Buying an Eventing Horse: What to Look for at Each Level

Eventing horses are the Swiss Army knives of the equestrian world.

They need to be controlled and collected in dressage, snappy and athletic in jumping, and brave and bold cross-country.

And every level demands something different.

A horse that excels at Starter Novice might be completely unsuitable for Training level. A horse that's safe at lower levels might panic at upper levels.

If you're buying an eventing horse, understanding what matters at YOUR level is the difference between a great purchase and a frustrating one.

Why Eventers Are Different From Other Horses

Before we dive into levels, understand what makes an eventer different:

Dressage Horses: Want sensitivity, lightness, responsiveness.

Jumpers: Want scope, power, athleticism.

Eventers: Want all of this PLUS bravery.

An eventing horse needs:

• Dressage training (submission, balance, control)
• Jumping ability (scope, rideability)
• Cross-country courage (forward, brave, willing)

And they need to do all three well enough to be competitive.

This is why eventing horses command premium prices compared to discipline-specific horses.

Lower Levels: Starter Novice to Novice

Typical Price Range: $8,000-$25,000

Buyer Profile: Adult amateurs, first-time eventers, safety-focused riders

What Matters Most: Safety and Forgiveness

Lower-level eventers are ridden by people who:

• May not have perfect balance
• Might not give perfect distances
• Could make riding errors

Your horse needs to be forgiving.

A lower-level eventer should:

In Dressage:

• Maintain rhythm even if the rider messes up
• Not spook at arena mirrors or plastic
• Be controllable and rideable
• Don't need to be flashy—steady wins

Over Jumps:

• Handle imperfect distances
• Not stop or refuse frequently
• Jump confidently (not looking back)
• Big personality preferred to big movement

Cross-Country:

• Willing to go forward boldly
• Not a refuser
• Brave but not a bolter
• Happy to jump weird stuff (logs, water, ditch combos)

The #1 trait for lower-level: Forgiveness.

A horse that will forgive a bad distance, a missed lead change, or an imperfect half-halt is more valuable to an amateur than a sensitive, technical horse.

The "Packer" Mentality

The best lower-level eventers have a "packer" reputation. They're horses that experienced riders use to teach beginners because they:

• Take care of their riders
• Don't punish mistakes
• Are genuinely unflappable
• Make the rider look good

If you find a "packer" eventer with a good attitude, buy it immediately. They hold value and they're extremely hard to find.

Conformation Matters, But Less Than You'd Think

People get hung up on conformation for eventers. Straight legs, good shoulder angles, long necks, etc.

True story: Some of the best eventers have mediocre conformation. They succeed because of:

• Heart
• Bravery
• Willingness
• Intelligence

That said, watch for:

• Upright shoulders (makes jumping difficult)
• Post-leg conformation (causes soundness issues)
• Cow-hocked hind legs (creates jumping issues)

But don't reject a horse with "mediocre" conformation if it's brave, smart, and willing.

Red Flags at Lower Levels

Don't buy if:

• Horse refuses jumps frequently (refusals compound in upper levels)
• Horse naps/bucks near barn (behavioral issue, hard to fix)
• Horse spooks excessively (manageable at lower levels, dangerous at upper)
• Horse has chronic lameness or joint issues
• You don't like the personality

Veterinary Checks at Lower Levels

Get a vet pre-purchase exam focusing on:

• Joints: Hocks, stifles, knees (most common areas of stress)
• Feet: Sound feet are everything
• Breathing: Any respiratory issues?
• Heart/Lungs: Baseline fitness level

For lower-level horses, you don't need fancy diagnostics (no advanced imaging required unless there's concern). A good physical exam is usually sufficient.

Budget: $400-$800 for basic pre-purchase exam

Price Guide for Lower-Level Eventers

• Unbroken prospect with potential: $4,000-$10,000
• Started lower-level eventer: $10,000-$18,000
• Proven lower-level packer: $18,000-$30,000
• Upper-level horse dropped to lower levels: $15,000-$35,000

The "packer" commands premium because they're reliable for teaching and are resellable.

Mid-Levels: Training to Preliminary

Typical Price Range: $25,000-$65,000

Buyer Profile: Competitive amateurs, semi-professional riders, upwardly-mobile eventers

At mid-levels, things change. Your horse needs:

• Technical dressage skill
• Jumping precision
• Serious cross-country courage

The Gallop Becomes Real

At Training level, cross-country speed increases to 420-470 meters/min (compared to Novice's 350-400 mpm), with Preliminary jumping to 520 mpm.

Your horse needs:

• Stamina (can't be a couch potato)
• Cardiovascular fitness (should show signs of being conditioned)
• Forward momentum (willing to maintain pace, not asking for brakes constantly)
• Balance at speed (doesn't flatten out or lose rhythm)

A lower-level packer might be physically brave but lack the engine for Training/Preliminary speeds.

Watch for: Horses that get tired in cross-country (lack of cardiovascular fitness). This is a red flag for upper-level suitability.

Scope Becomes Critical

"Scope" = how much bigger a horse can jump than its training requires.

A Preliminary horse that barely fits height at Preliminary level is maxed out. No room for error.

A Preliminary horse with scope can handle Training courses comfortably and has potential for upper-level work.

