
ihatework
Well-Known Member
One was 6 and had done some PN/N eventing. He was everything I could have hoped for except for a variety of soundness issues which was a real shame.
At the time chose him purely due to the fact he was cheap and had a pretty face!!
The other was 20 months old, direct from breeder. He is now 5 andturning into a lovely chap. Yet to decide if he is everything I want/hope for, but if he isn't he will definitely fill that category for someone else.
I deliberately set out to buy that age, wanted a companion for the above horse (while he was on one of many sick note breaks in field) and something to take over from him down the line when he retired. Plus I always wanted to do my own from scratch
At the time chose him purely due to the fact he was cheap and had a pretty face!!
The other was 20 months old, direct from breeder. He is now 5 andturning into a lovely chap. Yet to decide if he is everything I want/hope for, but if he isn't he will definitely fill that category for someone else.
I deliberately set out to buy that age, wanted a companion for the above horse (while he was on one of many sick note breaks in field) and something to take over from him down the line when he retired. Plus I always wanted to do my own from scratch
Wigglypigs
Well-Known Member
Cruise was 8 (and a half) and i bought at that age as my last horse was around 4 when i bought her having known her since she arrived at the yard from a dealers as a broken just 3 year old (told she was 5). She was really difficult but i loved her, sold her to get more of a competition horse as she was too small for me (only 15.1 and lightly built) after 4 years together.
I was determind to buy older after having her and also having a 3 year old to back for a friend that summer. I wanted something who had been there and done a bit BUT with a limited budget and a head full of wanting to compete I bought a really well bred 8.5 year old DWB who , at 17hands, had been allowed to run riot with his owner since he was imported over to here at 6. He is nappy, rears, gets ridiculously wound up and spooks at the slightest thing. I have been tempted to sell him 100 times over but am perservering as I know he has the talent and im a stubborn cow. I think he could be the horse of my dreams if i can get there with him. 1.5 years on and i still dont feel we are there yet but we had the whole of last winter off.
One day..........
I was determind to buy older after having her and also having a 3 year old to back for a friend that summer. I wanted something who had been there and done a bit BUT with a limited budget and a head full of wanting to compete I bought a really well bred 8.5 year old DWB who , at 17hands, had been allowed to run riot with his owner since he was imported over to here at 6. He is nappy, rears, gets ridiculously wound up and spooks at the slightest thing. I have been tempted to sell him 100 times over but am perservering as I know he has the talent and im a stubborn cow. I think he could be the horse of my dreams if i can get there with him. 1.5 years on and i still dont feel we are there yet but we had the whole of last winter off.
One day..........
wench
Well-Known Member
Mine was 8/9... not done an awful lot apart from hunting and some numpty owner letting him get away with everything. Wish I would have been able to buy him earlier in his life, before someone screwed him up.
louisevictoria
Well-Known Member
My mare (Muffin the bay in my sig)was 5 when I got her and hadn't been handled very well. She had done a bit of SJing in Italy when I bought her and continued to SJ with me. She is now retired at the age of 10 due to an injury and will be staying with me as I always said when I moved back from Italy she was with me for life.
My boy (Styx)who I only bought last year is 13 but had been in the same home for the last 10 years - he was my trainer's daughters horse. So I knew the full history on him anyway. He hadn't done a lot on paper but the ability was there. Incidentally I originally wanted something a bit younger but we have had so much fun since I started competing him.
My boy (Styx)who I only bought last year is 13 but had been in the same home for the last 10 years - he was my trainer's daughters horse. So I knew the full history on him anyway. He hadn't done a lot on paper but the ability was there. Incidentally I originally wanted something a bit younger but we have had so much fun since I started competing him.
Helena88
Well-Known Member
he was 4, and has turned out 100x better than i even hoped for
hati
Well-Known Member
Hati was 5 and literally just backed when I got her (that was 9 years ago!). Bought Harley as a yearlig (mad buy, but really liked him, sadly he got colic last winter as a 3yr and we had to put him down). Dougal, is 4 and had just been sat upon (broken 4 weeks) and he is the latest project.
I much prefer to buy then young and bring them on - less pressure than taking over from other riders. However, it is a long road with the youngsters and many ups and downs! I am lucking that my mum is great in helping me with the young horses and I have a test pilot lined up if needed!
I much prefer to buy then young and bring them on - less pressure than taking over from other riders. However, it is a long road with the youngsters and many ups and downs! I am lucking that my mum is great in helping me with the young horses and I have a test pilot lined up if needed!