Let's Talk Money: Price of a Top Hunter

[Cannonball]

[QUOTE=FineAlready;7016360]
1)At the AA shows in my area, frankly, you can win on a $10,000 or under horse. Pretty often. Yes, under $10,000.
2)….I really have met very few horses that I have not liked, so I can enjoy a less expensive horse just as much as I can enjoy a very pricey one. I like my own horse a lot more than some six figure horses I have ridden, and he was less than $10,000.[/QUOTE]

Ok. #1 begs the question where?? And what divisions??

#2 Understood. But that’s like saying I’d rather drive my Ford Fusion than a S class mercedes because I just like cars and it’s not worth the extra $70,000. But the market (supply and demand) dictate the price and there are tangible differences. I like cars, all cars. From Toyota’s to Ferraris. But I’d rather drive a Lexus than a Toyota because it’s nicer.

But in the context of this thread (Price of a Top Hunter) your comments struck me as off base.

[PaintedHunter]

[QUOTE=TrakHack;7016520]
PWhere I work, we are encouraged to set “BHAGs” (big, hairy, audacious goals - I don’t love the term…). [/QUOTE]

Oh man, I HATED IT when my former marketing director made us all read Built to Last.

[FineAlready]

[QUOTE=Cannonball;7016608]
Ok. #1 begs the question where?? And what divisions??

#2 Understood. But that’s like saying I’d rather drive my Ford Fusion than a S class mercedes because I just like cars and it’s not worth the extra $70,000. But the market (supply and demand) dictate the price and there are tangible differences. I like cars, all cars. From Toyota’s to Ferraris. But I’d rather drive a Lexus than a Toyota because it’s nicer.

But in the context of this thread (Price of a Top Hunter) your comments struck me as off base.[/QUOTE]

Well, since I was responding to a question about whether I personally would spend high six figures or seven figures on a horse if I had the money, I’m not sure how my comments could be off base. I said I wouldn’t and that in my opinion, it isn’t worth it to me. I’m sorry if that seems “off base” to you, but someone asked the question, and I answered. What it comes down to for me is really, no, I would not pay for a “Top Hunter” even if I could afford to. Because I don’t think it is worth it. If you do think it is worth it, you are more than welcome to spend your money on the most expensive hunter you can find.

As to #1, zone 6 and parts of zone 5. I know of at least one such horse that has won in the Adult Amateurs (which I think is typically C rated, but held at an AA show), and in the A/Os. I know PLENTY, as in, at least 10 that were under or around $100,000 that have consistently placed well in the high performance hunters or derbies at AA shows in these zones. As I said, certainly not winning at WEF…but nonetheless, nice horses.

[RugBug]

[QUOTE=Victorious;7015795]
So, the question has to be asked- would you, assuming you are flush with cash- buy a top hunter? [/QUOTE]

Only if I was flush enough that I was giving a significant portion away (at least 50%) and still had the money left over for the top hunter. Additionally, I would not buy it for me to ride, but rather for a trainer. I could easily be down with being “the owner.” I would have a nice mid-to-high 5 figure packer to compete on myself.

While I type that now, if it were reality, I couldn’t say. I have a hard time thinking $600 for a show is okay when I can pay $100 and have just as good a time. While I appreciate ribbons, I get more satisfaction about improving a ride than placing…and the pressure of the show ring helps me improve leaps and bounds…so that is why I show. $500 dollars worth of difference doesn’t change that at all.

[findeight]

Well, FineAlready, you said under 10k, not under 100k and Cannonball was asking you the where questionn in regards to. There aren’t a lot in the Adults for 10k or less and certainly not in the A/Os if they sold as, more or less, finished Hunters as I believe the original question referred to, not untested prospects that can be priced all over the place because they aren’t trained yet.

[Cannonball]

@FineAlready;7016649

you are more than welcome to spend your money on the most expensive hunter you can find.

Thanks for your permission, but I already have! Again I’m not starting a war (maybe a small battle) but you said spending over $100,000 on a horse doesn’t buy anything tangible. These horses that are winning derbies that are “under or around $100,000” what makes them not a $10,000 horse? Performance, ease of ride, age, results? Same for a $175,000 horse, all very tangible.

[BLBGP]

[QUOTE=woodhillsmanhattan;7016088]
If I had UNLIMITED funds I would buy said horses…

1. low-mid five figure 4 or 5 year old jumper prospect
2. Mid five figure 4 year old hunter prospect
3. 3 figure 8-10 year old working hunter/derby horse
4. Grand Prix jumper (most likely for someone else to ride ;))
5. One fancy large pony for future daughter…I despise ponies.
6. Racehorse(s)
7. Barrel horse
8. 3 quarter horses for me and significant other and friends to trail ride on…One said quarter horse will hopefully be semi-fancy enough for 2’6 for future daughter (see above…must avoid poinies)
9. miniature horse
10. I would probably accumulate many retired/rescue horses as well

OK. That’s enough day dreaming for the day. But seriously, would definitely buy a racehorse.[/QUOTE]

Curious where you’re finding the 3-figure working hunter/derby horse.

[equisusan]

[QUOTE=BLBGP;7016703]
Curious where you’re finding the 3-figure working hunter/derby horse. ;)[/QUOTE]

Yea I’ll take two.

[Button]

[QUOTE=Victorious;7015795]
So, the question has to be asked- would you, assuming you are flush with cash- buy a top hunter? [/QUOTE]

Absolutely not. But I wouldn’t hesitate on a tip top young jumper, as that would put me in the global market rather than the North American market. I don’t think the buying your way to the top necessarily applies either. That’s what the Germans were accused of when they bought Totilas (reportedly for 10m euro) and he didn’t even make it to the Olympics. Sure it puts you in a much stronger position, but everything else has to go right too.

