My spontaneous trip horse shopping in Ireland!

Dusty85

Dusty85

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Hi all,

So- I went to Ireland yesterday, it was a bit of a spur of the moment trip- but I wanted to say thank you to everyone who gave me numbers of people to see/contact etc as you were a huge help.

I only went for the day- I landed at 0915, and flew out at 21.35 so it was a bit of a whirlwind. In the end i only planned to go to two different places, as I didn't want it to be rushed. It was my friend and I's first trip and as my wrist in still in a cast until Monday she was doing all the driving, so didn't want to wear her out too!

So first we went to an agent in Carlow. He was very good showing me some in as I had only rung him the night before. He had a few in, but his are at the upper end/slightly over my budget by the time I factor in vetting/transport, So we only decided to try one of them.

I saw a 16.2h chestnut 4yo, Koongraf x Master Imp gelding. He was only backed a couple of months ago so is incredibly green. He is a real horse, fills the eye, well built and proportioned, with a good amount of bone. He's an absolute stunner. I saw him loose school over a good sized oxer he found is effortless. The owner then hacked him down a lane whilst we followed in the car, down to a river- he went off the bank into the water, trotted through the water, over a ditch, over a low stone wall etc without batting an eye lid. He's very much got the attitude of 'Oh ok then' then asked to do something. I then hacked him back to the agents place where the arena was- he was well behaved, a little spooky but just babyish- i.e. when a dog barked at a gate or at rubbish in the hedge etc. He was good to school considering how green he was, trot was well balanced, canter on each rein on the correct leg etc.

I then travelled down to Wexford EC to see a Bay 5yo 16.3hh Emperor Augustus X Big sink hope gelding. he has been out and about doing 4yo classes last season with EI, with good results. He has also recently passed a 5 stage vet + X-rays (German buyer had two vetted unseen but pulled out of both as circumstances changed) which he passed and I've got the number of the vet who is happy to discuss with me the results/send me a copy.
He rides a lot bigger, is slightly less straightforward in that he will lean on your hands and try to pull you forward/snatch at times but only i think when i maybe got too heavy handed with him- (i think mostly because i wasn't used to him and my arm was in a cast!) but after 20 mins i was riding him much better and relaxed on him and all was fine.
He is a big horse, but has very fine legs (prob the TB in him) with small feet. He's slightly over at the knee, although talking to a friend who also has an emperor augustus horse, his was the same at first but then grew out of it, and is now qualified for Burghley young horse classes.

The first one is actually more expensive than the second, but is more the type of horse i like. However, on paper the second horse is more suitable- ready to go, already vetted etc. The second horse is also a bit more negotiable when it comes to price. However, if he keeps growing he will be a giant- he already feels like a fair bit of horse to keep together.


However- I was so pleased that i plucked up the courage to go, I had a fab day. If anyone is thinking about doing it- just do it- Dublin airport couldn't be easier, the roads are easy to drive, all you need is a road atlas.
Even if i don't buy either one of these I would be really happy to go again!

Sorry its a bit epic!
Will find some pics to post.
 
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I saw your previous post and was so excited for you! Glad to see it was worthwhile and the first one really sounds like he's caught your eye and for me gut instinct for what you like goes for a lot! Plus I'm not sure I'd trust a vetting done for someone else, no matter how soon it had been done and how open about it they seem....

Excited for the pics they both sound lovely.

x x
 
Thank you for posting - really interesting :)

How exciting that you found two you liked, both sound fabulous, good luck for any potential purchase :):)
 
16.2h Koongraf x Master Imp 4yo

Tango%20FS_zps5vmgqpyh.jpg


16.3hh Emperor Augustus X Big sink hope 5yo

Emperors%20HopeWEC_zpsh7ap0xjt.jpg
 
How exciting! from the pics I prefer the 4-yo. Obviously that is all down to personal preference. th eonly thing which stuck out on the 4-yp are it's feet.

Are his back pasterns really that upright? or he is just very toe down in the sand?
 
You're all thinking the same thing as me- how reassuring!

casey76- I'm pretty sure the shoes on the 4yo are his first set, and are probably about 3 months old looking at them- he's not that toe down at all- its the way he's standing, but his feet do need a good sort out.

9tails- me too- the legs/feet are the only thing holding me back from the 5yo.
 
Also prefer the 4yo in terms of looks and conformation.

I would also prefer a horse to have done more/be ready to go... but I think I would still go with the 4yo, personally.

Don't envy you having to make the decision! Good luck :)
 
The chestnut. No contest.

You may as well invest the time and money into the right raw material.

That chestnut, correctly produced, would be miles out of your budget as a 5yo.
 
How exciting, it sounds like you had a really good day.

Like some of the other posters I am not too keen on the feet of the chestnut and he is rather short in the back so you may have saddle fitting issues. The Master Imp's I have known have all been talented but tend to be a bit quirky.

There is a lot to like about the bay horse but I hope it is just the camera angle that makes the hind hoof nearest the camera such an odd shape.
 
Very much like the chestnut!

ETA - agree with ihatework - a good future prospect i reckon which a year down the line could be worth a lot more.
 
