For lessons. In the London ON and/or Stratford ON area.
Just a shot in the dark but worth a try!
Sprucehaven has dressage clinics. John McPherson, Cindy Ishoy. Also Western Dressage.
Also check with the London Dressage Association. There are several dressage focused barns in the area.
[QUOTE=Come Shine;8772181]
Sprucehaven has dressage clinics. John McPherson, Cindy Ishoy. Also Western Dressage.
Also check with the London Dressage Association. There are several dressage focused barns in the area.[/QUOTE]
Thanks for replying!
I need something, um, basic 
Adult re-rider, I haven’t swung a leg over a horse in about 5 years.
I often go on the LDA website but never really see anything that sounds like it’s a dressage-focused lesson barn. But perhaps that doesn’t exist? I need one with school horses.
I know there’s Kilbyrne and I do plan to contact them, but that’s about all I’ve been able to find. Hearthstone is for sale and Briar Quest doesn’t have school horses that I’m aware of.
I am not aware of any dressage lesson barns. You may be better off finding a barn that may have an older schoolmaster available for part board. This will then give you access to horse time and hopefully a strong instructors.
In addition to those mentioned, check the socta.ca website for local Eventing barns. They do lower level dressage and may have some lesson horses available?
Good luck!
Too bad you’re not closer. The barn where I board (Campbellville) is one of the few dressage programs with school horses and they specialize in adult re-riders.
[QUOTE=BigMama1;8772445]
Too bad you’re not closer. The barn where I board (Campbellville) is one of the few dressage programs with school horses and they specialize in adult re-riders.[/QUOTE]
I used to be from around there! I don’t know why but if feels like things are harder to find in the London area, despite London having such a massive horse population. It’s probably just a product of my discomfort about not being “from” here, so not familiar with the people and barns.
It seems like Warwick might be my best bet? I’m intrigued by the idea of combined training. And they do lessons for young children as well, which could benefit my daughter.
I plan to get another riding horse someday, but for the forseeable future it’s just the retired nag and her mini companion in my backyard. But I’m itching to ride again now that my child-bearing years are over
In that case I would find a reputable lesson barn of any discipline with quality school horses, get back in the saddle for a bit to shake the rust off, then look for a dressage horse to part board
I would also suggest Sprucehaven if it is not too far for you. It is primarily an eventing barn, but of course that includes dressage.
They are on FB as well.
I agree with Big Mama 1. Find a good all purpose lesson barn with decent school horses. Many years ago I taught riding and my main aim was basic equitation. Since I had a number of pony clubbers as students we focused on the different seats for each discipline. This way the students had a solid base and secure seat before they were able to specialize.
There is a little more to dressage than just flat work.
I would recommend Mardon - it is just North of London - The owners are really nice and, while they don’t have lesson horses per se, they do own a couple of steady well behaved horses that they will use in lessons if necessary.
Con Brio farm is in London - not sure if they’re offering lessons at this time, but it’s an excellent facility. Can’t recommend them enough
I thought Con-brio was h/j and it is for sale
https://www.realtor.ca/Residential/Agriculture/17146220/21446-DENFIELD-RD-LONDON-Ontario-N6H5L2
Con brio is an A circuit hunter barn so no lessons. Also for sale as noted above.
Mardon is excellent. Lovely people, great coaching and being in the north end of London great location (being you mentioned London/Stratford). I’m not sure if they have any horses suitable for lessons.
Warwick is great and runs a solid lesson program. Lots of kids, lots of lessons and quality steady eddy horses. Location may be tough for you as it is southeast of London. Likewise with Sprucehaven but it just depends on your tolerance for a drive.
[QUOTE=Mouse&Bay;8773280]
Con brio is an A circuit hunter barn so no lessons. Also for sale as noted above.
Mardon is excellent. Lovely people, great coaching and being in the north end of London great location (being you mentioned London/Stratford). I’m not sure if they have any horses suitable for lessons.
Warwick is great and runs a solid lesson program. Lots of kids, lots of lessons and quality steady eddy horses. Location may be tough for you as it is southeast of London. Likewise with Sprucehaven but it just depends on your tolerance for a drive.[/QUOTE]
Thanks Mouse&Bay, and everyone else for the suggestions! I work in London (currently on mat leave) so I’m not too picky about location if I can make it kinda-sorta on my way home from work. Something closer would be ideal for my daughter if/when she’s ready for lessons but for now I’m just going to let her plug around on my old mare (daughter is only 4).
Now to lose the last of the baby weight and make some phone calls! It’s good to hear good things about these barns so I know I’m not unknowingly walking in to somewhere I don’t want to be.
Warwick is super. If you ever want to come visit Sprucehaven, pm me. I also know a coach who gives lessons at her private farm, wonderful dressage coach.
Savannah Riijk is starting a dressage focused barn near ingersoll…and has some interesting European clinicians…
Con Brio does actually give lessons, but a moot point as they are H/J.
OP, send me a PM and I can ask the girls who ride on the university IDA team.
