Chipmunk NZ

Introduction: Alvin is the ultimate EVA95/ 1* eventer - athletic and brave cross country, scopey in the show jumping and talented in the dressage arena. He has been produced carefully and consistently throughout his career. Alvin is in work and ready to compete EVA95.

Education, skills and experience: Alvin has had a well rounded education as well as a comprehensive competition history. He hunted in New Zealand  and gallop trained next to a paddock of cattle. He is reliable out and about on trails, at Lake Burumbeet and down roads. Alvin has even been ridden down the side of a busy highway and was not concerned about the trucks and noise! He took it all in his stride! 

Dressage: Alvin is well established in dressage with three even paces. He consistently produces accurate tests. Alvin has a comprehensive dressage education, he willingly collects, is balanced, light and soft to ride. He is training Medium level dressage including half pass, extended gaits, changes and pirouettes. Alvin has scored up to 73% and is usually in the top ten after dressage, even after a fairly ‘ordinary’ test by Alvin standards!

Showjumping: Alvin is responsive, rideable and adjustable around the course, with automatic flying changes. He is competitive against the clock. Alvin has trained up to 125 at home. 

Cross Country

On cross country, Alvin is bold and honest across the course. He absolutely loves jumping, and is generally a ‘point and shoot’ cross country horse, as long as his rider is confident. Alvin is not a stopper - his only cross country faults are due to his current rider being terrified of jumping into water - with a confident rider, he pops straight in. Alvin has trained up to 3* level and competed 1* in NZ before being imported. He has competed at EVA95 level in Australia with his current owner (who is not very brave!).

General demeanor under saddle: 

Alvin is athletic and forward to ride. He loves his job and is a willing and responsive gelding, who is honest and aims to please. Alvin is easy and trustworthy to ride in all situations, compete, take off the property, and he works well in a group or on his own. 

Alvin doesn’t require lunging or an extensive warm up; he is safe and exactly the same to ride, even after a break. Alvin is ridden in all phases in a simple snaffle. He is beautifully light in the hand!

Alvin is generally quiet but not completely unflappable to ride. He can - very occasionally - pause and toss his head once but, when corrected, he immediately recalibrates and moves on. He can be a little horse shy -  does a dart sideways and then settles - this only happens in a truly hectic warm up if someone rushes up to him unexpectedly and his rider is nervous. 

Alvin is currently in work, perfectly safe and without vices - not buck, bolt, spook, rear or shy.

Current workload/ fitness: Alvin is in work 3-4 days a week.

Handling and general behaviour: Alvin is safe and easy to manage - easy to catch and handle - lead, rug, tack up, wash, shoe, clip, float/ truck etc. 

Feeding and management: Alvin loves his food and is a good doer. 

Medical history: Alvin does not have any issues or injuries that affect his performance. 

Rider Suitability: Capable and confident - Alvin will be perfect for a capable and confident intermediate teen or adult looking for a safe, competitive and talented partner. 

He is currently ridden by a confident and capable16 year old. She is a 1* rider with soft hands, independent seat and a calm, kind demeanor. This rider would love to buy him but already has a team of horses. We would love a similar rider to purchase him. 

He will not be sold to a ‘gung ho’ rider wanting a quick ticket up the levels, someone coming off smaller horses or a nervous, tense rider.

Reason for sale: Owner moving overseas and has quit riding.

From his owner: ‘Alvin needs to be loved. I don't want to see him passed around or used as a vehicle. I would like to sell him to someone who sees him as a long term investment and will take him as far as they want, but not intend on selling him after a year or so. He is a lovely boy and deserves a long term stable home.’