So, do you think the horse industry and horse sales business is improving? GoHorseShow.com talked to Ruth Ellen of The Horse Source about the current state of the horse business. With over 25 years of experience in this industry, Ruth Ellen strives to provide exceptional horses to discriminating buyers worldwide and has her finger on the pulse of the industry.
Surprising to many, Ellen says that she has seen a turn around in horse sales during the past six months. According to Ellen, the 2010 Congress was incredibly good regarding sales. Even following the Congress, the market seems to be improving.
“There appears to be many people looking for horses right now,” Ruth told GoHorseShow.com. “There are a lot of individuals who have $25,000 to spend on a horse. It appears many people with that budget have some job security, have saved their money, and have allocated a particular amount to buy horses. Despite the slow recovery of the economy and rising gas prices, people seem willing to spend money on saddles, clothes, and the expenses related to attending horse shows.”
Ellen states that there is a steady flow of people wanting to buy horses. “I don’t think it will ever be like five or six years ago when horses were selling like hot cakes. Since then, the real estate market crashed which then led to every one wanting to sell their horses and not many were buying.”
Ruth explains that the most popular request from horse buyers is the western all-around horse that can be competitive at the World and Congress. She says it is hard to find a horse in the $25,000 range that can fulfill this role, but people who are buying horses in this price range are very important to our industry. She feels that AQHA is trying to develop a Leveling Program is a huge step in the right direction to increase participation.
“The fact that we will be able to market limited, intermediate and advanced horses in the same divisions will be a huge plus to all horse sales. Older horses now won’t have to go straight from pointing out of the green to competing with the Senior horses.”
Ellen adds, “More people going to shows benefits everyone; the trainers, the exhibitors, farriers, horse show management,” Ellen explains. “It is so expensive to show these days. I think people are choosing the shows with the best reputations. Those shows draw entries and will give them the most bang for their buck.”
An AQHA judge from Frisco, Texas, she told GoHorseShow.com that she takes a very personal approach to her business and that the internet has completely revolutionized the buying and selling of horses. Her website, designed by Market Street Marketing, has links to Congress and World Show winners for sale.
“I respond to every inquiry either through email or phone. It is very time consuming and there are many curiosity seekers, but YouTube is an amazing tool that I use to showcase some of the horses I have for sale.”
Ellen has been involved with selling such top horses as, Don’t Skip Ms. Hotrod, The Only Escape, Lucca Brasi, My Ace is Hot, What A Sheik Lady, We Be Blazin and many others. Please visit her website and Facebook page for more information about buying or selling a horse.
You can also call her at 972-839-3600 or email her at [email protected] for more information.
