Jeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeesus

Gosh. You all do make a lot of assumptions. Of course you can buy a cheap pony and have fun. But presumably people who purchase this pony for their child want to make it more than fun and possibly a career.

As a 12 year old you would you have said "no mum - I want the cheap pony so I can continue to jump 2'6 for ever" or would you jump at the chance to have a competition pony to compete on the world stage. And therein lies the difference in the children that are happy with the former and the children who are able to afford the latter and WANT to compete at that leve..

Show ponies have changed hands for more than that (no, my child has a ordinary pony as I could not begin to afford something like that!). If I was money no object, then there would be all sorts of things I could spend it on - sadly, I am not in that position!!!

However, remember that within 2 years the pony will STILL be worth about the same amount assuming it is as successful as it is now. So it is NOT a matter of spend £35k and then watching it go down the drain.

I think anyone who remortgages their house to pay for a child's pony needs their heads examined, but just becasue I wouldn't do it, does not mean that it is wrong!!!
 
BrambleandMonty said:
My kid will be mucky and messy and have a great time, whether he chooses ponies, football, or cricket! (etc).
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And who says that these kids don't do that??? I know quite a few kids competing at this level of competition and they are doing it because they want to. you do not get to compete at that level without serious hard work no matter how much you spend on the pony. TBH your posts seem rather jealous...who cares what a parent spends on their kid's pony(ies). It is none of your business!
 
Or the jumping ony that changed hands for a 3 figure sum and then went overheight ... (although I think there may have been a court case over that one!!!)
 
amage said:
And who says that these kids don't do that??? I know quite a few kids competing at this level of competition and they are doing it because they want to. you do not get to compete at that level without serious hard work no matter how much you spend on the pony. TBH your posts seem rather jealous...who cares what a parent spends on their kid's pony(ies). It is none of your business!
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Honestly :rolleyes: I knew someone would throw the "omg ur just jelus" card. How so exactly? Since I have stated I wouldn't have any issue with people spending that much on themselves - if the parents spent £80K on a horse for themselves I wouldn't bat an eyelid. I've not posted about a HORSE that costs that much. It is difficult for some if you have reading issues maybe - but you could try reading what's written. How can I be jealous - I'm 24, so it's not like I'm competing against these children!


I ca't see a child with £35k pony going to pony club camp, or bareback baler twine races - surely when you've spent that much money on a serious competition prospect, it is treated like most competition horses are? Surely a competition pony is treated the same as a competition horse, not the average hundred pound gymkhana pony.
 
I have found the Horsequest add for the £35,000 pony, there are more photos on HQ and a little more useful info, age ect.

I wouldn't like to pay that much for any pony/horse, but I can see that many people would jump at the chance to help their child along the road to team selection. 35k is peanuts to a footballer or successful entrepreneur and if they can buy their kids a little happiness well who is to say they are wrong.

However if I was in the position to make such an expensive purchase I wouldn't choose Pablo. I am sure he is a lovely pony but at 15 he isn't going to retain his monetary value, he doesn't work correctly (hind quarters are thoroughly disengaged) and he isn't being ridden very well (rider is spurring him in every photo sits behind the vertical and he is wearing a flash(I don't like seeing a "highly schooled" horse wearing a flash))
 
It's just that some people are loaded & to them it would be nothing. If they want to spend a fortune jump starting their children that's their privilege. I'm on a shoe string & could NEVER afford anywhere near that but if I had a pony I thought I could get that sort of money for then that's what I would ask for it & hope that a fool & his money could be parted.
 
The_Hooligan said:
FMM I agree 100%. Ever heard of Colton Maelstrom (sp) the JA pony that sold for 3 quaters of a million in the late nineties. she was incredible and worth every penny.
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Haha that was the one I was going to cite :p Especially as I remember jumping novice tracks against her with her first jockey who'd paid peanuts for her!
Fantastic pony and wonderful servant - and she wasn't the only one changing hands for that sort of money at that time.
 
