Selling a comp horse you own but have never ridden.....

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Safina

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So.....I bought the comp horse of my dreams earlier this year - couple of BE points, couple of BD points, few pennies BSJA - perfect for me as an amateur who wants to have a go but has no real desire to do anything other than do well and enjoy novice classes at BE, bit of medium dressage, hunt etc etc . I bought him from a friend - she knocked 1k off the price and i got a known entity.

Anyway...he arrived on June 6....on June 7 I was seconded to my NY office and, with the exception of a 3 week visit, I've been here ever since. I've been offered a permenant position here and Im seriously considering taking it.....all other problems aside (house, husband etc!) what about the horse!

Now I appreciate that I'll make a loss as he's lost the 09 season - thats fine but given that I've only ridden him when trying him I am concerned that I won't be able to show him properly to someone coming to try him. He can do fabbo flatwork and I can get some of that from him ok but I've never really jumped him and I dont really fancy facing a meaty oxer on him in front of a potential buyer for the first time!

So.....advise and thoughts please....do I cut my losses, send him up to my instructor and pay her to ride/demo/sell him....use the 3 month transition period I have back in the UK to get to know him and sell him myself.....loan him in case NY does not work out (I'd hate to loose him as he is my perfect horse)...ho hum. I hate making decisions!
 
Could the friend you bought him from not sell him for you?

If he has been in a field since you bought him, you will probably be losing some money
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I don't think it would be a good idea for you to sell him yourself. If you know he is your perfect horse, you will get attached and then really not want to sell!!!

If you loaned him out, it is always a gamble, you never really know what's going to happen.

I don't envy your situation
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such a toughy. Good luck.
 
Send him to a professional yard to be sold - it's not uncommon and if they have a good reputation, he will sell fast. I would only loan him to someone you know well and trust TBH. You could offer him to an ambitious Young Rider type for a year so he would get out and be competing and kept ticking over for you and I know one or two who I'd trust with one of mine but not just anyone.
 
yeah the loan thing is a stupid idea - if something happens I wont just be abe to pop home and sort things out.

I could ask the girl who sold him if she'd help out - she's got a vested interest as she'll want to know where and to whom he is going.

Friends have kept him ticking over whilst I have been away - lunging, horsewalker and the odd hack to keep him interested but no work or comps.

I cannot believe that for the first time in 26 years I might not own a horse....or even be riding anymore! I could weep - its just not practical to have a horse over here - I live in central manhatten and the job means I would not have time to even ride as a hobby.
 
thanks all - candid talk with my instructor (Kit - you may know her - Sarah Millard?) in order.

Much appreciate your advise - no-one knows or cares about horses here and I'm finding it very hard to get impartial thoughts from people. My family and friends back home are freaking out....and my colleagues here are like "sell him - whatever".
 
I think you should do nothing until you have decided for definite
And as soon as you do decide, send him to a pro yard to be sold - the extra money he will be 'worth' from a known and respected pro, and the contacts they have to sell quickly, will probably outweigh the cost of sale livery and commission
And having him shown to his best ability and looking fab is defintely valuable in terms of the sale price
 
How old, how big, where located and what price (PM if you prefer). I have a friend actively looking at the moment and she might consider this situation if the horse was priced right. Thank you.
 
I might be interested in him. Sounds just what I've been looking for - something to have fun at PN and Novice on a brave day with SJ/Dr/hunting through the winter. Can you send me more details and photos?
 
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