NEWS FLASH!
Three of the horses we have sold were shortlisted for the Athens Olympics.  Two for the USA team and one for the Canadian team.

This horse made the Canadian Olympic team to travel to Athens.

Gustav Quast, New York :

"So why on earth did I get a horse from New Zealand? Because Ross said it was well worth it!
"I first met Ross in October of 1999. Training and competing in horse trials with Ross was a lot of fun and very exciting. The professional and very qualified training resulted in excellent competition results so that I was confident enough to move my -- still young -- horse through the levels very quickly.
"The fun, excitement and pleasure of being around horses triggered the idea of getting a second horse. When the video came in all of the horses on it would have been suitable ... I picked 'Waikura', a 16.1hh eight-year-old Hanoverian-cross.
"About two weeks after I had made my decision Waikura arrived at my doorstep. He has an excellent mind, is well schooled, fully muscled and jumps 'to the moon'.
"I had hoped Ross would find the right horse for me, now I am happy to find proof of it every day in the barn!"

Dani Cedars, Colorado, USA
I first found out about NZ Horses by searching the web and e-mailing them. They called as soon as they received my e-mail to find out what type of horse I was looking for and a price range to work with. Immediately, I was sent a professional quality video that contained 5 very good potential horses for me. I was very interested in one in particular and they offered to send another video of any footage I requested. Days later I received the second video. They always followed up with me, by phone, to verify that the video arrived, as well as answer any questions that I may have had. Once I decided to travel to New Zealand, they took care of all of my travel arrangements, and gave me a place to stay. They were fabulous hosts, and even showed me a little bit of the New Zealand life. I was so impressed with their knowledge of horses and their amazing eye to see talent in young horses. I was taken to ride on the beach, cross-country course, and in the pasture until I was confident that this was the horse for me. They gave me every opportunity to figure out this new horse and they didn't push me any direction to make a quick decision. They are very professional in their business, yet they are the most wonderful "horse" people I have had the chance to work with. Now, I have a very talented New Zealand horse that may someday make it to the Olympics with me.
 

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Excert from 'Chronicle of the Horse" April 25th 2003
Sarah Heffron - Kirby

Heffron, an American studies and education double major found the 16.2h black gelding through agent Ross Smith, who she located on the internet when she was planning a vacation Down Under. Smith told her he had the perfect horse. But Heffron was skeptical until she got to Australia and saw him. He had such a soft eye, he was gorgeous, she said. When he get out on cross-country Heffron said, he never takes a wrong step. He doesn't need any help. He's very scopey and very big. And he's got a great mind - he's so sane. Even when he's not going great, he's still going well.

Sarah Heffron, New York

Last summer I contacted Ross about going to Australia to look at horses. From our very first conversation Ross was certain of which horse I would fall in love with. Having never met him I wasn't quite so sure he would be able to find me the perfect horse after just a few short talks. After going to Australia I realize that my trip halfway across the world though incredibly fun, wasn't necessary; Ross had known from our first interaction exactly what the right horse was for me. Kirby has been exactly what Ross had told me in the very beginning. In fact he has been so much more. Things could't have worked out better for Kirby and me. I love him more than I can tell you. I suppose the only way for you to know how much I love him and how perfect our partnership is would be to have Ross find you your own Kirby.

ADRIENNE CLASSEN, Hilda Hick, CALIFORNIA

I am an adult amateur who has competed at the CCI*level. I first contacted Ross in the fall as I knew two friends who had bought nice hroses through them. I was looking for a talented young prospect, and I bought a 5 year old (Reggie, showing as Rafferty's Rules) off a video tape. At the time, I thought I was crazy to buy a horse off video, but I did not have time to fly out to look. Fortunately, I have not been disappointed. Reggie has been everything that Ross said he was. He is a beautiful mover, is brave, and has a careful, scopey jump. Equally important, he has a wonderful brain and is a joy to be around. I look forward to riding him every day. He has excellent ground manners (as Ross told me, the only bad habit he has is pulling his covers into his stall). I have had several offers for him already, but he is NOT FOR SALE. He is a fabulous boy. I would definitely buy from Ross again. I look forward to taking Reggie up through the levels.

LAINEY ASHKER, VIRGINIA

Hello, my name is Laine Ashker. I have competed at the three star level and I am a young rider. I must admit I was a bit hesitant at first buying a horse overseas only having seen him through pictures. But I took the risk, and indeed, it was the best risk I have ever taken. After buying Frodo Baggins from Ross in September, I spent the rest of the year hacking and adapting to my new partner. Starting in January, I took Frodo to his first event, at the Training level. Following this event, once again he moved up to Prelim where he had four consecutive clean cross countries and then we ended with the Virginia CCI* which we successfully completed with a clean and almost fast endurance phase. I cannot emphasize the quality of the horse I am sitting on. Also, I cannot thank Ross enough for selling me such a talented and brilliant animal. My plans this year for Frodo will be to represent Area 2 at NAYRC or Radnor CCI**. He is now competing at the Intermediate level after having him for less than 10 months. Given the chance and the finances, I would gladly buy another horse from Ross.

RALPH HILL, FLORIDA

Over the past several years I have purchased a number of top quality event horses from Ross. Some have been young up and coming horses and others with 3 day experience. I have found Ross to be very up front and honest in his appraisal of the horses that have been sent to me. The fact that he goes and rides the horses and tries them out before marketing them is a huge plus. His opinion or appraisal on a horse is very accurate, thus allowing me not to have to take time out to fly there to purchase. I have passed on Ross's name to several prospective buyers and friends and I have no hesitation in telling anybody if they are looking for an up and coming event horse or showjumper, Ross will get you one for the best possible price. If anybody would like to know about Ross and his business I would be only too happy for them to contact me.

