Just curious - with the crazy market today, what do you think this horse is worth? 5yo mare showing 3rd level and scoring low 60’s. Schooling 4th level fairly successfully - easy flying changes and having a fairly easy time with 90 degree pirouettes. Registered Half Quarter Horse. Very very good minded - hauls to the shows and will stand for hours at the trailer. Goes in the ring and does her job - very uncomplicated. Developing better medium/extensions.
How tall? That might factor in. What’s the other half?
That’s young for 3rd/4th level, Im assuming started by a professional or serious amateur?
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What’s the conformation like? Some of the QH-types have not-great conformation including short upright pasterns which can impact long term soundness.
I’ll also admit that hearing a five year old is schooling fourth level makes me wonder how hard this horse has already been working. Sure some of them are naturally talented and it just comes out, but…
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She is 15.1. Was lightly backed at 3 on the veterinarian’s advice. She learns quickly and changes were easy for her. Other half is quarter horse, but the papers were lost. She is cutting bred, so not terribly downhill - actually almost even. I had the vet look at her pasterns because I had another horse with long pasterns who ended up lame. He thought her conformation would lend itself to soundness.
I don’t have any recent conformation shots, but this is her earlier this year.
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Some of the best horses are “ruined” because their easy going learns quickly willing to try anything has talent nature, gets them pushed too hard too early. I almost said something about the showing 3rd/schooling 4th at her age, decided against it, but now that it’s out there… 
It simply takes time to build the basics of foundational fitness, and barely more than 1 year to be schooling 4th, has skipped a lot of that simply by nature of being only really a bit over 1 year under saddle (not counting the “backed lightly at 3” year, so that leaves the 4yo year and the short part of her 5yo year)
Just be careful, and personally, I would back off the 4th level stuff, I would work much more on basic training and 1st level work, to get a solid conditioning system on her.
She looks lovely!
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Hard to give a ballpark without seeing video at all three gaits. Price will also depend on your location.
I don’t think her height is an issue. The fashion for giant horses is fading as people realize the little ones are generally much easier to ride.
She sure is pretty!
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And in the ring they look size-appropriate. Having now witnessed a couple of shows in person, i think the average sized horses fit in there so much better.
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Showing USDF recognized shows or schooling shows at 3rd?
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My initial instinct was $30k due to the smaller size, low 60s scores, and off breed. Change any one of those and I’d add $10-15k each - so a small offbreed scoring upper 60s could be $45k, a large warmblood scoring low 60s could be $50-60k. A large warmblood scoring upper 60s at 3rd level at 5 years old could be $75k+. Low 60s means an average ammy may struggle to get the scores needed for bronze or silver - it’s not as much of a shoo-in.
With scores at that level she’s not a prospect for a “competitive” rider that wants to go after awards or championships at the upper levels which caps the price. Her age might scare some ammies off - both being concerned at that age that she could still have some surprises in temperament and that she’s already working at that level at that age could be concerned about longevity.
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There is a lot more to 3rd level than changes. I’m only pointing this out because people will ask and wonder on a sales horse. I think video would be helpful to truly see the training level of the horse.
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I would wonder what amount of this horses training is learning tricks of the movements and that the base of the pyramid might be lacking. These shortcuts may start showing up, now , in regard to moving upward
I would want to see vid, see the show performance etc. Low 60s means something may be lacking.
I would not go over 15. I feel like there has been too much too quickly
I rode a QH I know how quickly he could learn “things” but saw the holes of his basics.
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It’s interesting. Are catty QH the unknown secret weapon of lower level dressage? Maybe!
Thing is, QH like Iberians are just really really good at “moves.” Lateral, twirly, lead changes, etc. That’s how they compete reining on 3 year old QH.
But reading this post I’m going to say it’s almost inevitable that there are going to be holes in this horses overall carriage posture and way of going. I’m going to guess that this horse is likely in a false frame and doesn’t reach to the bit. Also that these holes will need to be filled before the horse can really progress.
Also developing better mediums should be happening at second level. Also a horse needs several years of gymnasticizing to develop the self carriage to collect and extend correctly.
Anyhow I would need to see video preferably of a test before I could comment on how well she is going.
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California recognized, not USDF/USEF - S judges.
@Jealoushe, @hoopoe, @Scribbler
Definitely still developing correct gaits and carriage. Balance has improved tremendously but will take time to be consistent and mediums still need lots of improvement. She’s young and that takes time. I’m not looking to sell her, I was just curious.
She is lovely. Could you share a video of her?
Thanks - unfortunately I don’t have any recent video. I’ve been working with a new trainer over the last couple months and she is a much different horse than the older videos I have which were fairly elementary.
She is a beauty. And it sounds like for you she is priceless! Good luck on your journey !
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Beautiful QH, would be in low-mid five figures in my area.
That’s a fast progression for a young horse, and would be dependent on how she vets.
She looks like an absolute doll and I have a soft spot for QH. I can’t comment on value and it doesn’t sound like you want to sell her anyhow.
But I have to stress that a horse that is not on the bit, lifting through the back, seeking content and powering through the hind end is not a third or fourth level horse evrn if, like many QH or Iberians, they find “moves” easier than WBs of the same level.
The whole point of dressage is to get that educated lift and response to the aids. Typically that starts to be developed schooling 2nd level and by 4th level the horse has developed the ability to collect and extend within his own range of movement and to have excellent balance.
Folks who come from different disciplines including eventing often don’t really understand this, even if they are good enough riders.
So I’d say you likely have a nice first level horse in way of going, with the athletic ability to do “moves” above her pay grade. Nothing wrong with that.
If you have found a better dressage coach be prepared to back down and work on fundamentals. Lateral work in walk is fantastic.
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Max $20k in the overpriced northeast market, and that’s max for someone looking for something to compete in the small horse classes.
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