I am planning a trip to the Netherlands. What would be a basic purchase price (not includng import) for a 3rd/4th level dressage horse? I realize this could be a large ball park figure but take into consideration: good movement, good breeding and good training. I was estimating 20,000 - 25,000 euro.
For an older horse maybe. If you want something younger, I would think you would have to double the euros.
How does a trip to Holland have anything to do with the price of horses in the UK?
I’m sorry Equibrit if I haven’t been clear enough. I am planning a trip to Holland to PURCHASE and IMPORT a horse to North America. I hope this clarifies my intent. My question, is, for comparison only, as I have never visited the Netherlands for this purpose, what would, estimate only, a horse trained to 3rd/4th level, cost? I do not require a lecture or a caution, a simple answer, numerically, would justify. Thanking you in advance.
If you meant NL, then I also think you need to double your amount!! (I do a lot of looking/some shopping in Europe)
UK I don’t know, I suspect a little less.
[QUOTE=daisyduke;2920268]
My question, is, for comparison only, as I have never visited the Netherlands for this purpose, what would, estimate only, a horse trained to 3rd/4th level, cost? QUOTE]
As far as comparison of horse prices in the UK vs. Holland? I think what Equibrit…and myself for that matter…are trying to figure out is the connection between your question and the heading for your post.
So basically you are asking what a ball park figure is to purchase and ship a horse from Holland to Canada?
I’m confused too.
Did you mean to inquire about the price of horses in NK (Koninkrijk der Nederlanden )? If so, it was just a typo on your part and a logical question for Equibrit to ask.
If you are really asking about Britain, where horses are bought in pounds, not euros, then I am really confused.
Just browse through : http://www.sporthorses.nl/
From table on left select ‘paarden te koop’.
You are probably looking for level (niveau) Z.
So on top select ‘paard zoeken’ and search for horses of niveau Z only.
That will give you a good idea of the current prices for Z-level horses in the Netherlands.
As far as horses in the UK (England), I don’t think they’ll be all that much cheaper, certainly not with the British Pound being as strong as it is.
http://www.horsedeals.co.uk/tradeadvert/28/horses-sale-england.htm, you can do a search here too.
But, forgive me to ask again, I’m still a little confused are you going to the UK to look for a prospect or to the Netherlands, or are you planning to visit both?
Yes, purchase price in the Netherlands for 3rd/4th level horse, not including import cost? The U.K. heading was an oversight. Hopefully all is clear.
It really depends. As soon as they know it is for the US then 25.000 euro gets you nowhere. If they think it is for the UK then yes you can find something for 25.000 euro’s easilly
I recently went with to NL with a friend (who purchased a schoolmaster) and you can expect to spend a mimum of $40K euro for a really nice horse - especially if you are an american, they see us coming and see $$$. Price will definately depend on age. A 6 yr old can be schooling third or a 12 yr old can be confirmed 4th - you have to really know what you are looking for. I would reccomend finding an agent/trainer to accompany you as they have access to more horses thru word of mouth and english is not always spoken.
I know of 3 or 4 horses resently imported in the last year or so that were 8-12 doing 3-PSG that were approx $50,000-$70,000USD NOT including aprox $7,OOO-$12,000USD to import.
Personally I’d look in your own back yard figuratively speaking. There are many fabulous horses doing those levels for a fraction of the price, and in some cases they are previous imports too. That’s just me… 
Thank you for your replies. The prices stated are much higher than I anticipated. It might turn out to be just a holiday and I purchase nothing but a postcard.
It seems to good ole days of getting a good deal in Europe are long over. Maybe when the dollar gets stronger it won’t be so (gulp) bad!
[QUOTE=dutchmike;2920682]
It really depends. As soon as they know it is for the US then 25.000 euro gets you nowhere. If they think it is for the UK then yes you can find something for 25.000 euro’s easilly[/QUOTE]
Maybee you should give us an explanation of this remark, and what you really mean to say.
[QUOTE=freestyle2music;2921330]
Maybee you should give us an explanation of this remark, and what you really mean to say.[/QUOTE]
Oh comeon Theo you read the dutch magazines and papers there are plenty of 4th level horses for sale in Holland for a fraction of what they charge if the horse is for export to the US ;). It just is a fact and has been a fact for many years. Why do you think Argentina is becoming more popular by the day to shop for horses?.
Not anymore
[QUOTE=dutchmike;2921382]
Oh comeon Theo you read the dutch magazines and papers there are plenty of 4th level horses for sale in Holland for a fraction of what they charge if the horse is for export to the US ;). It just is a fact and has been a fact for many years. Why do you think Argentina is becoming more popular by the day to shop for horses?.[/QUOTE]
This is a statement which was valid 10 years ago.:yes:
I didn’t quite understand your post, but maybe you’re british(ok, canadian), and planning to go to holland, perhaps to buy a horse, if the price is right.
My first impulse is to shake you by the lapels and cry loudly, stay home, buy a horse from your area that you’re familiar with and have seen at shows, that you and your instructor can ride and look over carefully, and that you can be present at the vetting and hear from others about the horse, a horse you know will fill the bill for you, that you can ride very comfortably without any reservations anywhere, at a price you can very comfortably afford, with plenty left over for equipment, lessons, clinics and shows. Going to another country and relying on someone else to represent your interests is always risky - going over by yourself is more risky.
Price? It completely depends on the quality of the horse. A very pleasant, cooperative ‘housewife’ horse that many people would enjoy, what would be regarded as a ‘school horse’ over there and might actually show fairly well here at most shows most people would go to, could be in your price range, but even those tend to get a bit pricey as the number of ‘hands on them’ increases.
A really super modern type, well balanced horse of that age, trained to third level, trained well? Potential to move up is very clear? Hard to find a really nice one for double your money.
Honestly, it might be difficult to find a domestically bred, half wb in America, trained by an amateur with an instructor giving some supervision, at that level of training, for the price you quote.
It might be difficult for you to find such a horse yourself in Holland, and an agent that might show you horses, might not be likely to target such horses for sale to foreign customers. It could happen, but it wouldn’t be the usual thing.
It depends on what one means by ‘consider, good training, good breeding’…etc. That statement is too general, unfortunately.
Judging from the ads I’ve seen, there is a very, very wide range of prices in England. A horse with less suspension, impulsion and quality of gait and conformation, a ‘regional quality’ horse for an amateur, might be more readily available in England at that price.
What does that mean to you, more importantly, what your goals are, probably needs to be clarified. International competition? Local unaffiliated (‘schooling’) shows a few times a year, something between the two, or no showing, just having fun with the horse…it’s really impossible to give any answer until your goals are more clear.
SLC
SLC, Location of the OP says Canada
Slc must have had a bad experience on her horse buying trip to Holland.
Some people do very well, some don’t. Much depends on having trusted and knowledgeable advisers with good contacts. 
slc, did you take someone knowledgeable with you that had some credible contacts?
