Considering buying a Quarter or Paint show horse?

[Taylor Jo]

I really miss riding and was just toying with the idea that I might like to get a biggy show horse one that I can ride in the show ring, BUT not conflict with my mini showing. Just how expensive is it compared to mini showing, I live here in MO, how expensive of a horse do you have to get as I don't have a clue as I've NEVER shown that type before, and do you know if it conflicts with our mini shows or does it just all depend on your clubs schedule and the biggy circiut? Just how good of rider do you have to be to show? Anything else u can clue me in on would be helpful. I really miss riding and I NEVER thought I'd say that EVER, EVER. But, I want to do something useful with the horse and I have 10 acres to ride on and a 3 mile dirt road and that's about it, I haven't been down it to see if it leads anywhere else as we've only been here a year and been to busy. Our paved road next to us is WAY to dangerous to take a horse on.

Thanks for any info you can give. I do see people saying it's clicky in the quarter circle, just how clicky.... Thanks. TJ

 

[Pepipony]

It can get HIGH! Depends on what you want to show. HalterShowmanship, ok, you will need a halter and if you want to stand out, with silver, $200+. WP, WR, etc, ( judged classes) the sky is the limit. 15 years ago I found a sterling saddle on clearance, with a huge discount, and still paid $500, plus headstall, reins and outfit. Cheap end, maybe $1500 total. Forgot about the hats, $100+ each. And dont even get me started on a show quality horse LOL I am big on shopping sales , yet it still cost be about $3k per year, and I only showed 2 horses.

Then you have entry fees, fuel etc. If you show local, thats a big savings. If you decide to show at Open/schooling shows, even better ( and usually more fun) If you do timed events, its a little cheaper.

Guess it depends on your goals for showing. For fun, then you can go cheap. But if you want to really get up there, then the sky is the limit.

 

[osu_barrelracer]

First off...what are you wanting to show in? What type of classes are you thinking of? There are quite a few circuits you can show in Missouri. One of my best friends from college is a frequent judge at a lot of them.

If you are wanting to just show halter, in todays market, you should be able to find a nice young horse to start with, so long as you know what to look for conformation wise, and are willing to put in the time to fit it. You also have to consider the cost to keep a halter horse fit. It isn't cheap.

If you are wanting to show something along the lines of HUS or WP, you can find a nice finished horse that will be decently competitive at local shows for $5,000 to $10,000. Which would probably be a good level to start showing at. Of course, you can spend as much money as you are willing to fork out on a higher level horse. They get pricy.

If you are looking into showing AQHA in something like cutting, barrel racing, roping ect, you can easily drop $50,000+ on a world level competitive horse.

Realisticly, though, you should be able to find a really nice finished horse for $5,000 to $10,000. One that has been there and done it (but not dead!) and can put you in the placings. You can also find good deals right now, a lot of people simply can't afford to show anymore. And if you are willing to take a started horse and finish it, or buy a prospect and put it with a trainer, you can save a little money there sometimes also.

Don't worry about the fancy (EXPENSIVE) tack right off. Find a good horse (that is by far most important) first. Competing at local shows at first, it won't be the biggest deal if you don't have the fanciest get up in the ring

Enjoy your horse shopping, and if you need any help with breeders and trainers in the area, let me know and I will give you some names!

 

[Taylor Jo]

Thanks you two I appreciate it. I would probably go Western Pleasure and ride, I'm not into barrel racing or anything like that or jumping. I want something nice smooth and easy with a nice bomb proof horse. I agree, I guess the first step IS getting the horse. I may take you up on finding out more about the shows here in Mo if I decide to go that route. Plus, have to figure out how I'd fit him/her in my barn as I don't have much room left. Thanks, again. TJ

 

[Bess Kelly]

If you've been there a year and no time to go down an adjacent dirt road, are you sure you will have time to do riding and shows??

I love to ride. But, realized years ago that I truly didn't have time for the riding and so gave up the idea. Before you spend the $$$ you might want to think about your time. Perhaps things have changed since you moved there -- perhaps the pleasurable thoughts about riding have taken over -- only you will know. I hope you do now have the time and can follow your dream.

 

[wcr]

I suggest you do some research before you start throwing your money around (and it is a bottomless pit) on show horses, tack, clothes ...... The list is endless. Spend some time looking around at the different shows and the different breeds to see if that is where you really want to be. AQHA and APHA can be very expensive to run those circuits. If you are just starting out, even buying the best horse, tack ..... you will be going against people who have probably been showing a good portion of their life and have had the benefit of the best trainers. To go out in that company is a pretty hard goal to set for yourself when you are just starting out and could lead to disappointment as it will be many years before you can compete at their level.

That said, in this economy you could probably find someone willing to free lease a horse that has enough training to show at the local level. Test the waters and see if you like it. When I wanted to learn something I tried to find the best trainer in that area and took lessons. Many very good trainers are willing to work with someone that earnestly wants to learn. Many will put you on a well-trained horse to learn with so you learn the many cues and the response from the horse when you do it right. Riding a well-trained horse is a slice of heaven and I will never be able to ride anything less and be happy.

Join a local club and volunteer to work the shows and learn the ins and outs. I see a pinto mini in your avatar so start going to pinto shows with your mini and check that out. I ended up showing pinto circuit and loved it and sold my big horses and went to minis and that started out by seeing those cute little horses and I could show both in pinto. Pinto has national recognition and it is cheaper to show per class and the people are very friendly. In our mini classes we have become our own bigest support system.

If getting into showing horses is what you want to do, then go for it. Figure out what you want to do, what level, how much you have to spend and can afford, then follow your dream.

