The ads that make me cringe are the ones that read something like:
Hi! My trainer says that I am good enough to go to the Olympics one day and that all I need is the right mount. I can’t afford much (read no more than $3k) but your horse would go to an excellent home. I am looking for a warmblood that is 16.2+ hands, preferably chestnut gelding but ANY will do, from 5-9 years old. Experienced in jumping 3 foot and higher courses. Please sell me your star or diamond in the rough so that I can go to the Olympics. Thanks.
You just know that some shady trainer has convinced little Suzie that she is the best thing since riding began in the hopes of selling her a horse. Even if said trainer is aware that child doesn’t have the money to buy let alone for the upkeep of the horse. Sure there are really talented kids that do lack the funds to support the incredible talent they have. But the really good ones with the right trainer can somehow get hooked into catch riding situations that take advantage of the talent without the expense. Bummer that the dreams of young kids are exploited to the point of their disappointment when someone can’t sell them their $35k warmblood for 10% of the worth.
