Barn Recommendations in Northern Virginia?

[eqnova]

Hi everyone,

I just moved to Northern VA (Arlington) and work in Tyson’s Corner. I’m 25 and would like to get back into riding after a year off, and am having a heck of a time finding something within a reasonable drive of Tyson’s Corner. Seems like something out near Leesburg, or Aldie, might be my best bet. There are clearly some lovely options out by Middleburg and The Plains, but I’ve experienced this area’s traffic before, and that’s just going to be too far for me. Any recommendations? Am I missing barns closer in?

The other complicating factor is I don’t currently have a horse, so I need somewhere that has lease options or even just lessons so I can get back into riding shape before I shop for my own horse. I’m 25 and haven’t ridden in a year, but otherwise have ridden consistently my entire life (including 6 days/week in college). Last year I was having fun in the 1.0m jumpers, so I’d be looking to do that and eventually move up now that I make a lot more money and can afford to lease/buy a nicer horse. I can afford something in the realm of $1200/m for board, or more if it included some training/lessons. Appreciate any guidance!

[blondewithchrome]

There are a ton of threads asking about this very area - search “nova” or “northern VA” and you should be able to find a lot of detailed convo on this board!

TDLR: don’t be afraid to try MD being inside the beltway. Alan Lohman won’t be too far from you, he has a great program, not sure about the availability of lesson horses. For lessons, your best bet is probably Meadowbrook - within the beltway, probably 30-40 mins for you out of Tysons huge lesson program, but you will need to lease or buy your own if you want to show seriously or do the 3’+ classes, Cavallo is not too far from you and has a good program as well. Clarivaux also may be a great option though I’m not sure about lesson program. There are a ton of others. This is a great horsey area!

I live in MD, feel free to PM me if you have any questions or need recommendations. Welcome to the area!

[luvmyhackney]

Check Great Falls area. There are some hidden gems and private barns that lease. Try virginiaequestrian.com as well. Many private places advertise there and you can find something to get your legs back.

[StormyDay]

I teach lessons in Leesburg, but it sounds like you are really looking for a place that you can lease or buy and put them there.

As mentioned before there are some boarding barns in Great falls. Not a ton of trainers though.

Along 15 between middleburg and leesburg there are quite a few barns. You can have your pick from super competitive to more casual and laid back. If you want more specific recommendations on good choices there (and those I’d suggest staying away from) you can send me a PM.

[gottagrey]

For Tyson’s and Arlington commutes your best bet is probably Montgomery .co Maryland.
alan Lohan is great but doesn’t really have “lesson program.” He’d be one thing go to when you’ve got a horse and ready to hit the circuit.

Rokeby stables is in great falls / McLean area and is just off the GW parkway so that might be worth checking out. Another is Madeira school which is a private school with a equestrian program. I knew some adults who rode there years ago but not sure if their school is limited to students. But the location would be good for you if they do have outside lessons available.

There’s a woman Judy Dean who teaches at Avenel in Potomac Md and I believe she has a couple of lesson horses. She’s great and low key.l and would be great to get back into riding with. Avenel is not too far from 495 exit on Potomac!

another place - surmont Ltd. in poolesville. With normal traffic it’s 1 hour from Tysons. Covid traffic would be less time. Generally has a couple of nice lesson / lease horses available and another great option to get back in the saddle and continue on

[ElementFarm]

I think I wrote your exact post almost 4 years ago.

I live in Arlington, and worked near Tyson’s Corner (Liberty Crossing) until this summer when I moved to a Pentagon job.

I was NEVER able to really find a good match.
There are some cute boarding barns in/around Great Falls. I rode a few horses there for awhile until circumstances changed. But there weren’t really decent options for lessons in that area. I did ride at a decent H/J program in Leesburg that I would recommend: Clairvaux. The people were very friendly, the facilities good (indoor and outdoor rings) and the lesson horses surprisingly nice. It’s a hike and a half, like any decent H/J barn is going to be in DC traffic. I eventually stopped riding there, only because the hour+ each way was killing me. I did try riding in MD a few times, but found the commute the same or worse.

If you have weekend availability and can lesson on Sat/Sun, the drive might not be so horrid. My horses live in NC, so I go there to ride them weekends. Having riding on weekends meant I wasn’t desperate enough to do the weekday drive. In your case, it might be worth it, or if you have some job flexibility, and could ride in the morning, before work, for example, the commute might be more tolerable. Good luck!!

