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Barns in Santa Cruz

Hunter/Jumper
#1

I’m going to be in Santa Cruz for 6 months starting in January.

Can anyone recommend a good jumper/equitation barn in that area? I think I found a place online, but would like personal recommendations too.

I"ll be looking to take fun “old lady” lessons on safe horses, my daughter does the 1m20s and eq. Assuming we’d find the right place, we’d be leasing or boarding a horse for her to do a few A shows since we are leaving her horse at home.

I’m really sick of mega traffic and driving an hour each way to the barn here, so I’m hoping to stay within 30 minutes of downtown when I’m in Santa Cruz. Quality coaching is more important to us than fancy facilities.

If there s a place I should avoid at all costs - feel free to PM me :slight_smile:

#2

Is Penny Whaler (Waller?) still around?

#3

Just checked, she moved to Southern California

#4

I’m getting the impression from my research that Santa Cruz is in between the Bay Area and further south so there isn’t exactly a plethora of showing barns close by… but at least I found one on line that looks good :slight_smile:

Thanks for trying fourmares :slight_smile:

#5

Toward Felton or Half Moon Bay would be two places to look.

Now if you want sailing lessons I can hook you up with my nephew!

#6

Sailing lessons sound like an awesome idea - shouldn’t I be worried about sharks though?

#7

Can anyone vouch for this place? I used to see them at the shows in the Bay Area.

http://www.ridgemarkfarm.com

#8

[QUOTE=javacleo;7849193]
Sailing lessons sound like an awesome idea - shouldn’t I be worried about sharks though?[/QUOTE]Thst branch of the family doesn’t seem terribly concerned. But, for reference, they spent five years going around the world in a 38-foot sailboat, starting when my nephews were 4 and 6.

#9

I would give Tammy and Robert Blanchette a call they show most of the norcal shows and also go south.
http://blanchetteequestrian.com

#10

I have a few names:

Crystal Image in Sunol, CA
http://crystalimagefarms.com/index.html

Stagnaro Stables in Gilroy, CA
The trainer Nicole DiCorti Bush is a personal friend of mine. I went to college with her and I can tell you, although she is relatively new to the professional world, she is an excellent trainer and an excellent rider.
http://www.stagnarostables.com/index.php

Three Horse Farm out of Gilroy Gates in Holister, CA
Lizzy Vickery is the trainer there and I worked with her when I did my working student at McIntosh Stables. She’s a great rider and a great person.
http://www.threehorsefarm.com/index.html

#11

Gilroy and Hollister are an hour drive without traffic

#12

thanks for the info

and fourmares, and wow what a life experience for your nephews. Lucky kids

#13

Check Glenwood Farms and Willow Pond. They used to be o.k. (but I haven’t been in Santa Cruz in 25 years)

#14

Look into this barn: http://www.meyerhoffshowhorses.com/’

They moved to SC from the East Coast so are just getting going in their new location. A friend of mine just moved her horse there and loves it so far. The arenas are nice and there are perimeter trails. She is an eventer and is working with Bobby and it’s my understanding his wife Danica oversees the H/J end of the barn.

My friend is not on COTH but is on FB and I would be happy to put you in touch with her so you can ask questions. She wants me to trailer over and take lessons with her, but it’s just too long of a drive coming from Woodside.

#15

Man, I need to google before I post. Willow Pond is natural horsemanship now…

#16

I can vouch for Vicky Rose - well at least based off my experiences with her in the mid 1990’s!

Good coach - a couple of girls knew specializing in Eq. would go train with her (and they immediately got results at shows after starting with her). She used to be the assistant to Penny Wahler.

#17

If you can think outside the H/J box and look into someone who does dressage and seems to be a thorough horsewoman, check out Jec Ballou:

http://jecballou.com

Her website looks a little slick/market-y. But I heard her give a lecture on horse conditioning (just one of the aspects of riding she’s into), and it was thorough and well-researched.

If I were in her area for six months and at loose ends, I’d certainly try to take some lessons…. just to enlarge my tool box.

#18

[QUOTE=mvp;7850240]
If you can think outside the H/J box and look into someone who does dressage and seems to be a thorough horsewoman, check out Jec Ballou:

http://jecballou.com

Her website looks a little slick/market-y. But I heard her give a lecture on horse conditioning (just one of the aspects of riding she’s into), and it was thorough and well-researched.

If I were in her area for six months and at loose ends, I’d certainly try to take some lessons…. just to enlarge my tool box.[/QUOTE]

I’ve ridden with Jec on numerous occasions and love her. I’ve taken lessons on my horse and hers and have always enjoyed it.

As an eventer, I’m always wanting to be a better dressage rider, but one of the reasons Jec stands out is because she is willing to work with riders of all disciplines.

#19

Sunol will be WAY too far. As mentioned, Gilroy/Hollister will be well-past your 30min limit.

Here are some great options that are within reason from Santa Cruz (SZ, Aptos, Scotts Valley, Felton, etc):

You might also consider options in the Carmel Valley. Probably ~45min from SZ, but less traffic than coming over Hwy 17 into the Silicon Valley. I’d suggest:

#20

[QUOTE=jenm;7850153]
Look into this barn: http://www.meyerhoffshowhorses.com/’[/QUOTE]

Ahh!! Looks like they are some who are now at Bonny Doon Eq. Cool.

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