Not to Jinx It

[IdahoRider]

But there might be a gigantic, dorky gelding in my future. Older, broke and so sweet. I have a stall that I have paid a dry fee for, but no horse. Yet.

Everyone horse I have looked at has either been seriously unsound, ancient or crazy. A very kind woman offered me the free lease of her retired FEI Grand Prix dressage horse. But he is hundreds of miles away and things went sideways in trying to get him here. So I had to regretfully decline her kind offer.

This dorky guy is ten minutes away and his price point is reasonable. I have my trainer/instructor coming out to ride him and give me a lesson on him. Lesson learned in February. I hope to never spend another night in the hospital again.

There are a few money issues that need to come together. I have just now gone back to work this week and don’t have money coming out me ears. My hope is that the home I can offer will be enough to give me some flexibility.
Sheilah

[atr]

Fingers crossed, jingles and everything that the universe smiles on you and this is The One.

[chestnutmarebeware]

Fingers crossed for you!

I’ve always wanted a dorky gelding, but somehow I’ve always ended up with frighteningly crafty chestnut mares!

[IdahoRider]

Check this out. I am a pedigree wonk. I was going through my favorite site, All Breed Pedigree Database and this guy has a ton of TB blood (he must be Appendix QH to be registered).

Anyway, he goes all the way back to Lexington, who was a main thematic storyline in a book I read and LOVED a couple of weeks ago (Geraldine Brooks Horse, which made me happy because I researched Lexington after reading the book.
Sheilah

[tikihorse]

Fingers crossed for you!!!

We want pictures of your new horse if all works out.

[candyappy]

I hope this one works out for you!

[Kyrabee]

Fingers crossed.
Susan

[Calvincrowe]

Crossing fingers for you here in PDX! I have a gigantic, dorky mare who is also crossing her rehabbing hooves for you, as well. And good for you for taking your trainer who no doubt will give you an honest assessment. Good luck!!

[IdahoRider]

Well, shoot. I did jinx it. She found his papers and decided after I saw him and had my trainer coming out to give me a lesson on him that papers meant he was worth more. She raised the price to a point that was outside of my budget. She said that she was going to put up an ad of her own with the new, higher price.

I had put up an ISO ad on the state horse Facebook page and she had reached out to me. But I can understand that she wants a decent price for him (he was probably under priced for me). But I am heartbroken. I wish we could have come to an agreement. I offered payments. I offered to keep him at her boarding facility . I offered to have her come over and tour the barn he would live at (an upgrade, for sure). But no go.
Sheilah

[Calvincrowe]

Well, rats!! I am very sorry that happened, but…She may be coming back to you soon. I’m beginning to see prices coming down and horses not selling like the hotcakes they were just a few months ago. The top market still ticks along-- the monied set will always shell out for the high 5 to 6 figure horses but those reasonably priced-middle of the road-stepping down-need a bit of help-slightly quirky-local system types are coming off the high they were on. Maybe I’m wrong, but my anecdotal/observation based conclusion is that the bubble has burst and we are returning to a more normal price structure. Oh, and feed prices for humans and horses has a lot to do with it, I’m sure!

[SuzieQNutter]

Oh Nuts. I hope she doesn’t get her new price after promising him to you at another price.

I would revisit getting the retired FEI horse if it was me and at all possible. That is a dream of mine.

[IdahoRider]

@Calvincrowe

I’m beginning to see prices coming down

Me, too. I just need to be patient. I am paying a hefty dry stall fee to keep a spot at my preferred barn. And I will continue until I find the right horse.
Sheilah

[IdahoRider]

@SuzieQNutter

I would revisit getting the retired FEI horse if it was me and at all possible. That is a dream of mine.

Believe me, if I could swing it logistically, I would. It is the chance of a lifetime. But he is hundreds of miles north of me, through some of the most desolate mountain ranges in the lower 48. I don’t have an unlimited budget, which is almost needed to get a horse from up that far to me, down here.
Sheilah

[SuzieQNutter]

Sigh same here. There is a horse advertised that ticks every one of my boxes. However it is in New Zealand.

I have not looked in to importing, however I have heard that importing to Australia is so bad that if people take them overseas, it is better to sell than to bring back.

But then you read about the stallions coming here to breed for racing for the off season overseas. So it must be doable.

Ahh well I need a few months to get the finances, to get riding fit and if I get a horse like that I will need to work out the arena situation. We have already not ridden for four months because of continual rain. They are predicting another three months of rain. Sigh.

[Cat.J95]

Oh I’m so sorry. I’m still going to jingle that you find a horse that’s perfect for you.

[Spudsmyguy]

Are you checking the FB group “NW Sporthorse Party”? There’s a number of horses on there right now that might fill your bill. However, most of them are in western WA or northern OR. Just saw one right now, in Oregon, nice 15.1 hand, 15 year old appy mare (breeding stock), for trails and dressage. Price is very reasonable.

Sorry this went south, good luck in your search. I’ll keep my eye out and PM you if I see a decent prospect. What’s your budget?

[tikihorse]

I’m so sorry things didn’t work out for you! Horse shopping can be sooo frustrating. Jingling that the perfect horse comes your way.

[IdahoRider]

Well, a friend has offered me the care lease on a fabulous Foxtrotter that is very broke. I would just need to keep his insurance up and pay for his board at my barn. But I am not sure if a gaited horse would be up for my dinky dressage lessons.

We’ll see. That offer is a sure thing.
Sheilah