Adult re-rider lessons near Toronto

[lisamayor]

Hey all,

I want your barn recommendations!

I’ve been riding my whole life and used to show on the H/J circuits. I moved to Toronto around eight years ago and want to get back into riding.

I’m looking to start taking lessons 2-4 times per month, and am hoping to find a H/J barn that is adult ammy re-rider friendly – even better, one that has an adult re-rider group I can join because hey, that seems like a lot of fun! I’d like to stay within an hour-ish of Toronto (from my research that seems like the average distance to most barns).

I’d classify myself as an experienced rider, just need to get back in the saddle and do some confidence building over fences. I’m just under 30 years old and it’s been about six years since I last rode seriously.

My goal in the end is to be leasing and back to showing eventually, but that’s talking maybe next year. For now, I want to get back into riding, see how the commute/scheduling works out like, and see where it goes from there!

In short, I want a fun, confidence re-building place that has adult riders to get back into riding. Would prefer something more along the A circuit lines as I still want to be challenged, and again have a goal of showing again.

I’ve so far been looking at:
The Meadows
Top Rail
Benchmark

…but I want some recommendations! It seems most places are geared towards kids.

Thanks!

[ebemfeita91]

Hi!

I highly recommend Lakehouse Stables in Ashburn. We have quite a few re-riders, some who have ended up purchasing and leasing as they got back into riding. The barn attends both Trillium and A shows. The property is great and the owners are constantly making improvements as well as hosting different clinics. I have ridden a few different school horses and they are all confidence builders but still challenging enough that you feel like you are progressing. I have had my guy there since October and I am very happy with the progress we have made.

[Madison]

If you don’t get suggestions here, look at the show results online and see which trainers have clients showing in the various adult divisions, that might give you some more ideas!

[cherham]

I know the head trainer at The Meadows. Greg Kuti…an excellent trainer and instructor of older clients wishing to get back into riding. He would be my first choice by far…speaking as a 60 year old rider myself

[DarkBayUnicorn]

A lot will depend on what part of the city you’re in if you want a decent commute. Options more to the northeast:

Pause Awhile
York Equestrian
Lakehouse

[kh209]

The Meadows, hands down. Well cared for horses, numerous rated trainers who have A experience, super nice people, and a beautiful facility/property. A great place to grow as a rider, no matter what your goals are.

[lisamayor]

Thanks for all the replies!

[Scribbler]

Tangential question for Ontario folks. What does a A level show mean exactly? Out in Western Canada we distinguish between schooling shows and EC rated shows which can be Bronze or Gold (no Silver here). Then there are the international jumping competitions at Thunderbird and Spruce Meadows.

I understand in the States A level shows accrue points towards national level awards and championships, so would be similar to EC Gold shows?

So by A level shows in Canada do you mean EC Gold shows or do you mean all EC rated shows, Bronze Silver and Gold?

[DarkBayUnicorn]

A circuit = Gold
Trillium circuit = Silver
Schooling shows = Bronze

[Scribbler]

@DarkBayUnicorn

A circuit = Gold
Trillium circuit = Silver
Schooling shows = Bronze

Thanks!

Out west we consider a schooling show to be a nonrated show that has no EC level attached. EC Bronze is considered rated and a big step up from a schooling show.

But guess what. I just went on EC results to verify this and things have changed in the last several years. The h/j shows that were previously Bronze are now Silver. And several are showing both Silver and Gold.

Dressage is still predominantly Bronze with two shows having both Bronze and Gold levels.

[DarkBayUnicorn]

Yes, I believe the schooling shows get their bronze for insurance purposes. They run under EC rules with EC officials and the risk is deemed to be less. I could be wrong, though.

[Scribbler]

Well, if it’s Bronze it is a “rated” show and your results go up for posterity but you don’t accumulate points for provincial or national levels…