Best mid-Atlantic horse communities

[Turntable]

Asking for a friend who is looking to move East: ideally somewhere on the eastern foothills of the Appalachians within either a few hours drive or a direct flight to DC from a small airport. Rural / small town but she shows dressage and show jumping and starts young horses so wants easy access to a variety of venues with both rated and unrated shows (within 2 hours drive) and hopefully some horse trials. Access to trails for both horses and humans is a must. Ideally off the property and ideally someplace with a big trail network that won’t be built over and lost in the next 10 years. They are open to horse communities with shared facilities or a stand alone place. Reasonably priced as they work remote so no need to spend a premium. NC or further north, not Florida, not Aiken. Not somewhere you need to spend all winter in an indoor - so wherever that line is would be the northern bound. All of this is pretty do-able here in sunny California but seems harder to find back east, especially the deeded or public trails close to nice show venues part of it.

Tryon seems like a good possibility. They spent a few weeks looking already and liked Tryon but would prefer to be a bit further north. Any suggestions? Thanks!

[clanter]

@Turntable

direct flight to DC

there are just two rural airports which are relatively close that fit that bill that have scheduled flights directly to Washington Dulles International Airport

1. Staunton / Waynesboro, VA with currently 10 flights per day…91 mile flight
2. Charlottesville, VA, 80 mile something flight …several times per day

Direct flights from Washington (IAD) - FlightConnections

[eponacelt]

I live in Culpeper, VA and we’re about a 1.5-2 hour drive to DC. Great access to venues for rated shows (Morven Park, Virginia Horse Center, HITS Culpeper) and LOTS of schooling shows all around.
Close to Shenandoah National Park and the George Washington National Forest, both of which have plenty of trails for horses. There are also Wildlife Management Areas where you can ride close by. Lots of trainer and vets. You could also go further south to the Charlottesville area or over the mountain to the Shenandoah Valley and still be within reasonably easy driving distance to DC as long as you’re not doing it every single day. And the Valley would get you closer to being able to ride into the National Forest right off your property.

Having lived both in the Valley and here in Culpeper, I’m partial to this side of the mountain as its a smidge warmer in the winter, but both are lovely places with good communities. Probably a few more horsey options on this side of the mountains, but both places are within a fairly reasonable drive.

[Texarkana]

If she wants mountains, basically just pick a town between the I-81 and Route 29 corridors in VA. Ideally no further south than Lexington because the horse activity sharply drops off (however, the public riding land increases, so it may be worth the trade off). That whole region is both drivable to DC and has plenty of direct flights from the regional airports.

I went to college in the area. My college had a huge riding program and an indoor, my boarding barn did not. I thought I survived fine without an indoor at my boarding barn. Even my lessons at the college were held outdoors most of the winter. Winters aren’t warm, but there isn’t a lot of accumulating snowfall nor are there many extended deep freezes.

[Ajierene]

You may want to define further - Mid-Atlantic region of the US is most commonly defined as NY state through MD, sometimes WV, and VA are included but it is overall definitely farther north of NC.

That being said, Fairhill area of MD (Cecil County) has Fairhill (5K acre state park - designed horse friendly), a lot of more rural areas but close to cities and within 2 hour drive of SO MANY venues of all shapes and sizes (dressage, hunter, eventing, western, etc).

It is also a 2 hour drive from DC.

North of Philadelphia is another good area. It is a bit colder and if you prefer to fly, you can fly from PHI or Allentown to DC.

From both the Fairhill area and Philly, Amtrak has a commuter train would go to DC - several times a day between DC and Boston.

It’s a bit colder than NC but the last few winters have been pretty mild so riding in the winter is not a big deal. On harsher winters, snow doesn’t generally stay all winter…but I’m used to the area so riding in 30 degree weather isn’t a big deal to me. Your friend’s thoughts may be different.

[luvmyhackney]

Might want to look off of I81 in panhandle area of WV and PA and add in MD around Hagerstown and maybe outside of Frederick. Especially if able to work remote.
You can also take the train in many of these areas to the airport.
Close enough to Dulles, Baltimore, many smaller airports. Really close to good trainers, clinics, etc. good hiking and trails outdoor.

[luvmyhackney]

Unrated , yes, lots within a two hour range. Rated, Dressage and Eventing, yes. I’m not sure about Hunter/jumper rated shows.

It’s a good area where you get good value for the money, but realize it is still very country and totally different than city living.

[Texarkana]

You are less than an hour to Swan Lake from Hagerstown which has basically year round rated H/J shows. Plenty of other options within 2 hours.

It’s a good area. But may be a bit colder than your friend wants.

[Baybear]

I would suggest looking into the western part of Northern VA out past Leesburg towards Blumont, Berryville and out towards Charles Town, WVA. That puts you in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Dulles Airport would be an hour plus away. There are plenty of good trainers and facilities out that way, and you’re close to many competition venues - for hunter/jumper, dressage and eventing.