Hello…I’m visiting from another forum on behalf of a friend who competes in AQHA shows on the west coast.
Is anyone familiar with Chase Barnes Performance Horses in Pennsylvania ?
He has several sale horses listed on his website and my friend is considering flying back to look at some. Before she does, any info would be appreciated. Generally what is the quality of his horses ? Is he a reputable trainer on the east coast ? Please PM if necessary.
Thank you!
So…no one knows this person ? I think you all may have just saved her a plane ticket !
You might be better to post on someplace like the Pleasurehorse Forum.
[QUOTE=Mardi;8954223]
Hello…I’m visiting from another forum on behalf of a friend who competes in AQHA shows on the west coast.
Is anyone familiar with Chase Barnes Performance Horses in Pennsylvania ?
He has several sale horses listed on his website and my friend is considering flying back to look at some. Before she does, any info would be appreciated. Generally what is the quality of his horses ? Is he a reputable trainer on the east coast ? Please PM if necessary.
Thank you![/QUOTE]
Your friend’s trainer should have that answer, or know who to ask to find out.
It is a very small world, everyone knows everyone else, or has heard of, all those that are competing and doing well and so can tell her more.
The trainer doesn’t know him either, so I volunteered to ask on COTH/Western.
[QUOTE=CdnQH;8957859]
You might be better to post on someplace like the Pleasurehorse Forum.[/QUOTE]
Ok thanks. Not familiar with it but will find it.
No real direct knowledge but have been to a few shows they attended…horses and riders seemed well prepared and don’t remember seeing anything that made me go “wow” in a bad way during schooling. I know the trainer I lesson with recently purchased a horse for another customer and from what I hear are happy.
Why doesn’t the friend call him, ask for more videos or whatever? Trainers can sell high quality horses and low quality horses. Do they appear to be priced appropriately for their breeding and performance history? Is the potential buyer able to make this assessment on his/her own or is he/she dependent on a trainer to make this decision for her?
I think it’s kind of strange that someone who is in the market for a quarter horse would fly to PA to find one. It’s the most popular breed in the country, and PA is not exactly the epicenter of breeding and training. It’s still very much a buyers market, so if your friend has a lot of money to spend, he/she probably has lots and lots of options.
I personally don’t care whether or not I’ve “heard” of a trainer when looking for a horse. I trust my own eye and experience. I would assume a horse being sold by a well known trainer might be priced on the high side for that horse’s quality, and don’t mind dealing with owners and small trainers. There is never a guarantee that a horse is going to work out, so when you write the check, you are making a commitment to creating your own relationship with the horse, which often requires a lot of work.
Many people, in all disciplines, will fly to another part of the country (or internationally) to find a horse of the type, and price range, they’re looking for. And, of course, one that will pass the pre-purchase vet exam. If they can’t find something locally, they cast a wider net.
It’s also not unusual to ask others for their input before an investment in time and travel is made. Read the COTH dressage or hunter/jumper forums and you’ll see the same kind of questions as I asked here. Furthermore, we do it all time in our lives: we ask someone their opinion about a restaurant, store, car dealer, etc. We read movie and book reviews.
Sale videos are only a fraction of the buying process. This person has seen the videos, and now is simply asking for references about this trainer’s business reputation before she becomes further involved. She’s being cautious and doing her due diligence. Can’t say that I blame her.
Many people, in all disciplines, will fly to another part of the country (or internationally) to find a horse of the type, and price range, they’re looking for.
If they can’t find something locally, they cast a wider net.
It’s also not unusual to ask others for their input before an investment in time and travel is made. Read the COTH dressage or hunter/jumper forums and you’ll see the same kind of questions as I asked here. Furthermore, we do it all time in our lives: we ask someone their opinion about a restaurant, store, car dealer, etc. We read movie and book reviews.
Sale videos are only a fraction of the buying process. This person has seen the videos, and now is simply asking for references about this trainer’s business reputation before she becomes further involved. She’s being cautious and doing her due diligence.