Jessica Jaskowski, Hailey, Idaho

Just to let you know that I love Boomer. He is everything that you said he was. I can not wait until our next show season so that I can go out and have lots of fun.

NZ Horses Kiwi Investment

Kristin Foster, Santa Cruz, California

NZ Discerning

I spent five months in New Zealand last year, and had a fantastic time
traveling, and meeting new people. I got in contact with Ross right before I
left the States, and kept in contact with them during my stay. They introduced
me to people I could ride with, and also introduced me to Harley. I had
thought about bringing a horse back to the States with me, and Ross helped
that thought turn into a reality. I originally saw a picture of Harley on
the website, and asked about her a few times. Finally, I made it down to
Christchurch, and tried her out. I immediately fell in love with her. It
was hard to believe she was only four, I could have never found a four year old in the states like her. NZ Discerning, "Harley" has been everything Ross said she would be and much, much more! She has more jump and more heart than any horse I have ever ridden. Everyone who has seen her loves her, and everyone at the barn who works with her wishes she was theirs. Thank you Ross for everything. You took good care of me while I was in New Zealand, and I returned with amazing memories and an amazing horse! She
truly is very special!

Summer, Florida, USA
Ross , I couldn't be happier with her!! She's everything I've wanted and more. So many people have approached Ralph (my trainer) asking where can they find a horse like her. She's so kind and intelligent, she's always willing to give 110%, and my gosh is she fearless over fences. I was having an incredibly bad day not too long ago, nothing was going right and I didn't feel like jumping in a lesson and you could tell She knew how I felt and took care of everything, the whole lesson, for me. I can't thank you enough Ross... please let her previous owner know she's at a wonderful home and treated like a princess :) I guess there really is such thing as a perfect horse ... it's my mare ;). Thank you again. My parents are both thrilled with her themselves along with anyone who crosses her path!

Hilda Hicks, Florida, USA
I have just returned from a fantastic trip arranged by Ross, where I had a first-hand, in-depth look into this great way of matching up horses and riders. Their commitment to clients needs, equestrian knowledge and integrity is extremely impressive. Every horse they represent is thoroughly assessed; conformation, soundness, movement and jumping technique is examined; every horse is ridden extensively on the flat and over fences; each horse's history is researched; each horse's suitability for specific disciplines and compatability for particular riders is looked at. I returned home with complete confidence in Ross's operation, and with two wonderful horses!

Jesse Ackers, US
Several years ago I traveled to New Zealand and bought two nice young event horses. This experience let me have a first hand look at the unsurpassed talent the country has to offer. So needless to say when I was looking for a young horse last fall, New Zealand was the first place to come to mind. However, this time I lacked the ability to travel and pick one for myself. Several months earlier a friend of mine had asked my opinion on buying a horse off a video tape [from Ross] and I thought she had lost her mind. When the horse landed I was surprised to see the horse was exactly as Ross had described, if not more.
Needless to say, a month later I bought a green 5-year-old sight-unseen and I couldn't be happier with my purchase.
Since then I have bought several more for investment and my own personal use, horses from very green to a successful 3 star horse, all of wonderful quality and talent, and all for very reasonable prices. Ross is VERY honest about each horses' medical and competitive history. They are also the first to say when they think a horse won't be right for your specific needs. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend their services to anyone on any level.
Don't miss out, I promise you they won't let you down!

"William is a beautiful 16.3hh, seven-year-old New Zealand thoroughbred. He is first and foremost sane. Quiet under saddle as well as on the ground. A wonderful mover, straight, forward, balanced and very willing.This horse could compete successfully in a variety of disciplines, dressage, hunter, or eventing.
"My 12-year-old daughter who weighs all of 84lb soaking wet is able to work him in a nice round frame in only a snaffle and is eventing him at the novice level. He has all the scope and talent to take her as far as she chooses to go.
Our only problem is that we both want to ride and compete on him. Time to buy another New Zealand horse!"

Our next horse:-

Mary & Marty O'Connor - New Zealand Horses Jack

Just wanted to tell you I love Jack, He is my dream horse, absolutely the best match for me I could have imagined. The girl that helps me took him to a clinic because her horse was ill and had two people offer to buy him on the spot. Thanks again for finding him for me, I couldn't be more pleased.

Shannon Stimson, Berkeley, CA and West Grove, PA
I first heard about Ross through an eventing contact on the East Coast. It was immediately clear that they were sending over excellent quality and competitively priced horses, including several with well-established records and ridden by either top professionals or promising younger riders. As work schedule restrictions meant that I could not travel to sit on one of these prospects myself, I actually spent several months discussing different horses with Ross and viewing video tape.Throughout the entire process, Ross was clear, patient, informative and utterly reliable. He was able to clearly convey what he thought to be the strengths as well as any weaknesses of each horse I was considering. Every horse I considered was ridden, jumped and viewed in competition. They were vetted thoroughly and to my specifications. The advanced horse I purchased arrived mentally and physically in excellent condition and ready to compete. I am now working with them to find a young prospect to bring on. I found Ross to be above all extremely professional in dealing with both clients and sellers. Based on my own experience, I have absolutely no hesitation in recommending him to others, and have already done so.