A week ago or so, when I got back from my trip away and two weeks of missed hunting, I realised that I was finding Radar quite a strain to hunt this year because he has got so strong. I thought it might be better to sell him. To test myself, really, I put him on Horsemart at what I thought was a crazy price, £10,000, and told SH that if anyone was daft enough to pay me that for him he could go and I would buy myself something less strong.
Well my bluff is certainly being called. I had a caller a few days ago who clearly wasn't the right man, I think he just wanted to be seen on a good horse but wasn't, from the sound of it, a strong enough rider. Today I have had an email from another man who sounds more serious...
Um, what do I do now if he wants to come and see him? And buy him? Part of me says I'd be mad to let him go and the other part says I'd be mad not to, and think of the fun bringing on a new one would be. To be honest, as long as he is in a hunting home, I don't think Radar could care less where he lives, he's not a cuddly one-person horse like the other two are.
I've ridden all three today. Ace and Jazz were both spooked by a fog so heavy it was making the far end of the arena unclear, so I cut them both a lot of slack. Radar couldn't care less about it, and gave me a good trot and then a good canter in about half the time (20 minutes for each) that it has taken up to now. He did take another 40 minutes after the canter to give me a decent walk, but that's another story!
C
ps remember Zippy? He has just won the Canary Islands Championships at Medium/Level 4. Isn't that great?
Oh, dear!! Now you are in a pickle. Radar is clearly a wonderful hunter, but whether he is the right hunter for you is the question. And, I for one, can offer no worthy advice.
ReplyDeleteAs you know, I look at my horses from a different perspective so I rather adjust to what they can do and use/ride them accordingly at this point instead of aspiring to something they are not capable of. Thus, whether rideable as I'd want to them to be, or not, they have a home for life with me.
That is not the case with you...exactly--although Jazz has kind of forced you to make exception. If you would be happier and take the same pleasure in an easier hunting horse, then making the decision for Radar to go is just fine. If, though, you enjoy the thrill and challenge of riding him and doing the training that "May" make him better, then you need to keep him.
I'll be really interested to see where this goes.
Oooh, I bet you used some wonderful photos for that advert ;-) Well if you've offered him for sale, and someone wants to buy him at that price, I say let him go, its the right time for him to fetch his best price, and you've done the hard work.
ReplyDeleteFabulous news about Zippy, I'm really pleased for him, is he still all blingy and pink :-)
xx T
Well done Zippy that is really good news.
ReplyDeleteCan't really comment on Radar as I don't have to ride him! You have had lots of fun on him, can you imagine going on for years and years with him?
Not if he keeps pulling like he does Judith, he is hurting my shoulder and back this year and I'll be getting weaker with age as he gets stronger. But he was great this Saturday, so that's put the cat amongst the pigeons!
ReplyDeleteI think pink and bling are still the order of the day in Tenerife Tracey :-)
Current update Jean is that the guy wants to send his groom to see him, but he has told me that he hunts hill country with few jumps. I wouldn't have a problem parting with Radar emotionally, but I'm not prepared to sell him to somewhere he won't jump much, it's his main joy in life and it wouldn't be fair. I have already told the man that I want a day to think about it, but I've made up my mind already, the answer is no, no matter how much money is involved. I just can't do that to Radar.
C
Fair enough. And it gives you some time to find out if the schooling you are doing will continue to improve him.
ReplyDeleteMeant to add that Zippy surely turned out to be a star. You were right about his needing the sunshine to "shine."
I'm pretty convinced that Zippy has impinging spinal processes due to his very short back Jean. He was always unhappy in winter and different in warmer weather. Tenerife obviously suits him down to the ground. It was a win win for all concerned to sell him to Sheree.
ReplyDeleteLatest on Radar is that the prospective buyer NOW says he will hunt with the Ledbury and jump hedges. I have told him I will want proof of his Ledbury subscription and then he can send his groom to see him.
Better than Eastenders, eh??
C
Blooming heck you're a tough one, in this climate to find a buyer as keen as that shows how impressive your photos are!!!!
ReplyDeleteGo gal.
It helps if you really don't care if you sell the horse Tracey :-) It also helps not to actually need the money of course, and I am so, so lucky in that respect. But I do love Radar and he ain't going to someone who can't ride who just wants to show off on brave good-looking horse.
ReplyDeleteHe has said he admires my care for my horse and that I can come and visit his yard and see how happy their horses are - nothing about a Ledbury sub though, that's gone VERY quiet :-)
C
One of the masters on Saturday made me an "almost" offer of £8,000 but I don't want him to stay local and in any case that person can't ride well either - he socks his horses in the teeth half the time.
ReplyDeleteC
Cool all round. You're right, its when you don't care if they sell, that the offers come in thick and fast. I look forward to see what happens..
ReplyDelete