So appears I may be in the market for a new horse…again (muahhh!). I’m looking for something a little different than I have in the past and need some advice on what kind of numbers I’ll be looking at. I’ve always done young projects - aka only been jumping a month or not at all - very good movers with a solid dressage background but need tuning or conditioning. My budget has been in the mid range 5 figures. I’m old now - not so sure I want to do a full-on project again. How much budget-wise for something still young under 8 but has a few years of mileage. Eventually, I’d like to dabble in the 3’6 eq but it can be a long term project that’s only jumping 2’6 now. It needs to be a very good mover. Below 6 figures…what will I need? $90 $80? $70 $60??? I know what I can get for $50ish…and it’s green…I may find out I can’t afford what I want and have to do a project again…but curious what the numbers look like out there…TIA!
At what level? A very good mover for local shows in the 2’6 or a legit future 3’6 hunter at AA shows? Huge difference between the two.
what @vxf111 said. Also hugely depends on your location.
That being said, for a hack winner at the 3’6 A/O level, you’re looking at 6 figures in most places. If you’re just wanting something that has good dressage movement, can do the adult medals competitively, participate (if not super competitively) in the A/Os, and has a few years of experience, I would say closer to $80k.
You will honestly probably save more money going for an older type, as 8-10 is a pretty ‘hot’ age on the market IME.
Hope this helps. Good luck on your search!
This is an interesting question. Does it need to do the 3’6 hunters at AA show? No - but I’d like to eventually do the 3’6 medal classes at my local A shows. That being said it doesn’t need to be doing 3’6 now just have the talent to jump 3’6 at some point - it also can be a bit green. I don’t want anything over 8yrs - that’s non-negotiable and I’m pretty picky they be good movers - will place somewhere in the hack against good competition. Is $70-80k a reasonable ask for this? Or is this still a 6 figure price tag? I feel like I’m going to have to go back to my - lovely mover with dressage foundation but has never jumped before situation… 
For everything you say are non negotiable on I think you’ll have to really turn over stones to find it in your price range. Not impossible if you can compromise on other things (difficult ride, needs a special program, bad size, off breed, etc.) but for what you say you want it probably is mostly going to be a 6 figure or damn near close price.
Honestly…this is usually a six figure horse right now if you want less of a project but scope and very nice movement.
I don’t think you’ll find everything on your list in the mid-5s without compromising as another poster shared (ie vetting issue, difficult ride etc.) Depending on where you are, the criterion may put you in the 6s unless it’s something that’s going at the 2’6 level now. You may have more luck with an import and staying closer to the mid/high 5s, but I’ve heard prices have been going up there as well.
I’d agree, where I am (east coast) this is a six figure horse. I’ve seen some that meet your criteria that have 2 and 3 in front of their 6 figures. And they’re only 6. With less than a year of miles on them.
To get what you want in the 80-90 range you will need to compromise on something. Prices are still sky high for a good mover with scope and talent for 3’6 in the hunter ring. Now, if you’re looking to get creative you could find a young jumper that moves well that hasn’t done the hunter job yet if you’re really only interested in 3’6 medals and not the A/O hunters, really. That may open up your prospects - you can get a good saintly 6-7 year old in that price range with the 1.10 scope but maybe not for 1.20+ so hence the 5 figure price point.
Just a general query, are there 3’6" medals for Adults (other than the Talent Search)? All the ones I am familiar only go up to 3’3". Just wondering.
California has the regular CPHA for adults. Plus, amateur adults of all ages can do the WCE. Foxfield used to be 3’6” but is now 3’3”.
This is interesting…will the price be out of the 6 figures if it hits the criteria above - has jumped a bit… but hasn’t hit any big shows or any shows at all?
I’m not who you’re responding to, but I’ve seen the same horses and price and no, these horses don’t need to hit a “big” show to get those prices. They can do one or two local type A’s, or if it’s a nice enough mover, none at all. They land in the US asking six figures.
In fact, a horse with the potential to do the 3’6”, but not having actually done it can often go for more than one who’s done the 3’6” a bit and just not pinned as well for whatever reason. Even if that reason is “pilot error” or a minor, fixable thing. Plenty of good potential horses flunk out after the 3’.
You’ll have to compromise on something, and IMO more than one thing. A less stellar mover is the easiest way to get a 3’6” horse for cheaper. Or, if you can handle older with maintenance, bad size, a major quirk, or something that ‘won’t vet’, you can probably find something mid-high fives.
Otherwise, yeah, you’re looking at something very green to the discipline, or you happen to have good contacts and get very lucky!
For the most bang for your buck, look at eventing horses who have gone prelim and don’t quite have the bravery to move up - especially if you are comfortable with a trickier personality. Those horses have seen everything an equitation course is likely to ask.
Otherwise, agree that the movement is where you are going to need to compromise.
Key words: “very good mover”, 3’6", "“young”, “budget”. Something’s got to give, but you might get lucky.
This made me laugh out loud…key words 3’6 young good mover…basically out of your price range. All very helpful thanks!
On a separate note has anyone felt like the market is softening a bit or does it still feel super competitive - expensive horses with everything selling fast? My husband keeps telling me to wait a minute as the market is going to take a down turn.
In my opinion, the market for good-moving, young, amateur-friendly 3’6” hunters will never soften. These are the unicorns of our sport and the only ones who can afford them will continue to be the top of the top.
I have a young 3’6” guy who is a not a seeing eye dog but will jump anything you put in front of him. Will get a piece of the hack if the rider encourages him to use himself but will never be the winner, and is sweet as they come. Maybe look for a duplicate, I don’t think he’d be a 6 figure guy.
I agree. What OP is looking for is what MOST H/J riders are looking for - even if they don’t actually need it 
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That market, the 3’6” horse and “up” isn’t one that I expect to soften discernibly. Things with an obvious quirk or finding or whatever are starting to sit a little longer though. Some patience, saving up, and a whole lot of luck might just find you what you want at a price you’re willing to pay.
There are some ups and downs throughout the year like if the horse didn’t sell early on in winter circuit, maybe its price went down by the end. But then the question is, why didn’t it sell?
The good ones that fit this criteria or even for a 3’ job, especially good ones at a reasonable price, still seem to sell in minutes. There’s so much demand compared to relatively small inventory that the overall market doesn’t affect these horses much—except when the market goes up.
