I’ll put in another recomendation for Mimi Schmitz. Honest, no nonsense and will be able to offer more leads if she doesn’t have what you want. Monkton, MD.
If you are still looking for a hunt horse, there’s one in Camden, SC that looks very nice. He’s an OTTB, the only downside is he does not care for her arena as is is smaller than his stride, which is why the owner is selling. He looks so lovely! He’s already hunted two seasons. I know it’s a distance, but thought I’d throw that out there. If I didn’t just buy my OTTB, I’d honestly look at him!
Thanks for the mention. He sold to a fantastic home in Virginia 
OP, there are a few FB groups I’d watch, experienced Fox Hunters and Draft Crosses and Sporthorse marketing. You cant search like a typical sale site
but keep your options open by looking at lots of them. Dont be afraid to get on a plane to find one! Good luck.
Have you looked at DraftsforSale.com? I see crosses for hunting on there all the time. There was an outfit near Charlottesville, VA that specialized in hunting crosses but they were on the pricy side and I know nothing about their reputation one way or the other. Someone had an 18hh Irish draft that looked fun for sale or lease here in Loudoun Co. Caught my eye because I love big horses despite being 5’2’’.
If you have a small budget and don’t want to travel, maybe look at a sales barn where you can find a diamond in the rough. There’s one in VT but the name is escaping me and Strains, and Heritage. Obviously it’s a crapshoot, but a lot of times they get ranch type horses from out west that would be happy as hunt horses. I’ve seen some great all arounders from there but they usually take a little work and there’s plenty of lame and/or crazy to avoid.
if you want something nicer and less of a gamble, you have to spend more and travel further.
Thanks for all the helpful suggestions on this thread. I have changed my focus somewhat, so the requirements for the potential horse have shifted a little away from the Field Hunter type. Also, have done 3 PPEs on prospects, 3 different breeds/ages/levels of experience/3 different vets/3 different barns. All failed. So feeling a bit burnt out and discouraged. :no:
Side note: I did do a quick trip to the mid-atlantic area to look at one particular horse. It was a super fun trip and I’m glad I went. Sadly, that horse was one that did not pass the PPE.
Funny you say that. I broke down and was casually surfing Strain’s website today. I went last summer and I swear, everything they pulled out was lame. I would never buy from them because you can’t do a PPE. I also looked at Apple Creek’s website. They also have a crap reputation, but damn they seem to get some decent looking all-around types.
Oh, I have upped my budget considerably and have traveled further.
I keep joking that the universe doesn’t want me to get a horse, the universe wants me to open a dog rescue instead. Starting to think the joke’s on me!
Both my current boarding barn and the one I previously boarded at have gotten several really nice horses from Heritage. I don’t know their policy on a PPE, but you can certainly ask them. Perhaps it’s also worthwhile to contact other hunts in New England (I assume your own knows you’re looking) to see if anyone there has a horse that’s moving to hilltoppers
It’s hard to find a good hunt horse, speaking from experience. Since you mentioned that you are interested in low level eventing as well you might check out eventer horses for sale websites. A BN or novice eventer that isn’t too forward thinking might work out. Also, don’t dismiss ranch horses.
