what sort of horse should I be looking for?

I currently own a lovely Irish hunter (see avatar) who is 12 and was very experienced when I purchased him - a safe but fun first horse. However, I'm heading home from Ireland and will want to buy another horse within the year. I am leaning towards eventing so that I can keep jumping and riding XC though my dressage experience is limited to a few lessons of very basics.... VERY basics considering I don't know the layout of the letters and my horse is used 99% for hunting/XC. I have a solid seat over jumps/hedges/ditches/drops yet my technique needs polishing....a consequence of the "sit to survive" style of riding XC to which I've grown accostome.

That said, what age range should I be looking at? I worry if I go too green both me and my horse will become frustrated with each other. Him with me for giving him inconsistent cues and me with him for not responding the way I want him to...because he doesn't yet know how to.
Or...maybe it would be a brilliant, wonderful bonding experience that will bring a great sense of accomplishment over the years as we grow together.

Seriously, if I suggest to DH that we're looking at 5 figures for a horse he might not recover from the shock. But I don't think an older horse that may cost less money would be the right choice for me either.

Any advice?

Yikes - I just realized this is very similar to another of my threads. So lazy of me to not check my history! Ah, and my memory is failing me!

I would go with a horse who has experience in the sport, when I got my boy, he was competing at Training and Prelim. I loved the fact that he was a "been there done that" horse, so I didn't have to worry too much about him, when instead I was able to focus on me.

I would look for a horse that has the miles/experience/knowledge, where you can feel confident, comfortable and grow.

I love riding my experienced mount, because I can relax and enjoy the atmosphere and take everything in, without worrying about greenie behaviors.

As someone new to eventing with a green horse.... go with a more schooled horse. Not that I don't enjoy every aspect of my beast, but it would be nice if I didn't have to learn something first and then teach my horse. If nothing else, get a horse with a strong dressage background. If you're confident in jumping, you may be able to bring a long a horse that is well started on the flat but needs some guidance over fences.

My background was hunters and though we rock the jumping/xc phases, we both suck at dressage, because I am weak and inconsistent there.