Hi, I am a competitive jumper rider from Portland, OR thinking about moving to Spokane, Washington. I have tried to be resourceful through flying changes and simply typing in Google “jumper barn Spokane” in locating a decent barn, but I just cannot seem to find too much of anything out there. Any sort of guidance or suggestions would be very much appreciated! Thanks!
Gary Striker has a facility in Spokane. A friend of mine was his assistant rider/trainer (?not sure which) for quite a while and always spoke very highly of his barn and training methods. Offhand I can’t think of any other “A” circuit show barns in Spokane, but that certainly doesn’t mean they don’t exist. Hopefully someone else can chime in with more info.
[QUOTE=PNWjumper;4331360]
Gary Striker has a facility in Spokane. A friend of mine was his assistant rider/trainer (?not sure which) for quite a while and always spoke very highly of his barn and training methods. Offhand I can’t think of any other “A” circuit show barns in Spokane, but that certainly doesn’t mean they don’t exist. Hopefully someone else can chime in with more info.[/QUOTE]I think I’m that friend you speak of! 
It’s funny, I haven’t logged into these forums since 2004…was lurking, looking for something tonight and saw this thread.
I’ll PM the OP with some info. 
[QUOTE=theinstigator;4331720]
I think I’m that friend you speak of!
It’s funny, I haven’t logged into these forums since 2004…was lurking, looking for something tonight and saw this thread.
I’ll PM the OP with some info. :)[/QUOTE]
I love when my favorite people pop up online in unexpected places! :winkgrin:
Betty Hirst of Double Eagle Stables is an “A” circuit trainer as well. 509 466 8895. Gary and Betty are the best known H/J trainers here in Spokane.
Robin Bhattia of Meridian Farms gives lessons as well, but I think she has a ‘real’ job and trains on the side.
Does anyone know if Betty Hirst is having clinics with John Turner and Jeff Campf this fall as is posted on her website? I emailed but no reply; I suppose I’ll call eventually to see what’s going on.
I go to school in Pullman (blech talk about no trainers!) and I’d like to haul my horse up to Spokane for some occasional lessons as long as I can swing it with my vet school schedule.
mbv- I’ve heard that Betty hosts these clinics on an annual basis. I’d give her a call, she will call you back within a day or two if you leave a message.
OP: I lived in eastern WA for many years and showed hunter/jumper all over the NW. I don’t know of a jumper trainer offhand in Spokane I can recommend but I can NOT recommend Gary Striker. If you would like to know my experiences, please PM me.
I will tell you that as a competitive rider you will be disappointed in the area Portland has far, far better opportunities to show.
[QUOTE=bigyellowmoose;4355945]
OP: I lived in eastern WA for many years and showed hunter/jumper all over the NW. I don’t know of a jumper trainer offhand in Spokane I can recommend but I can NOT recommend Gary Striker. If you would like to know my experiences, please PM me.
I will tell you that as a competitive rider you will be disappointed in the area Portland has far, far better opportunities to show.[/QUOTE]
Interesting. To each their own I suppose.
I’ll speak up and give Gary a good rec. I’ve been a client of Gary’s for years. He’s a wonderful teacher and horseman. He is able to find good, quality horses in any price budget, and really works with each rider to accomplish any personal goals they may have. Typically we do a handful of A system shows a year and also do several schooling or B system shows. The clients dictate the shows schedule: If there is enough interest to do more shows we do them. If there is a client that wants to go to a certain show and there isn’t enough interest for Gary to go, he will find a GOOD trainer for you to meet there. We are a pretty fun, laid back barn!
If you would like any more information, I’d be happy to answer questions for you. Betty would be the other option in Spokane. Unfortunately, Spokane is a bit weak as far as the hunter jumper industry goes…There isn’t a trainer on every corner!
[QUOTE=ktm2007;4387185]
Interesting. To each their own I suppose.[/QUOTE]
You are completely correct Unfortunately, “fun” and “laid-back” are not at ALL how I’d describe my (or my horse’s) experiences with him.
How about a good barn to board at in Spokane in general? I need something with daily turnout and good fencing. Any recommendations (or where not to go?)??
I do dressage, but I’m not hard core about it.
[QUOTE=LoveGirl83102;4393566]
How about a good barn to board at in Spokane in general? I need something with daily turnout and good fencing. Any recommendations (or where not to go?)??
I do dressage, but I’m not hard core about it.[/QUOTE]
I would recommend Marshland. They’re a dressage barn but they have independent boarders as well. They have daily turnout (unless the weather is terrible), consistent feed and great care. Another boarding facility near by that I know of are Spokane Sporthorse (although there turn-outs are basically small runs), therefore I recommend the first one. Send me a PM if you would like more info.
LoveGirl–
I have friends at Marshland, they love it. They have a REALLY good dressage instructor there.
Prairie Sky is another good place. Great big indoor with shallow footing and good-sized turnouts. I went and looked at it, it is really lovely! i think they have a website.
If you are looking for a REALLY laid-back place with a small indoor, a few jumps, and a trainer who (i think) still comes and gives weekly dressage lessons, I loved boarding at Busy Bee Ranch in Airway Heights. They have tons of trails and pretty laid-back cool people. Larry Beeler is the owner and he is a reiner/cowboy/cool guy. http://site.mawebcenters.com/busybeeranch/
OP–
I boarded and rode/showed with Betty Hirst for years. She is really a good riding instructor. They are not as hard-core about getting to the ‘A’ shows as Gary Striker, but it’s kind of the same thing that KTM said–Betty will (usually) go if there is enough interest. When they do go, there is a lot more emphasis on doing jumpers that hunters or eq.
Gary has a nicer facility though, no question about that.
This is the worst time of year to be looking at new places, though–nothing looks that great during mud season!
If you are really serious about showing though, i would stay in Portland. Think about it–a one-hour haul to Hood River vs. a 6-7 hour haul from Spokane? PLUS you only have a half-hour haul when George Morris comes to Wilsonville. Lucky. :winkgrin:
singture west farms and donntia farms.
Really?
[QUOTE=Tiffany!;4494941]
singture west farms and donntia farms.[/QUOTE]
Not even close to where the OP is looking. Different side of the state…
Somewhat off point, but if one is shopping for unbroke/greenbroke hunter prospects in the Spokane area, what are some good barns/breeders to contact?
THAT’s when you go to Donida Farms!
There are not a lot of A circuit show prospects in the Spokane area. You would have better luck with a trainer in Seattle/Bellevue or Tacoma/Auburn.
Sirenson4, I totally agree, Seattle/Tacoma is much more fertile ground for horse shopping. However, Spokane, give or take a 2 or 3-hour drive, is the market I’ve been given to work with at the moment.
Sale horses? Gary Striker always seems to bring young, talented horses with him when he shows on the Westside, maybe try him? You might widen your search to include Montana, Idaho (you’d have to go south in Idaho–I know Sally Parks has lots for sale usually) or even up into BC–not a big drive from Spokane.
I’d contact one of the mentioned trainers and see where they dig up prospects.
Sally Parks is more than an 8 hour drive from Spokane. so that one isn’t going to work as we are trying to keep things within a 200 mile radius from Spokane.
