What Age horse should I go for this time round ?

[Flibble]

Firstly apologies if this gets long.

Background aged 53 just sent my 16.1 CB cross 17yrs off as a companion for a long rest.

Ridden since I was 27 (yep late starter) owned 5 horses last the love of my life for 13 years.
1st Rehomed as hack after 5 yrs
2nd a mistake lost nerve sold to Riding school cheap after 2 yrs.
3rd sold to a girl who had lost her nerve and wanted a safe horse (bought as a safe horse and was bored when I got my nerve back) after 1 year
4th Retired as Broodmare after injury 5 years after I bought her now rehomed as hack with a friend
5th bought as a 4 year old best horse I ever owned and as I said now being a companion on long term rest.

Enjoy schooling on flat like showjumping but need a horse thats better than me love X/C.

So my problem is what age do I go for.... I dont really want a four year old again I do have a few 'battle scars'. I dont want an older horse mostly as my finances are tight and I can manage keep and purchase but not continually afford to rehorse myself.
I face the fact that my next horse may be my last horse as I cant keep buying horses and dont particularly want to. If Gully was still sound I wouldnt even be thinking of rehorsing as he was supposed to be my forever horse but cant currently be ridden. My previous horse was supposed to be nearly forever and she is happy with my firend and is about 25.
No land of my own so horse has to be at Livery otherwise my last 2 horses would be out in a field together.

I know this list looks like I keep moving horses on but thats not the case so girls and boys what advice would you give.

 

[RedVendetta]

Id look at an 8-10 year old that's done a bit of everything - it will have done enough for what you want it to have done but still plenty of years left on the clock!

 

[Happytohack]

I'm 49 and bought my last horse 2 years ago as a 7 year old. Am thinking that she may well be my last horse as when she is ready for retirement, so I will I be

I also have an 18 year old and a retired 20 year old, as well as a 8hh mini for my granddaughters. I'd say go for something 7-10 years old, but unfortunately this is when they are most expensive but it is a buyers' market at the moment, so if you see something you like, it will be worthwhile putting in an offer.

 

[Flibble]

I do fancy a seven year old as I was hoping to have a horse that wnats too take it easy when I get to that point in my life.
Its a difficult decision as if I had a rich man I would never part with any of my animals I had my last cat for 18 years.

 

[scotsmare]

Go for something between 7 and 10, that should see you both through!