A great place to start is by browsing trusted sales websites that specialize in dressage horses. Two beneficial platforms are Warmblood Sales and Eurodressage’s Equimarket. These websites allow you to filter by age, training level, price range, breed, and location, making finding horses that align with your criteria easier. Many horses on the market are not listed online until people have made preliminary offers. So, an important thing to do is look on social media for unlisted horses and ask others in the industry who are well-connected if they know of anyone who has something that meets your criteria.
When compiling your list, creating a spreadsheet or chart where you can track key information about each horse is helpful. Include details such as the horse’s name, age, breed, height, training level, competition history, price, temperament notes, seller location, and additional comments. This makes it easy to compare options side-by-side and quickly reference the pros and cons of each horse. You might also want to include links to videos, photos, and seller contact info for future follow-up.
As you narrow your list, begin contacting sellers with specific questions. Ask for recent videos of the horse being ridden (including warm-up footage), vet records, and any competition scores, if applicable. Be polite and professional in your inquiries. Serious sellers appreciate clear communication and will often respond more openly when they sense you're a thoughtful and informed buyer. If you're unsure what to ask, please feel free to write down a list of standard questions you can use for each seller.
Compiling and comparing a list of prospects is practical and helps you become more familiar with what’s currently available on the market. As you browse, you’ll sharpen your eye for what’s worth pursuing and what might not be the right fit. This organized, thoughtful approach sets you up for success in the following stages contacting sellers, scheduling trial rides, and ultimately, finding the right horse for you.