What is syndication? Horse ownership syndication is when a group of people come together to purchase shares in a promising horse for a professional event rider. These shares not only cover the actual cost to buy the horse, but the annual costs needed to maintain the horse. For example, if you are joining a horse ownership syndication which offers 10 shares, then you and 9 other people will own that event horse and help maintain the costs of your event horse on an annual basis. The good news is that all of these costs are usually predetermined, and syndications come in many affordable price ranges!

Learn why Syndication is Important

Because you share costs with your fellow syndicate horse owners, you don't have to be rich to be a syndicate horse owner! The shared costs for owning and maintaining an event horse can vary greatly. As such, the syndications presented here come in all shapes and sizes to fit all kinds of interests and budgets. For example, if your goal is to help an emerging rider with a promising future find a young horse, the syndication costs would be notably less than if you opted to help an elite rider obtain a new 3* horse aiming for the next Olympics. In some cases, riders may already own their horses but have no financial means to continue to campaign them. In these cases, some riders may opt to sell a portion of their horse in exchange for annual maintenance support—enabling them to continue with training and competing.

You can join a syndicate already in progress or you can gather a group to purchase a syndicate together. For example, maybe a group of friends from your barn want to form a syndicate group for a particular rider. (The accomplished racehorse Funny Cide is a great example of a successful venture among a group of friends). The bottom line is, whether alone or with a group, the riders listed here are looking for your support and want you to join their team!

Buy In: This is the one-time amount you pay to purchase your share of the horse.

Annual Maintenance: This is the annual cost you contribute to keep your horse going.
The Annual Maintenance cost helps cover yearly lessons and training, competition entry costs, monthly boarding, shoeing, equipment, tack, veterinary care, insurance, trailering, and shipping to international destinations. This cost will vary based on the competition level of the horse and rider, but generally range from $20,000 to $40,000 annually. This cost is split equally among the syndication members—(it would cost a syndicate member $2,000 a year for a horse requiring a $20,000 annual maintenance fee split among 10 owners). It is important to note, however, that a horse climbing up the ranks will incur additional annual expenses once it reaches the international level.

Tax Advantages: As a syndicate horse owner, you may enjoy tax benefits. To learn more, please visit the American Horse Trials Foundation at www.ahtf3day.org.

You can start right here, right now! This website has been developed to facilitate the creation of syndications. Our goal is to assist prospective owners like you, and professional riders, in the formation of successful new partnerships.

1. Syndication Selection: The Available Syndication page lists all of the US eventing riders currently in search of syndication. Here you can research both horse and rider profiles, view competition results and videos, and review proposed syndication costs.
2. Contact the Rider: The riders who have listed their profiles here would love to talk to you! And you are invited to call them directly. You can also arrange to meet with them at a competition or at their barn to get to know them and their team.
3. Arrange a Contract: Once you have selected a syndicate, you will need to enter into a contract, detailing the terms of the syndication, with the rider. We have outlined a checklist of various items that need consideration to help assist the group in the successful formation of an eventing horse syndicate.

Owning a syndicated event horse is a thrilling journey. The ride up through the levels of eventing is just as exciting as reaching the destination. As a syndicated owner, you will be behind the scenes and an involved member of your team. You will be kept informed of all relevant news pertaining to your horse—training progress, show schedules, and official rankings through leaderboard results. You will be able to watch your horse compete at local shows, potentially train in US Team training sessions, and compete at 3-Day events in the international arena. Quite possibly, you can follow your horse all the way to the next Olympics or World Equestrian Games. The joy of watching your horse develop and rise to its full potential on the world stage is probably the most satisfying part of being an owner.

Being an owner also comes with its privileges. Besides specific social gatherings and outings, coordinated international travel to events such as Burghley and Badminton, and tailored events such as private course-walks and team dinners, you will be joining a close-knit community of individuals dedicated to improving the quality of eventing in the US. As an owner you will get to know other owners, the professional riders, and Team coaches—not to mention the close relationships you will undoubtedly develop with your co-owners and your own horse's rider. In essence, you will become an integral member of your horse's team and Team USA.