What to look for:

• Test jumps in the arena at both height AND width
• Watch how naturally they jump (do they clean up their legs?)
• Can they jump good distances, or do they need perfect spots?
• What's their jumping "personality" (bold and attacking vs. careful and calculating)?

An honest middle-sized jumper with bravery > a potentially bigger jumper with hesitation.

Dressage Training Matters More

Lower-level eventers can get by with basic dressage skills. Mid-level horses can't.

You need:

• Balanced transitions
• Consistent rhythm in all gaits
• Responsiveness to half-halts
• Some collection ability
• Straightness

A horse that's been properly trained (not just ridden) will show this. An untrained horse will feel like a hot mess.

Red flag: If a mid-level horse doesn't demonstrate consistent dressage training, walk away. Training mid-level horses is expensive and time-consuming.

Mental Toughness Matters

Mid-level courses are harder. Horses see bigger jumps, more combinations, stranger obstacles.

Watch for:

• Consistency: Does the horse try every time, or are there "off" rounds?
• Recovery: If they miss a jump, do they bounce back or do they stop trying?
• Scope of thinking: Do they assess obstacles mentally (good sign) or react emotionally (potential issue)?

A horse that loses confidence in upper-level courses was probably mentally marginal at mid-level. You just didn't see it.

Veterinary Checks at Mid-Levels

This is where you invest in serious diagnostics:

• Radiographs (X-rays): Hocks, stifles, knees—standard at this level
• Ultrasound: Check soft tissue (tendons, ligaments)
• Advanced imaging (if concerns): MRI or CT if something shows up on basic imaging

The goal: Make sure the horse can physically handle the workload.

Budget: $1,200-$2,500 for comprehensive pre-purchase with radiographs

Conformation Red Flags at Mid-Levels

Now conformation matters more:

• Post-leg or tied-in knees: High injury risk at speed
• Upright shoulders: Increases concussion, creates jumping difficulties
• Weak/straight hocks: Can't handle the power demands
• Poor depth of girth: Reduces athletic ability
• Thick neck: Restricts dressage flexibility

These aren't dealbreakers, but they're risk factors. You're paying more at this level, so demand better conformation.

Price Guide for Mid-Level Eventers

• Proven Training-level eventer: $25,000-$40,000
• Competing Preliminary prospect: $40,000-$70,000
• Upper-level horse dropped to Training: $30,000-$65,000
• Unproven but talented mid-level prospect: $20,000-$35,000

"Proven" commands significant premium because you know what you're getting.

Upper Levels: Intermediate and Advanced

Typical Price Range: $60,000+

Buyer Profile: Professional riders, wealthy amateurs, competitive circuit riders

At upper levels, you're buying:

• A finished product, not a project
• A horse with proven track record
• Significant physical capability AND mental toughness

We won't go into deep detail (you should have a professional buying agent at this level), but key points:

What Changes:

• Scope becomes non-negotiable (must handle 1.20m+ jumps easily)
• Dressage must be truly trained (collection, piaffe quality)
• Cross-country bravery must be proven (upper-level courses are genuinely scary)
• Veterinary screening is comprehensive and expensive
• Competition record is critical (you're paying for proven results)

Red Flags at Upper Levels:

• No competition record (unproven at upper levels)
• Recent soundness issues (Intermediate+ is physically demanding)
• Age over 12 without upper-level record (may not hold up)
• Behavioral issues (expensive to fix with pro trainers)

At this level, hire a professional buyer/trainer. Don't buy alone.

Comparison: What's Most Important at Each Level

Common Mistakes When Buying Eventers

1. Buying on "potential." That lower-level horse might "eventually" be Preliminary level. Maybe. Don't bank on it.

1. Ignoring dressage training. People buy jumpers and eventers on jumping ability alone. Bad idea. Dressage phase separates amateurs from riders.

1. Assuming bigger = better. A 17hh horse isn't automatically better than a 16hh horse. Proportions and athleticism matter more than height.

1. Skipping vet exams. I've seen people buy $50,000 eventers without proper imaging. Don't do this.

1. Buying beyond your level. A green Preliminary horse is thrilling but dangerous if you're a Training rider. Buy proven at your level, or get a trainer involved.

1. Not test-riding in all three phases. You must ride dressage, jump, and see cross-country video. Never buy on dressage test alone.

What to Expect to Pay

• Lesson horse eventer: $5,000-$15,000
• Lower-level amateur eventer: $12,000-$35,000
• Mid-level amateur eventer: $30,000-$75,000
• Upper-level eventer: $75,000+

These prices assume US market. Imported horses cost more.

The Bottom Line

Buying an eventing horse is harder than buying a jumper or dressage horse because the requirements are more complex.

But if you buy well—a horse with bravery, forgiveness (at lower levels), training, and good health—you're buying a partner for years.

Start by defining your level honestly. Don't aspire to Preliminary if you're a solid Training rider. Buy proven at your level.

Invest in proper vetting. It's 1-2% of the purchase price and saves thousands in future vet bills.

Prioritize temperament and training over conformation. A well-trained, brave horse with mediocre conformation beats a beautifully-formed horse with training gaps.

Get a second opinion. Have your trainer or a professional evaluate any horse before purchase.

Ready to find your next eventer? Search Bridleway's eventing horse listings. We've curated listings from trusted sellers and included comparable pricing data so you know what horses at your level are worth.

Browse Eventing Horses →