[Rel6]

No way would I spend 100k+ on a hunter even if I had the money. I’d spend it on a big, bold, fancy horse I could have a blast around a cross country course on or take fox hunting. I’ll spend the difference blowing it on our hunter derby entry fees and actually have fun around the cool courses with no pressure to do well

However I will admit, if I had a limitless budget I don’t think there is anything I wouldn’t pay for a top show jumper who could both show me the ropes of the big sticks and be competitive.

[TrakHack]

Ok, so if we remove “hunter” from the qualification - make it jumping, dressage, reining, whatever - does that change things for many people?

For me, it wouldn’t, but I was one who would be on board with being an owner of a top level hunter.

In the big scheme of things, I’m an adequate rider (at best) but I could be an exceptional owner.

[FineAlready]

[QUOTE=findeight;7016682]
Well, FineAlready, you said under 10k, not under 100k and Cannonball was asking you the where questionn in regards to. There aren’t a lot in the Adults for 10k or less and certainly not in the A/Os if they sold as, more or less, finished Hunters as I believe the original question referred to, not untested prospects that can be priced all over the place because they aren’t trained yet.[/QUOTE]

Perhaps I was not clear in my most recent post. What I meant to convey was that I know of at least one under $10,000 that has won in the Adults AND in the A/Os at AA shows. There are others in that general price range that I am aware of but can’t “confirm” their purchase prices. You never know what goes into increasing or decreasing a horse’s price. Age, maintenance, etc., all play a role.

And, further, I know of a LOT under $100,000 that can win at those levels and above in my area.

I’m not sure why people are in such a snit about this. I do not see how it could possibly be this important to anyone that everyone else agree that other people’s top hunters are worth high six figures to low seven figures.

If it makes people feel better, I’d be willing to agree that Cannonball’s horse is worth a billion kajillion dollars.

But I still would never pay that much for a horse. Which was THE QUESTION I WAS RESPONDING TO.

[FineAlready]

[QUOTE=Cannonball;7016689]
These horses that are winning derbies that are “under or around $100,000” what makes them not a $10,000 horse? [/QUOTE]

Honestly, in many cases, purchase price is what makes them not a $10,000 horse.

[Appsolute]

And people get their feathers all ruffled when the “media” has the gall to suggest equestrian sports are for the rich and elite.

[Goldie_locks]

[QUOTE=Appsolute;7016889]
And people get their feathers all ruffled when the “media” has the gall to suggest equestrian sports are for the rich and elite.[/QUOTE]

That’s because there are so many levels of horse ownership and most people don’t like being painted with such a broad brush.

And every person that posted here is elite, wealthy and owns 20 superb Hunter horses with a few million dollar race horses on the side.

The media is lovely…

[TrakHack]

Equestrian sport at the top level is for the rich and elite. Almost all sports at the top level are.

I don’t consider AA shows to be “top level”. For hunters, I consider consistently high placings at WEF, Devon, and indoors “top level”. For FEI disciplines, I consider being internationally competitive “top level”.

[PaintedHunter]

[QUOTE=TrakHack;7016925]
Equestrian sport at the top level is for the rich and elite. Almost all sports at the top level are.

I don’t consider AA shows to be “top level”. For hunters, I consider consistently high placings at WEF, Devon, and indoors “top level”. For FEI disciplines, I consider being internationally competitive “top level”.[/QUOTE]

But even consistently showing at AA shows is WAY out of reach for the majority of people in our sport. You don’t have to even be anywhere close to the top levels to be priced out.

[Appsolute]

Bottom line - to show horses at rated shows, you have to have a large amount of disposable income -If you want to show at the top, you have to have a huge amount of disposable income.

Most Americans do not have either.

As for other sports, sure, there are expensive ones, but really, horses at just about all the levels is a spendy endeavor.

I have experience in cycling sports (BMX, road racing, mountain biking), and the cost to participate in those sports, at even the most elite level in no way compares to “equestrian sports”.

Just the monthly cost of keeping a horse would surpass the cost of participating in many of the sports popular in this country. The median household income in this country is around $50,000 (pretax) a year. Pretty hard to feed a family, and a horse (and show it!) on that kind of budget. For the most part, “equestrian sports” are not for the average family.

Signed - former competitor who has been priced out of competition!

[War_Admiral]

[QUOTE=Victorious;7015795]
So, the question has to be asked- would you, assuming you are flush with cash- buy a top hunter?[/QUOTE]

Heck yeah. With the huge caveat that I no longer ride, so I’d be buying it to help an ambitious pro get some cred.

I have learned the hard way that once you quit riding it is no longer fun handing your baby greenie off to someone else to bring along once the groundwork is done. If you’re going to pay all that board/training money just to watch it, it would be far more fun to watch a top quality horse with a talented young rider kick some @$$ at Upperville and Devon. :lol:

[ZiptotheStar]

So, the question has to be asked- would you, assuming you are flush with cash- buy a top hunter?

I’d buy a top hunter for my area and the kind of shows I like to do, which would probably be high 5 figures (just guestimating here). When I wanted some Wellington sunshine, I’d go lease a smancy horse for a few weeks to show or something. Having gone on vacation at WEF multiple times, I don’t think I could survive the entire circuit!

Like a family friend of ours says, you can’t take it [money] to the grave with you! Might as well spend it on things you love - your trainer, grooms, and farm owner will certainly appreciate it.