I would find a talented young rider to take on my horse if I had to get a pro to ride for me. I have worked for several top riders and having seen owners pay a huge premium for the "name" they barely have anything to do with the horses. The grooms ride and school them and the pros just steer them around the competitions.
Ooh cool thread! I would get Nicola Wilson to take my boy XC - now I am in no way saying I have an OB! BUT - having watched her ride hiim round Badminton in a snaffle and really keep her leg on and LET HIM GO and let him do it I'm in awe of her, my lad goes like this (or did) and I have mucked him up through not having the nerve to kick on and let him do it, and now he backs off into fences
For me it would be
XC - Clayton or Lucinda Fredericks (as they've ridden my boy before!)
SJ - Ian Millar (Canadian SJ)
Dr - Lucinda Fredericks or Jane Bredin/Gregory
Show jumping - Cameron Hanley, Ludger Beerbaum
Eventing - Tina Cook, Lucinda Fredericks
Dressage - Probably Laura Becholsteimer, although I probably dont watch enough to make a real judgement!
Eventing - Tina Cook, as she is so good at producing young horses sympathetically!
Dressage - Maria Eilberg, I like the way she rides and the fact that some of her horses aren't "typical" dressage types but she gets the best out of them.
SJ - This is the discipline my horse is bred for and I'd have no idea who to send him to... I'll say William Funnell.
Dressage - Edward Gal [but am not really a dressage buff]
Funnily enough some of the names that have been mentioned a lot I wouldn't touch with a bargepole because of the horrific things I've heard about their training methods
Gin would never in a million years event or showjump so for dressage I would say Emma Hindle.
I could think of many riders who I would love to ride her but at 15.2 I think they would look a bit silly.
Well I had a pro compete my horse eventing last year.
She is not a big name at all, but no matter how much money I had I wouldn't have changed a thing.
As an amateur rider a need a horse that I can also sit on so chose a small female rider that sends a horse forwards and allows it to make it's own mistakes and learn from them.
If I was sending a horse off full time and never intending to ride it myself then it would have to be WFP.
Eventing - either Tina Cook or Ruth Edge (Selina Elliot has actually competed her).
Dressage - Steph Croxford, but our mare is a little bit more petite than Mr P, but she is an inspiration to ordinary people.
SJ - sorry, hate it. If we have to, then John Whittaker, he is a total master and sympathetic with his horses.
Did think of WFP, but his legs would be around our 15.2 hh petite mare's knees.
Eventing - WFP, Mark Todd or Mary King.. though all on a 14.2hh would look like a right laugh (I'll give him stilts!)
SJ - Tim Stockdale.. if that, don't know who I'd want to ride him
Dressage - Carl Hester, Laura B or I can't think who else at the moment but it could be quite funny with him napping
Hah as mine is only 14.2 im a bit limited!
Eventing- Charlotte Bathe , She is my instructor and seems to get on well with him, hes a bit of a panicker!
SJ- Probably a junior so he could jump in ponies!
Dr- Judy Harvey probably
I would like WFP and William Whittaker- But they could need rollerskates.