Hiya guys, its Phan. :)
Now this is half a request for advice and half a rant (not a bad one) so bear with me. The question is only, is this horse something to even consider pursuing should he be available or not?
Before I start, I am an 18 year old female, 5'6, I have been riding for six years and competing for five. I mainly show jump and have jumped over a meter (3 feet). I've ridden slow horses, fast horses, hot horses, dead to the world horses, you name it. I know what goes into basic daily care etc.. I just wanted to put that out there before people tell me I'm not experienced enough! It's happened before so I'm getting it out there. Moving on!
Recently I learned that the school I had been going to before I quit for the summer (injury + graduating) is downsizing, and that one of the school horses might be for sale.
I'm not looking for a horse right now, and when I do get a horse of my own I was going to be looking for a 16.2+ warmblood to compete at 1.00/1.10 show jumping and hunter classes. I was leaning towards a mare, ideally who I have to hold back rather then push forward. Enter Frankie, a six year old 14.3 dapple grey ISH (I believe) gelding who I started riding in lessons a year ago. I fell in love with him at first sight, then I rode him. He's a lovely, calm ride with very nice paces. He feels like a brick wall on his left side and he's very sluggish in ground work. He loves jumping to bits and we've cleared 1.00 fences easily, once you get him jumping he perks up as well so he's easier to ride. He's loyal, reliable, and very very forgiving. We seem to have a bond, I've got experience with horses of his temperament so he's not very difficult for me, and I think there is a lot of trust on both sides. Before I would have never been willing let alone excited to jump the height I have been with horse of his size, but with him it doesn't matter. He honestly rides like a 15 year old lesson pony, and yet he's a 6 year old who's only been there a year. His looks and paces make me think that there is potential for low level dressage, and he'll certainly be lovely in hunter/jumper rings. I've seen him compete once and he was completely unbothered by his new surroundings. When he was in Ireland I think he was a cross country/hunter pony so he's a great confidence booster should I want to do cross country (unlikely lol). He's young enough to satisfy my desire to work with younger horses, but is broke and gentle enough to be a good first horse.
Before we go further, the term ''like a brick wall' is used affectionately as I firmly believe there is nothing physically wrong with him. He's used as a lesson horse for younger riders and is only ridden twice a week at most. Our instructor makes the lessons interesting, but for a horse his age its probably not enough. In the winter there was a lady riding him during the week and his flexibility really improved, but she has since left and he's gone back. He is not sour, he may be a little bored, but he is alert, ears pricked, curious and always looking around. I think he's just slow by nature and so takes advantage of less experienced riders lol. I'd be able to ride him and give him lots of hacks 2 or 3 times a week so we should see a big improvement. I asked for advice on another forum and we could not get past the 'he's not sounding very happy or healthy' routine, despite my assurances that every time I've ridden him he's been fine in or out of the saddle. So I'm laying it all out on the table, sorry for it being so long! He is currently not owned by the school, but is boarded there and is used a lesson horse under their insurance, as I think the owner lives in Dubai or something. I talked to a friend who had a horse in the same sort of arrangement, and from what she said I would be able to afford all his care fees if he stayed there, plus lessons and competitions all on my own income, provided I get the part time job I'm hoping to get. So the two big questions are if he's up for sale, and if I get that job. I'm going over to the school next Saturday to see what I can find out, but my question is this: I wasn't looking for a horse, and certainly not for a horse like him, but does there come a point where such an opportunity is too good to miss? I believe I can take him to the level of competition I want to be doing without pushing him too far, he loves what he does, etc.. Should I be even considering purchasing him?
I'm really sorry for the long post! Half of it was making sure no one misunderstood and me just ranting about my beloved pony, but thank you for sticking to it! I'd love to hear from you. :D

Eek sorry for the long block of text, the code was getting funny so I just removed it :S

I'd say go for it if you're able. He sounds lovely. I got my horse kind of by accident as well... I had been looking for a mare under ten years old, and I absolutely did not want a grey. Enter my fourteen year old grey gelding. I wasn't really in the place for a new horse at the time either because I still had my previous one, but he was just too good to pass up. Be sure to do a pre purchase exam and all, but he really does sound good for you. Also.. if all goes well, you'll have to post some pictures of him for us.

Wow this was a lot more positive then I expected! :P Thank you.

If you love that horse, you love him. Personally, try and image life without him. If you can't, send an offer!

Hardwicke House said:
Wow this was a lot more positive then I expected! :P Thank you.

I'm seriously considering him if he is for sale. I'm not sure if I need something more to work with though, my instructor's wife seems to think I would get bored since I'd been wanting a more challenging horse. However she also wants him herself so I'm not sure I can trust her XD. He's definitely the opposite of what I wanted, but I hear so many stories like your's Equuleus so perhaps this is one of those times. As long as he's sound and affordable, I may have a pony! Lol I don't even really like ponies, I'm a horse girl through and through.

If you wanna see him, I have some pictures from last winter. :)

I know I want to see, and I'm sure others do too! :)

Oh he's a beauty. If you two have a bond together I suggest you try to buy him if he's for sale.

He's beautiful and it sounds like you are already very fond of him. Some horses aren't always "forever" and it sounds like he would make an great first horse for you. Keep in mind the level that you are training at and if you feel he'd be a good match, go for it! However if you feel like you might outgrow him sooner than later, that may be something to consider.