An Equestrian’s Delight: The Collection Promotes a Horse Auction for a Worthy Cause During Unusual Times

 

Grand prix prospects, junior horses and hunters – oh my! These are what you will find represented by The Collection, an online auction of 16 meticulously curated horses that will take place May 22 – 24, 2020. Orchestrated thanks to the combined talents of Milestone Farm and ST Stables in The Netherlands and Belgium, respectively, the collaboration is meant to offer a unique and exciting means by which equestrians can bid on drool-worthy horses in attempts to add new superstars to their stables, while also supporting COVID-19 relief efforts. Aiming to be the optimal forum for both amateurs with elevated goals and professionals looking for a horse to take them to the next level, The Collection includes eye-catching hunters and show jumping horses chosen for their multi-faceted excellence in multiple areas.

 

“We developed the idea of The Collection as a way to keep our teams focused and active during this time when there are no competitions, as well as to provide some excitement to the industry, which I think everyone can agree we need right now,” commented one of the founders, ST Stables’ Steve Tinti. “We have come up with a catalog of horses that I am very proud of, and I can’t wait to see where they end up. Our team is especially pleased to be able to offer horses for multiple disciplines and rider skill levels, making the experience not just a one-size-fits-all for professionals. I think some new horse owners are going to be very happy!”

At the onset of the auction, which begins May 22 at 1 a.m. CEST (May 21 at 7 p.m. EDT), the starting price for each horse will be €20,000, with bids closing 48 hours later. Interested parties can take advantage of the large amounts of information available for each of the 16 horses on their custom catalog pages, which include photos, schooling and competition videos, vet records and details on pedigree, temperament, abilities and show record, if applicable. Boasting bloodlines that include some of the sport’s most famous equines, such as Indoctro, Cornet Obolensky, Baloubet du Rouet, Centina, Quidam de Revel and more, the young horses are primed to reach the upper levels with the right owner. Ranging in age from 5 years old to 10 years old, thirteen of the horses are young grand prix prospects, while two horses are hunters and one is a junior with 1.40m results. The catalog features stallions, geldings and mares, allowing bidders the option to add a future breeding prospect to their operation.

Dulcinea d’Argouges is a 7-year-old mare ready for an international career, one of the 16 hand-selected horses featured in The Collection.

“Everyone already has so much anxiety in their lives right now that we knew we wanted to do as much as possible to make the process easy for our bidders and winners. As part of that mission, we are committed to only offering healthy horses and making their X-rays and vet records publicly accessible, plus we will stay actively involved in the door-to-door service from our farms to the new owner’s home, even if that means we need to retain the care of the horse for a time during the COVID-19 situation,” noted Carlos Pinto, one of The Collection’s founders and the head of Milestone Farm. “Additionally, the transparency of this online auction allows customers to feel confident in the horse they are bidding on while also following all the appropriate health guidelines. This offers us a chance to keep horses progressing in their careers without risking any virus transmission.”

Pictured left to right, The Collection founders Steve Tinti, Willemijn Poels and Carlos Pinto

With ST Stables’ Tinti partnered with Milestone Farm’s husband-and-wife pair of Pinto and Willemijn Poels, the team possesses a combined total of multiple decades of experience in the equestrian industry, lending qualified insight into the needs and desires of potential bidders. Thanks to the founders’ longstanding status in the business and commitment to providing stress-free dealings during the pandemic, The Collection is prepared to facilitate transportation of the horses following the auction to anywhere in the world, to provide a health warranty as evidenced by blood tests and pre-purchase exams, and even to retain care of the horse at their expense in case national border closures cause transportation delays.

“From the very beginning when we thought of the concept of The Collection, we immediately knew we wanted to incorporate a charity dimension, particularly something that could benefit children. With coronavirus affecting the world, that narrowed our focus even further, and we ultimately chose to support UNICEF,” remarked Poels. “We are proud to be able to aid the global efforts of this organization that supports the needs of children everywhere, and that is especially true during these difficult times. By participating in The Collection, you have the chance to not only add a new quality contender to your stable, but also to help the children of the world.”

Icare Chavannais is a 6-year-old gelding who has already produced consistent results in Europe.

For every bid placed during the auction, €10 will be given to UNICEF, one of the globe’s leaders in providing humanitarian and developmental aid to children worldwide. In order to slow the spread of COVID-19 and minimize its impact on children across the globe, UNICEF is working to deliver life-saving health supplies, to build water and hygiene facilities, and to keep girls and boys connected to education and protection.

For more information about The Collection and to view all horses available for bidding, visit thecollection-auction.com. Bidding runs May 22-24.

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