£35K or £3.50 they can all break a leg ! If the parents can afford it why not? My best ever buy was £400 for a 3 yo filly that qualified and went to Olympia M&M pony of the year, and is now happily retired. She became what we schooled her to be but the basics were all her own! Personally I would get nowt out of buying success but if parents can afford it thats their own business.
 
frozzy said:
£35K or £3.50 they can all break a leg ! If the parents can afford it why not? My best ever buy was £400 for a 3 yo filly that qualified and went to Olympia M&M pony of the year, and is now happily retired. She became what we schooled her to be but the basics were all her own! Personally I would get nowt out of buying success but if parents can afford it thats their own business.
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Very true - we had the ride on one in the "expensive" price bracket - owner's child wasn't interested anymore, qualified for HOYS and it dropped dead the week before in the field, at the end of the day livestock is deadstock no matter how expensive (and now someone will have a go at me for saying that :rolleyes:).
However, if you've got a good enough child and you can afford it why not buy the best - they've usually got about 2 years to excel in whichever age bracket, and if they're aiming at the Europeans or similar then they need a pony that's at that standard or ready to go there when they get it.
 
There's a HHO who recently spent 60k on a horse.

Said horse has only completed 1 out of 5 events with new owner and the result included xc jumping penalties and lots of time penalties.
 
Caterpillar, just because a horse is advertised for £X does not mean it sells for that much. And just because the record shows something, that does not mean the new rider is doing a bad job, now does it?!
 
Tazhazzamoose said:
did it poop gold...?
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:D

Has to be said - that is an expensive horse (well, pony) but to be honest, at that sort of level you're pretty much getting what you pay for. I'd LOVE to have a horse like that - but to be honest it's not at all practical as I'm by no means a world beater, as much as I can dream :o

Not saying that horses who were bought for much less are talentless, but when you get to this sort of level where the horse or pony is an investment for the child's future, you are looking to get something more expensive that has the record and can take on the world.. and people are willing to make these sacrifices as it's what the child does, it's what the child is good at and it's simply just another way of life. I've spent my entire childhood riding whatever 4 legged beast I could, and have enjoyed doing the PC shows and volunteering at the stables, but competing at this level just isn't viable for me for many reasons, as much as I dream about it! :p xx
 
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BrambleandMonty said:
Honestly :rolleyes: I knew someone would throw the "omg ur just jelus" card. How so exactly? Since I have stated I wouldn't have any issue with people spending that much on themselves - if the parents spent £80K on a horse for themselves I wouldn't bat an eyelid. I've not posted about a HORSE that costs that much. It is difficult for some if you have reading issues maybe - but you could try reading what's written. How can I be jealous - I'm 24, so it's not like I'm competing against these children!


I ca't see a child with £35k pony going to pony club camp, or bareback baler twine races - surely when you've spent that much money on a serious competition prospect, it is treated like most competition horses are? Surely a competition pony is treated the same as a competition horse, not the average hundred pound gymkhana pony.
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You are coming across as jealous because first of all you keep ranting that that value of pony is wasted on a child....not if said child is proud to represent their country it's not. Do you think Jessie Drea's parents wasted their money spending 150K on Touchable when she was only still in Juniors?? What about the fact that some of these kids adore what they do? You keep mentioning pony club camp and getting dirty....pony club camp is not the be all & end all. But hey if you want to get off your high horse and come here i'll bring you to meet past, current and future European pony team members with serious high dollar ponies who have fun when they ride, get dirty, hunt in the winter, play other sports and are balanced well rounded young people. Don't forget you are talking bout 15/16yr olds not 9 year olds! And of course there are the talented youngsters who produce a pony to this level that ultimately make it worth so much. You seem to completely misunderstand high level competition...there are elite athletes in every sport....even ponies. Maybe jealous is the wrong description for the way you come across....more sour!! And their is nothing wrong with my reading skills...they are actually excellent! And everyone is entitled to interpret things in their own way
 
SpottedCat said:
Caterpillar, just because a horse is advertised for £X does not mean it sells for that much. And just because the record shows something, that does not mean the new rider is doing a bad job, now does it?!
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Where was it implied that they were doing a bad job?

So, if money were no object, what would be your limit for the right horse? Aiming this at everyone - not just you spottedCat :)

I think it's relative to what you have. I wouldn't dream of spending that sort of figure but then i'm as poor as a church mouse :p
 
mollichop said:
Where was it implied that they were doing a bad job?

