Shop, Show, And Import: Rethinking The European Horse Buying Trip

Photo by Sara J. Holtz Photography

For many American riders, the idea of buying a horse in Europe is both exciting and full of possibility. The quality, depth, and variety of horses available overseas has long made Europe an important destination for riders, trainers, and buyers looking for their next partner. Traditionally, European horse shopping has taken several different forms. Some buyers travel overseas for focused buying trips, working with trusted professionals to sit on selected horses in person. Others successfully purchase through videos, records, referrals, and established relationships with reliable contacts abroad. Both approaches remain valuable parts of the import process, especially when guided by experienced professionals.

At the same time, every rider and every purchase is different. Some riders want an even more immersive opportunity before making such a significant decision. They want time not only to try a horse, but to train with that horse, understand its personality, and see how the partnership develops over multiple days.

Photo by Sara J. Holtz Photography

That is the idea behind the new **Shop, Show & Import** model through Transatlantic Equestrian Imports in partnership with Stonehall Sporthorses in Ireland.

The concept is simple, but the opportunity is rare: riders travel overseas to shop for potential import horses while also having the chance to train with and show those horses before making a purchasing decision. Instead of the experience ending after a trial ride, riders can spend several days getting to know a horse on the ground, in the saddle, in a training program, and ultimately in the show ring.

This model is not meant to replace the traditional European buying trip. Rather, it offers a new option for riders, parents, and trainers who want a deeper, more hands-on way to evaluate a potential import horse. The goal is to create a more informed match between horse and rider, giving both the best possible chance of long-term success once the horse comes home.

Training Before Showing

Each trip is designed around three days of training and horse familiarization, followed by three days of showing. Before the rider arrives, selected horses are brought into the training program so they can be prepared and evaluated. Once the rider is on-site, they begin working with the horses under the guidance of experienced coaches.

Those first three days are important. They are not simply lessons before a show. They are a chance to understand the horse’s rideability, personality, way of going, adjustability, confidence, and suitability for the rider’s goals.

Riders can feel how the horse warms up, how it reacts to mistakes, how it accepts the rider’s aids, and how the partnership starts to develop over multiple days. This is the kind of insight that is difficult to gain during a traditional buying trip.

Then, if the rider and trainers feel it is the right fit, riders have the opportunity to take the next step: showing that same horse in a real European competition setting. There is no pressure for every rider to compete.

For some, the most valuable experience may be continuing in a lesson and training format, allowing them to spend additional time getting to know the horse in a structured, supportive environment.

The Value of Showing Before Importing

Showing a horse before importing gives riders and trainers a much deeper understanding of the potential partnership. A horse can feel very different at home than it does in the ring. Some horses gain confidence at a show. Others become sharper, more careful, more sensitive, or more distracted. For a rider considering an international purchase, that information is extremely valuable.

This model gives riders the chance to experience the horse in a competitive environment before committing to bringing it across the world. They can see how the horse handles the warm-up, the atmosphere, the jumps, the schedule, and the natural pressure of a show day. It also allows riders and trainers to better understand the system in which the horse is already thriving, including its preparation, rideability, management, and training routine. That insight becomes incredibly valuable if the horse is imported, helping create a smoother transition and a stronger foundation for success at home.

For adult amateurs, junior riders, parents, and trainers, that additional context can make the decision-making process far more thoughtful. It is not about finding a “perfect” horse. It is about finding the right match with as much information as possible.

More Than a Show Lease

At first glance, some may think this sounds like a traditional horse show lease abroad. It is not.

The key difference is that the horses involved in this model are available for purchase. These are not simply horses selected to carry a rider through one show weekend. They are selected with long-term suitability in mind. The goal is to identify horses that may be a good match for the rider beyond the trip itself.

Horses have X-rays on file, and the selection process is handled with care and intention. Rider experience, goals, riding style, competition level, and home trainer input are all part of the matching process.

The horse show lease fee is variable depending on the caliber of horse, and if the rider purchases the horse they show, the lease fee is credited. A very limited number of show-only lease opportunities may be available, but priority is given to riders who are seriously exploring a purchase and import option.

Photo by PQuapics Photography

Ireland 2026

Ireland 2026 dates are now available, with a limited number of spaces offered to ensure a personalized and high-quality experience.

Trips are designed for riders currently showing and competing at a minimum of 90cm. Final jumping height and competition placement will be determined by the trainers to prioritize safety, confidence, and success for both horse and rider.

The Ireland program is offered in partnership with Stonehall Sporthorses, an international showjumping and training stable based in Ballina, County Mayo. Riders will receive coaching and support from American international showjumper Sonja Ochadlik.

Stonehall Sporthorses specializes in matching riders with the right horses. For this model, that expertise is essential. Matching a horse and rider in an international setting requires more than simply finding something talented. It requires understanding the rider’s goals, confidence level, experience, and the type of horse that will help them succeed once they return home.

Having worked with her in the United States and now seeing the program she has built in Ireland, I can personally speak to the value she brings. She understands both the American rider and the European horse market, which is exactly what this type of model requires.

Building a More Intentional Import Experience

I started Transatlantic Equestrian Imports after seeing an opportunity to make the import process more transparent, more thoughtful, and more rider-focused. I have been involved in the horse industry since I was four years old, and with my own European background, I have always had an appreciation for both the American and European sides of the sport.

The Shop, Show & Import model is not about making the process more rushed or more transactional. It is about slowing down the most important part: the match.

For riders, parents, and trainers considering Europe, this creates a new way to evaluate a potential import horse. It offers more time, more context, and the rare opportunity to experience a horse in the environment that often reveals the most: the show ring.

Of course, the show environment is not the right fit for every rider or every buying situation. For those who prefer a more traditional approach, Transatlantic Equestrian Imports also offers curated buying trips with guidance on the ground. In that setting, riders can view a carefully selected group of horses, spend dedicated one-on-one time with appropriate prospects, and arrange follow-up trials when needed. Whether through a traditional buying trip or the Shop, Show & Import model, the focus remains the same: creating an informed, thoughtful match between horse and rider.

For more information or to fill out an inquiry form for upcoming Ireland 2026 trips, visit:

transatlanticequestrianimports.lovable.app/

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Shannon Briggs

Shannon Briggs

Transatlantic Equestrian imports

With over 20 years of experience as an equestrian, Shannon knows the ins and outs of the equine industry. She is the CEO of Transatlantic Equestrian imports.

Instagram:

@transatlanticequestrian 

@stonehallsporthorses 

This article is from the July 2026 issue of Equine Business Magazine