BESPOKE HORSE SEARCH
MY GOAL
My goal is helping to find that perfect match, working as an “equine matchmaker” , listening to a clients hopes, dreams, fears, goals and helping them to find their true match. With the end result of a happy horse and a happy rider. Nothing makes me happier than seeing the joy of a rider that I have helped riding their new horse and receiving pictures and video updates. I specialize in dressage horses, but I have also developed very good contacts in the Netherlands in the jumping and eventing world and am available to help find your next eventer, hunter or jumper as well.
HOW I WORK
When I try a horse for you, I video everything and send all the unedited videos to you immediately, the same day showing you the good, the bad and the ugly. I write a report about what I felt. We then schedule a time that works for both of us and we call via WhatsApp, so we can discuss the horse the same day that I tried it , while the feeling is still fresh .
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Fees:
If you yourself find a horse(s) that you would like me to try, I charge a flat rate (excluding btw) for a half day (4 hours or less) of trying horses and a flat rate (excluding btw) for a full day of trying horses. The fee is the same whether you buy a horse or not. I can try as many horses as you would like / as many as is possible in that time period. I do not charge a commission, or any extra fees for gas / expenses.
Alternatively, If you would like me to help you search for a horse, and you buy a horse that I found, then I charge a 10% commission. Never more. I am always completely transparent about the asking piece of the horse. If you would like me to test ride a horse that I found, I am happy to do so. If the horse is close to home, I will test ride it at no charge. If the horse is farther away from home and I test ride, and you end up not buying a horse, then I charge the same 1/2 day or full day rate.All fees and costs are always discussed in advance.
Please contact me to learn more about the fees.
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JAYNE ESSIG
I reached out to Maria after a mutual friend recommended her to help me find a new horse. Due to Coronavirus and no travel, finding a suitable horse where I live in rural Canada is next to impossible! Although I have purchased broodmares and young horses off video before, I have never purchased a horse I have not sat on! So this was a big leap of faith.
After speaking with Maria and corresponding with her I felt more comfortable with the process. I sent her videos of my riding, a detailed description of the type of horse and feel I’m looking for along with my goals and budget. Maria tried several horses on my behalf and after each ride I received a thorough ‘ride through’ response with pros and cons of each horse and overall opinion. If I was interested, Maria would return and ride again, videotaping each moment from start to finish. She was very transparent in the process and is truly working for the buyer.
With Marie’s help I found a wonderful 8yo gelding (not pictured) whom I have had for a few weeks now in Canada. He is everything and more that I could have asked for and I’m absolutely thrilled with him. The ride ability and feel was spot on and I can’t thank Maria enough for finding this special guy!
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BUYING FROM THE NETHERLANDS
Because of its long history as both a military and agricultural power, the Netherlands has had a strong horse culture for hundreds of years. Two famous horse breeds come from the Netherlands: the Friesian horse and the Dutch Warmblood.
There are approximately 450,000 horses in the Netherlands and about 500,000 riders
The Netherlands boasts 3,000 equestrian centres and riding clubs
The Royal Dutch Equestrian Federation (KNHS) has 200,000 members, with 50,000 participating in competitions
There are roughly 765,000 competition entries across eight disciplines each year
The Dutch Federation for Riding for the Disabled (FPG) helps more than 6,000 riders participate in equestrian events every week
The number of competition entries in the Netherlands per rider is the highest in all of Europe
Horse sport is so popular that it makes up a sizeable part of the Dutch economy.
According to the Dutch Federation, one out of every seven horses in the Netherlands equates to a job. That’s more than 10,000 horse businesses in this relatively small country!
Many international-level riders have their stables in the Netherlands because of its strong horse culture, plethora of top trainers, and proximity to other European nations.
Jumping athletes Edwina Tops-Alexander of Australia and Jessica Springsteen of the USA, for example, both have their training base in Valkenswaard.
The Royal Dutch Sporthorse Studbook (KWPN), which documents the breeding of Dutch Warmblood horses, records about 10,000 foals per year. These foals are in high demand, and many of these horses go on to become outstanding international competitors.
The Netherlands has two initiatives to funnel the best horses to riders at the highest levels: N.O.P., which is the Dutch Olympic Horse Foundation, and SFN, the Netherlands Showjumpers Foundation.
Breeding, training, export, and boarding stables contribute a significant source of income, along with related businesses like veterinary practices, farriery, and the sale of saddles, tack, attire, horse boxes, fencing, feed, footing, and various health and wellness products.
Anyone who follows FEI competition at the elite level would notice how often athletes from the Netherlands place at the top of the leaderboard.
From Dressage to Driving and everything in between, Dutch equestrians have won coveted medals, led the world rankings, and wowed judges with their stellar performances.
The Netherlands is also a frequent host for major events, where riders come back year after year because of the hospitable atmosphere and top venues. If you’ve ever wondered why this tiny European country has had such a huge impact on equestrian sport, read on to learn more about this horse-centered paradise for riders.
Horse shows abound (about 7,300 per year!), especially in Rotterdam, Den Bosch, Valkenswaard, and the capital, Amsterdam, which is easily reached from other locations in Europe.
Some of the most prestigious events include FEI World Cup™ and FEI Nations Cup™ qualifiers, as well as the FEI European Championships and the FEI Eventing Nations Cup™ Finals at Boekelo, which are part of the Military Boekelo International Horse Trials.
These shows bring over a quarter of a million fans to the Netherlands annually to ride and cheer on their teams. They also attract millions via live streaming broadcasts, such as through FEI TV, and generate tens of thousands of social media posts.
SECURING YOUR HORSE
If you find a horse you like and wish to proceed with purchasing, Maria is available to help you every step of the way. She can provide:
- A list of trusted veterinarians from which you can choose from for the pre purchase examination, and can schedule the vetting for the buyer.
- Is available to accompany the horse during pre-purchase exam and video the entire examination for the buyer.
- Has trusted contacts for international transport of horses from Europe to anywhere in the world, and can help make all the necessary arrangements.
- If your horse needs to wait for an extended period of time for shipping, the horse can stay with Maria at her stables until it ships.
