1.40m level Horses for Sale

1.40m horses for sale: Buying and selling 1.40m horses

The 1.40m horse sits in a very particular sweet spot in the show jumping market: experienced enough to be proven, but often still versatile enough to suit a range of riders. When you see “1.40m horse for sale” in an ad, you’re usually looking at an athlete that has gone beyond the novice and mid-level ranks and is flirting with serious sport, whether that’s national Grand Prix, ranking classes, or a strong amateur tour.

Jumping 1.40m consistently isn’t just about height. It means the horse has met related distances, combinations, Liverpool fences, and technical lines under pressure. These horses typically have a solid education on the flat, reliable lead changes, and a mindset that can handle bigger venues, atmosphere, and tighter time allowed. They are the backbone of the national and international 2* circuits, perfect for ambitious amateurs, young professionals stepping up, or riders aiming for a competitive string without necessarily chasing 5* championships.

Because of that, demand for 1.40m horses is strong and relatively resilient, even when the broader horse market softens. They’re attractive to buyers who want a partner that is already produced but still has room to grow into 1.45m–1.50m, and they’re valuable to sellers because a genuinely proven 1.40m record is a strong selling point. Training and competing at this level requires careful management: fitness, soundness, and a thoughtful competition schedule matter enormously, and that reality is reflected in both prices and expectations when buying or selling a horse at 1.40m.

Buying a 1.40m horse - what you need to know

When you’re buying a 1.40m horse, you’re often paying for education and predictability. A horse with a consistent 1.40m record usually knows its job: it understands the questions in the ring, has been to a variety of shows, and can give you a clearer idea of what to expect than a green 1.20m prospect. For many riders, this means you can focus more on your own riding and results, and less on basic schooling. That’s a big part of why 1.40m horses for sale tend to command higher, more stable prices.

Finding the right one is a mix of networking and smart use of online tools. Serious buyers usually combine online marketplaces, social media, and competition live streams with direct contacts: trainers, dealers, and professional riders who regularly produce and trade 1.40m horses. Viewing them at shows is ideal; you see how they warm up, cope with atmosphere, and jump a real 1.35m–1.40m track. Trials at home should include both flatwork and jumping, but at this level you don’t need (and shouldn’t try) to replicate a full Grand Prix in a trial. You’re checking rideability, scope feel, balance, and how honest the horse is to the jumps.

Vetting becomes even more crucial with 1.40m horses. These horses have mileage, and some wear and tear is normal. A thorough pre-purchase exam with x‑rays (and often ultrasound of key areas) is standard. The key is not “perfect” but “manageable and appropriate for the intended job.” Discuss findings with both your vet and your trainer in the context of your goals: a minor, stable finding might be acceptable for an amateur doing a few 1.40m starts a year, but not for a professional aiming at an intense FEI schedule.

Price-wise, in Europe and North America, you can expect a genuine, sound, competitive 1.40m horse to start around €60,000–€80,000 for something older, perhaps 11–14, or slightly quirky. A straightforward, competitive, modern-type 1.40m horse with scope to move up often sits in the €100,000–€180,000 range. Horses with strong records, top pedigrees, and clear 1.50m+ potential can easily push beyond €200,000. Factors like age, temperament, rideability for amateurs, FEI results, and vetting results all move the price up or down. Be wary of horses advertised as “1.40m” when they’ve only jumped one or two soft classes or national warm‑up tours; always check competition records and videos. For rider suitability, a true 1.40m horse can be a safe upgrade for a confident amateur competing 1.30m, but if you’re still solidifying your basics at 1.20m, you may be better off with a schoolmaster type, even if it’s a bit older, rather than a sharp, careful, ultra-modern athlete.

Everything about selling 1.40m horses

On the selling side, 1.40m horses attract a wide range of buyers: ambitious amateurs wanting to step into ranking classes, professionals looking for a resale project with scope, young riders aiming at Nations Cups, and sometimes even top stables searching for a second string horse for their students. Each group cares about slightly different things, but all want clarity: clear competition records, recent videos, and honest information about soundness and rideability.

Preparing a 1.40m horse for sale means presenting it like the athlete it is. Up-to-date competition videos over proper 1.35m–1.40m tracks are essential. Buyers want to see consistent rhythm, carefulness, and attitude between the jumps, not just the big efforts. A recent set of x‑rays, a written vet report, and an organized file of FEI or national results make the buying decision easier and often speed up negotiations. Good flatwork videos showing changes, lateral work, and general rideability are increasingly important, especially for international buyers who might purchase based on limited in-person trials.

In terms of where to sell, combining online marketplaces and social media with your professional network is usually most effective. Serious buyers still rely heavily on trainers and dealers they trust to recommend suitable 1.40m horses. Auctions—both live and online—can work if the horse has a standout pedigree, looks, or results, but they also expose you to market fluctuation. Pricing strategy should reflect the current market: in strong periods, a well-bred, careful 1.40m horse with scope to 1.50m can justify ambitious pricing; in slower markets, being realistic and leaving room for negotiation will help the horse move. Time of year matters too: late winter and early spring, when riders are planning their season, are usually the best months to list 1.40m horses for sale, while mid-winter and late autumn can be slower.

Buyers at this level look closely at consistency, rideability, and suitability. They want to know if the horse is brave with water trays, how it behaves in busy warm‑up rings, whether it needs a professional ride or can forgive the occasional amateur mistake. In your marketing, be as specific as possible: “safe and forgiving up to 1.35m, but sharper ride at 1.40m” is much more helpful than vague superlatives. Honest descriptions, clear documentation, and realistic pricing are what move 1.40m horses in today’s marketplace and help both you and the horse land in the right next chapter.