This is a very interesting thread! What I’ve gained is mostly that if I were ever to look abroad and import…I’d sure be working with an agent or trainer that is well-versed in it!
[QUOTE=TSWJB;8155840]
Well I am not sure if she is ignorant or if she is on to a great thing! That is why I started the post. The prices in Europe are really good for what you are getting even if it is green. I am disappointed that you cannot get this over here. I really like to try my horses. Now granted I was shopping in 2007, and prices were high, but I wanted a horse in Manitoba and the owners would not go lower than 30k. I offered them 25k. and I would have approximately 2.5k shipping charges. They said no. there were approximately 19 horses in the 8k to 10k price range at this auction. That is a good price.
I did see my sister at a show this weekend. She told me that she is pretty much guaranteed a great horse because only top notch horses are selected in this auction. For brain, soundness, x-rays and quality. If they do not have all these pieces then would not be allowed in the auction. This seems to contradict several people who said buyer beware in an auction. My understanding from my sister is its pretty much a guarantee. And if she doesn’t like the horse she will sell it and double her money. This all seems wonderful![/QUOTE]
Honestly, your sister sounds a bit starstruck by it all. The ammy I wrote about upthread was the same - very optimistic, stars in her eyes, didn’t think anything could ever go wrong, kept calling it a “no fail investment” etc.
The horse is worth at most $5k now.
I would take your sister’s word with a grain of salt.
Another factor to consider for those buying in Europe, is that not everyone lives in a horsey area. In my area for example, if you are looking for a 1.10+ jumper, your options are either $$$$$ local horses that are $ talented, or traveling 6+ hours to look at 2-3 horses that are also $$$$. Do that 3-4 times, assuming that horses will not fit your needs and/or not vet, and you’ve just about come up with the same cost as going to Europe for a weekend and sitting on 30+ horses that all fit your criteria. Odds are just way better in Europe that you will find something in one trip that meets your needs, budget and vetting requirements.
[QUOTE=00Seven;8148011]
These ventures really aren’t that straightforward.
An ammy at my barn has a gelding imported from Germany, who she bought sight unseen and before starting with my trainer. He was shown jumping around a 1.30m course on video, sent to her then-trainer by his import contact. He looked amazing (excellent conformation, great canter, fantastic jump, straight forward ride, etc)… then he got here and he was not. He was virtually unrideable by ammy standards - jumping made him frantic; nervous and spooky; agitated; difficult. He doesn’t go straight, turn, or stop. The kicker is that he didn’t have lead changes - in the video, he landed the lead after every fence and did one on a diagonal so they figured they were auto. In reality, it’s near impossible to get one out of him on course.
I’m not going to post his sales video, but its on par with this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WubVcOaW-qs
He was supposed to be her 3’6 A/O A circuit horse, go down to WEF and be respectable horse. She’s worked with 2 excellent trainers, and the final conclusion is that the horse just isn’t an ammy ride. She’s an excellent rider who’s grasp of dressage is the best I’ve seen in any H/J rider (better than 85% of trainers), but she can’t ride the dang thing - no ammy can.
Right now he’s working on not losing his marbles in the 2’6 hunters. He would probably fit in more in the baby jumpers, but that would do absolutely nothing for his training.
The reality is that the rider in that video knew exactly how an American buyer would want to see him, and manufactured it. In retrospect, he was probably muscled to those jumps with white knuckles and might have even been given something to calm him down. Also the “trusted” European contact eventually revealed that he didn’t actually take the video or ride the horse, that it was sent to him by someone he met in passing once, and nobody actually laid eyes on that thing before she bought him.[/QUOTE]
I want!!! but I can’t do it! my heart says soooo easy to buy off the internet from the comfort of your coach! my head says everything so easy turns out to be not what you expected.
I wish I was as brave as my sister! I am just not! I thoroughly love and enjoy my horse but I have had my ups and downs! Getting jumped off when my horse decided to jump a 2.3ft white box fence as an 8ft high sky scraper! yeah it rocked my confidence a bit! off to the pro rider he went! However it did set me on a course of great training that I am still receiving! But my journey has been a lot slower than expected!
that horse is lovely!
Mardi: There are so many breeders/individuals here with very good prospects except in my case, they were all out of my price range… way out of my price range and we had, what I thought was, a healthy budget. I was looking for an amateur friendly younger horse (5 - 6 year old), that had the training and successful show experience up to 1,20M with room to move up etc. etc… probably what everyone is looking for :-). I found the price, including import, relative to the training and show experience etc. was more competitive overseas.
Findeight–you’re certainly right that there can be bad deals to be found in Europe, but it doesn’t change the fact that we decided to go take a look there to sidestep local sellers who surprised us by being insulted or being pressured in case we passed on their horses. It was just a general positive point that I’d never considered before so I thought I’d throw it out there. Plus the odds are less–though yes, it’s possible–of someone comparing the new rider to the horse’s past rider if the seller is in Europe, especially at the level we were showing at.
