Fernhill Horses: Are all imported?

[AMTefft]

Recent discussion amongst friends raised the question, “Where do Fernhill horses come from?”

I know Fernhill Sport Horses is located in southern Ireland and was founded by Carol Gee. In the Eventing Nation article, How Carol Gee Launched the Fernhill Empire, published Feb 19, 2014, she says, “As my business connections have grown in the States, I have looked at ways to make my horses more available over there. Recently, Julie Richards and I have imported several nice young prospects so they could be tested on American soil…”

This leads me to believe Carol has her hand in deeming each horse “Fernhill” worthy (even if a young one she sees potential in).

My friend swears there are Fernhill horses bred in the US.

What is the deal? Do all Fernhill horses come from Ireland? Or are some bred in the US?

[yellowbritches]

Every Fernhill horse I know (and I know a fair amount. Some don’t still have the Fernhill prefix) have been imported.

[bornfreenowexpensive]

It isn’t a “breed” nor are they bred by anyone specifically. They are horses bought by the Fernhill business and then resold. Most are imported but she could buy th anywhere. Some are kept for a while and produced up the levels. Others are bought and sold quickly.

[Jealoushe]

Yes, they are simply purchased from Carols Farm and get the Fernhill name. There are a few yards in the area that do the same and sell to UL riders in the US. Save yourself about %75 of the cost and just go to an auction. The horse lottery over there has amazing odds, as in I think I saw one horse I didn’t want to sell my kidney for the entire time I lived over there. Good business plan for her, not smart buying though.

[beowulf]

[QUOTE=yellowbritches;8014769]
Every Fernhill horse I know (and I know a fair amount. Some don’t still have the Fernhill prefix) have been imported.[/QUOTE]
other posters have the right idea – carol buys these horses and the prefix is added to their name. i’ve seen a few in the flesh, nice horses – my best friend’s horse came from carol - he was a steeplechaser in ireland before being imported to the states.

[yellowbritches]

Yes, I do realize that Fernhill horses are chosen, not bred. I was only stating that all the Fernhill horses i know came from Ireland…some of those horses came with a “Fernhill _______” name and their name was changed.

[weixiao]

I don’t think she was disagreeing with you. I think she was quoting you, as correct, and then commenting directly to the OP.

[yellowbritches]

Lol…I wasn’t truly awake yet. I wasn’t picking up on context clues.

[judybigredpony]

There was one with a USA lip tattoo an a local WV racing career…re imported back to USA…and not an urban legend…LOL…

[Janeway]

Isn’t this the same premise as the Clifton horses from NZ that were all the rage back in the early 2000’s?

[bornfreenowexpensive]

[QUOTE=Janeway;8017887]
Isn’t this the same premise as the Clifton horses from NZ that were all the rage back in the early 2000’s?[/QUOTE]

Yes similar. It is a person/farm who has built up a track record of spotting talented horses…and often does support developing them up the levels.

They are both very good judges of horseflesh. Especially when it is still in the rough and green. THIS is a skill definitely lacking here in the US. I’m often shocked at what BAD judges of green horses many of our riders here are…sure, when it is going around a 2* they can tell…but show them a rough OTTB or unstarted 2 year old and most (not all) can not see the potential. (And few just do not have time to look).

This is where the Fernhill and Clifton have built a reputation and how they are so successful. They can pick up those green horses and shine them up a little…and people will buy them because they trust (rightly so) their judgment in talent spotting. Because they have done it successfully for a long time.

[oldbutnotdead]

I have a Clifton eventer. He was bought in New Zealand by Frances Steed who, with her husband, owns Clifton eventers. She exported the horse to the U.S. to be sold. I eagerly bought him from her, knowing of her reputation for selecting fine horses. My Clifton eventer is fantastic, everything that he was represented to be, and my first international transaction went flawlessly.