❤️ VERY SAD SALE / LWVTB– HOPE LADY aka “PRU” ❤️

16hh | 13yo mare | Irish Draught × Welsh D

This is a very difficult sale, so finding the right home is far more important to us than a quick sale.

Pru was originally bought for my mum to hack and enjoy low-level activities, but unfortunately she has proved to be more horse than Mum needs. I (her daughter) have ridden her on and off and genuinely believe she is being completely wasted with us.

Pru is a talented, forward-thinking mare who loves having a job. In the right hands I think she could really thrive in a competition/riding-club home with someone who wants to have lessons, compete and get out regularly.

I already have my own horse and struggle to keep him in full-time work, so sadly I simply cannot give Pru the time and consistency she deserves.

⚠️ PLEASE READ THE FULL ADVERT

This is deliberately a very honest advert. Pru has some quirks and is NOT suitable for a novice. She needs a confident, competent teenager or adult who is firm but fair and will enjoy having a talented, forward-going horse.

🩺 HEALTH

Pru has had an injury which doesn’t affect her and will be fully disclosed to anyone seriously interested

🌟 THE GOOD BITS

Flatwork

Pru’s flatwork is absolutely lovely. She is extremely well schooled, responsive and rides like clockwork. I’m certainly no dressage diva, but she makes me look like I can ride! 😂

She carries herself beautifully and I think she could do very well in dressage. She can be a little heavy on the forehand, but with consistent work this would improve considerably.

Showjumping

This is where she really shines. ❤️

I’ve schooled Pru up to 1.05m and she would quite literally trot over it. She has scope to burn.

She has competed unaffiliated up to 85cm and very rarely has a pole. Despite being 16hh, she’s incredibly manoeuvrable, makes very tight turns and covers the ground brilliantly — ideal for a jump-off.

She hasn’t competed for a while and is currently a little lacking in confidence jumping, but with consistent work I have no doubt she would soon be back to where she was.

Cross-country

Bold, keen and thoroughly enjoys it.

She’s schooled around 90cm with ease and has done a couple of lower-level competitions without batting an eyelid.

✔️ Water

✔️ Ditches

✔️ Steps up/down

✔️ Brush fences

XC isn’t something we’ve done much of, but she has shown plenty of ability and willingness.

Hacking

Pru hacks like she’s late for an appointment! 😂

She doesn’t jog, but she may genuinely be the fastest walking horse I’ve ever sat on.

She’ll walk, trot and canter in open spaces. She can become strong, particularly in open fields, but I’ve never found her silly or uncontrollable. Strangely, she doesn’t tend to get strong when she’s out doing XC!

To handle / travel

✔️ Good for farrier, dentist, vet and worming

✔️ Travels quietly alone or in company

✔️ Loads best onto a 3.5t/7.5t

✔️ Once at a venue she’ll stand tied quietly and is easy to tack up and prepare

✔️ Can be turned out with mares, geldings or individually

✔️ Isn’t “mareish” and will happily stand to be pampered and bathed although not too keen on her face being washed. Just tap her leg to lift her feet 😊

❤️ THE QUIRKS — PLEASE READ

She is spooky.

Pru will sometimes actively look for something to spook at, ridden or in hand. If you don’t keep her concentrating, she’ll look at the jump wing she’s already passed five times! 😂

Interestingly, this behaviour largely disappears when she’s properly occupied — competing, having a lesson or doing something that engages her brain. I genuinely think she is a horse who gets bored easily and needs a proper job.

She isn’t keen on tight spaces.

She can rush going into/out of a stable and coming off a trailer. We’ve done groundwork with her and she’s improved considerably, but this needs continuing consistently.

Ground manners.

Pru can be bolshy. I sometimes wonder whether anyone had ever told her “no” before she came to us! 😂

Her manners have improved massively, but she still needs a confident, firm-but-fair handler who won’t allow her to take charge.

For these reasons, Pru is not suitable for a novice or nervous rider/handler.

She is forward going, responsive off the leg and covers the ground. She needs a confident, competent home that wants to keep her busy — lessons, riding club, competitions, clinics, jumping and generally getting out and having fun.

She is up to date with vaccinations etc.

🏡 THE HOME WE WANT

I genuinely believe Pru could do very well in showjumping, eventing, riding club or an active all-rounder home.

She enjoys her work and wants to please, but she has a busy brain and thrives when she has something to think about.

At the moment she can sometimes sit in the field for weeks simply because I don’t have enough time — and she is far too good to be a field ornament.

This is a genuinely heartbreaking sale and she will not go to just anyone.

We want to find the person who appreciates her talent, understands her quirks and can give her the active life she deserves.

Serious enquiries only please. No novices or time-wasters.

📍 Selby

📩 Please PM initially with some information about yourself, your riding experience and the type of home you’re offering.