More pressure is being placed on ensuring your dressage is up to scratch and your horse has the ability to be careful in the show jumping and leave all the fences standing. It’s fair to say that gone are the days when we can be 20 penalties behind after dressage, jump everything in sight flat out cross country and then have a couple or more down in the show jumping and think that you had a good day. We want a horse that keeps its head and moves on the flat, is brave, athletic but sensible cross country and remains careful in the final phase. Finding this combination has been the Holy Grail for most eventers so the question is what you should you try to find in your eventer?

For me I like the quiet ones. If they show a little ability and a lot of brains I am happy! You can always train or sell a horse who is calm wants to learn, whereas going to a competition wondering if you are going to stay in the arena is no fun for anybody. Basically choose something you feel comfortable on, you want to know that the horse is going to take care of you after all that is its number one job.

Work to your strengths. You want to think of your horse as making up the rest of your team. Ideally I would like mine to be strong where I am weak and if he/she has weakness I would like it to be where I am strong. For example I would say that show jumping is my weakest phase so I want something that is careful and with a good canter. On the other hand bravery (or luck) on cross country is probably one of my strengths so I am not too concerned if the horse is a little hesitant (as long as I am confident at a fence, I will pass that on to the horse).

Soundness, a very tricky issue when looking at eventers, the way a horse presents does not always equal soundness. We all try to pick horses that look in proportion but often it is the odd looking ones that are the soundest.

All experienced eventers are going to have some battle scars after all it’s a tough gig. Young horses might be cleaned legged but lack the experience. You have to find a balance between the two. I always recommend you use your vet and get a “suitability check” (no longer a vet check) and weigh it up against your prospective purchase. One thing I can say from experience is that, if you have a concern or hesitation or notice something you can’t live with, walk away the horse is not for you.

Finally experience, if you are looking at prospective horses it always helps to take a coach or someone you respect who has experience in the field to get a second opinion. Remember most people who are selling horses are selling them for a reason.

There are some bargains to be had at the moment so if in you're in the market, shop around and try not to fall in love too quickly. Remember quiet and safe, strength, soundness, experience and a second opinion, happy eventer hunting.

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