It always feels like such a special treat to get a mid-season sport horse auction, rather than having to wait for the off-season – and Monart’s summer offering, which gets underway on July 31, feels like even more of a treat, because it’s packed with young horses who’ve started their ridden careers, rather than just unbacked talent. That gives us the chance to see a little bit of their early education and hit the ground running with a very cool four- or five-year-old. If you’re following along with all the Paris action this week and dreaming of your own future goals, perhaps all you need is the right unfinished product to help you get there – and with bids at the Monart Sale starting at just €5,000, you could nab yourself a lovely horse at a seriously good price, too.
There’s fifteen horses in this year’s Ridden Horse Sale, which is a nice number – it’s a little bit overwhelming, sometimes, staring at a catalogue of 75 entries without any clue where to begin. But even with this compact field of selected lots, you’ll probably want a good jumping-off point. And that’s where we’ve got you covered, with some of our hot picks from this year’s line-up.
Keep reading to meet our selections, and to see the rest of the catalogue and register as a bidder, head to the Monart website. Happy shopping!
Four-year-old ISH mare (Vivant de Heffinck x Rossbay, by OBOS Quality 004)
Right off the bat, we’ve got a strong start here with lot two, who’s exactly the kind of mare I love, in that she’s light on her feet, she jumps well, and she’s got that spicy look in her eye that suggests that she’s got a bit of mischief in her. If you, too, love that kind of horse, you’ll get the very best out of her, and I suspect she’s also the clever, loyal type who’ll fight for you if you’re that person. She’s a neat, tidy stamp of a mare, and one with so much untapped potential ready to play with. I think a young pro could snap her up and have a fantastic time producing her.
Four-year-old ISH gelding (Cruising With Diamonds x Windmill Cross, by Insatiable)
I promise I didn’t just pick this one because he’s a gorgeous steely grey with a white pony face (though I don’t hate that, either) – instead, it’s because this sweet guy absolutely loves his cross-country, and has been given plenty of opportunities to learn to navigate terrain and obstacles. That shows in the considered, brave way he tackles all sorts of things, from streams to ditches to spooky tire fences with almost owlhole-esque greenery around them. Someone’s had a lot of fun showing him the world, and now he thinks it’s all a great jolly, which is a really nice starting point to have when you’re looking to produce a horse to go up the levels. He’s got a lovely canter, too, and while he’s also got a baby tendency to toss his head a bit at the moment, that doesn’t worry me – he just hasn’t learned about contact yet, and a continued sympathetic, soft education will get him there.
Lot 5 – Unique Van’t Zilverhof
Four-year-old BWP mare (Deister x Olga Van Het Rozenveld D’20, by Best Man Z)
At just four years old, this nice stamp of a mare has already had some exposure to the world, with some training shows and schooling outings under her belt already. She’s a naturally well-balanced type, and so looks quite established for her age, and like the kind of horse who might find life rather easy. A precocious talent – but one with tonnes of promise yet to be unearthed. She has a marching, motivated walk, which I love to see in a horse – it’s possible to add prowl to a march, and very hard to add it to a shuffle – and she has a straight, rhythmic trot that has plenty of potential to be developed. Her canter, though, is her showpiece; she’s got a great, ground-covering step and a neat, attentive jump. She’s also really rather beautiful, which is inessential but a nice bonus to have. With a bit of time to develop through her back and lengthen over her neck, she’s going to muscle up into something special.
Five-year-old ISH gelding (Pointilliste XX x Cushinstown, by Irish Rock)
I’ve known a few nice Pointillistes in my time, and so this five-year-old, who’s already out eventing well over EI100 courses (that’s Training level, for you Yanks), gets a spot on my list. This year, I’d love to see him work through some gymnastic exercises to develop his jumping style, which has plenty of power and scope to play with but still looks a little bit green. I don’t mind green in a horse of this age, though – better that, to my mind, than one that’s had too much production. He’s been allowed to figure out his feet, which is great, and now, the refinement process can start. That’s a really fun point at which to take on a youngster, and this one will give someone a lot of fun.
Five-year-old ISH gelding (Vivant Van De Heffinck x Quarrycrest Malibu, by Beach Ball)
Far be it from me to pick out a horse based just on his name, but what a name it is. Powerful Austin (oh, god, just say it a few times out loud, just for fun) has plenty of other lovely things to his credit, though, too – he’s been competed up to 1.10m by a teenager, so he’s got a good head on his shoulders, and while he’s a workmanlike, rather than an extravagant one, he’s got plenty of jump to play with. He gives the impression of a really fun, sweet project for someone to take on that could go on to do all sorts of jobs – not least eventing, because he’s already begun his cross-country training. I think this is one you could really hit the ground running with, and in a couple of years time when he’s really grown into that leggy body of his, he’ll be a gem. Plus, I like that his mother is a sister to Piggy March’s late, great Quarrycrest Echo – it’s always worth looking to the damline to find talent waiting in the wings.
