Inside the Prīmī Scouting Process – Part II

First Contact & Red Flags

Last Week, we spoke about a scouting week that wasn’t a success — and why saying no is a fundamental part of our work at Prīmī.

This Week, we go even further back in the process.

Because the reality is simple:

Most horses are eliminated before we ever sit on them.

This part of scouting is rarely visible, yet it is one of the most important stages in protecting our clients and maintaining the standards of a Prīmī collection.

Step One: Is the Horse Even for Sale?

It may sound obvious, but you would be surprised how often promising horses are simply not available. Many are only lightly marketed, casually offered, or not realistically accessible.

Scouting often stops right there.

Step Two: Price vs. Market Reality

The next filter is price.

With experience in the European sport horse market, we have a clear understanding of what a horse should represent in value within our specific segments:

• Amateur jumpers
• Young jumper prospects
• Hunter prospects
• Equitation horses

Before ever booking a trial, we analyze the job the horse appears suited for and what we believe it is realistically worth — either for Prīmī or for a specific client.

When the asking price and market value are too far apart, we usually stop there.

And when something feels “too good to be true,” it often is.

True investment opportunities exist, but today’s breeders and sellers are far more educated about the value of their horses than they were a decade ago. The storyline behind the price matters. when horses have undeniable quality, they do not make the cut.

Digging Deeper: Results, Videos & Background

Trust & Due Diligence

The European horse world is large — but still small enough to allow proper due diligence.

If we do not know the seller directly, we consult our network. Reputation, consistency, and professionalism matter.

We also review many sets of x-rays with our main veterinarian, Dr. Buntinx, whose experience helps us evaluate what is acceptable and realistic for a specific market and rider profile.

This stage is about understanding potential, risk, and long-term suitability before emotion enters the equation.

Before the Trial Even Happens

All of this happens before we ever sit on the horse.

Before travel is booked. Before a trial is scheduled. Before a vetting is considered.

We go through hundreds of horses — online and live — to find exactly what we are searching for.

It can be discouraging at times. Promising prospects often do not turn out to be what they initially seemed.

But this discipline is precisely what protects our clients.

Why This Matters

At Prīmī, our work is not rewarded by volume.

It is rewarded when the few horses that pass every layer of scrutiny truly fit their future rider.

The scouting process is long, detailed, and sometimes repetitive — but it ensures that nothing in a Prīmī lineup is accidental.

This Week is not about trials or riding impressions.

It is about standards, research, and responsibility.

Because most horses are eliminated before we ever sit on them.

And that is exactly how it should be.

See full video here: https://www.instagram.com/p/DUn_IJEDS53/

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