Getting to the top in Hunter/Jumper(:

Soo I want to be a professional hunter/jumper rider... where should I start? I don't really have to worry about money, I have a ton saved up. I have 2 horses and they have really helped me, but i'm looking for a younger horse to get me to the top. I'm switching to A rated next spring and will be trying to show at least once a month, hopefully more. What shows should I go to once i'm doing good at A shows? The biggest show by me is in Iowa and it's AA and theres one in the cities that has Grand Prix and it's A rated. Should I show in Jumpers, Hunters, and Eq.?

Thank you(:

Do you have a coach/mentor? If so, what level are they willing to teach? Are they willing to put the time into training you and reaching your goals?

Do you like Hunters or Jumpers more?

Try and shoot for Spruce Meadows, Thunderbird Show park, like you said Iowa, California... Maybe go abroad and take a position as a exercise rider for a big stable?

Yepp, I have a trainer. I'll have to tell her my goals and she will work with me to get to them. Jumpers, definitely! (:

Bumpinggg...

Do you want to be a professional or do you want to be at the top? Because those are actually two different goals. To be at the top you need to work with one of the top trainers, one who travels. And you'd probably be traveling more then once a month: spending winters showing at WEF in fl, the HITS circuit, qualifying for indoors, Devon, etc. all the top shows. It's practically every weekend. Most of the top jumper riders have multiple horses. I'd get one that is experienced and can show you the ropes. Be prepared to spend a lot of money. A LOT. A big name trainer once said, "I feel sorry for the millionaires. They just can't keep up with the billionaires." And he was talking about the jrs who are showing at the top. Yikes. It's not unrealistic to spend $10 a wk at some of these shows. The top horses are 6-7 digits. It's more then most people can just "save up" for.

If you just want to be a pro? I'd still say get a nice horse that will take you far. Get a good trainer that will teach you how to ride and show. (Yes they are different) work your butt off. Ride as many horses as you can. Build your resume. And get as many contacts as you can. Go to college. Keep riding. Work your butt off some more.
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I guess I just want to get to the top, like olympics...

Here are a few horses I found...
Fast Clean Proven Jumper
Beautiful Filly by Grand Prix Jumper Jadalco
Athletic and Cute Back Beauty <--- Really like her!
Dressage/jumper Prospect
Flashy Talented Pony Ready to Take You Up the Levels!
Beautiful TB FOR Lease
Tainted Love - Welsh Cross - Jumper Horse for Sale

I guess I should have started off asking where you are in your riding now. Getting to "the top" however you define that, is just reaching all your smaller goals until you find your self there. Are you showing at 2"3 at schooling shows? Then your goal would be to be competitive at 3" at rated shows. Then 3"6. Then higher, start traveling further to the bigger shows. Qualify for indoors. Try to qualify for Young Ruders if you're young enough .Win at the bigger rated shows. Think about the smaller grand prix. Then the bigger ones. Qualify for some nations cup teams, World Cup qualifiers. Etc etc.

I don't know where you are in your riding but I would not buy a baby. It takes so long and so much money to get a horse to the top, and there's no telling if he'll even have what it takes. If you're in the process of learning I'd get something experienced.
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I'm showing 3'3 at schooling shows and 3'-3'3 at B rated. (:
Yeah, I was plannin on trying to qualify for YR.

Also, my trainer said I was ready to show 3'6-3'9 next year.