[Jumper_Princess1988]

Welcome to NoVA! I moved to the area myself a few years ago. I ended up boarding my gelding at a barn in Great Falls for a year - convenient location for sure, but the owners left a lot to be desired. I ended up moving to Clairvaux in Leesburg and never once regretted the extra distance (price was roughly the same). Terri and her team are great - I’ve never had an issue with the care or training in three years (and I’m very very fussy!!!).

She has several former lesson students lease/buy and stay for 10+ years, which is always a good indication that they are doing things right! Definitely recommend looking through her website and scheduling a visit.

[chunky_munky]

You may want to check into Stoneridge in Falls Church, VA.

[Darkwave]

@chunky munky

You may want to check into Stoneridge in Falls Church, VA.

A quick clarification - Stoneridge is in Great Falls, VA; not Falls Church, Va.

Both Great Falls and Falls Church are fairly easy to get to from Arlington and/or Tysons, but they are different. Great Falls is outside the beltway; Falls Church is inside the beltway.

[chunky_munky]

Well, either one is pretty close LOL. I don’t live up there. I just know they are up there somewhere!

[gottagrey]

@Darkwave

A quick clarification - Stoneridge is in Great Falls, VA; not Falls Church, Va.

Both Great Falls and Falls Church are fairly easy to get to from Arlington and/or Tysons, but they are different. Great Falls is outside the beltway; Falls Church is inside the beltway.

I think the last place to ride in Falls Church might’ve been the pony ride place near our dogs vet ages ago.

[eqnova]

Thanks so much for the recommendations everyone! I’ve done a deep dive through other similar posts (you’re right - there are a lot). It seems like I need to seriously check out Clairvaux and Cavallo Farm, though I am still worried about traffic/distance/long-term practicality.

Rokeby would be absolutely perfect from a location standpoint. Does anyone know if they have an indoor? I can’t tell from their facebook page. DC winters don’t seem too bad, but riding outside still might not be too fun. Any opinions on Cedar Creek?

[fourfillies]

Cedar Creek is wonderful but I think you’d need to lease. Last winter in DC you could have gotten by without an indoor but not typically unless you don’t jump and are willing to skip 4-6 weeks mid Jan-March.

[gottagrey]

@eqnova

Thanks so much for the recommendations everyone! I’ve done a deep dive through other similar posts (you’re right - there are a lot). It seems like I need to seriously check out Clairvaux and Cavallo Farm, though I am still worried about traffic/distance/long-term practicality.

Rokeby would be absolutely perfect from a location standpoint. Does anyone know if they have an indoor? I can’t tell from their facebook page. DC winters don’t seem too bad, but riding outside still might not be too fun. Any opinions on Cedar Creek?

I don’t think Rokeby has an indoor, but honestly I’ve boarded/ridden in this area since the 80’s at 2 places that didn’t have an indoor and it was never an issue. Current barn has an indoor but it’s a bit small. My feeling about indoors in the winter is - if the weather is that nasty chances are Im not going to want to go out anyway.

the other thing is - please accept the fact that commuting in this area is challenging so realistic commute to barn is going to be about an hour. If it’s less than that you’re doing well.

On the plus side for being just outside the Nation’s Capitol, we have a large equestrian community with several competition venues 1-2 hour drive, several fox hunt clubs, steeplechases, and polo all within 1-2 drive. And we’ve got tack shops - Dover Saddlery (Chantilly VA), 2 or 3 tack shops in Middleburg, Tri-County Feeds in Marshall and a couple in Purcellville. While they’re not necessarily close enough for you to make a quick trip to, it can be a nice day of shopping and lunching in Middleburg or Purceville as there are several good, charming places to grab lunch.

[GoneAway]

@fourfillies

Cedar Creek is wonderful but I think you’d need to lease. Last winter in DC you could have gotten by without an indoor but not typically unless you don’t jump and are willing to skip 4-6 weeks mid Jan-March.

FWIW I wintered in Middleburg and the MD/DC area for many years and survived fine without an indoor. The one year I had an indoor I still was outside quite a bit during the winter. We all hunted, hacked out, jumped (in and out of the ring) and didn’t have to take any significant time off. It will vary year by year of course (and the footing will also be a factor), but I wouldn’t lose sleep about an otherwise great facility/program if they lacked an indoor. Any ring work just had to wait until the footing thawed (so no early morning rides) so we could flat or jump.

