It always feels like such a special treat to get a mid-season sport horse auction, rather than having to wait for the off-season and Monarts summer offering, which gets underway on July 31, feels likeeven more of a treat, because its packed with young horses whove started their ridden careers, rather than just unbacked talent. That gives us the chance to see a little bit of their early education and hit the ground running with a very cool four- or five-year-old. If youre following along with all the Paris action this week and dreaming of your own future goals, perhaps all you need is the right unfinished product to help you get there and with bids at the Monart Sale starting at just 5,000, you could nab yourself a lovely horse at a seriously good price, too.Theres fifteen horses in this years Ridden Horse Sale, which is a nice number its a little bit overwhelming, sometimes, staring at a catalogue of 75 entries without any clue where to begin. But even with this compact field of selected lots, youll probably want a good jumping-off point. And thats where weve got you covered, with some of our hot picks from this years line-up.Keep reading to meet our selections, and to see the rest of the catalogue and register as a bidder, head to the Monart website. Happy shopping!Lot 2 KBS VallettaFour-year-old ISH mare (Vivant de Heffinck x Rossbay, by OBOS Quality 004)Right off the bat, weve got a strong start here with lot two, whos exactly the kind of mare I love, in that shes light on her feet, she jumps well, and shes got that spicy look in her eye that suggests that shes got a bit of mischief in her. If you, too, love that kind of horse, youll get the very best out of her, and I suspect shes also the clever, loyal type wholl fight for you if youre that person. Shes a neat, tidy stamp of a mare, and one with so much untapped potential ready to play with. I think a young pro could snap her up and have a fantastic time producing her.Lot 4 UnnamedFour-year-old ISH gelding (Cruising With Diamonds x Windmill Cross, by Insatiable)I promise I didnt just pick this one because hes a gorgeous steely grey with a white pony face (though I dont hate that, either) instead, its because this sweet guy absolutely loves his cross-country, and has been given plenty of opportunities to learn to navigate terrain and obstacles. That shows in the considered, brave way he tackles all sorts of things, from streams to ditches to spooky tire fences with almost owlhole-esque greenery around them. Someones had a lot of fun showing him the world, and now he thinks its all a great jolly, which is a really nice starting point to have when youre looking to produce a horse to go up the levels. Hes got a lovely canter, too, and while hes also got a baby tendency to toss his head a bit at the moment, that doesnt worry me he just hasnt learned about contact yet, and a continued sympathetic, soft education will get him there.Lot 5 Unique Vant ZilverhofFour-year-old BWP mare (Deister x Olga Van Het Rozenveld D20, by Best Man Z)At just four years old, this nice stamp of a mare has already had some exposure to the world, with some training shows and schooling outings under her belt already. Shes a naturally well-balanced type, and so looks quite established for her age, and like the kind of horse who might find life rather easy. A precocious talent but one with tonnes of promise yet to be unearthed. She has a marching, motivated walk, which I love to see in a horse its possible to add prowl to a march, and very hard to add it to a shuffle and she has a straight, rhythmic trot that has plenty of potential to be developed. Her canter, though, is her showpiece; shes got a great, ground-covering step and a neat, attentive jump. Shes also really rather beautiful, which is inessential but a nice bonus to have. With a bit of time to develop through her back and lengthen over her neck, shes going to muscle up into something special.Lot 7 AlwayssapphireFive-year-old ISH gelding (Pointilliste XX x Cushinstown, by Irish Rock)Ive known a few nice Pointillistes in my time, and so this five-year-old, whos already out eventing well over EI100 courses (thats Training level, for you Yanks), gets a spot on my list. This year, Id love to see him work through some gymnastic exercises to develop his jumping style, which has plenty of power and scope to play with but still looks a little bit green. I dont mind green in a horse of this age, though better that, to my mind, than one thats had too much production. Hes been allowed to figure out his feet, which is great, and now, the refinement process can start. Thats a really fun point at which to take on a youngster, and this one will give someone a lot of fun.Lot 14 Powerful AustinFive-year-old ISH gelding (Vivant Van De Heffinck x Quarrycrest Malibu, by Beach Ball)Far be it from me to pick out a horse based just on his name, butwhat a name it is. Powerful Austin (oh, god, just say it a few times out loud, just for fun) has plenty of other lovely things to his credit, though, too hes been competed up to 1.10m by a teenager, so hes got a good head on his shoulders, and while hes a workmanlike, rather than an extravagant one, hes got plenty of jump to play with. He gives the impression of a really fun, sweet project for someone to take on that could go on to do all sorts of jobs not least eventing, because hes already begun his cross-country training. I think this is one you could really hit the ground running with, and in a couple of years time when hes really grown into that leggy body of his, hell be a gem. Plus, I like that his mother is a sister to Piggy Marchs late, great Quarrycrest Echo its always worth looking to the damline to find talent waiting in the wings.