- Irish Sports Pony
- Strawberry roan
- Gelding
- 13 years
- 14.2 hands (LHC)
- XC Clear Round Machine
- Careful showjumper - hates to hit a pole
- Gorgeous paces including extended & lateral work
I have put off selling this pony for a long time because honestly, I can't bear to part with him. But I can't let my inexperience and lack of time to ride him, hamper his ability any longer. So it's with a heavy heart, that I've finally made the decision sell him. (He's been for sale twice, and then I immediately took him off the market after being flooded with enquiries!)
So who is Peter the Great? Here is his story.
I bought Peter as 9 year old. He was an ex pony showjumper with points, who had begun a very successful career as an event pony with Trevor Smith's team, and had a huge amount of potential. When I bought him for my daughter, Trevor didn't want to sell him to me because he was not suitable for her. She was only 11 and just moving out of her first pony. Peter was an experienced and forward going FEI potential event pony and needed a strong, confident rider. I promised that I would find someone to ride him until she was ready for him and happily paid £30K for him, as this was a bargain price for a pony of his calibre.
He did a couple of very successful events with Janie Cairns before I decided to ride him a few times for exercise. I hadn't been on a horse in 20 years, and had ridden all my life, but not "trained" very much with horses. I had so much fun riding him, as he was such a cracking jumper and a bold cross country pony, I decided to event him myself. This was not a good idea for Peter's sake lol.
Peter is not a novice ride. He's sensitive to the rider, and needs someone with soft hands, but who is willing to take a pull on the cross country. But he listens with no pulling, in a pelham. Me, as a new rider, back in the saddle after 20 years, I was re-learning riding on this cracking pony. And to be frank, not doing it very well.
But I LOVED him, so I perservered.
We did a few internationals which were a disaster because I either fell off or over rode the showjumping out of inexperience (I need to give you the full picture of how bad I was). Although his dressage scores were always low 30s or high 20s in the adult 1* class and always clear XC, I was just not a confident show jumper. Poor Peter had to put up with me.
My daughter never did event him as she ran out of time (she has 3 other rides now!). But also, he was my pet pony, and I was determined to become a good enough rider to do him justice.
Finally, after 3 years solid training and eventing, I finally became a good enough rider to do Peter justice. Except then I did silly things like miss a fence on the XC when we were in the lead on a dressage score of 21, or go too slow the next time out, so we picked up time penalties and dropped from 2nd to 10th.
Or let's not mention Millstreet International this year, where I was so terrified in the showjumping, I fell off. Not my finest moment I can tell you.
So why sell Peter now?
Because he deserves to fulfill his potential with a confident pony rider, who wants to take him to the top. And I've recently launched another new company and have simply run out of time to ride.
Here's his spec sheet:
148cm - lifetime measurement
Absolute gentleman in the stable and to box, shoe and clip. ZERO vices. Everyone's favourite pony in the yard.
Perfect companion pony. He gets put out with every new horse in the yard and is BFF's with them in under 60 seconds.
Not hard to keep fit at all - only needs ridden a few times a week.
Bombproof on the road and in traffic. Nothing spooks him. Always takes the lead past scary objects on a hack.
LOVES jumping! Easily jumps round 100 & 110cm at internationals and at home. Hates hitting poles.
Dressage - INCREDIBLE. He could easily be a pure dressage pony. We have put an insane amount of work into him on the flat with Trevor Smith and Mark Robinson (both will vouch for him). He does beautiful lateral work, half pass, gorgeous extension in all gaits, flying changes and was built on the bridle. He has an insane amount of Dressage Ireland Points.
Cross Country - Well, you only have to watch him to see how much he loves this phase. As soon as he locks onto a fence, his mission is to jump it. But he will listen if you say wait. He's nimble, quick and straight as an arrow.
I paid £30,000 for Peter when he had less experience than he has now. But I'd be happy to take £25,000 for the right home.
Who is Peter NOT for?
Peter is NOT a novice pony ride. He's not a second pony, he's a 3rd pony. He would suit a strong, 13-16 year old competitive rider, wanting a European prospect pony or someone who is moving from second pony, out of pony club, and wants a confident, experienced third pony.
He would also suit a mother/child share if the mother was a confident rider. He's a fine boned pony, but is built more like a horse with a nice long back and strong legs.
He's 100% sound in every way and will easily pass a 5* vetting. Our horses are treated like kings from their monthly physio, the best shoeing in the country, dentistry, magnets to the dust free, Blue Frog bedding we use. No expense is spared taking care of our horses.
If you think Peter might be the pony for you, please let me know. He needs regular turn out to manage his naturally energetic disposition, and actually lives out very well all year round. We tend to only bring them in if the weather is atrocious. He's not a good doer and doesn't put on weight too easily.
He would make the best yard pet and competition pony for a horse mad teenager. And it's breaking my heart to sell him.
Thank you for coming to my TED Talk. If you think Peter is the right pony for you, let's talk.
Kim C