 

[wildoak]

I haven't ridden much in the 12 yrs or so we've had minis, and am about to do the deed myself

I've been shopping....more on that later! I showed western pleasure years ago and will tell you it is very specialized and very competitive at the breed show level. If you have the opportunity to go to a QH or APHA show and watch what's in the ring it will give you an idea of what you are looking for. Open shows in our area have revived - I think because of the high cost of breed shows & hauling - and are having nice size classes with good competition. I think that's a great place to start. Open shows don't require the investment in high dollar tack and clothes, although you will see them there. My daughter is strictly riding English now & jumping, so I've inherited the western show saddle she bought a few years ago. She paid $2500 for it, on sale. Very pretty, lots silver but not dripping in silver as I've seen. I watched a youth wp class at apha world a few years ago and mentally tried to add up the dollars sitting out there ........it was almost obscene LOL. Kids sitting on $25k and up horses, $5000 saddles, $1000 outfits...and so on. Now that I've shocked you

I will say it's not all that way. There were also kids out there with $1500 horses and a much smaller investment in tack/clothes. Just depends on what level you choose to play on. If I buy the horse I'm looking at, I may dabble at open shows again. He is a finished western pleasure horse, but I know he's not going to be hugely competitive at breed shows - and I am just looking for a fun horse with a good attitude.

Go watch a few pleasure classes, watch the horsemanship & trail too. Decide what you really want to do with a horse and go for it! I can hardly wait to get back in the saddle myself, whether I ever show again or not.

Jan

 

[Taylor Jo]

Thanks you all so VERY much for writing me. I soaked it all in and appreciated each and everyone of them. I'm going to copy and paste them so I can reread and reread them over and over again so I can digest each one of them as I really want to learn and figure out if this is something I really want to do and you all had something so important to say. I haven't had time to go down our dirt road cause I've had other things going, BUT I could let those things go and spend more time with the horse/horses. I"d like that. I do have a round pen to work them in too so that's a good thing and it's a 50' er.

I never thought of a lease that's a good idea. I went on dreamhorse.com and most of the horses were 12, 15, around that range and they were mostly kids horses as they were wanting to move up. I do agree w/ you I need to go too some shows and see what I like OR even if I like it. Just because I "think" I might like it going to a show speaks volumes. I'll have to find out about pinto shows too. I live pretty far out so it might be kinda hard to find certain stuff. I'm not rich by ANY means so I have to go med of the road. It won't be the MOST expensive saddle nor will it be the cheapest saddle, somewhere in the middle. God willing I find a deal....

I've got to go too a show and were leaving this morning so if you write me I'll answer you back Monday. Thanks all, TJ

 

[Pepipony]

Maybe you can find a good rope etc horse, that doesnt do the job they have, but can jog/lope nicely and train them yourself. The ol man I used to show was hubbys trail horse, he was a rope horse that didnt like to move fast ROFLAO!!!! After a few years a friend that showed asked me to come along and bring him. It was an open show, no hats, nothing special. We lost, dont think we even placed LOL But after only one season of schooling we started placing and very soon, became the ones to beat ( again, local shows) It was FUN!!! Indy loved it, ol dude started getting antsy the night before when I was getting him all ready and he would run across the pasture to get into the trailer. He made it enjoyable *-) I lost him 6 years ago, broke my heart. Havent been to a show since. But, it was SO much fun while it lasted!

 

[wildoak]

The open shows are fun! What I've found lately shopping the price range I'm in, is lots of 3 yr olds who are just started - and lots of horses around 10 who have been sitting in the pasture for a year or so because the owners either started a new horse, or can't afford to show & pay feed bills anymore..... I'm shopping under $5k, in this market if you are willing to take your time and look you can find a pretty decent horse for that - esp if you are willing and have the skills to work with a young horse.

Riding a well-trained horse is a slice of heaven and I will never be able to ride anything less and be happy.

Truer words never spoken LOL. I'm looking for a "trail horse" - or so I thought. But the more I look and try horses, the more I realize what I want really is a western pleasure horse that I can trail ride on.

Jan

 

[osu_barrelracer]

Leasing is also a great idea, you might also look into another route, and maybe consider working with a trainer. There are some really good barns around your area, and you can get with a trainer and take lessons and show on one of THEIR horses. This would get you out there into the showing world with the extra help and support of someone who knows the ins and outs and has been there. It would also get you back into riding. You could do that for a year of so, without having to actually own a horse, and can decide if the time and money is an investment that you are wanting to continue to make.

 

[Pepipony]

Truer words never spoken LOL. I'm looking for a "trail horse" - or so I thought. But the more I look and try horses, the more I realize what I want really is a western pleasure horse that I can trail ride on.

Jan

That may be hard to do. Most people that show, would never dream of 'ruining' their WP horse by riding anywhere other than an arena.

From what I have seen, those horses while nearly bomb proof in the arena, are a whole nother critter outside of it. So if you find one, make sure you ride them out where you plan to and not just in the comfort of where they are used to.

 

[wildoak]

Most people that show, would never dream of 'ruining' their WP horse by riding anywhere other than an arena.

You are right, that's frequently the case but I think - I hope - I've found the exception. He was used for ranch work early on, sold, gelded and put with a western pleasure trainer at about 4 or 5, and shown until last fall when the owner bought a new horse and turned him out with the sheep.

He comes home tomorrow after the vet check, and his first test will be to see how he does when he lands here in munchkinland.

Jan

 

[Taylor Jo]

Thanks guys, Yea I owned a former barrel racing horse once and she was a spastic out side her realm on the trail so I wouldn't do that again with out making sure they were comfortable being somewhat bombproof to the out doors. Thanks again for all your input. TJ