ZZ Level level Horses for Sale

ZZ Level horses for sale: Buying and selling ZZ Level horses

ZZ Level horses sit in that interesting middle ground between solid medium-level athletes and the true top sport Grand Prix horses. That’s exactly what makes them so sought after in the current market. A ZZ Level horse has moved far beyond basic training; it’s a horse that already understands real collection, lateral work, and the demands of higher-level tests, yet often still has room to grow in strength and refinement.

When we talk about ZZ Level, we’re usually referring to a horse confidently working around the equivalent of Medium/Advanced Medium level in dressage: clear half passes, flying changes, collected work, and the mental capacity to handle more complex exercises. In jumping terms, you’re often looking at a horse competing consistently around 1.30–1.35m with the balance, carefulness, and rideability to be competitive and safe at that height. These are the horses that give ambitious amateurs a real education and allow professionals to refine and develop future stars.

Because of this, demand for ZZ Level horses is strong. They’re attractive to serious amateurs who want to step up without starting from scratch, and to professionals who want a horse that is already educated enough to move up the levels efficiently. The market recognizes that; prices reflect not only the training and show record, but also rideability, soundness, and potential. If you’re thinking of buying or selling at this level, you’re operating in a part of the market where details, transparency, and realistic expectations really matter.

Buying a ZZ Level horse - what you need to know

When you’re buying a ZZ Level horse, you’re not just buying movement or scope; you’re buying education. A good ZZ Level horse can teach you the feel of correct collection, balanced changes, or a careful, adjustable canter to a fence. That’s why riders are willing to pay more for this level of training. As a very rough guide, in Europe you’ll often see ZZ Level horses advertised between €35,000 and €90,000, with truly special, young, or highly competitive types going beyond that. Age, soundness, show record, and how easy they are to ride have a huge influence on price.

Finding the right one usually starts online, but you shouldn’t stop at the advert. Use reputable platforms, known dealers, and trainers with a track record of placing ZZ Level horses. Auctions can be interesting, especially for well-produced horses, but you need a good eye and ideally a trusted trainer alongside you. When you go to view, don’t be shy about asking to see the horse ridden by its usual rider first, then try it yourself more than once if possible. At this level, you’re checking not just “Can it do the movements?” but “Can I realistically ride and maintain this training?”

Specific to ZZ Level horses, you should pay close attention to the quality and correctness of the work. Are the flying changes straight and relaxed, or tense and dramatic? Is the horse honestly in self-carriage, or held together by the rider? In jumping horses, look for consistency at height, adjustability between the fences, and whether the horse remains rideable when the track becomes more technical. A thorough pre-purchase vetting is non-negotiable here, including flexions and back evaluation, and ideally recent x-rays. These horses have already done some work, so small findings can be acceptable if they’re understood and managed, but you must know what you’re buying. A red flag is a seller who resists a full vet check, won’t share video from competitions, or can’t explain gaps in the show record. ZZ Level horses can suit strong, learning amateurs, but only if the character and rideability match the rider’s experience and support system.

Everything about selling ZZ Level horses

When you’re selling a ZZ Level horse, you’re usually dealing with serious riders: ambitious amateurs wanting to move up safely, professionals needing a reliable competition partner, or riders looking for a schoolmaster to guide them into higher levels. Each of these buyers values slightly different things, but they all want honesty, clarity, and proof of performance. Your job as a seller is to make it easy for them to see how your horse fits their goals.

Start by presenting your horse in a way that reflects its actual level. High-quality videos matter: show the complete ZZ Level work in a clear, simple way, not just the flashy moments. For dressage horses, include full tests and training footage; for jumpers, show courses at the advertised height, with a few related distances or combinations. Competition records, FEI or national results, and recent vet records are crucial at this level; buyers expect to see them. Clean, well-lit photos, a truthful description of temperament, and clear information about age, height, breeding, and training history all build trust. Use reputable online marketplaces, your trainer’s network, and showgrounds as your primary “shop window.” Well-timed advertising around the start of a new season, or right after good results, tends to bring stronger interest and better offers.

Pricing a ZZ Level horse is where many sellers struggle. Be realistic about the horse’s strengths and weaknesses. A 10–11-year-old, straightforward, competitive ZZ Level horse with a consistent record will often be in the €50,000–€80,000 range in many European markets, sometimes more if it’s very easy to ride or has international results. Younger horses newly at ZZ Level with clear potential to move higher can command higher prices, but only if their soundness, character, and rideability support that story. Buyers at this level look closely at rideability, soundness history, and genuine results, not just schooling videos. Overstating the horse’s level or hiding small issues almost always backfires when the vetting or trial ride reveals the truth. The more open you are, the more serious buyers you attract, and the smoother the selling process becomes for everyone involved.