[QUOTE=SLR;7861841]
I think its a little more complicated than that. The ULR’s will have the European imports but will also have their fair share of TB’s in the barn. Perhaps most don’t have the eye for the 2-3 year olds, but they also don’t have any place to put them. We were offered a lovely 2 year old that screamed(as you say) talent, but where would it hang out until it was 4? Most ULR don’t have empty stalls or pastures for those not in work and showing. And their owners don’t want to wait either. So they go to Europe where they can see a ton of 4 year olds, ready and willing to go. You have a lovely one to show. ONE. In Ireland, a buyer can look at 60 in 3 days. Its also the age old problem,and this has been hashed and rehashed, but look what the judges are placing. That’s why the focus is on the warmbloods and the imports. Buyers follow the trends, whether it be dogs, cattle, rabbits,horses or whatever. I was really taken aback at the types shown at Fair Hill this year, jugheads, roman noses, thin throatlatches, but the suckers can move. Oh well.[/QUOTE]
I have one that is in an area with MANY trainers…people come here to look at dozens of horses at a time. It is the advantage of being in this dense eventer/jumper/dressage rich area. There are more top level propects within 5 square miles than probably anywhere. Then…the bulk head to Aiken/Ocla. But my location is probably the best in the country for both buying and selling. And regardless…in this digital age, I don’t think there is much advantage to going to Europe anymore other than the “prestige” some attach to it. Yeah you can look at 60…of which maybe 5 really have the potential that I’m interested in (bloodlines, type, handling…we all have a type we prefer). I feel like at that point…I’ve wasted a ton of time. I can make a call to 3-5 people that I know typcally have good prospects here in the midatlantic area, have some pictures /videos emailed to me and likely one bought within a week without traveling far.
If you are looking for a going 2*+ horse that has the potential to do more…that is one thing as there are fewer of those on the market anywhere…but if you are in the OPs price range…then you are talking greener prospects than that. At which point…I’d not bother going abroad.
I also wasn’t talking about the youngsters under 2…yes a lot don’t have a place to put them but that isn’t my issue. The dressage and jumper trainers all seem to find places to raise them just fine. I’m talking about people looking at 3-4 year olds going undersaddle. I’m SHOCKED at the lack of ability in this country to look a horse and see the potential. I’ve seen it time and time and TIME again…not just with my horses but with others. People can’t not tell…and then they are drooling over the same horse a year or two later.
Some can…the Boyds, Phillips and a few others have a decent eye for a youngster. But the bulk of both US and European riders do not. This isn’t just a US issue…it seems to be more of a generational one (maybe brought on a bit with all the YR focus). And many of the younger eventers are really lacking in this skill as many have not taken the time to work for people who are developing young horses. They lack the confidence to take a risk as well. And when buying a young horse to develop up the levels…you ARE taking a risk and need to have that as your expectation. It will likely take you a few before you find the one that will go to a 4*…as that is something you really can not tell if they will be until they have completed one.
his may not yet be as much shown as the ones at the lesch sale.