I am looking at a 6 year old hunter gelding. He is a decently bred RPSI. He has been to several shows – both A and C rated – with average success. He’s easy and honest and very ammy friendly, but is not a good mover, and his jump is average. He’s probably best suited for 2’6"-2’9" as he doesn’t have huge scope or step. No real quirks or vices or health issues. He’s priced at $50K. Is that reasonable in today’s market? I know it’s crazy out there.
Maybe. What is RPSI? And what do you need him to be?
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Basically the horse is Holsteiner/Hanoverian/Dutch WB, but not an import.
RPSI is a North American registry that I don’t really understand TBH.
I really wanted to do 3’, but I don’t think my budget is going to get me a decent 3’ adult hunter that’s already going and showing with an amateur. I’d rather buy one that’ll do 2’6"-2’9" and is already doing the job than a greenie with potential.
ETA: Here’s a helpful COTH post on what RPSI is. Interesting…RPSI and KWPN Question
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What does “average success” mean for shows? What height did he show at?
If he’s safe and easy and can pack around 2’9’’, yeah, the $50k price tag sounds right in the market right now.
Curious why you think he doesn’t have enough scope for 3’. Perhaps he’s just not well conditioned enough? Or isn’t ridden in a way that really shows him off?
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I think we would need to see pictures or videos to really get a sense. What’s “average” for movement and jump in one market may not be in another.
Do you have anything else to share?
The market is crazy for sure. If it’s 6yo with papers packing around with a clean/easy change, I could see them getting 50k easily. Especially for an adult ammy who just wants to have fun and be safe at the shows.
I guess the question is - do you want to win or just be safe and have fun? It sounds like the latter?
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By “average success” I mean that he is consistently in the ribbons, but not necessarily tri-colors. But he’s ridden by an amateur, so that could play a big part.
I could be wrong about his potential for 3’. But he doesn’t seem to have a big step, so I’d have to be pretty accurate.
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Picture or video? Preferably over a show type fence.
My issue is whats limiting him right now? 50k is alot for a horse you will “ grow out” of. Would you like to move up to the Adults at 3’ or hang up that dream now on a mediocre quality 6 year old thats topped out at 2’6” with the show results that prove thats where he belongs?
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He’s only 6, right? So he probably hasn’t had much time to hone his show skills, cantering around smoothly and learning how to land and “go.”
I am always concerned about step, so I’m extra sympathetic to that concern! I am just curious: why do you think it’s short? Does the current rider have to run down the lines even when they jump in well? Is the current rider hanging on his face, poking along, and burying him in the jump, or does she mostly get him to an acceptable spot to jump from at a good pace?
The answer to your question is, yes, that is basically what you would need to spend for that right now. My opinion on whether or not you should buy it is no. It will never be worth more money.
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I watched him go at a show recently. It did seem like he had to speed up to make it down the lines, even when he jumped in well. He wasn’t racing per se, but it wasn’t that lovely hunter lope.
For those asking for video, I unfortunately don’t have anything I can share!
I think to get a horse who is or will be competitive at 3’ with plenty of step you’ll pay more unless it’s “quirky.”
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Yep, it will be at least high 5’s in the current market if it meets this description and would look appropriate at rated shows (not even the winner - a highly competitive one for rated shows would be in the 6’s, the market prices for that niche are still high!).
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Got it. I have a 2’6 mare that I lease out. She is little (15.2) and has to be going at a good pace around the course to get the right numbers, but she really seems to enjoy her job. When I used to ride her in the 3ft (don’t think she enjoyed it)., I was really galloping and then at the end of the lines and especially out of two strides, I would frequently grab the braids and close my eyes! Probably not the best solution there on my part!