[QUOTE=TSWJB;8156121]
my heart says soooo easy to buy off the internet from the comfort of your coach! [/QUOTE]
OP, just how close are you and your coach? :lol::lol::lol:
IMHO, American breeders have a completely inflated sense of value, too. A friend has had her homebred listed at $40,000 since before it could jump around a small course. Ridiculous. It’s impossible to tell what you are going to get until they are at least jumping lines and popping their changes. Count me as a convert to the import system.
There are also good deals to be found at aucitons and it doesn’t have to be too good to be true (speaking as someone who organizes an auction!). We do an annual auction of horses that are ready to show (4, 5 & 6 YOs). They can be tried out every week at open houses. We have x-rays available. The average price is about 10K USD.
Obviously if you are buying from auctions, you need to understand a few things:
a) Understand that if you’re buying an unbroken horse, what you see in the free jump isn’t necessarily what you’ll see in the ring. It may be (hopefully!). Also understand if buying green, you’re going to be investing in training costs.
b) If you’re buying a made horse, it’s really important that you sit on the horse before if possible. Yes of course the videos are going to be the best possible of the horse but more than that, you should know if you are going to click.
c) If you can’t try the horse out personally, see if you can get someone else to ride or at least get a video of the horse doing certain things.
d) Look at x-rays.
e) Ask for references.
Honestly, I wish our horses all sold for 30K;) But they don’t. We have no reserve on our horses so sometimes there are really nice horses that go for a steal.
Auctions aren’t a bad thing, esp if you do your homework.
[QUOTE=nycjumper;8157875]
There are also good deals to be found at aucitons and it doesn’t have to be too good to be true (speaking as someone who organizes an auction!). We do an annual auction of horses that are ready to show (4, 5 & 6 YOs). They can be tried out every week at open houses. We have x-rays available. The average price is about 10K USD.
.[/QUOTE]
where is your auction?
[QUOTE=TSWJB;8157920]
where is your auction?[/QUOTE]
TSWJB - we’re located in Argentina (we’re actually the barn that Foursocks mentioned early - thanks Socks!). We do an annual auction (just had one in April).
If you think Europe has good prices, come to Canada! I bought my recent 4 year old wb x project for $400 out of a field off a kjiji ad. 
If price is an important factor that usually means said horse can’t just ‘not work out’ for the buyer. That said, buying a young horse off a video from anywhere is a gamble at best. Unless you really have the skills, money, time and the want to ride WHATEVER gets delivered to you it’s best not to pursue this avenue. If you have a trainer that you trust that is a great avenue to start shopping through those connections. A hose with a great jump and that wow factor isn’t necessarily suitable for all riders. Have you made up a horse from scratch before? Do you have the skills to fix issues on day one? As they arise? If this horse is unsuitable for you do you have a plan? What does your trainer say about buying a horse from a video for YOU? Everyone is different. Just because you haven’t made up a horse before doesn’t mean you can’t do it now, but these are considerations.
Another item of note is that you don’t usually save that much when buying a young one since you will have to invest the time, training and sweat equity into one to get it to the point you can compete. Of course, there are many exceptions ($400 from a field is certainly one of those).
Let me note that I bought young prospect off of a video, but I have a. made up horses before b. have a world class trainer helping me c. had a healthy budget d. had a plan for all of the above.
I seem to remember the OP starting a thread like this before. I hope it works out for your sister. It could. It might not. It sounds like you aren’t shopping since you got a horse from Canada?
EDIT: I just looked at my PM box and it was a different poster with almost the exact same story…this poster is Monty, so perhaps a different person after all.
http://www.chronofhorse.com/forum/showthread.php?460805-Buying-a-horse-from-Europe-off-Facebook-on-your-phone-while-you-are-at-work!&highlight=monty
I am not in the market for a horse right now. And my trainer does not believe in buying off a video for her amateur and junior clients. If that was all I could afford she would work with the horse if it were not dangerous.
The reason I am asking if it is a good idea to buy off a video is because it was soo easy for my sister. It was not easy finding my horse in Canada. I have 4 friends with major injuries to their horses. One horse is completely done. Its devastating. Another just had major surgery on her horse’s suspensory. It will be over a year. I wanted to know my options if something were to happen to my horse or maybe one of my friends could buy a horse this way.
I bought my horse as a just broke 3.5yo. It has been a long journey. It can be scary when your horse cracks his back and leaps into the 8 feet high and knocks you off! So I am fully aware and capable of bringing a young one along. It is not easy! But it can be rewarding! But I tried my horse before I bought him. He was 11 hours away!!!
I purchased my horse from the Verden Auction and I could not be happier. He is a very fancy mover with a naturally level top line and jumps really well. He was pretty green but i expected that. Im not in a rush and he is quiet and willing. I could not have afforded a horse of this quality in the US and there was enough left in the budget for pro rides to help me bring him along carefully
If you or your agent has a good eye, knows/trusts the seller and has the horse vetted by a trusted vet, then buying off the Internet can be a great experience.
I have now bought 3 horses off the Internet – seeing still pictures and one video of each. All 3 are excellent horses and I am thrilled with them. The 2 older ones who are now showing are everything I could have possibly wanted. And the 3rd is a 4 year old with talent oozing out of his (very big) ears. 
