I will also point out that it is very unusual here in the states to have someone who refuses to drive. It’s all very spread out here and while I understand the hesitation, especially with the current situation, it’s going to be tricky to find someone who is also willing to chauffeur you around on top of their horse trying responsibilities.
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I would try my best to find a trainer who can assist you who is local to you. That way you can go with them when they try a potential horse for you. I am not sure where in MO you are but STL area should have plenty of horses in the english discipline and plenty of barns , trainers you can contact.
I am about 90 minutes from there( rural) and you are right in my area it is slim pickings but not impossible to find them.
And if she does find someone to chauffeur her around, it will cost big time. Or not be a very well known trainer, because that is time consuming. Big trainers just don’t have time to ferry people around (especially those that are not their clients with a mutually beneficial relationship).
OP I think horse shopping is quite different in the US. I do know that I would not sell a horse to someone who did not come out and try the horse themselves. Too big of a risk to reputation (horse wasn’t what I said it was…etc), and honestly if someone cares about their horse, they want to see that it is a good match. Without a trainer to help you on your end, the risk for the horse (in the eyes of the seller) goes up. I want to ensure that the horse finds the proper match. That’s impossible to tell with no test ride.
You have been given some great ideas to source more local trainers and horse people. Go to your local feed store, chat with people, try and find connections. It’s definitely harder to do in an area that is focused on a different discipline of riding, but it can be done! Good luck OP.
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You’ve received some great advice, especially the idea of getting to know your area and the horse community in it before you buy.
You don’t mention where you’d be keeping your horse, once you buy it, but I’m assuming (?) that you have a boarding barn in mind. Maybe everyone there rides in a different discipline, but if the barn offers lessons, even not in your preferred discipline, it might be a way of getting yourself more connected. That might not lead to a horse you want to buy, but it does mean that you’ll probably know the best farriers, vets, etc. before you buy, which is a big thing. You might even get a lead on a local trainer who does teach in your discipline.
My take on your story is that the trainer, having nothing to sell you herself, was hoping that she could both broker a sale and get a new horse in training. There’s nothing wrong with that, it’s just being a business-person. She may not have been as up-front about that as she could have been, but you may not have been as communicative as you might have been either.
The fact that she wanted to do some lessons near the sales barn (and so advised you to bring a second car) doesn’t strike me as odd: she needs to make money.
$200 is actually a small price to pay for a number of valuable lessons about the horse market, and what you can expect, and the kinds of questions you need to ask up-front. It’s the price of a nice winter turnout blanket.
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‘’ You may be close to the border with another state and could search for one that way. I would call the nearest ones and ask for their help either in locating horses nearby or in locating a qualified trainer near you that may be able to assist.’’
That is exactly what I did or attempted to do. I went to another trainer because the lady that I am taking lessons from locally is not in those circles… As I said, we have not found anything and I was only shown by my local trainer, one young ranch horse that only walked and trotted and could not canter (owner riding it, i did not bother getting on it’s back). I will just have to find a horse on my own, otherwise it may take years. The city of ST. Louise and Columbia are like 4 hours away. Too far to take lessons to get the trainer to know me or lease a horse from. Thanks anyways and have a Merry Christmas.
You could go to a sales barn that has several likely prospects which would make travel worth your while. Arrange to stay long enough to ride everything they have that might interest you, and spend at least one night so you can ride them again.
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@babalina your posting sounds as if you feel you are in the outer back of beyond of the horse world. It is just not so. You will have to find them, but you are surrounded by horse people and horses of all kinds. Look above at the suggestions about finding local clubs.
American horse people love clubs and organizations dedicated to different kinds of riding. They are everywhere, but you’ll have to search them out.
In addition to the Internet, go to the feed store and ask about a bulletin board of local horse activities. Also, many towns in the midwest have a community-owned arena for horse activities. They will have info in clubs that use the arena. And, find universities in the area with an agriculture department and ask them if the have connections with horse groups.
You will have to search. But I assure you that you will find many horses. 
Good luck!
Little Rock is “the big city”? I understand being reluctant to drive in the city proper, but last I checked, most downtown areas aren’t home to horse stables on city blocks.
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This. From what was posted, the seller sounds like she’s not just trying to make a quick sale, but genuinely cares about the horse and making a good match between horse and rider (which may explain her concerns about ensuring the horse will be under the eye of a professional trainer). Some horses are also very different when ridden by a pro (or a confident rider) versus an amateur, and without seeing you ride, the seller may not feel comfortable letting the horse go. Even if the horse is advertised as a beginner/ammie horse, there are some horses who might do well with a decent w/t/c intermediate beginner but really go to pieces with a truly new rider. Without seeing you ride, the seller can’t trust that you’re able to handle the horse to her satisfaction.
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