Crysta Awtry/Riding with Class -- OR

[Obsidian_Fire]

[QUOTE=mvp;8447243]

1. Do a PPE on any horse you’d buy. I’d say that for any seller. I’d really say that for an OTTB. Someone PMed me with further info as to why that advice holds especially in this case. But I don’t remember who PM’ed me and her info was second hand, so this is all I can say.

2. From Crysta herself: The OTTBs come directly from the track. Often she has her riders start with them a day or two after arrival.

If I were buying (or even swinging a leg over one to try), I’d take that into account. You aren’t riding a horse who has had 6 months let down and time for whatever he has been given at the track to leave his mind and body.

I don’t know if this is how all modern OTTB Flippers do it. I don’t have an opinion about the practice. But I do think a horse just off the track and one that has been turned out for a time are different animals.[/QUOTE]

Thanks for that. I’ve been looking at her sales prospects as a future option myself, but did not know anything about her.

[Frogger]

I would be VERY careful. I would vet anything 110% you were considering buying. I would also not buy sight unseen.

Crysta Awtry is a horse dealer, and my experience with her has been very true to the cautions that go along with the negative aspects of that stereo-type. She looks to have nice horses at times come off the track into her barn, but I would be hard-pressed to purchase from her without a lot of caution.

If you are not a professional, I would urge you to go look at any of her horses with a professional that has a good eye for lameness, can spot behavioral problems, knows your riding skill level and goals, and can evaluate the horse in front of them with skill, etc.

I hope that is helpful to your decision. Good luck!

[panpiper]

Can you PM me what you heard? I am also looking at some horses she has for sale.

[jcasper]

PPE soon

Kind of bringing up an old thread here, but we are looking at a Horse down at Crysta’s today for the second time and having a PPE done. I would appreciate any information you can send my way.

[Salty]

Just make sure that the PPE is extra thorough.

[goodmorning]

I read these threads and it makes me wonder - are people not vetting horses these days?

[Salty]

Most people do a PPE. It’s just that with some horse dealers it’s wise to be extra thorough.

[Outyougo]

Keep looking

[541hunter]

I would also recommend that you investigate each horse’s record VERY thoroughly. I’ve seen a couple from her where either through misunderstandings with the owner or something more sinister, show records were highly exaggerated.

[CupcakeTough]

She does not have a great reputation - this is second hand based on numerous different posts on an area Facebook forum.

I’m currently searching for a project horse, so I’m browsing multiple classified sites. What drives me batty is that she relists the same horses over and over again. I realize when selling you want your horse at the top, but every day? Also research her asking price. The price of the horses seem to change with every post. One post the horse is $2500, the next day, same horse $3500. There’s a horse with chips that need to be removed. Today he’s $900, a couple days ago he was $400.

[Midnight_Moon]

I realize this is an old thread, but I’m currently considering a OTTB being sold by Crysta Awtry. She’s had him there at her barn in Junction City, OR for several months. Could those of you who sent a PM to “rightontime” regarding this trainer/dealer please PM me too? And I’m wondering if anyone here knows anything about the 5 y.o. OTTB gelding Top of Union. I’d definitely have a thorough PPE if I decide on him, but maybe someone’s already been down that road? Thanks in advance–

[GoldDustWoman]

[QUOTE=rightontime;8424064]
Saw this thread was getting some more play so I thought I’d summarize what I’ve heard – I was helping a friend look for a place to haul in for occasional O/F lessons. My friend has opted to go elsewhere for a variety of reasons. The most in-depth info came from the Oregon Horse Forum on Facebook. Very strong opinions there about Crysta, some may be untrue/exaggerated but there are enough corroborating accounts that my friend just decided to avoid the situation altogether.

As far as buying from her goes, sounds like buyer beware to me. Most of the responses I received just said to vet everything as thoroughly as possible. Seems like a smart idea no matter who the seller is.

Good luck to you all![/QUOTE]

I know this is an OLD thread but I got one of her IDK if you would call him a reject but I did get one she messed up mighty badly from the horses owner . Sweet ,good natured ,big hearted GREEN older OTTB she tried to force as a square peg into a round hole . Took my trainer husband and I both over a year to fix and a float when he first arrived turned into $800 in surgery then had to be sedated further to fix a very infected private part , this was crazy . Man was that a mess . Still a good boy and after a year he was ready to go onto “POSSIBLY” a LOW H/J ( he was truly afraid of jumps when we got him and really never was comfortable )or dressage trainer for specializing, He loved dressage- I am a H/J diva . Horse was finally finished properly on the flat and some low fences - winning a little in open shows. Owner came , got him and promptly took him back to her that day . Won’t help again . He could be lame off and on - a heel was a little contracted but some other stuff off and on as time went on , but no one would pay to have him vetted and he wasn’t ours , so he would just take some time off. He is there now . Hurt my heart to know, but it is what it is . She said he was crazy/ mentally ill but he was nothing but a total doll the entire time we had him so IDK . She was attempting to event him. ( pics were on FB) They wanted well over 10,000 for him .

[QUOTE=mvp;8447243]

From Crysta herself: The OTTBs come directly from the track. Often she has her riders start with them a day or two after arrival.

