One of Chester Weber’s 4-in-hand is an example. They dont say how much he paid in this article but I read somewhere that it was $14k. Not super cheap, but well below what a top combined driving horse would sell for…http://www.chesterweber.com/pdf_in_the_news/16_in_the_news.pdf
There are afew in the sport of endurance that were picked up very cheap and went on to international prominence.
recent Pan American Gold Medal was a horse off to slaughter (Crystal’s Charm). The well-known `Cash’ a WEC gold medallist, was a $500 horse.
And arguably, Endurance’s most famous horse
, “Rio” (RO Grand Sultan), was given to Becky
Hart as part of a package' as the second’
horse. With multi-world championship wins, over
10,000 career miles, this 14.3
HH horse is the `bar’ for an international Endurance horse.Wendy Benns and Flirt With Ecstacy received 8th place individual award at the Pan American Championship in Vermont in 2001 .
There was a Grand Prix jumper (cute chestnut gelding) who was bought for 100 used washing machines. (or refrigerators)… I’m blanking on his name, but he was quite successful.
[QUOTE=Sandy M;7480135]
I’m embarrassed I can’t remember her name, and I know she had a rough go at the Atlanta Olympics, but there was the gal who was on the US Team who had a good competitive record (obviously, to make the team) on a $600 OTTB. (gray, mare?) My memory isn’t what it used to be…[/QUOTE]Jill Henneberg and Nirvana. https://www.chronofhorse.com/article/horse-lifetime-nirvana-ii
[QUOTE=fourmares;7480257]
There was a Grand Prix jumper (cute chestnut gelding) who was bought for 100 used washing machines. (or refrigerators)… I’m blanking on his name, but he was quite successful.[/QUOTE]Washing machines. Rhythmical. http://www.nytimes.com/1997/10/30/sports/horse-show-a-bittersweet-opening-for-a-jumper-from-new-jersey.html
Christalot Hansen of the Canadian dressage team bought Bonheur (her Olympic mount) for $1000.00 as an OTTB prospect
What is the show name of “Fred” - the GP jumper that was ridden up to the Olympic levels by one of the American team riders? Bought him from the kill pen (I think New Holland) with the aim of turning him into a school horse for something like $600.00?
[QUOTE=TrueColours;7480343]
Christalot Hansen of the Canadian dressage team bought Bonheur (her Olympic mount) for $1000.00 as an OTTB prospect
What is the show name of “Fred” - the GP jumper that was ridden up to the Olympic levels by one of the American team riders? Bought him from the kill pen (I think New Holland) with the aim of turning him into a school horse for something like $600.00?[/QUOTE]
Was it “For the Moment”?
[QUOTE=zaparaquah;7478396]
I don’t know about that. My old trainer used to list newborn quarter horse foals for
$30k because they had world champion lines. She’d turn them out to pasture and not touch them for a year and some of this weanlings still sold.[/QUOTE]
I am guessing someone who knows what they are doing is managing that breeding operation. They are making wise decisions on who to breed to whom, and marketing to their audience accordingly.
That said, there are a lot more six digit horses out there that were four digit horses when they were babies than there are ones that hit the ground in the lower mid fives.
[QUOTE=ADM7040;7480366]
Was it “For the Moment”?[/QUOTE]
Yes.
He was named “For the Moment” because that was how long she intended to keep him.
I don’t think Fred came out of a kill pen or auction. But, yes, he was suppose to be a resale project.
[QUOTE=Peggy;7480883]
I don’t think Fred came out of a kill pen or auction. But, yes, he was suppose to be a resale project.[/QUOTE]
I think he was off the track so still pretty dirt cheap 
I think the grand Prix jumper Kirk* was bought of the track for a very low price. $140. sticks in my mind but I may be wrong.
If you want a bargain take your chance with an OTTB.
*Passed away last year at age 27.
They don’t make headlines, but DH and his horse compete at the FEI level (hopefully attempting their 2nd CCI*** this spring)… not too shabby for a horse he took on for $1 to “maybe make into a safe trail horse one day” 
https://scontent-a-iad.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/t1.0-9/1779942_698851673671_57697680_n.jpg
https://scontent-a-iad.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/t1.0-9/1497684_687497412701_1667836904_n.jpg
https://scontent-a-iad.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/t1.0-9/1520724_687497372781_1304194696_n.jpg
I’ll see if I can find the old PH issue that featured “Fred” (For the Moment). I was certain that it was the New Holland auction he came from, if memory serves me correctly on this
[QUOTE=TrueColours;7481683]
I’ll see if I can find the old PH issue that featured “Fred” (For the Moment). I was certain that it was the New Holland auction he came from, if memory serves me correctly on this[/QUOTE]
I remember that article. I don’t remember where he came from, but I don’t think Lisa bought him directly out of a kill pen or from New Holland. But it was a long time ago and I could definitely be remembering incorrectly.
You and me both Peggy Its got to be a good 20 year ago or more now I think???
For those curious about the story on For the Moment, there is a thread in the Horsemen from Back in the Day Facebook page.
[QUOTE=Peggy;7480262]
Jill Henneberg and Nirvana. https://www.chronofhorse.com/article/horse-lifetime-nirvana-ii[/QUOTE]
That was a wonderful story.
Gillian Glissold and Sportscar, the gray mare she pulled off a slaughter truck. The story was written up in Practical Horseman years ago.