So, if money were no object, what would be your limit for the right horse? Aiming this at everyone - not just you spottedCat :)

I think it's relative to what you have. I wouldn't dream of spending that sort of figure but then i'm as poor as a church mouse :p
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I personally wouldn't spend more than £1k on any horse, unless I was at the top, then slightly more, and produce myself. I think it's crazy to spend that much money, if the child is talented, surely they would develop said pony to that standard themselves?

I agree with OP, pony club is a big thing. Many of my friends with £kkkk's ponies werent allowed to take them to camp, and missed out, imagine how they felt when all their friends were talking about it afterwards?

Obviously, any pony/horse can go out and break its leg, but if you spend loads on it, you are naturally going to wrap it in cotton wool, then what kind of life is that?!?

bexcy-bee x
 
bexcy-bee said:
...I think it's crazy to spend that much money, if the child is talented, surely they would develop said pony to that standard themselves?
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Lack of time - when I was jumping (nearly 20yrs ago now :eek:) ponies were changing hands for this and more even then, and even leasing for £20k/yr upwards if the owners didn't want to sell. If you're competing on 128/138/148 you have 2 years, 3 if your lucky to produce a pony to jump the top tracks - next you'll be slating folks for pushing youngsters too fast :rolleyes: so the answer has to be to buy ready mades... or as we did buy the one's that had chucked it and attempt to put them right :cool:

Most of these kids wouldn't dream of doing pony club - they're jumping 1.10m and higher on 128's so why would they want to mess around at 75cm? They're extremely competitive and driven, and much as I appreciated PC it was pointless once I started jumping the bigger tracks.
 
I think my girl would rather pack in jumping than miss out on pc & camp!! I paid £4000 for the pony she competes now, which for me was extortionate (sp?!) but she had worked on a project pony herself which made a tidy profit when she was sold so the money from her bought the daughter this one. They jump all over & do pretty well but if any shows clash with pc then she always wants to put pc 1st!! We've found a good balance. I really couldn't imagine being in the position to pay 35k for a kids pony!!!!
 
wowww 35k for a horse? :o


i wouldnt pay it even if i had the money but i guess my priorities are different..... if you want to win then yes 35k + is mabey acceptable!

i paid just over a grand for mine...and shes everthing I want...... if i spend 35k o a horse if i had it then no doubt it would be way above me....

each to their own.... :)
 
If someone has the money and the drive - why not? its all relative - so maybe at the lower end of the market, someone would think £350 or £3500 is fine for a pony, a non horsey person struggling on benefits would think you were nuts!

If someone can afford it and has that drive then good luck to them. I am sure there will have been many less valuable ponies on the way to that one!
 
A couple of years ago someone told me that pony racing ponies were going for five figure sums, and I saw an international standard dressage pony going for even more than this.

Sheesh. Just think of Pat Smythe getting to the top on a horse out of the milkman's mare! And Tosca and Prince Hal for £150 each (even allowing for inflation...)
 
MagsnPaddy said:
Lack of time - when I was jumping (nearly 20yrs ago now :eek:) ponies were changing hands for this and more even then, and even leasing for £20k/yr upwards if the owners didn't want to sell. If you're competing on 128/138/148 you have 2 years, 3 if your lucky to produce a pony to jump the top tracks - next you'll be slating folks for pushing youngsters too fast :rolleyes: so the answer has to be to buy ready mades... or as we did buy the one's that had chucked it and attempt to put them right :cool:

Lack of time? But surely some small child had the time to develop the pony, and get it out and about before competing?
Most of these kids wouldn't dream of doing pony club - they're jumping 1.10m and higher on 128's so why would they want to mess around at 75cm? They're extremely competitive and driven, and much as I appreciated PC it was pointless once I started jumping the bigger tracks.
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I remember as a teenager doing a LOT higher then 75cm at PC. I competed for U21's for England at 12! If your good enough, you get chosen for big things, whether you spend £££ on your pony or not! Friends with FEI ponies did pony club, Its what kids should do. Most of my friends that were pushed to compete, have given up, and Im not saying that no child wants to compete to a high level, but through my experience, when pushed, you get fed up.

