I'm pretty sure we're looking for 15hh. Gd is 5'3 and very long legged. At 12, I think she's at the start of a growth spurt. Her current pony is 13.3hh so I think she wouldn't get long from a 14.2. It's difficult because I thought she was a bit young for competing on a horse, but she's gutsy so will probably cope, and she doesn't have unrealistic expectations of ribbons!
If I could find a nice 14.2 on loan I'd probably go for it, but I think she's ready for the transition to a horse. Funny really, as I expected to be looking for a 14.2 Connemara.
In terms of budget, I'm hoping not to go much over £3,500.
Age wise, around 10 I think would be perfect, and an allrounder, although show jumping and WH classes are GD's favorite things. It must be well behaved out hacking as we do a lot of that as a family, and we do meet tractors and the like so not too jumpy.
Ideally I'd like a gelding, as we've got two mares, but I'm open minded to the right (non mareish) mare.
She tried a nice horse last night (15.1 thoroughbred gelding
) Not at all what I had in mind, but she did really well, and the dealer offered us a trial peiod, to include camp so we are considering it, (I may be mad, don't hesitate to tell me so!) but still looking as I'd like her to try different styles.
You make a good point Butkin, it won't be the end of the world if we don't find the right horse before the September glut as weight wise she's ok on Ben and could carry on on him till then.
If anyone in the East Midlands (we're Leicestershire) hears of anything I'd be grateful!