Hunter — Active buyer search
€50,000
- Region
USA
Emil is a professional horse dealer actively sourcing horses throughout Europe for resale and leasing in the United States. His main focus is hunters, equitation horses and junior/amateur jumpers rather than high-level show jumpers intended for professional competition.
He is looking to establish an ongoing sourcing relationship with Bridl, identifying quality horses available at genuine trade prices that offer realistic commercial opportunities in the US market.
The most important consideration is that every horse must have a clearly identifiable customer and resale market. Acquisition prices need to leave sufficient margins after international transport, import tariffs, exchange-rate fluctuations, preparation, training and the time required to sell or lease the horse.
Emil generally works towards an approximately 90-day resale turnaround, although some horses sell quickly while others may remain in stock for up to six months.
He is interested in several distinct horse profiles, each with different age ranges, performance requirements and commercial expectations.
Profile 1 — Young Hunter Prospects
Age
Young horses, including 4-year-olds. No strict age range established.
Target market
Professional hunter riders and trainers purchasing talented young prospects to develop through the US young hunter divisions.
Ideal horse
A genuinely fancy, high-quality young hunter prospect with the movement, jumping style, athleticism and presence required to attract a professional buyer.
The horse must have immediate commercial appeal as a young hunter prospect, rather than relying on several years of development before becoming marketable.
An ordinary 4-year-old that may eventually become a useful adult amateur hunter is not the right profile if it lacks sufficient quality to attract a professional buyer today.
Key priority
Exceptional hunter quality and a clear resale opportunity at the horse's current stage of development.
Profile 2 — Adult, Amateur & Junior Hunters
Age
Approximately 6–9 years old.
Target market
Adult amateur and junior hunter riders in the United States.
Ideal horse
An experienced or developing hunter with excellent rideability, a reliable temperament and a genuinely amateur-friendly character.
These horses do not need the exceptional movement or jumping style required for young professional hunter prospects. However, they must be straightforward, forgiving and suitable for riders who may need additional support around the course.
The ideal horse should be easy to ride, have a good brain and offer enough quality to remain competitive in its intended hunter division.
Key priority
Ease of riding, excellent character and commercial suitability for the amateur and junior hunter market.
Profile 3 — Equitation Horses
Age
Ideally 7–8 years old. Five-year-olds are generally not preferred.
Target market
Junior and adult equitation riders, including the 3'3" equitation divisions and potentially higher levels.
Ideal horse
A well-educated, brave and rideable horse with an excellent mouth, reliable lead changes and a sensible temperament.
Emil is particularly interested in horses with previous 1.40m jumping experience that may no longer be sufficiently competitive for the jumper market but have the rideability, education and character to transition successfully into equitation.
These horses can be attractive commercial opportunities when their purchase price reflects their realistic resale value in the US equitation market.
Key priority
Good mouth, reliable changes, bravery, education and a clear equitation resale profile.
Profile 4 — Junior & Amateur Jumpers
Age
Approximately 7–12 years old. Horses younger than 7 are generally not preferred.
Target market
Junior and amateur show jumping riders in the United States.
Ideal horse
A competitive, rideable and reliable jumper suitable for junior or amateur ownership and competition.
The horse should have a clearly defined market based on its current ability, temperament, competition experience and expected resale price.
Emil is not primarily sourcing high-level jumpers for professional riders. His focus is horses that can be successfully placed with junior and amateur customers.
No fixed competition height was established for his regular jumper search. Individual opportunities should be assessed based on their ability, intended rider and commercial potential.
Older horses and leasing
Horses around 12 years old may be attractive for his leasing business, particularly where the horse can generate income through multiple lease seasons.
Horses aged 12 and above are generally more difficult for him to resell to US customers, so their acquisition price and intended business model must reflect this.
Key priority
Reliable, competitive and commercially attractive junior/amateur jumpers with realistic resale or leasing opportunities.
Profile 5 — World Sport Horse Sales, Ocala
Event
March World Sport Horse Sales, Ocala, Florida.
Emil's focus
Hunters and equitation horses.
Wider team's focus
Junior/amateur jumpers and selected higher-level show jumping prospects.
Specific jumper requirement
Amateur jumper candidates for the sale should demonstrate potential to become competitive at 1.45m.
Preparation requirements
Horses must arrive in Florida sufficiently early to compete before the sale.
The objective is to allow prospective buyers to watch the horses compete, assess their performance, arrange trials and become familiar with them before the auction.
The team does not want buyers encountering an unknown horse for the first time on sale day.
Additional opportunities
Quality large ponies may be considered selectively, based on previous successful purchases, although no ongoing pony requirement has been established.