HORSES : Matchmaker Is Big on Warmbloods
There’s a saying in the horse world that the right horse-and-rider combination comes along only once in a lifetime--if you’re lucky. Karen Jackson, an equine “matchmaker” of sorts, is trying to improve those odds.
Two years ago she opened the Warmblood Connection, a service that matches prospective buyers with sellers of European sport horses bred for international competition. Jackson describes these high-performance equine athletes as “big and massive, yet light on their feet--like a football player who can do ballet movements.” Such attributes have made warmbloods dominate the placings in dressage and jumping competitions.
Since its inception two years ago, Jackson’s Northern California business has matched warmblood horses with riders throughout the country, including some in Orange County. She has accumulated a database that has more than 100 horses awaiting new homes.
The prospects range from weanlings (several months old) to fully trained adult horses to breeding stallions. Prices, which are set by the owners, tend to range from $4,000 to $15,000 for weanlings, up to $15,000 for young horses not yet under saddle, and $15,000 to $40,000 for riding horses. Stallions, due to their potential income from stud fees, usually cost from five to six figures.
Horses, however, are a subjective commodity. Generally it costs less to buy a youngster, according to Jackson, because “there are more unknowns. But there’s often no rhyme or reason with prices.” For some, the sale or purchase of a horse is an emotional or sentimental issue; the price often reflects that.
Price is only one factor in the matchmaking process. During the initial screening interview, Jackson helps prospective buyers narrow their choices to a number of appropriate horses in her database--or in her barn. Jackson has been breeding and selling her own award-winning Dutch warmbloods for 10 years.
She begins by determining a client’s purchase criteria, such as age, height, sex, color, breed, price and geographic location. Jackson compares those requirements to her listings and tries to find appropriate candidates. With such an inexact science, however, it can be difficult to find a perfect match. Jackson asks the buyer which criteria, if any, he can be most flexible on. Often that turns out to be age.
“We’re seeing a trend toward (buyers wanting) younger horses, under the age of 10,” she said. But looks can be deceptive, particularly with warmbloods, big-boned horses that tend to appear older than their years.
Jackson is an advocate of older horses, many of which have valuable training that can aid a less experienced rider. “Some horses are young but act quite mature; other horses are old but remain as frisky as youngsters. They each have their own personality and temperament.”
The only way to know whether your personality blends with that of a particular horse is to “meet” the horse in person, Jackson said. Her computer-assisted matching service is only the first step. After she determines if the buyer is serious and identifies a number of potentially suitable horses, Jackson puts the buyer in touch with the seller. They work out the details, such as a stable visit and the final price. (Jackson charges no commissions but is paid a flat fee by the seller when a horse is listed with her.)
Interested buyers or sellers may contact the Warmblood Connection at: 19651 Burnt Wheel Farm Road, Fiddletown, Calif. 95629, telephone (800) 468-4116 or (209) 296-4116.
