The Horse Market Is Insane Right Now. This Eventing Couple Is Breaking The Mold.

Last year, eventers Zach Brandt and Audrie Stanka sold more than 40 horses from their Ocala, Fla., farm.

The year before that, they sold nearly 30.

This year, the market for horses has exploded. Despite the great demand for show-quality mounts, Zach and Audrie have refined their horse sales business and carved out a new niche.

“The market is so crazy right now,” said Audrie, 22, who is one-half of the Zachary Brandt Eventing team. “It’s predominantly horses brought over to be sold for aspiring young riders and professionals, really limiting what’s out there for adult amateur and junior riders.”

Zach and Audrie, together with their partner Crissa Gillette, saw an opportunity to fill that void. Crissa, an amateur rider from Sarasota, Fla., and client of Audrie’s, began sourcing Irish-bred [EPA] sport horses from across the pond. She worked with Zach and Audrie over the last year to develop a pipeline of fancy, amateur-friendly horses and to build a reputation for matching horses with the right home.

“The pandemic really shifted the horse market,” said Zach, 29, who grew up riding in California and moved East to begin his professional eventing career. “It’s hard to find a quality horse that moves and jumps well enough to be competitive in a professional division, but is safe enough to go around Beginner Novice, and give their inexperienced rider a ribbon and fun experience.”

Zach is no newbie to the horse sales business. He and Audrie have sold plenty over the years, usually horses that were not a good match for their rider and therefore, required additional training and were listed to find a new home. They’ve learned from this experience, and have shifted their business model over time.

“We’d get horses from people who were not meant for the horse they bought,” Zach described.

Over time, they developed a keen eye for matching riders to horses. Now, the goal is to bring in nice horses that could really be a decent fit for anyone. They want to sell horses that can take an imperfect distance, will always load in the trailer, and be easy to handle at a new place.

“When the horses come over, we really take our time to get to know them and let them settle in,” Audrie said. “And we are selective about who comes to see them. The goal isn’t to sell them as fast as we can, but to find them the perfect home. Usually, we sell the horse to the second or third person who comes out to see them.”

It requires a lot of communication with the potential buyer on the front end, Audrie said.

So far, the team has imported 10 EPA sport horses, some for Crissa and her family to personally enjoy, and some to go on the market. Each EPA horse that has been offered for sale has sold in a matter of weeks.

“We don’t want to be a dealer,” Zach explained. “We want the experience to be more personal.”

Are you in the market for a new horse? Zach and Audrie have these tips to share with prospective buyers:

Don’t Come Alone

Even if you don’t have a trainer, it’s important to have an unbiased, educated person in your corner when assessing a new horse and negotiating a potential sale, Zach said. “You want to have someone there who knows you and has your best interests in mind,” he said.

Don’t Pass on the PPE

“It shouldn’t need to be said,” said Zach about always having a veterinarian assess a horse before buying. He said he’s always surprised by those who are willing to forgo this part of the buying process. “Even on an inexpensive horse, it’s worth knowing what you’re working with.”

Have an Open Mind

The most heartbreaking part of selling horses is finding a perfect match, and then the rider passes because of one small imperfection. “Don’t walk away from one small thing that might require minimal maintenance down the road. Be reasonable,” Zach said. A horse that’s suitable for low-level work with an amateur doesn’t need to pass a vet check with flying colors as if it’s headed to the Kentucky Three-Day Event.

Ride with Intention

When it comes time to try a horse, ride it with a plan in mind. Don’t just gallop it mindlessly around, Zach said. “Ride it like it’s yours,” he explained. “If it’s not the right horse, there’s no need to continue jumping it.”

Photos courtesy of Zachary Brandt Eventing