The chestnut for me as well and if the attitude is as good as it seems from your post I think he could well be going out and about in not too long at all and he would go up in value pretty fast if they do a bit more flatwork with him
 
I LOVE the chestnut, exactly my type, plus I love master imp horses, they may be quirky but by god do they have talent ! my friends was 15.1 & he trotted down to a 1.30 oxer with me & popped it like it was nothing. He went BE Novice so easily

I would rather have a 4 year old that has been broken properly with the attitude that he sounds like he has than the 5 year old personally, that was you can make him into whatever you want him to be & know everything he has done from the word go.

I'd push the budget personally :P
 
just need to persuade him that it is a fantastic investment haha who needs a husband when you have a horse like that anyway !! :P
 
Dusty85 said:
Gosh, you're all not helping me be sensible and stay friends with my husband/bank account!
Click to expand...
you did not mention that we were to keep you sensible anywhere in the post? husband will be happy if you are happy and the bank are not there to be your friend :)
 
Taken from vids, so a bit grainy

Tangojump2_zpsawzehjom.jpg


TangoJump_zpsvlvekx2v.jpg


I did see him jumped under saddle too, but it was only his third time, so it was kept relatively small
 
The chestnut stands out for me too, though from what I've heard through the EI lot, Master Imps can be pretty tricky/a pain in the neck!
 
I love the chestnut!! He's more my type looks/confirmation wise, but he sounds a fantastic prospect. The bay I wasn't so sure of. I had already selected the chestnut over the bay before I had even seen the pictures.

Best of luck :)
 
The chestnut is by Kroongraf, but out of a master Imp mare, so I guess it depends how much of that temperament has been passed on.
 
My friend had a Master Imp mare and she was an absolute babe. A real sweetheart, really willing and trainable, but tragically taken too soon.

Have to say the chestnut looks fab.
 
Dusty85 said:
I saw a 16.2h chestnut 4yo, Koongraf x Master Imp gelding. He was only backed a couple of months ago so is incredibly green. He is a real horse, fills the eye, well built and proportioned, with a good amount of bone. He's an absolute stunner. I saw him loose school over a good sized oxer he found is effortless. The owner then hacked him down a lane whilst we followed in the car, down to a river- he went off the bank into the water, trotted through the water, over a ditch, over a low stone wall etc without batting an eye lid. He's very much got the attitude of 'Oh ok then' then asked to do something. I then hacked him back to the agents place where the arena was- he was well behaved, a little spooky but just babyish- i.e. when a dog barked at a gate or at rubbish in the hedge etc. He was good to school considering how green he was, trot was well balanced, canter on each rein on the correct leg etc.

I then travelled down to Wexford EC to see a Bay 5yo 16.3hh Emperor Augustus X Big sink hope gelding. he has been out and about doing 4yo classes last season with EI, with good results. He has also recently passed a 5 stage vet + X-rays (German buyer had two vetted unseen but pulled out of both as circumstances changed) which he passed and I've got the number of the vet who is happy to discuss with me the results/send me a copy.
He rides a lot bigger, is slightly less straightforward in that he will lean on your hands and try to pull you forward/snatch at times but only i think when i maybe got too heavy handed with him- (i think mostly because i wasn't used to him and my arm was in a cast!) but after 20 mins i was riding him much better and relaxed on him and all was fine.
He is a big horse, but has very fine legs (prob the TB in him) with small feet. He's slightly over at the knee, although talking to a friend who also has an emperor augustus horse, his was the same at first but then grew out of it, and is now qualified for Burghley young horse classes.

The first one is actually more expensive than the second, but is more the type of horse i like. However, on paper the second horse is more suitable- ready to go, already vetted etc. The second horse is also a bit more negotiable when it comes to price. However, if he keeps growing he will be a giant- he already feels like a fair bit of horse to keep together.
Click to expand...


A previous vetting for another buyer is (politely) only good for the day that it was done, and I would be leery of a vet that would send me a copy rather than arrange to re-vet the animal. It's a false economy. So that would discount Horse 2 for me immediately.

As to Horse 1, I would expect that a horse that is backed and hacking out should already be used to dogs - but this may be something that you are willing to work on. I admit to being stupidly picky about that, and as you say he is young and very green. He sounds and looks quite nice, especially over that jump. You also say he is more your type of horse, which matters!

I'd go for Horse 1 rather than Horse 2, but subject to vetting etc. Best of luck whatever you decide.
 
Arizahn said:
A previous vetting for another buyer is (politely) only good for the day that it was done, and I would be leery of a vet that would send me a copy rather than arrange to re-vet the animal. It's a false economy. So that would discount Horse 2 for me immediately.
Click to expand...

I completely agree- A vetting is a snapshot in time, but there are only certain things that would change from 1 months ago- for example, eyes heart conformation and X-rays would all be the same- soundness yes certainly that would change. I might consider a 2 stage for him.
The vets have said they'll do whatever i want, but have been happy to discuss the results with me, given that the owners rung him first and said that I would ring him.
 
No contest, except the chestnuts feet definitely need seeing to ;).

Totally agree with those that say might as well start with better and he would be much more as a 5yo.
 
Both are lovely, but I do like the 5 year old... I get that he is more the finished product than the chestnut and chestnut has better conformation etc... But apart from the fine legs/feet I like the bay too! As others have said though, better to invest a little more in something if necessary and if it is what you prefer. The chestnut in proper work could be a very, very nice horse indeed!

I tell you what I want - that house and school!!!
 
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