Baltimore MD Barn Recommendations

[ChronoTime24]

I’m an adult amateur moving to Baltimore, MD in August. No price point currently - I’d like to learn about as many options as possible.

I am looking for a program that:

• is a 45 min to 60 min drive from the city
• offers full service and ample turnout (including night turnout)
• offers a combination of pro rides and evening lessons for working adults
• the option to show locally through A rated in the NE U.S.
• prioritizes significant flatwork and takes a “slow,” detailed approach to training (e.g., flatwork lessons for extended time before moving into over fences work, as needed for rider and horse and individuals and as a pair)

In addition to if the above is missing, I am also not looking for a program where:

• showing is the priority or majority expectation (e.g. programs where you must show to board or programs where showing is 3-4 weeks out of the month)
• where wintering in FL is the only option, or where there is no comprehensive home program for those who do not go to FL

I have ridden at both big show barns and boutique barns, and suspect that I will find what I’m looking for at a smaller program. However, I am open to bigger programs if I would be a good fit.

Finally, I would like to lesson for a couple of months before shipping my horses so that I can make sure the program is a good fit for us and that we are a good fit for the program.

[CBoylen]

I’m not up there now and can’t comment to your needs, but I will mention that the length of the drive depends on when you do it. I commuted to Monkton to ride when I was in school in Baltimore. It was a very easy 30 minute drive midday. Coming back in the evening on a Friday I would buy a fast food dinner and sit and eat it during the hour and a half drive back.

[risuenaVT]

A lot depends on where you wind up living around Baltimore. The northern part of Baltimore County has a ton of farms and a lot of very nice, very good quality barns.

If you wind up west or northwest of Baltimore, Kim Williams at Willow Wood Show Stables may be a good option. And perhaps a bit further out, I have nothing but good things to say about Alison Fisher and Bay View Farm. I think they check all your boxes, and while they do occasionally do a couple of weeks in FL or Tryon, it’s not every winter and I don’t think people are expected to go

My one complaint about Bay View is that the owner is the only instructor (she does have a couple of pro riders), and so if she’s away at a show, I don’t have lessons that week but she is usually able to fit in two lessons the next week to make up for the previous week which works for me, but may not be so easy for other with more obligations

[ChronoTime24]

This is helpful to know and sounds similar to my current situation. I will have some flexibility in my schedule and will plan to lesson outside of regular commute times as much as I can.

[ChronoTime24]

Thank you, this is really helpful. I had Bay View on my list already and this sounds like I definitely should reach out.

[sassy]

I’m from the area. I think you’re going to have a hard time finding a barn that does the bigger A shows and is a full service program but also does not have an expectation their clients show. Even the barns that do regional shows generally want clients that are going to show sometimes - maybe only once a month or during the local summer circuit. They don’t make money otherwise.

[ChronoTime24]

I would be more than thrilled to do the summer show circuit or monthly shows during the fall/spring/summer.

I am only gun-shy of programs that expect you to show 30+ weeks of the year or expect you to do 1-3 months away (FL, KY, etc.)

[Foitin]

Jumpers or hunters? RisuenaVT’s point above about making sure there is an instructor available at home is huge. You could try Urban Ridge. There is some show flexibility for showing at Caves, ESP and Rolling Acres, may not be enough, but worth a look.

[ChronoTime24]

Hunters, although my mare and I may step into the jumper ring in the future

[touchstone]

You might consider Kaley Pratt at McDonogh school in Owings Mills. They have a big school program and lots of school horses, but also have stalls some private customers who board. She’s a wonderful instructor, and they do not generally go to Florida in the winter. The only box I’m not sure they check is night turnout–you’d need to ask.

It’s a bigger operation there than some of the other places you mentioned. But a lot of the riders there are just in the lesson program vs. on the road showing.

[blondewithchrome]

Oh, this is a great suggestion, OP. They also host both rated and local shows at McDonogh, which is a really nice option as a boarder. Not many barns can tout that!

Rolling Acres is a standout program in that part of MD but they do not do local shows, and it is a program very much geared towards showing. The majority of the operation heads south for the winter but they do have folks stay home and believe they have an assistant trainer who stays, too. Definitely worth an email, though!

[Mayhemrider369]

Highly recommend Caves Farm in Owings Mills.

[ChronoTime24]

Thanks. I’ve heard showing is a priority for Caves - do you know how flexible they are with adult ammies showing but not necessarily 30+ weeks a year?

[Foitin]

I don’t know anyone at any of the above programs showing 30 weeks a year, and I know quite a few. I think you are overly concerned about that. To be frank, the client base at these programs does not consist of ridiculously rich people without jobs who could support that show schedule. This is not to say to say that people don’t have a lot of money and nice horses, no, but there is a difference. Go to Shadow Ridge and you will see a good number of folks who have that 30 plus flexibility and deep deep deep purses.

For some perspective, I ride at a similar program and do about 15 shows a year. That is enough to quality my horses for indoors.