1.20m Horses for Sale

1.20m horses for sale: Buying and selling 1.20m horses

The 1.20m horse sits in a sweet spot of the sport horse market: high enough to be a real performance horse, but still accessible for many ambitious amateurs. When you see “1.20m horse for sale” in an ad, you’re usually looking at a horse that has moved beyond schooling rounds and is proving itself in real competition or ready to do so very soon.

At 1.20m, a horse needs more than just scope. You’re looking at an athlete that understands related distances, combinations, and technical turns, and can handle a bit of pressure in the ring. These horses typically have established flatwork, changes that are at least reliable if not textbook, and the mental maturity to travel and cope with atmosphere. They’re popular for amateur jumpers, young riders stepping up from 1.10m, and professionals wanting a resale horse that’s already marketable but still has room to grow into 1.30m or higher.

The demand for 1.20m horses is consistently strong in Europe, the UK, and North America because this is where many riders spend most of their competitive years. It’s a key level in national circuits and a stepping stone to FEI classes. Horses advertised at 1.20m are often either proven 1.20–1.30m campaigners or talented 1.10m horses clearly on their way up. Understanding exactly where a horse sits on that spectrum is crucial for both buying and selling in this segment of the marketplace.

Buying a 1.20m horse - what you need to know

When you’re buying a 1.20m horse, you’re usually paying for three things: ring experience, rideability, and potential to go higher. This is why prices can vary so much. In Europe, you might find a green but talented 1.20m prospect starting around €20,000–€30,000. A straightforward, competitive 1.20m horse with recent results and a friendly character for an amateur will more commonly sit in the €40,000–€70,000 range. If the horse is winning consistently, easy to ride, and shows scope for 1.30m–1.40m, don’t be surprised to see €80,000 and up, especially from well-known programs. In the US and UK, similar horses can be 20–30% higher due to import and market factors.

Start your search by being brutally honest about your own riding. A careful, slightly sensitive horse that suits a quiet, experienced rider might be the wrong match for a rider moving up from 1.0m. Talk to your trainer, then look on reputable online platforms, dealer yards, and at shows. Watching a horse at a competition is invaluable: you see its warm-up, how it reacts to the ring, and how it jumps a real 1.20m track, not just a schooling line in an arena. Auctions can be tempting for 1.20m horses, especially in Europe, but you need a good eye and a clear budget; it’s easy to get swept up and buy something sharper or greener than you intended.

When you try a 1.20m horse, don’t just pop a few fences and call it a day. Feel the walk, trot, and canter. Check that you can adjust the stride, ride a simple related distance, and jump a small course with a double or combination. A horse that feels rideable at 1.10m with power left in the tank is more valuable than one that feels flat and maxed out at 1.20m. For vetting, insist on a thorough pre-purchase exam with x‑rays appropriate for a sport horse expected to jump multiple times a week. At this level, mild findings are normal; what matters is how they relate to the horse’s history, workload, and your goals. Be wary of horses with a big record at 1.30m+ suddenly being sold “as a 1.20m horse only” without a clear explanation.

Most of all, match the horse’s experience to yours. A genuine, slightly older 1.20m schoolmaster that has “seen it all” is ideal for a rider moving up. A younger, sharper, scopey 1.20m prospect is better for a professional or very confident amateur with strong support from a trainer. Buying a 1.20m horse is about finding a partner that lets you progress without scaring you—or itself—along the way.

Everything about selling 1.20m horses

When you’re selling a 1.20m horse, your main buyers are ambitious amateurs, junior or young riders stepping up, and professionals looking for a resale prospect. Each group values slightly different things. Amateurs usually prioritize rideability, good manners, and reliability at shows over pure scope. Professionals often look at pedigree, carefulness, and the feeling of untapped potential. Knowing which type of buyer your horse suits will guide your pricing, advertising, and where you list the horse for sale.

Before you advertise, make sure the horse is truly presenting as a 1.20m horse. That means current videos of full courses at height, ideally in a show environment or at least at home with proper measuring. Clean, straightforward footage is more convincing than overly edited highlight reels. Have your competition record organized: national results, training shows, and any FEI starts. Buyers at this level expect to see a clear history. It also helps to have recent vet records and shoeing details ready; many buyers will ask about maintenance like joint injections or special shoeing, and transparency builds trust.

Choose your selling platforms based on your target market. For international reach, reputable online sport horse marketplaces and social media, combined with your trainer’s network, can work very well. Horses with stronger records or top potential may be candidates for select auctions, but remember that auction buyers are often professionals and may be more critical. Pricing a 1.20m horse requires realism: a pleasant, amateur-friendly 1.20m horse with modest results might be fairly priced in the €30,000–€50,000 range, while a young, imported, scopey horse with 1.20m results and 1.30m schooling could justify €60,000–€90,000 or more, depending on the market. Overpricing can leave a horse sitting on the market, which eventually makes buyers suspicious.

Buyers of 1.20m horses look closely at soundness history, temperament, and consistency. Be honest about quirks: does the horse get strong in jump‑offs, look at water trays, or need a confident ride to the first fence? These details don’t necessarily reduce value if the horse is correctly matched to the right rider, and they save everyone wasted time and money. Well-written ads that clearly state age, height, breeding, current competition level, and ideal rider profile will attract serious buyers and reduce endless back-and-forth messages.

Timing your sale can also influence price. Demand for 1.20m competition horses usually peaks before and during the main outdoor seasons in Europe and North America, and again before winter circuits like Wellington, Thermal, or the Spanish/Portuguese tours. Listing your 1.20m horse for sale a few weeks before these circuits start, with fresh videos and recent results, often brings more inquiries and stronger offers. If you prepare well, present honestly, and price according to the current sport horse market, selling a 1.20m horse can be a smooth process that sets up both you and the new rider for success.