I have a lovely 11yo KWPN mare I’m thinking about selling. She’s very attractive, well bred and well broke, and has shown the hunters (3’, rated shows) a handful of times with success. She’s sound and easy, but has a sticky lead change, so not ideal for ammie-me to show. I do trail ride her extensively and she’s a blast. We live in amazing trail and hunt country, and I take her out alone and in groups and she’s fabulous–brave, never spooks, and easy to jump over natural obstacles and uneven terrain. She’s fine to lead and follow, and is fine in large groups, though she can be “mareish” in crowds.
I think she could make a great hunt horse, but I have NO experience hunting, and it’s not something I’m interested in pursuing. Is there a way to find an experienced hunt rider to take her out a few times to evaluate her potential? Of course I’d be willing to pay them, but I don’t want to open advertise and get some yahoo who won’t be safe, or would set back her training. How would you suggest I find the right match to ride her, or would a good rider even be willing to do such a thing? Or would they only want to ride their proven horses? How much would be a realistic rate for a day of riding my mare? thanks in advance.
Call the secretary of your local hunt and ask for a reference.
I’ve done this for people --usually the owner asks for a reference from the MFH and if possible photographs of the horse hunting (hounds/red coat in pix). People who know I’m a member call me directly and ask if I or one of my DDs will take a horse out. We usually do --owner is responsible for getting the horse to the hunt and back home --sometimes the owner rides out with us on one of my hunters.
Foxglove
In Southern Pines there are lots of Eventing trainers who also hunt. I am sure many of them would be happy to take out a green-to-hunting horse, and you can get opinions/references on them as trainers.
I would expect the fee to be similar to taking a horse to a show.
One of my “project” horses, intended to be an eventer, showed a better aptitude for hunting, and is now happily hunting “first flight”. I took him out twice myself, and then paid an eventing trainer to hunt him about a dozen times.
I have a friend who makes a pretty decent living from people who pay her to ride their horses. Seems to me that, given my limitations, folks would pay me not to ride their horses.
I would find a good event trainer who also hunts. She may be even more marketable as a lower level event horse. She will command a higher price as an event horse or nice all around horse.
I suggest to contact a hunt trainer. Fees are close to a showing fees.
In Middleburg, VA area : Eduardo Coria www.eduardocoriatraining.com. He hunts in several hunts around that area. Good luck and happy hunting.
