You lot are such enablers! 
I’ve messaged seller about chatting to answer my remaining questions and discuss terms. Will share photos once it seems like it really will happen.
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Still waiting to see the pictures of this majikal beast!!! Can’t wait for you to get him home.
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Add me to the list of enablers… a horse that makes you smile is worth a lot :-). If you let that one go and keep shopping, you might find you have to “kiss a lot of frogs” as my trainer likes to say.
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Now we’re getting somewhere.
This is usually the point of no return.
New horse owner pictures with owner & horse are the best. 
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Just wanted to add my encouragement that if interacting with/ riding a horse makes you grin like a fool, that is the horse you should buy. I’m a firm believer in Wofford’s rule of “buy the face that makes you happy”.
I look at it this way. It’s a horse, at some point it’s going to hurt itself or be lame bc that is what they do. Having to be patient & do tedious & sometimes lengthy care in all kinds of conditions & hours is a whole lot less painful for you if it’s a creature you adore.
As for firsts, well, despite what COTH sometimes claims 
no one starts out (or even ends up) knowing everything & there are many roads to Rome, gotta jump in there sometime. Sounds like you have support & aren’t afraid to ask questions, so don’t let a learning curve be an unnecessary barrier. Have fun!
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I think we just know how very enthralling a beloved horse-in-your-life can be! Life without a horse, for a horsewoman, is a sad state of affairs! plus: YOLO!!!
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I have never understood this way of thinking. People use it when buying houses or cars or even finding a spouse?
When you find the one that is right —you don’t need to keep looking at the ones that will be wrong.
In many cases when you realize you found the “right one” ( that first time) they are no longer available.
I realize some people are more cautious and since it is their life, health and money they have every right to do what seems best. Just don’t be surprised if you sit on the fence too long the horse may not be there when you get off. @Artistinnature
The way you talk about him and the ride you describe has me wondering what else you are hoping to find out there?
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Yep… a board full of enablers. I can’t afford to keep a horse right now, so must have my fix of others getting horses I can look at. If you can afford him, bring him home and grant us our pic fix. LOL
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Well…I’d hoped to find something educated but younger than, say, 14 that was trained to at least First Level (ideally, showing First and training Second)…however, hanging out in the Facebook groups listing dressage horses for sale on the west coast and in the Pacific NW has made me realize that my budget would not encompass that.
I also have always wanted some chrome/flash/possibly paint. Never thought I’d end up liking an all-black horse.
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I think black horses are flashy.
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Black goes with everything. Just think of your matchy-matchy options. They are endless.
In all seriousness, as others have said if this horse makes you smile then buy him!
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I have that in Boise but it is a QH.
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…which would have been fine with me – I came into this with no breed bias and willing to look at whatever. But this highlights the other issue with my search: 100% of what I found in the various sales groups/sites that seemed like it might fit my list was 8+ hours drive (or much more), or a flight (or two or three!), away. The time and $$$$ of traveling to check out every seemingly suitable horse would quickly deplete my purchase budget.
(ETA: Boise is 7+ hours drive from me. Or a flight. Sigh…)
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As an artist, I totally agree! 90% of other colors will look great on black. 
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Is the Fresian blackness of a sort that doesn’t bleach in the summer sun? My Percheron remains black as night year round, so does my MFT, but my mustang black gets silvery-purple. Nothing gets quite as shiny as a black horse.
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I totally get it. I have a 17H warmblood now and her gaits and power are addictive!
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Update: things are in motion – I’ve put a deposit on Mr FSH and a PPE is scheduled for a week away.
I sent a conformation photo to my trainer to get her thoughts. She said he has a traditional Friesian build (short, high-positioned neck) and is built downhill. She also said while his conformation might not be ideal for dressage, a local high-level rider has a downhill Andalusian who is doing GP just fine.
I’m wondering how much weight to give the conformation, when the gaits felt so good and his canter was uphill. Seller says he’s the fanciest she’s ever had in terms of dressage - big mover, lot of swing, natural ability to sit/lift/collect. So…what to think?
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As many have said, go with what makes you happy. Unless you have upper level aspirations, he sounds lovely. A standout performance horse means nothing if you’re not happy. This sport is to expensive to not love your partner.
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Stop thinking, remember the feeling…
I swear that riding this guy in a little walk trot dressage class, with like 20 mins practice, just made me smile, smiles more in that 5 minutes than the 3 years it took to get my Red Head to second level.
If he makes you feel like this guy makes me feel, stop thinking and just enjoy.
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Maybe Third Level (and that’s a big maybe…but a gal can dream!). Certainly I’d like to do well at First and Second - meaning, not struggle with a horse that’s lazy / not forward / a sewing machine / tense & anxious / difficult canter transitions (have ridden all of these!), but instead feels good to ride, and looks good too. And is a joy to ride, train, work with, be around.
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