I am in NC and these horses came from 1. Edmonton, Alberta, Canada 2. Broken Arrow, Oklahoma and 3. Ocala, Florida. I would have missed out on them if I had not been willing to buy them ‘sight unseen’.
Point being — buying a horse is always a gamble. Especially buying a young horse (the 3 I bought were 6 months old, 2 years old and 4 years old). If they are not old enough to be ridden at the level you want them to end up at, then seeing them on the Internet can tell you what you need to know (IF the requirements in the first sentence are met). Going to see a young horse just to see its potential may not be necessary.
(I am not talking about a made horse which the buyer plans to ride/show. In that case the buyer needs to get on the horse to see if they get along. I am talking about young horses who are being assessed on potential and talent only.)
PS: I have pictures and videos of these horses if anyone should want to see them.
[QUOTE=Lord Helpus;8392021]
If you or your agent has a good eye, knows/trusts the seller and has the horse vetted by a trusted vet, then buying off the Internet can be a great experience.
I have now bought 3 horses off the Internet – seeing still pictures and one video of each. All 3 are excellent horses and I am thrilled with them. The 2 older ones who are now showing are everything I could have possibly wanted. And the 3rd is a 4 year old with talent oozing out of his (very big) ears.
I am in NC and these horses came from 1. Edmonton, Alberta, Canada 2. Broken Arrow, Oklahoma and 3. Ocala, Florida. I would have missed out on them if I had not been willing to buy them ‘sight unseen’.
Point being — buying a horse is always a gamble. Especially buying a young horse (the 3 I bought were 6 months old, 2 years old and 4 years old). If they are not old enough to be ridden at the level you want them to end up at, then seeing them on the Internet can tell you what you need to know (IF the requirements in the first sentence are met). Going to see a young horse just to see its potential may not be necessary.
(I am not talking about a made horse which the buyer plans to ride/show. In that case the buyer needs to get on the horse to see if they get along. I am talking about young horses who are being assessed on potential and talent only.)
PS: I have pictures and videos of these horses if anyone should want to see them. :)[/QUOTE]
I completely agree with this.
And in fact, I did recently buy a nice young WB from Germany off a video. He is quite green so I saw no point in spending the $$ to fly across the pond to sit on him. But he is very, very well bred, has spectacular movement and a great vetting. If he got here and I didn’t like him for some reason (ha! I am in love!) I figured I could easily re-sell him and recoup my money.
Here he is, about a month after he arrived.
There are SO MANY GOOD HORSES HERE. Right here in the U.S. Do your homework. Look everywhere. Be the best rider that you can be. Educate yourself. Network. The horses are here. Even the warmbloods, the imports, the offspring, the stallions, look around THEY ARE ALREADY HERE.
People tend to think that they MUST buy “X” to win…you’d be amazed at the reality of where these winners come from and how they were aquired.
[QUOTE=gray17htb;8392213]
There are SO MANY GOOD HORSES HERE. Right here in the U.S. Do your homework. Look everywhere. Be the best rider that you can be. Educate yourself. Network. The horses are here. Even the warmbloods, the imports, the offspring, the stallions, look around THEY ARE ALREADY HERE.
People tend to think that they MUST buy “X” to win…you’d be amazed at the reality of where these winners come from and how they were aquired.[/QUOTE]
I don’t disagree that there are some very, very nice horses in the US.
I won’t speak for others, but for me, when I am looking for a horse, I am fitting that search into what is already a fairly busy life. I don’t have time (or, honestly, the inclination) to “look everywhere.” I like being able to contact a well connected agent, get a quick list of suitable horses (either to go ride or just view on video) and get the job done.
Add to that the very realistic pricing that I’ve found abroad, and the professionalism that I’ve enjoyed in those transactions, and buying there works for me. I don’t think I am alone in that.
Exactly- I looked here when I was searching. I really, really, really did. I could not find the quality I wanted in a price I could afford. Or I found affordable horses that were misrepresented, overpriced for their training, had some big hole or problem that I wasn’t prepared to gamble on, and so on. I could not go and sit on more than one or two or (if I was lucky) three at a time that were appropriate for my needs. I found one in California that would have been worth a trip. A few in Kentucky. A few in Ontario. But I couldn’t afford to fly all over the place trying horses, and I certainly couldn’t afford to fly myself and my trainer (or another pair of trained eyes) all over. Also, I don’t have time to do that!
If you have a big budget you can find oodles of lovely horses here in the States- homebreds and imported. If you don’t, you end up needing to either luck out or change your parameters. I found several young jumpers who I would have loved to take home, who fit perfectly into what I was looking for- but I could not afford their price tag. My own horse would not have been affordable for me had he been here instead of Argentina. I went down there and rode all day long, every day, for five days. There were videos and pictures before I came so I had a short list, and I got to ride the ones I liked every day, and try new ones at their farm and other places, too. Where can you find that in the States?
The one I ended up buying was on the higher end of my budget, including import, but he was still WAAAAY cheaper than anything I was finding back home. It’s a shame, but it’s the truth.
