How a Rider’s Leap of Faith Sparked EquiConnections
A few months ago, when a U.S. dressage rider reached out about a Grand Prix-ready Lusitano for sale in Spain, I knew right away the horse had potential, but the distance between them wasn’t just geographic. Buying horses in Europe sight unseen is a leap of faith. I know, I’ve done it! Thus, I knew she shouldn’t take that leap alone.
The horse? A stunning black Lusitano for sale in Spain, around 16 hands, with that rare trifecta of elegance, rideability, and presence. He was schooling all the Grand Prix movements. Piaffe? Check! Passage? Check! Fifteen one tempis! Check! And all with ease. Light in the hand, uphill, and kind-eyed, he looked the part in photos and videos. But we all know, that’s only part of the story.
She hesitated, of course, because videos can’t tell you everything. What was he like in the barn? Around people? Was he ok around dogs? Was he truly that rideable, or just brilliant under perfect conditions? And “brilliant under perfect conditions”? That’s a whole other topic, misrepresentation via video is real. This is why every EquiConnections listing is approved by a real person, with care given to both the horse and the seller behind it.
Her budget couldn’t stretch for a trip to Spain, so I packed up, drove to Pamplona, and rode him for her. Somewhere between the toll booths and the stable yard, I had a flicker of doubt but also a flash of resolve: this industry needed something better. And the horses? They deserved nothing less.
That tiny spark was the beginning of a bigger fire. That spark kindled a bigger question: how do we make horse sales more accountable, more rider-forward, more horse-welfare-first? That internal monologue, half-hatched at the time, was the spark that would eventually form into, well, where you are right now... EquiConnections 2025.
The idea wasn’t just my opinion of him but rather to feel what she might feel in the saddle knowing her fitness level. I wanted to check his reactions, his softness, and that all-important intangible: his vibe. I recorded short clips so I could send them immediately after the ride. It was the middle of the night stateside but she and her trainer were up, watching, responding, asking questions. My goal was to bring the experience to her in real time, as close as possible to being there in person.
And honestly? He truly was a dream to ride. Everything Sergio, the breeder, had shared was spot on, and more. Under the guidance of his trainer, Roberto, the horse was responsive and forward, yet completely grounded. Bombproof was a big part of her dream horse checklist, and this boy ticked every box. It was clear he’d been brought along with patience and skill, and their care made all the difference.
The remote horse vetting was scheduled, and I filmed all of that too; flexions, trot-outs, palpations, x-rays. Huge props to Javier the amazing veterinarian! What a gem of a medical professional! Afterward, we jumped on a video call to review any last questions, extra scans, or clarifications. Her instincts had been spot on. He was solid in every way, and with an after-import price to the U.S. of under €50,000, he wasn’t just the horse of a lifetime, he was the deal of a lifetime. Comparable Grand Prix prospects in the U.S. were listed at nearly double—some even triple—that price, and often without the same temperament, rideability, or transparency in the process.
Of course, international buying always has its curveballs. But over the next few days, I helped coordinate the final logistics with the seller and the vet. What could’ve been a stressful, uncertain process turned into a smooth, confident decision.
And here’s the part that gave me actual chills.
He was headed for CEM in Oregon, to Penny’s farm, the very same farm where I filmed one of the first-ever episodes of HorseGirlTV, all about CEM quarantine and how it works. The full-circle moment wasn’t lost on me: a horse I met in Spain, traveling across the world to a place I’d once spotlighted in a video podcast series designed to make international horse buying less intimidating. CEM’s a whole topic of its own (and yep, it’s worth another article). But if you’re curious now, I’ll drop the link to that HorseGirlTV episode right [here].
From there, he was on to his forever home. A journey that began with trust—and ended with one very happy dressage rider.
This story isn’t just about a dream horse. On so many levels, this experience wouldn’t have been possible without Geoff — a longtime friend. We trained together at Anky’s, hosted clinics at my stable in North Carolina, and logged countless hours driving through the Netherlands looking at sales horses. Years ago, he even helped me find my own horse of a lifetime, sight unseen, based only on a video clip. That shared history shaped how we approached EquiConnections together — building it around the values we believe in most: trust, transparency, and putting the horse first.
EquiConnections isn’t just a place to scroll listings. It’s a bridge. A handshake. A better way forward.
If you’re serious about finding your next partner — and tired of the games, the gatekeeping, the guessing — we’re here to help.