And to echo what @gottagrey said, Middleburg area is a must if you haven’t already been there. Make a day of it; hit the Middleburg Tack Exchange, run down to Tri County if you want, and finish it off with dinner at the Hunter’s Head Tavern in Upperville.

I live in Lex (KY) now and I still miss the 'Burg.

[gottagrey]

@GoneAway

FWIW I wintered in Middleburg and the MD/DC area for many years and survived fine without an indoor. The one year I had an indoor I still was outside quite a bit during the winter. We all hunted, hacked out, jumped (in and out of the ring) and didn’t have to take any significant time off. It will vary year by year of course (and the footing will also be a factor), but I wouldn’t lose sleep about an otherwise great facility/program if they lacked an indoor. Any ring work just had to wait until the footing thawed (so no early morning rides) so we could flat or jump.

And to echo what @gottagrey said, Middleburg area is a must if you haven’t already been there. Make a day of it; hit the Middleburg Tack Exchange, run down to Tri County if you want, and finish it off with dinner at the Hunter’s Head Tavern in Upperville.

I live in Lex (KY) now and I still miss the 'Burg.

I live in Darnestown and have a choice of several grocery stores - Wegmans, Giant, Safeway, Harris Teeter, Whole Foods - suffice to say it is rare that I don’t see at least one fellow rider! It really is pretty cool to have such a healthy equestrian community and of many different disciplines.

[sassy]

My horse was leased out to MEA Haven farm in Aldie. I’m not sure what their situation is with lesson horses but the barn is beautifully kept and seemed very adult ammy friendly! They do some local shows and rated shows I believe.

[GoneAway]

@gottagrey

I live in Darnestown and have a choice of several grocery stores - Wegmans, Giant, Safeway, Harris Teeter, Whole Foods - suffice to say it is rare that I don’t see at least one fellow rider! It really is pretty cool to have such a healthy equestrian community and of many different disciplines.

Right?? Middleburg/NoVA area was such a haven for horse people, I still haven’t found anything else quite like it. And I think the mix of disciplines is what makes it so great. Out here I know they say Lexington is “horse capital of the world” (and by the numbers I’m sure it’s up there…and the sporthorse world is definitely getting good here), but I can’t help but think the Middleburg/Upperville area and surrounding towns are probably the coolest concentration of horsemen ever.

I sometimes see a TB person in Kroger wearing their big breeding farm’s shirt and I want to be excited but I can’t, because they don’t know who this crazy chick in tall boots is. :lol::lol:

[gottagrey]

@GoneAway

Right?? Middleburg/NoVA area was such a haven for horse people, I still haven’t found anything else quite like it. And I think the mix of disciplines is what makes it so great. Out here I know they say Lexington is “horse capital of the world” (and by the numbers I’m sure it’s up there…and the sporthorse world is definitely getting good here), but I can’t help but think the Middleburg/Upperville area and surrounding towns are probably the coolest concentration of horsemen ever.

I sometimes see a TB person in Kroger wearing their big breeding farm’s shirt and I want to be excited but I can’t, because they don’t know who this crazy chick in tall boots is. :lol::lol:

Well they say that about Middleburg, but I tell you we’re giving “VA Horse Country” a run for their money out here in Montgomery Co. Maryland. What’s unique about this area is you can live in a very urban area like Chevy Chase, Bethesda, Silver Spring and within 30 minutes be out in the country at your horse barn with a few dairy farms, and acres of corn or bean, hay fields in between. Truly blessed. And pre-COVID, post barn get gussied up and head to DC for dinner and the Kennedy Center!

[Bicoastal]

@gottagrey

Well they say that about Middleburg, but I tell you we’re giving “VA Horse Country” a run for their money out here in Montgomery Co. Maryland. What’s unique about this area is you can live in a very urban area like Chevy Chase, Bethesda, Silver Spring and within 30 minutes…

A half hour? I can maybe leave my Bethesda office and touch tires to 270 payment in a half hour between the commute hours of 3:30 - 6:30pm.:lol:

Let’s be careful we set realistic expectations for the OP. Right now, COVID traffic is not at all normal reality. I think the OP will need to redefine what is a reasonable commute then decide, over the long term, if that work/life/barn/commute balance is sustainable without burning out.

Welcome to the DMV. Load up on audio books and podcasts to make the road-raging traffic a bit more pleasant.