Hi Guys,
Hijacking this thread a bit to say that I am involved in design of the equestrian facilities at a new 1000 acre County Park between Leander and Liberty Hill, just west of the river. It looks like we will get started in Feb-March. I do not know right now what facilities will be approved for the first phase of the Eq Center area, but dedicated horse trails are in phase one. I would appreciate anyone here interested in trail riding to PM me so I can contact you in a month or so for input on what level trails would be appreciated and regularly used by you or riders you know.
TIA
I’ll chime in- I’ve boarded at Christie’s Showjumpers for the past fourteen years. Janet Christie and Clare Christie are awesome trainers and always offer good quality instruction. I won’t mention the other barns since they’ve already been mentioned. ???
We are so lucky to have so many good trainers here! The replies are pretty much directed to public lessons accessible to the NW side of Austin. Many more good ones! With all our horsies, I am always amazed at the lack of a good show venue.
Chiming in to say I ride at Bit By Bit and Kim is fantastic. They go to all the local shows and some a bit farther afield; she has a few lesson horses and the instruction is excellent. She’s very flexible about lessons, and there are a ton of great people there. A very kind community.
[QUOTE=Plumcreek;7949690]
Hi Guys,
Hijacking this thread a bit to say that I am involved in design of the equestrian facilities at a new 1000 acre County Park between Leander and Liberty Hill, just west of the river. It looks like we will get started in Feb-March. I do not know right now what facilities will be approved for the first phase of the Eq Center area, but dedicated horse trails are in phase one. I would appreciate anyone here interested in trail riding to PM me so I can contact you in a month or so for input on what level trails would be appreciated and regularly used by you or riders you know.
TIA[/QUOTE]
That’s exciting - will it have show facilities?
[QUOTE=Plumcreek;7949690]
Hi Guys,
Hijacking this thread a bit to say that I am involved in design of the equestrian facilities at a new 1000 acre County Park between Leander and Liberty Hill, just west of the river. It looks like we will get started in Feb-March. I do not know right now what facilities will be approved for the first phase of the Eq Center area, but dedicated horse trails are in phase one. I would appreciate anyone here interested in trail riding to PM me so I can contact you in a month or so for input on what level trails would be appreciated and regularly used by you or riders you know.
TIA[/QUOTE]
Congrats on getting the contract!!!
Biggest thing we are lacking is a show facility. If we had a real show facility in the Austin area it would be a game changer.
I went to the Dripping Springs venue yesterday to hang out with a friend who took her two horses over there to ride. I was too cold and lazy to take a horse, but did get a good look at the facilities.
The indoor is huge and really nice with lots of schooling area. I actually like everything about it, but the footing (most important thing IMO) could be better. It is sandy loam which I generally like because it can be groomed to order. However, it appears to have been raked too deep in the past because it does have scattered small rocks coming up from the base. I wish the arena management would put some controls on that. I think it is the barrel racers who like it so deep. The rocks were not that bad, and I would still be fine jumping in there and the footing was a nice depth yesterday. But annoying that they have allowed rocks to get drug up. Also, at one end they seemed to be adding new footing in the form of sand rather than sandy loam, and that end was different and deeper (too deep for my taste).
The stalls are ok. I think there are 100 of them, with room for plenty more. They are smallish, 10 x10, which is ok I suppose. Base is asphalt. They are the panel type temporary stalls, and seem fine except that the partitions are plywood that looks a little thinish to me. Maybe 3/4 inch. I looked to see if any had been kicked out, but they all looked fine, so maybe that is strong enough.
Other than these things, the facility is quite nice. There is a really nice outdoor, but maybe too far away to be use-able for a two ring show. Maybe do-able, I wouldn’t mind, but it would sure be nice if they added a second covered.
[QUOTE=ToTheNines;7953238]
I went to the Dripping Springs venue yesterday to hang out with a friend who took her two horses over there to ride. I was too cold and lazy to take a horse, but did get a good look at the facilities.
The indoor is huge and really nice with lots of schooling area. I actually like everything about it, but the footing (most important thing IMO) could be better. It is sandy loam which I generally like because it can be groomed to order. However, it appears to have been raked too deep in the past because it does have scattered small rocks coming up from the base. I wish the arena management would put some controls on that. I think it is the barrel racers who like it so deep. The rocks were not that bad, and I would still be fine jumping in there and the footing was a nice depth yesterday. But annoying that they have allowed rocks to get drug up. Also, at one end they seemed to be adding new footing in the form of sand rather than sandy loam, and that end was different and deeper (too deep for my taste).
The stalls are ok. I think there are 100 of them, with room for plenty more. They are smallish, 10 x10, which is ok I suppose. Base is asphalt. They are the panel type temporary stalls, and seem fine except that the partitions are plywood that looks a little thinish to me. Maybe 3/4 inch. I looked to see if any had been kicked out, but they all looked fine, so maybe that is strong enough.
