Whew, I'm glad you have someone else to go with you. It really helps to have a second set of eyes, someone who isn't so emotionally involved in the choosing process. It is too easy to fall in love with a pretty horse, and miss signs of trouble or incompatability.

Buy used tack if you can, $400 won't buy much of a new saddle but it can buy a really nice, good brand, used one. Plus it will already be broken in. Cheap saddles are no good.

What I did when I was younger is worked part time at the barn - saved me money on lessons and board costs, plus I had a good reason to spend all day at the barn!