1.30m Horses for Sale

1.30m horses for sale: Buying and selling 1.30m horses

The 1.30m horse sits in a very interesting sweet spot in the sport horse market: high enough to prove real scope and rideability, but not yet in the rarefied, ultra-expensive Grand Prix bracket. When you see a genuine, consistent 1.30m horse for sale, you’re usually looking at an athlete with enough quality to be competitive, but still accessible to a wide range of riders and budgets.

At 1.30m, we’re talking about a horse that has moved beyond “nice young horse” status. It should already understand related distances, combinations, water trays, and more technical lines. In show jumping, 1.30m is often the level where courses become more technical and riders must be accurate, but it’s still manageable for confident amateurs with a good trainer. In eventing, many 1.30m jumpers can cross over to upper-level show jumping phases or serve as solid show jumping specialists. These horses usually have clean, correct technique, enough blood to make the time, and a brain that can cope with the atmosphere.

The demand for 1.30m horses is consistently strong. They appeal to ambitious amateurs wanting to move up from 1.10–1.20m, professionals looking for resale prospects, and even top riders seeking reliable “second string” competition horses. Because 1.30m is a clear benchmark, it’s an easy level for buyers to search for online, and for sellers to market. But that clarity also means the market is picky: to justify 1.30m prices, a horse needs verifiable results, soundness, and a rideability that matches the buyer’s level and goals.

Buying a 1.30m horse - what you need to know

When you’re buying a 1.30m horse, you’re paying for proven performance and education. These horses are attractive because they’ve already done a chunk of the hard work: they’ve seen fillers, combinations, and busy warm-up rings. Many are ready to step into 1.20–1.30m classes with a new rider almost immediately. For a serious amateur, a well-schooled 1.30m horse can be the perfect partner to gain experience, while for a professional, a 1.30m horse with scope for more can be a smart investment.

Most people start their search on specialized online marketplaces, social media, and through trainers or established dealers. That’s sensible, but don’t underestimate the value of going to shows and watching the 1.25–1.35m classes with a buyer’s eye. Horses that quietly jump clear rounds week after week, even if they’re not winning, often make the best buys. When you go to view a 1.30m horse, look beyond the sales video. Ask to see it on the flat, over a simple course, and, if appropriate, over a line near competition height. A good 1.30m horse should feel rideable between the jumps, adjustable in the canter, and confident without being reckless.

Vetting is crucial at this level. A full pre-purchase exam with X‑rays is the norm, especially in Europe and North America. You’re investing a serious amount of money, so don’t skip it. Prices vary widely by region, age, record, and potential. As a rough guide, in Europe a genuine, amateur-friendly 1.30m horse with a consistent record will commonly range from €35,000–€80,000. A younger horse just stepping into 1.30m, with scope for 1.40m and beyond, can easily push into the €80,000–€120,000 bracket if it has top breeding and results. In the US and UK, similar horses often run from $60,000–$150,000, with imports and highly marketable types at the top end. If a price looks too good to be true, ask why: is it age, soundness history, temperament, or simply that the horse is tricky to ride?

Suitability is everything. A careful, slightly sensitive 1.30m horse might be perfect for a quiet, tactful rider but a disaster for someone who rides more aggressively. Be honest about your goals: do you want to win 1.30m classes, learn at the level, or eventually move to 1.40m and beyond? Discuss this openly with the seller and your trainer. Red flags include limited or inconsistent competition records, a big gap in show history without a clear explanation, heavy medication use, or a seller who resists vetting or tries to rush your decision.

Everything about selling 1.30m horses

When you’re selling a 1.30m horse, your likely buyers fall into a few clear categories: ambitious amateurs stepping up from 1.10–1.20m, professionals looking for resale or a second horse, and sometimes parents shopping for talented young riders. Each group values slightly different things. Amateurs and juniors usually prioritize safety, rideability, and a forgiving attitude over raw scope. Professionals often accept a bit more sharpness if the horse has real ability and resale potential.

To present your 1.30m horse well, think like a buyer. Have up-to-date competition results ready, ideally with links to official databases. Good, honest videos are essential: a flatwork video showing all three gaits and basic lateral work, and a jumping video with a simple course including an oxer, vertical-oxer line, and something close to 1.30m. If the horse has jumped bigger at home, you can show that, but don’t oversell; buyers want to see the level they’re actually shopping for. Have recent vet records organized, and be prepared to discuss any findings in a straightforward way. Transparency builds trust and often speeds up the sale.

In terms of where to sell, online marketplaces, social media, and established dealers are powerful tools, but shows remain one of the best places to put a 1.30m horse in front of serious buyers. Consistent, clean rounds in 1.25–1.35m classes are the best advertisement you can have. Auctions can work for certain types—especially well-bred, younger horses stepping into 1.30m—but they’re less ideal for sensitive or very amateur-oriented horses that need the right match.

Pricing a 1.30m horse correctly is both art and science. Age, soundness history, temperament, and record matter more than fancy breeding alone. A 10-year-old, amateur-friendly horse with a long list of clear 1.30m rounds will often sell faster, and sometimes for more, than a hotter 8-year-old that has touched 1.40m but is difficult to ride. Be realistic about the current market: in softer markets, well-priced, correctly advertised 1.30m horses still move, while over-priced ones just sit. The best time to list is usually a few weeks before the main competition season in your region, when buyers are actively looking to fill their string. Above all, be honest in your advertising. The right rider on the right 1.30m horse is a long-term ambassador for your program—and that reputation is worth more than squeezing out the last euro or dollar on a single sale.