Other than these things, the facility is quite nice. There is a really nice outdoor, but maybe too far away to be use-able for a two ring show. Maybe do-able, I wouldn’t mind, but it would sure be nice if they added a second covered.[/QUOTE]
Good intel.
But I’m talking a multi-ring A show type facility.
dreams, all dreams
Ha YES! Nick. But I would be so happy with a two-ring for good local shows. Although I am lucky to be close to Robert’s great shows in San Antonio.
Also editing to add for plumcreek that the Dripping venue has horse trails. Some other people went out on them yesterday, and said they had a good time. Said they had held up pretty well in all the rain lately. Here is link for plumcreek (f you want me to go take some pictures I would be glad to, just so you can compare notes).
http://drippingspringsranchpark.com/default.aspx?name=facilities
Serious question…with all the A/AA shows in Katy, Tyler and Waco, how many open dates would there be for Austin A rated shows? Is the mileage rule still a 250 mile radius?
I know I can do all the showing I want to/can afford to in Katy. Although it would be nice if there was a great facility in Austin and I could have a change of scenery every now and then!
I think Waco would quickly be abandoned for Austin if the opportunity arose.
[QUOTE=Nickelodian;7954763]
I think Waco would quickly be abandoned for Austin if the opportunity arose.[/QUOTE]
Totally agree. I am not a fan of showing in Waco at all.
[QUOTE=HunterMolly;7954786]
Totally agree. I am not a fan of showing in Waco at all.[/QUOTE]
Eau de cow not your thing?
Ohhh, a well thought out show facility in Austin would be great. I would like a change of scenery 
I would thoroughly enjoy going to Austin for a show due to all of the fun little other things you can do while you’re in town… like stuff your face with all the delicious food.
[QUOTE=Nickelodian;7954763]
I think Waco would quickly be abandoned for Austin if the opportunity arose.[/QUOTE]
Ah. I have never shown in Waco, although there is talk of us doing the June show this year…
Been involved in the Austin h/j world since the early 80s and really fascinated by some of the views expressed here grew up at SWS and they still have a huge lesson contingent, so it would certainly be a place to take a look for someone wanting a lesson program on the north side of town.
[QUOTE=RioTex;7954837]
Been involved in the Austin h/j world since the early 80s and really fascinated by some of the views expressed here grew up at SWS and they still have a huge lesson contingent, so it would certainly be a place to take a look for someone wanting a lesson program on the north side of town.[/QUOTE]
Surely you don’t have 10 years on me! I know reading this thread I was feeling a little like the old lady on the porch shaking my stick and yelling to “get of my damned lawn.”
[QUOTE=Nickelodian;7953221]
Congrats on getting the contract!!!
Biggest thing we are lacking is a show facility. If we had a real show facility in the Austin area it would be a game changer.[/QUOTE]
Thanks, it was a pretty nervous group, interviewing.
To The Nines, I took a good look at Dripping Springs’ website before the interview back in Oct. Looks like most of the AQHA shows are there.
The direction given by the County is for a “low key” facility, so no multi-arena AA dreams, sorry. The desire for the park overall is to remain tranquil and natural, and will be a county park format, eq area open to the public for individual day use if not rented. I can envision a nice small show venue - something sort of retro in a nice usable facility, affordable for groups but comfortable and quality in design and construction, horse and people friendly. I am really thinking of socializing and fund raising opportunities with a BBQ/Gathering area. (I remember the olden days in Santa Barbara, Calif. when the whole show sat down to a “Santa Maria Style BBQ” and you could talk to that BNT across the table, who you were too intimidated to speak to during the show).
Phase One of the Park is our project. The eq area phase one calls for trails (8-10 miles) and “day use” facilities. I do not know what they mean by that until we start, but whatever evolves WILL have good footing and be pleasant to spend time at.
Do you all know that the indoor arena at Taylor is getting an attached covered warm-up arena and small expo area??
Besides, with the Wellington Partners/Mr.Bellissimo buying the Colorado Horse Park, you all can come up here to show. Should be interesting.
[QUOTE=Plumcreek;7949690]
Hi Guys,
Hijacking this thread a bit to say that I am involved in design of the equestrian facilities at a new 1000 acre County Park between Leander and Liberty Hill, just west of the river. It looks like we will get started in Feb-March. I do not know right now what facilities will be approved for the first phase of the Eq Center area, but dedicated horse trails are in phase one. I would appreciate anyone here interested in trail riding to PM me so I can contact you in a month or so for input on what level trails would be appreciated and regularly used by you or riders you know.
TIA[/QUOTE]
Congratulations. Is that anywhere near Dripping Springs? My knowledge of TX geography is not great. I have a friend there that would probably be happy to talk to you if it is geographically appropriate.
Yes, Peggy, it is pretty close, maybe 30ish miles as the crow flies, not as the freeway goes. (LA trained me well for Austin). I may go down and look at the show facility in Dripping Springs, but plan to do information gathering by phone. I can PM my number if you do no longer have it.
