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Horses Smith
For buyers in Ecuador

British-Produced Showjumpers for Ecuador

Horses Smith produces elite showjumping sport horses in Kent, England. Ecuador presents the hardest acclimatisation question in the region, and it is the first thing we would want to talk to you about.

Altitude is the conversation, and most sellers skip it

Quito sits at roughly 2,850 metres, higher than Bogotá and far higher than anywhere a British-produced horse has worked. A horse arriving from sea level will need a genuine acclimatisation period, measured in weeks rather than days, before serious jumping. This is manageable and Ecuadorian horsemen manage it routinely, but a European seller who does not raise it is either inexperienced or hoping you will not ask. If your yard is on the coast near Guayaquil, none of this applies.

Importing through AGROCALIDAD

Import runs through AGROCALIDAD, requiring an import permit, pre-export isolation and blood testing in the UK, an export health certificate and quarantine on arrival, with horses generally flying into Quito. Equine freight into Ecuador is less frequent than into Brazil or Colombia, so flights need planning around rather than assuming. Allow three months.

Or keep the horse in Europe

If the horse is bought to compete internationally rather than at home, basing it in Belgium or the Netherlands avoids both the import process and the altitude question. Several South American owners take exactly this route and only bring horses home at the end of a competition career.

Prices in GBP or EUR on application, not USD cash equivalents. Horses measured in centimetres (hands in brackets). AGROCALIDAD import costs are additional.

Available now

Just J-Nius NL foal head shot

Just J-Nius NL Z

ZANG

United Topaz Smith

United Topaz Smith

AES

Dominate-Her Smith

Dominate-Her Smith

AES

Daniel Coyle's mare, Legacy.

Malibu Legacy Smith

AES

Valentina Smith headshot

Valentina Smith

AES

Beautiful showjumping foal

Another Level Smith

AES

See All Showjumping Horses for Sale

Frequently asked questions

Will a British horse cope with Quito's altitude?
With a proper acclimatisation period, yes, and Ecuadorian yards do this all the time. But it takes weeks, not days, and the horse should not be jumped seriously until it has adjusted. Any seller who waves the question away is not being straight with you.
What does importing a horse to Ecuador involve?
An import permit through AGROCALIDAD, pre-export isolation and blood testing in the UK, an export health certificate, a flight into Quito and quarantine on arrival. Equine freight is less frequent here, so allow around three months.
Is the coast different from the sierra?
Completely. A yard near Guayaquil is close to sea level and presents no acclimatisation issue at all. The altitude question only applies to Quito and the sierra.
Can I keep the horse in Europe instead?
Yes, and it avoids both the import process and the altitude adjustment. We can deliver to a yard in Belgium or the Netherlands and introduce you to people who will campaign it.
What do your horses cost?
Published prices across four open categories from Heritage to Elite, in GBP or EUR. AGROCALIDAD and transport costs are additional.

Enquire from Ecuador

Tell us what you're looking for, we'll reply personally, in confidence.