[QUOTE=sahqueen;8958828]
No real direct knowledge but have been to a few shows they attended…horses and riders seemed well prepared and don’t remember seeing anything that made me go “wow” in a bad way during schooling. I know the trainer I lesson with recently purchased a horse for another customer and from what I hear are happy.[/QUOTE]
Thank you for the feedback.
Out of curiosity what is your friend looking for? If making a trip east I know of a few others that aren’t really being marketed but are for sale…feel free to pm if you’d rather.
[QUOTE=Mardi;8960034]
Many people, in all disciplines, will fly to another part of the country (or internationally) to find a horse of the type, and price range, they’re looking for. And, of course, one that will pass the pre-purchase vet exam. If they can’t find something locally, they cast a wider net.
It’s also not unusual to ask others for their input before an investment in time and travel is made. Read the COTH dressage or hunter/jumper forums and you’ll see the same kind of questions as I asked here. Furthermore, we do it all time in our lives: we ask someone their opinion about a restaurant, store, car dealer, etc. We read movie and book reviews.
Sale videos are only a fraction of the buying process. This person has seen the videos, and now is simply asking for references about this trainer’s business reputation before she becomes further involved. She’s being cautious and doing her due diligence. Can’t say that I blame her.[/QUOTE]
I wouldn’t waste all that time of checking on someone’s “business reputation” if I was only going to look at a horse. If you like the horse and he passes the vet and you feel he is well priced, who cares about the “business reputation?” Now if you are going partners with someone or entering into some sort of business relationship, yeah go ahead and do you due diligence. I would never do more than a quick google search before going to see a horse. I still think it’s odd to ask about a seller or agent if you have not even seen the horse yet.
It’s really odd to be soliciting online opinions when you have not even seen the horse. If the buyer has a budget big enough to be getting on planes, why doesn’t she ask her own trainer about him?
[QUOTE=Palm Beach;8962409]
It’s really odd to be soliciting online opinions when you have not even seen the horse. If the buyer has a budget big enough to be getting on planes, why doesn’t she ask her own trainer about him?[/QUOTE]
Probably a buyer that is getting sticker shock at the prices talented, well trained horses are bringing lately and is looking for a bargain.
Right now, those horses are in great demand and that is reflected in the prices.
Having been around here for what seems like forever, I do not find it at all weird to ask on here about a trainer who a person is thinking of buying a horse from. It saves the ‘if only I had asked before’ thread and everyone telling them they should have done more research. This question is called research.
No one having tons of bad things to say about the trainer is a good sign.
Why look up the show records of the horses that have sold? A serious buyer (or the trainer) would be on the phone getting the specifics about the horses. Much less waste of time than first doing the online stalking thing and getting opinions from anonymous people on the internet. Anyone could post anything and there is no way to know if it’s true or false.
The potential buyer has looked into the show records when available and has spoken with Mr. Barnes. And you’re right, anyone, including sellers, can post/advertise anything and there is no way to know if it’s true. That’s why she was asking for feedback from those who may know of him.
Thank you all for your comments and suggestions.
People fly all over the country and the world to try sport horses, it shouldn’t surprise anyone that they would do the same for a top breed show horse. These horses sell easily in the upper five figures.
It’s also pretty reasonable to solicitor info on sellers/trainers. Surely we see this regularly on the hj and dressage boards.
Pennsylvania is actually a pretty great location for aqha set ups, given its proximity to east coast shows as well as congress in Ohio. A lifelong friend recently relocated his business from Alabama to Pennsylvania.
He’s only been there a short time, OP, but he’s been training and selling for breed shows the better part of the last two decades, so I’ll ask him if he knows anything.
I personally know Chase Barnes. He does great job training western pleasure horses. He’s had several students and horses place at the Congress. I wouldn’t hesitate purchasing a horse from him.
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