16hh 9 year old bay warmblood gelding

Overview

16h rising 9yr KWPN gelding by Carrera vdl x Rasminka (Topas).

A lovely lad with a great character, he did BYEH (10th) and jumped up to Disco as a 4/5yr old but his heart isn’t in it for big tracks. I think he must’ve had a confidence knock looking at his record and was sold to the current owner, who has shown him a bit more of the world the last few years, however he does need someone that goes ‘come on, we’re doing this’ rather than ‘shall we do this?’ but in a kind, sympathetic manner. He had got a bit stuffy in the school however with some fun varied questions within his work he’s starting to sharpen up and work well, but doesn’t want to be schooling day in day out else I think he’d shut down a bit. Pretty straightforward ride on the flat just needs keeping engaged and motivated!
He’ll have the odd small buck when schooling, he means nothing by them, just seeing whether you’ll give in and let him put less effort in!

He enjoys jumping and polework, this is when his face lights up, we’ve popped him up to about 1.05 at home but he’d probably be happiest and confident round a set of up to about 95 at the moment, he may step back up when he trusts someone but he hasn’t jumped much more than about 70 for the last few years so needs a bit of tidying up again.
He has been in an amateur home the last few years and has been very kind in taking a miss and helping out.

He hacks well in company, good in traffic. Will gawp at the odd thing like the cows in the barn up the road but just has a snort.
The owner didn’t get on with him hacking alone, said he could be really quite daft and nappy so only tried a couple of times, however we have taken him out alone with me on foot (way behind, I’m fat and can’t keep up 😂) and he’s been very good, but perhaps needs someone quite confident incase he hesitates, to tell him it’s all fine.

He is nice to handle and have around. He had become quite attached to the pony that he lived with (and came to sell at the same time) and this may have contributed towards the napping out hacking also, however hasn’t been fussed about being separated from him here but it’s a bigger yard with my others coming and going so he hasn’t had a chance to get clingy. He might have a shout and get fidgety in the stable when the others go out but it doesn’t last long, but he will definitely benefit from somewhere with individual turnout and enough going on to keep him occupied rather than just one or 2 others he can get attached to as I think that had been the problem at home. They turned out together, stabled near to each other, were ridden together etc.
He has not been clingy or nappy under saddle with us at all and will go off and work with no issue.
Doesn’t need riding every day to stay sane and fine after a day in or day off.

He’s good to shoe, bath, catch, lead.
Doesn’t like the clippers so either needs work with them, or sedating.
He took a bit of time to load coming to me but apparently he’s usually good so might’ve just been a new lorry etc.

The owner had taken him out to some arena hire, lessons, rides. I think he will enjoy competing again with the right person and no pressure, more of a hobby than a job but he needs keeping sweet with plenty of variety and someone confident that will laugh at him if he’s a bit of a prat rather than worrying. I’d envisioned him being in a home either with a good teen (he doesn’t want to be babysitting someone that’s still quite novicey as I think he’d fall into bad habits) or a rider that’s been there, done it, wants something that’ll be quite rewarding but they’re not that competitive now, and will enjoy looking the part round smaller tracks. He doesn’t want hammering by someone who’s only aim is winning.
Saying this he’s not sharp or spooky, if anything a bit lazy and in need of someone that will motivate him in a nice way.

I’ve probably made him out to sound much worse than he is, and he’s not put a toe out of line with us beyond ‘just being a horse’ ie the shouting to his mate, but the owner and I would like to make sure he’s finding the right type of home, that reads this and goes ‘eh that’s nothing to worry about’.
If you’re interested, a phone call would be appreciated for a proper chat.