Let’s pretend that money was no object and you could spend whatever you wished to purchase a horse.
Against this fantastical context, would you spend $500,000 or $1 million to purchase a competitive horse – or would you balk and find the sums obscene?
“Mommy, does it really matter?” - Sumo toddler, age 3
I would buy multiple horses - some made, some with potential, hunters, jumpers, a turnout pony.
The main thing would be to set aside enough money to trains with the best and show whenever and wherever I wanted.
I wouldn’t need to worry about overshowing my horses because I’d have a barnful.
I couldn’t possibly keep them all legged up - so I’d share them with some of my financially challenged but hardworking, talented riding buds (including my COTH BB buddies).
After all they would do the same for me - I hope!
You bet I would – in a heartbeat. Phyllis was under $5,000 and Perturbed was $400 - imagine what I could get for $1 million!
Hmm, do you think I could get Mr. Blue or Nick O Diamonds?
Margaret, I decided to take her for myself anyway? she is on her way to my barn as we speak? I thought I told you about it? Oh well, she contacted Miss Eugenia the horse psychic and told her the summers in Southern Maryland were just too much and she wanted to move a few hourse north! So she is here now, could you drive up tonight with a few of her things? I think she mentioned she left a certain cooler back at the barn!!
Actually the horses will be having a tea to get aquainted this afternoon, hopefully the weather will hold out, you may stop by if you like?
Let’s pretend that money was no object and you could spend whatever you wished to purchase a horse.
Against this fantastical context, would you spend $500,000 or $1 million to purchase a competitive horse – or would you balk and find the sums obscene?
“Mommy, does it really matter?” - Sumo toddler, age 3
If money were no object, I think I’d spend whatever was needed if I were truly in love and had that “perfect fit” with the horse in question.
I know some people have been taken aback to find out how much I spent for my mare. And I know if I were to post how much would you pay for a mare that had X, Y, and Z" many would say I’d spent too much. But the truth is I wanted THIS horse… and that was how much it took to get her. I could afford it so I bought her.
I would definitely LOVE to by a youngish(8-9) yr old Grand Prix Jumper. But that’s only b/c I hope to be at that level in well…a long time…
But what I would end up buying would be something around $30k. Something that would be a good jumper and eq horse, and that had the potential to move up.
But considering now I can barely make it around 3 foot, I’d say I am a LONG way from needing anything remotely good 
Rebecca and Pirateer The Pi, 9 yr old bay tb gelding.
Go Big, or Go Home
I think it’s my upbringing by parents who lived through the Great Depression, but 500K-1M could go toward so many other worthy causes such as my kid’s college education.
Besides, I like the thrill of bargain hunting.
EBTW, can I be your gator?
Oh no indeed-ee – the cooler stays!
I would balk and find the sums obscene.
Even if Bill Gates was really my benevolent uncle, I’d still find paying a million dollars for an animal absurd. More likely, I’d look around for a good deal, just like I do now- only the good deal would come in the form of a competitive junior hunter instead of, say, an up and coming 3’ horse.
~Erin Lizzy
Visit my Website!
I have PMS and a whip. Excuse me, did you say something?
Oh, you know me, I always think a horse should never cost more than $3,500 (that is three thousand five hundred), and you should be able to ride right in and win the AOs on him.
Laugh, but I see it happen a lot.
I could see spending 50-75K but for that amount of money I would do ALOT of shopping and only buy something that I was absolutely in love with. I don’t see anything wrong with spending as much on a horse as I might, for example, on a nice car.
Of course, as everyone else has said, I don’t think you have to have anywhere near that amount to get something wonderful and/or competitive.
I’d take that money and I’d build a retirement home, with lots of good green pastures and the all-around best of care, for the old show horses, who can’t do it any more, but have given and given and now deserve a just reward.
Cool! Can’t wait to start shopping! LOL
Don’t make me come down there and slap you around!
I’m with the majority here - perfectly happy with the horse I have - just wish I could go to more shows and actually take a lesson more often than every 6 months. And if I didn’t have to work and could actually attend the shows, that would be all right too 
Having said that, I’ve learned it’s amazing what you can do when you realize your financial limitations and get creative! I am learning a lot about planning a horse’s career on a limited budget. More than I ever wanted to know. And as for Justice - he thinks he is the richest horse in the world. Nice house, good food, and his own personal assistant (that would be me!)
Oye, Heidi-ugh! That’s a somewhat tough question…I don’t think I could spend that much for a horse for me, but for my daughter??? Who knows! (Heck, I’d be too scared and nervous to ride one that expensive, even just walking it, let alone jump it!) And, on second thought…I wouldn’t want that pressure on my daughter either. So, I guess the answer is “no”. I could/would not spend $500,000+ on a horse.
Hey Coreene - Just saw your post…Ok - you go find that $3,500 A/O horse and I’ll give you $7,000 for it!!! 
I happen to know of at least 7 horses right off the bat that win at A shows all the time, that were $5k or less.
~Erin Lizzy
Visit my Website!
I have PMS and a whip. Excuse me, did you say something?
But I would also bulid another barn for my small ‘collection’ of show horses!
(All jumpers, BTW)
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