We’re pondering a move from the Bay Area to Boulder (or Boulder-adjacent — maybe Lafayette or Louisville-ish), and will be looking to relocate our horses (my mare and my daughter’s pony, and ideally I’d find a place for my youngest to take lessons, as well — we’re potential new converts from H/J land). We’re open to a huge range of boarding and training setups (full service/not, boarding somewhere and trailering out for lessons or having someone come to us, maybe an eventing barn, whatever), as long as it’s at a place with significant turnout (we’re starved for it in the Bay Area and I would give multiple limbs to let my horse be a horse for a few hours a day). I’d very much appreciate any insights you could share on the local scene, trainers you’d recommend, etc. Thanks in advance!
I used to live in Boulder, most of the barns were closer to Lafayette and Louisville. There were two big barns near each other out on 34? Near rhe diagonal. They used to be called Blue Cloud and East Slope.
I have no idea the quality of training since this was a while ago, but it might get you started. There was also a little western place along the road to Lyon.
Lots of great barns. Look up Blue Roof, Nighthawk, Rabbit Mountain. I’m blanking on others right now!
Lesley Eden is in Boulder, CO. She’s a hugely accomplished dressage rider and trainer (rode many years with Anne Gribbons at Knoll Dressage in FL). Really a great instructor for all levels and all types of horses, and a wonderful person.
I’ve sent her a message and will forward her # to you as a private message, if you are interested.
Thank you so much! That would be great.
I live in the area and sadly… there are too many people moving here which means huge housing developments and traffic is getting a lot more dense. A lot of places have changed hands or are no longer boarding barns… there are WAY more options down by Parker fwiw. That off my back…
The good places usually have a long waiting list or are private barns that only offer boarding for friends and acquaintances. Boarding here will be more expensive than you think (and I used to live in the Bay Area)
There are options but it’s dry here… and getting drier so lush grass is not really feasible unless they have significant water rights. There are some eventing barns east…on the other other side of I-25 but be prepared to spend a lot of time in traffic during the after school/after work commute. There are some trainers that travel but not many…most of the dressage trainers are clustered south of Denver in Parker/Elizabeth/Castle Rock area. A good trainer recently left for that area 
Nighthawk and Blue Roof are the two that are closest…Rabbit Mountain is large and has an eventing scene along with dressage plus turnout. Others are either mostly h/j or have closed or sold to private parties. Here is a list from the Boulder Dressage site… note Singletree is now h/j and Somerset was sold and is now called Nighthawk.
- Blue Roof Equestrian Center, Lafayette 303-665-3241 boarding, lessons
- Lookout Ridge, Longmont 303-604-6704 boarding, lessons
- Pferdehof Dressage, Berthoud 214-704-5710 boarding, lessons
- Rabbit Mountain Equestrian Center, Longmont 303-776-4907 boarding, training, lessons
- Singletree Farm, Boulder 720-350-2893 boarding, lessons
- Somerset Farms, Longmont 303-638-3606 boarding, lessons
- Triple Creek Ranch, Longmont 303-444-4291 boarding, lessons, sales, consignments, shows
- Windy CreekRanch, Longmont 303-817-2783 boarding, lessons
- Reverie Farm, Longmont 303-547-2341 boarding
- Paragon Equestrian, Berthoud 970-532-4603 boarding
Here are a few updates to your good list.
Singletree is now private. It’s called Good Luck farm and is home to what used to be the Temple Farm Lippizans.
Paragon is somewhat private. Lesley Eden trains there and she is very good, but it’s not open to just anyone who wants to board. It’s a facility where you have to be accepted in.
Reverie has sold and is now Wind Swept farm. Greta Vowell is the trainer.
Board at a Dressage barn in Boulder county is ~$1,700/month not including training.
That is very interesting! Are they still breeding?
Yes, they are breeding and also have horses for sale. if you are on FB, they have a page.
