Smart Protocols When Test Riding
A Sale Horse By Patti Schofler
Trying out a horse for purchase is an intense experience for most equestrians. After conducting all your research about a particular horse, you schedule the big outing. It’s both exciting and stressful. The horse is an unknown quantity. Everyone is watching. And you don’t have all day to contemplate how the ride is going. You probably have expectations as to how the horse should feel, but you may have doubts. And it’s a big decision. To soften the stress and to transform potential
lemons into lemonade, we looked for guidance on how to have successful trial rides. What’s the best thought process for buyers? What are the important questions to ask yourself and the seller? What tips lead to making the right decision, whether a positive or negative one, about a particular horse? Our search led us to two experts in the field who, for this article, focus on the day the buyer meets the potential apple of his or her eye. Even though our experts are dressage professionals, their advice applies to any discipline.
12 July/August 2016
FEI competitor and USEF “S” judge and USDF gold medalist Heidi Gaian of Villa Rosa Dressage in Hollis- ter, California, has taught clients and trained horses to all levels including seven horses to Grand Prix. Having produced numerous regional and national championship winners, NAJYRC competitors and USDF gold medalists, Heidi and her mother, Pam Nelson, also an “S” judge, have specialized for nearly 30 years in the buying and selling of Warmbloods and Iberian horses with strong connections to Europe’s Johann Hinnemann and Juan Matute Sr. Jeff Johnson is the sales and marketing arm of Impulsion Unlimited in Huddleston, Virginia where, along with head trainer and USDF gold medalist Susan Cooper, their operation is home to dressage horse sales and consignments. Jeff also acts as a corporate consultant and executive coach in sales leadership and effectiveness. He has bought and sold dressage horses for more than 22 years.
Before the Trip While many of your questions about the horse will be answered the day you see him in the flesh, other questions should be asked beforehand. They may save you a trip—or give you a better ride. HEIDI: Always ask why the horse is being sold. You can bet you’ll hear an exciting story. I also review the horse’s show records and look at the registration papers to be sure he is the age we all think he is and that his bloodlines are what we are expecting. JEFF: Know what the commissions are before you get on the horse. And it never hurts to ask if the price is negotiable. Do that ahead of time. Lots of people don’t ask until they get off the horse and are in love. You need to do this at the start, before you come to the farm. Also, ask why they are selling the horse and about vices. Have a game plan. What is the objective criteria that you plan to use
to evaluate your test ride? Write it down. Most people do it by emotion. But you’re doing a test ride, so what exactly are you going to test? HEIDI: So that we don’t get carried away, I have a conversation with the other professional about what my rider can and can’t ride. I often see horses that were picked out for the trainer to ride, not for the buyer to ride. The buyer thought she was getting a horse for her to ride and is disappointed.
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