ester
Not slacking multitasking
oh absolutely, especially if she hunts so well, I am surprised that hasn't sold her tbh.
When did an 80/90 'eventer' become special?
- Thread starter ycbm
- Start date
Clodagh
Rage, rage, against the dying of the light.
Is it because in the show ring (hunters) and dressage arena everything is now 17hh+ as it draws the eye. If you took a 16.1 into a MW class nowadays it would look like a SHP. Anytihng over 15.2 is just extra inches waiting to go wrong, IMO, I always had 15.2 - 16hh.
ihatework
Well-Known Member
Where in the country are you?
I’d hazard a guess either you are out on a limb location wise and/or you are advertising wrong or you have rose tinted specs. I’m happy to run an eye over the advert for you
Bernster
Well-Known Member
get her out to a couple as soon as the season starts in March. It proves a fair few things, she might be very capable but tricky to start XC (know one of those, has never started properly) etc so if you have a couple of on the board people can see that it is all ok. I think that is the difficulty buying and selling, the seller might know that the horse will be absolutely fine doing everything, without a record it is hard for the buyer to know that so prove it and people start being much keener
Have to say ester, that's what I was thinking too. That sort of horse would be spot on if I was looking, but I'd really want something that's been out a few times so has some record even if it's just one season. However, would then be totally expecting a bigger price than you're asking for AS - agree for that money she sounds spot on possibly underpriced if anything.
Like IHW says, might be some other reason eg location. But I don't sell often so don't know what the world of silly horse buyers (buyers being silly, not horses!) is up to at the moment.
ApolloStorm
Well-Known Member
Have Pmed you
spookypony
Well-Known Member
Super interesting thread! We have similar discussions over in Endurance: the equivalent to Novice BE, i.e. FEI* distance, is 80k. Comparatively few horses up here get there, and most of those top out at that distance (including the Spooky Pony). The starter competitive distance, comparable to BE80/90, would be 40k, 30k up here in Scotland (our terrain is on average pretty tough). There's a fair degree of moaning that the bulk of riders stick to Pleasures and 30k, and don't seem inclined to go up the levels. But when one looks at statistics, I don't think the number of horses going up has changed that much.
What has changed is the accessibility of the sport to riders purely in it for a nice blast around the countryside, and also that (I think) more riders are giving several disciplines a go, rather than concentrating on one. Your average leisure rider up here is likely to do some dressage, a Pleasure or a 30k, a bit of jumping, maybe a hunter trial, and some Trec, all within one season. I was talking to my dressage instructor today, and she agreed that just as the Endurance clubs are financially carried by the Pleasure riders and low distances, dressage is being carried by Prelim and Novice classes (Elementary is not called Elementary because it's brain surgery). And there's nothing wrong with that. I don't think there is a shortage of competitive people to go up the levels in any of the discilplines.
Another feature that has been mentioned is the changing profile of the riders. Increased accessibility to non-traditional groups would include people like me: I did have very good training as a child, but horsey activities need to be balanced with a more-than-full-time high-pressure career and full sole responsibility for my house, etc. In the "good old days", I would probably have been a man, with someone else responsible for managing the practical aspects of my life, and another person managing my horse chores (i.e. not DIY livery), if I had a horse at all. So really, I shouldn't be surprised that I find it hard to do the consistent work with my mare that will allow us to progress, because I want to be competitive, and not just get round safely. I know my situation is far from unique, and much discussion among friends in similar situations is how to optimise our situation, but also about how the structure of the sport and supporting industries is adjusting to the shifting priorities and situations.
What has changed is the accessibility of the sport to riders purely in it for a nice blast around the countryside, and also that (I think) more riders are giving several disciplines a go, rather than concentrating on one. Your average leisure rider up here is likely to do some dressage, a Pleasure or a 30k, a bit of jumping, maybe a hunter trial, and some Trec, all within one season. I was talking to my dressage instructor today, and she agreed that just as the Endurance clubs are financially carried by the Pleasure riders and low distances, dressage is being carried by Prelim and Novice classes (Elementary is not called Elementary because it's brain surgery). And there's nothing wrong with that. I don't think there is a shortage of competitive people to go up the levels in any of the discilplines.
Another feature that has been mentioned is the changing profile of the riders. Increased accessibility to non-traditional groups would include people like me: I did have very good training as a child, but horsey activities need to be balanced with a more-than-full-time high-pressure career and full sole responsibility for my house, etc. In the "good old days", I would probably have been a man, with someone else responsible for managing the practical aspects of my life, and another person managing my horse chores (i.e. not DIY livery), if I had a horse at all. So really, I shouldn't be surprised that I find it hard to do the consistent work with my mare that will allow us to progress, because I want to be competitive, and not just get round safely. I know my situation is far from unique, and much discussion among friends in similar situations is how to optimise our situation, but also about how the structure of the sport and supporting industries is adjusting to the shifting priorities and situations.
HighFive
Well-Known Member
It's totally an interesting subject. I think riding these days sees a lot of adults entering later in life, or parents who are financially secure and ready to spend. The perception seems to be, that the cash is spent on the horse to increase the chances of having safe, successful and enjoyable outings. This makes sense too, when you think that a lot of riders work hard all week to fund their 'hobby', and it's nice to cap off the weekend event with a bit of success, rather than just making up the numbers. There are plenty of completely kitted up amateurs competing in the 80/90cm classes. The last evented I sold was a totally solid 90cm horse. I mean, score 75%+ in the dressage, and pretty much guaranteed to take anyone safely, stylishly and clear around the jumping phases. His record was excellent, not to mention an absolutely excellent citizen to handle/truck/clip/hack. On the flat he was established elem, with flying changes well established. I'd schooled him over a few 1* fences, and up to 1.30m single SJ fences, however I felt that he'd probably only cope with PN/1*, still admirable heights to most amateurs! Sold him for AUD$15,000 within two weeks of being advertised.
Bruce17
Well-Known Member
Sounds like she might be what I'm looking for. I'm struggling to find anything at all in my area. Where abouts in the country are you?