If I were buying (or even swinging a leg over one to try), I’d take that into account. You aren’t riding a horse who has had 6 months let down and time for whatever he has been given at the track to leave his mind and body.

I don’t know if this is how all modern OTTB Flippers do it. I don’t have an opinion about the practice. But I do think a horse just off the track and one that has been turned out for a time are different animals.[/QUOTE]

We don’t even get on our OWN homebred OTTB’s or off the track AQHA’s until 6 months has passed - sometimes longer . Its not safe for horse or rider. I am sure she(Crysta) would disagree but my first was in 1970, learned it from my family and it works well .

[Salty]

That’s just heartbreaking, GDW.

[mvp]

[QUOTE=Salty;8772858]
Most people do a PPE. It’s just that with some horse dealers it’s wise to be extra thorough.[/QUOTE]

I’d put that differently.

For the prices she’s asking and the smallness of the racing industry up here, you have to admit that the odds are there’s something wrong with the horse. So it’s the buyer’s job to find it. Otherwise, the 16.3 good-looking, athletic gelding wouldn’t be in Junction City, Oregon for $3500, yanno? I don’t see how she can be making a lot of money unless these horses are incredibly cheap to her, or they don’t spend much time in her barn.

If Awtry is trying to make a living in this market, it will take some doing. I think she doesn’t have a bad eye for general conformation. At least the pictures of the horses she lists on FB suggest that. But anyone buying an OTTB should consider a horse that looks tall and more or less balanced standing still is just the tip of the iceberg.

Don’t get mad or surprised. Get careful.

[Obsidian_Fire]

MVP, there are a couple other race track dealers up here - Katie Peery of Hidden Fox Farms, and Mary Lee… both post horses from Portland Meadows and I think Emerald Downs…

Neither one has horses listed for very much money, but seems their reputations are quite positive.

However I do agree that the horses I see are not always something I’d choose conformationally - our market is small and I think we don’t get the quality here.

I am guessing perhaps Crysta picks up track horses quite cheap and tries to flip them very quickly; as it’s been pointed out she gets her riders on them right away. If you didn’t know any better (as a buyer) I guess you’d think “wow an OTTB that’s already been restarted, the hard part’s out of the way.”

If one has been sitting in her barn for awhile - basically doing nothing - as in the case of the horse the poster recently asked about - I would be doubly concerned.

I’m a skeptic anyway when it comes to horse buying, but something about her never has sat right with me even before this thread began.

[crimsonsky]

[QUOTE=Obsidian Fire;8920625]

I’m a skeptic anyway when it comes to horse buying, but something about her never has sat right with me even before this thread began.[/QUOTE]

having been stabled next to her herd at shows, i would personally never buy from her. shrug your results my vary.

[GoldDustWoman]

[QUOTE=Salty;8919646]
That’s just heartbreaking, GDW.[/QUOTE]

Well I felt bad because as big and pretty as he was I was unable to sell him @12.5K (actual price), had a good bit of 5-7000 offers , but the owner would not go down and as kind as he was, he was also a big powerful track winner for some years and was not for just anyone. I was watching his track vids and his jock would have to take almost half the track to stop him and he was very gentle just really happy and hot . NO kids or MAYBE a very tough junior but no shrinking violets . You had to ride him right . Someone experienced who wanted something bold but honest and I was not able to guarantee he would ever be comfy past 2’6". Just because they are huge doesn’t mean they LOVE to jump - we all know that . Still needed alot of miles . So it would take a certain buyer and I was upfront but very nice about it. I guess she felt Crysta could move him $$$ faster/better ?? Id rather not have some blisteringly mad customer come back on me !!

Someone mentioned conformation/quality up here, I am in Seattle but worked Tx, La, OK NM and KY - the area of the country I came from and you are 100% correct . 2 of my own Tb broodmares went south last season. I could not find the proper matches up here and it’s been an ongoing problem for us the last 7 years we have been here . Mine are supposed to last 25 years and be useful .

[Live2Jump]

[QUOTE=Frogger;8516961]
I would be VERY careful. I would vet anything 110% you were considering buying. I would also not buy sight unseen.

Crysta Awtry is a horse dealer, and my experience with her has been very true to the cautions that go along with the negative aspects of that stereo-type. She looks to have nice horses at times come off the track into her barn, but I would be hard-pressed to purchase from her without a lot of caution.

If you are not a professional, I would urge you to go look at any of her horses with a professional that has a good eye for lameness, can spot behavioral problems, knows your riding skill level and goals, and can evaluate the horse in front of them with skill, etc.

I hope that is helpful to your decision. Good luck![/QUOTE]

^ This 100%. She posts some nice looking horses, but use caution. Do not go without a professional at your side.

[JT67]

Crysta Awtry is one of the most dishonest trainers I’ve ever met. She is unethical and amoral. She ripped me off for $1000’s of dollars. She overcharges and pads the bills. She has her children ride the horses because she is to lazy, and after 6 months my 3 year old new nothing. I’m having to re-break him myself. This experience taught me not to be lazy and break my own horses. I would not ever recommend her as a trainer or breeder. Never buy a horse from her. She is a disgrace to the equestrian community!!

[JT67]

Don’t use her. She is dishonest and unethical. She is a terrible trainer and breeder. Stay clear!!!