Where do they find them?!

SilverFilly

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So..I'm looking for a nice Irish horse to bring on to be my next event horse, I like to bring my own on as a bit of a "grow your own eventer" project, its all I've ever done in the past. However, prices right now are going crazy, especially off dealers who import from Ireland so I want to go straight to the source!

Where do these people get their Irish horses from?! Has anyone imported directly from Ireland before any have any nice contacts I could talk with?

Thanks in advance :)
 
If you want an Irish horse, direct from Ireland, then you have 3 main options:
An agent to source one for you (not a cheap option)
Sales - Cavan / Goresbridge and the like
Or lots of legwork yourself

The latter you will need a really good eye, an open mind, able to ignore Irish selling tactics, and a bit of time. But yes rough bargains to be had.

The sales would be the main source, but even then you need to be quite switched on. They are beggars for bidding up horses. And the nice ones aren’t generally that cheap anyway.
 
I don't know what your budget is but very nice horses from a chap known as "Irish Paul" (original ay!). I have a second hand horse from there and know quite a few others that bought youngsters have turned into very nice eventers/all rounders. There are some bargains to be had when he is clearing the stables ready for the next lorry load.

I have visited once before but chickened out of getting a unbroken/v.v.green horse in the end. Lots of nice horses though and a worth a visit even if from far as if you time it right you can view quite a few at once.

It is a bit rough and ready, and you will be expected to make your decision whilst still there as he doesn't do second viewings (so bring a second pair of eyes if need be) but I know alot of people that will agree that the chap is honest and straight albeit rather abrupt!

I think he has a very good eye and for me I feel that takes a little of the risk out versus going straight to the sales. I would struggle to know who to trust if i was going straight to source but I am sure there are bargains to be had going direct!

I think there has previously been a post about them so worth searching on here.

The website always seemed to be out of date and cant find it now but if you search for Irish horse imports on facebook you will find him

For anyone else reading that is not in the market, whatever you do don't look at/follow his facebook page, there is serious danger of adding to the collection!
 
I don't know what your budget is but very nice horses from a chap known as "Irish Paul" (original ay!). I have a second hand horse from there and know quite a few others that bought youngsters have turned into very nice eventers/all rounders. There are some bargains to be had when he is clearing the stables ready for the next lorry load.

I have visited once before but chickened out of getting a unbroken/v.v.green horse in the end. Lots of nice horses though and a worth a visit even if from far as if you time it right you can view quite a few at once.

It is a bit rough and ready, and you will be expected to make your decision whilst still there as he doesn't do second viewings (so bring a second pair of eyes if need be) but I know alot of people that will agree that the chap is honest and straight albeit rather abrupt!

I think he has a very good eye and for me I feel that takes a little of the risk out versus going straight to the sales. I would struggle to know who to trust if i was going straight to source but I am sure there are bargains to be had going direct!

I think there has previously been a post about them so worth searching on here.

The website always seemed to be out of date and cant find it now but if you search for Irish horse imports on facebook you will find him

For anyone else reading that is not in the market, whatever you do don't look at/follow his facebook page, there is serious danger of adding to the collection!

OMG I love Irish horse imports! The facebook page is mega tempting. He has quite a few in that are cheap at the moment then some more expensive ones.
 
I live in Ireland myself. If you want to go over to Ireland, some sales/auctions you could go to are Cavan sales, mullingar or goresbridge. Google any of them to see when they are on next. You could also go to Mountrath Mart (theyre on facebook) which wont be on until the new year but has a good bit of youngstock. But theres no vetting here so you sort of have to chance what you buy but its cheap. I bought 2 ponies from it this year for €700. One was a 13.2 black cob broken and he was a little gem. Prices dont tend to go over 1500 but top quality horses are few. Also if you look up horse fairs of ireland on facebook they post dates of upcoming fairs.
 
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