tinap555 said:
I think my girl would rather pack in jumping than miss out on pc & camp!! I paid £4000 for the pony she competes now, which for me was extortionate (sp?!) but she had worked on a project pony herself which made a tidy profit when she was sold so the money from her bought the daughter this one. They jump all over & do pretty well but if any shows clash with pc then she always wants to put pc 1st!! We've found a good balance. I really couldn't imagine being in the position to pay 35k for a kids pony!!!!
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I remember being exactly the same! I was heart broken when I got chosen for a team in PC, and had to miss out on 1 day of camp! Glad there are some children out there still enjoying their ponies, rather than expecting them to win all the time =/

bexcy-bee x
 
bexcy-bee said:
Lack of time? But surely some small child had the time to develop the pony, and get it out and about before competing?
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Yes - and that's why the younger ponies go for even more, you'll usually find the people at the top will have 1 or 2 at that level and then bring on another couple - which then often get sold on to pay for the others...
bexcy-bee said:
I remember as a teenager doing a LOT higher then 75cm at PC. I competed for U21's for England at 12! If your good enough, you get chosen for big things, whether you spend £££ on your pony or not! .
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Lucky you - my pony club weren't interested unless you were on a horse - well at 12 I was jumping 128s pretty successfully and didn't want to event so what would have been the point moving on to horses which I'm guessing you did to do U21s?

bexcy-bee said:
Friends with FEI ponies did pony club, Its what kids should do. Most of my friends that were pushed to compete, have given up, and Im not saying that no child wants to compete to a high level, but through my experience, when pushed, you get fed up.
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Maybe - but quite a few of my brothers and my contempories are still competing at various levels from the very top to the bottom rung.
bexcy-bee said:
I remember being exactly the same! I was heart broken when I got chosen for a team in PC, and had to miss out on 1 day of camp! Glad there are some children out there still enjoying their ponies, rather than expecting them to win all the time =/
bexcy-bee x
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We enjoyed our ponies but to be fair to our local pony club they just couldn't offer what we were interested in. Plus in the summer we were away 4 days out of most weeks at or travelling to shows plus most weekends through the winter were 3 day shows and 2nd rounds - pony club didn't really fit with that sort of schedule
 
MagsnPaddy said:
Yes - and that's why the younger ponies go for even more, you'll usually find the people at the top will have 1 or 2 at that level and then bring on another couple - which then often get sold on to pay for the others...

Oh I see! Makes sence now

Lucky you - my pony club weren't interested unless you were on a horse - well at 12 I was jumping 128s pretty successfully and didn't want to event so what would have been the point moving on to horses which I'm guessing you did to do U21s?

Nope, I was riding a scuffy home broken NF of 138, one of the most ugly ponies you will have ever seen! But he was what I wanted. Very cheap to keep, and I could have fun with him.

Maybe - but quite a few of my brothers and my contempories are still competing at various levels from the very top to the bottom rung.

We enjoyed our ponies but to be fair to our local pony club they just couldn't offer what we were interested in. Plus in the summer we were away 4 days out of most weeks at or travelling to shows plus most weekends through the winter were 3 day shows and 2nd rounds - pony club didn't really fit with that sort of schedule
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If your pony club weren't very lenient, then thats fiar enough. I can understand your argument if thats the case. But nowadays, they should be more lenient, what with little ponies going to such high amounts, obviously earnt through performing well. I remember summer weekends, camping away at comps with the ponies, us in a tent, everyone else in their luxury horse lorries ;) haha

bexcy-bee x
 
Mollichop, if there was no implication that the rider is doing a bad job, then why is the number of completions / penalties relevant? I see the price being relevant but not what the combination then achieves - unless the implication is that the rider is doing a good/bad job and therefore having the money does/does not bring success so we should all try and either spend a fortune/do it on a 2.50 horse.

As for me, if money was no object, then I'd do as I do now - spend what I needed to in order to get the best fit for the job I want the horse to do, without causing myself any financial issues. If I were buying now, I wouldn't think twice about saving until I could spend 20k on a horse - which is not to say I would dismiss something cheaper, but I doubt I'd find what I wanted for less than 10k and if I had more, I'd spend it. I had 6k saved to buy a new horse and was planning to sell another 2 to add at least 12k to that to then buy what I wanted.
 
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