So just for fun…I was curious what people would post and why-if you could pick anywhere to live in the US just to be in the best place to ride H/J where would it be? This is assuming of course that you would have a job in whatever your profession is otherwise…
New York City, or close in Connecticut, if I was blessed with unlimited funds. A lot of the top trainers are based within 1-3hr driving distance. Then again, most of my time would be spent at shows or in Wellyworld.
If I don’t have unlimited funds, then I’d probably stay where I am in TN or consider Atlanta, GA or somewhere in Pennsylvania. It’s similar pricing that I’m used to in Memphis. Good quality training, decent shows near by.
If money is no object, it makes no sense to pick a single location.
Palm Beach in winter, Upstate New York/ New England in summer. I could force myself to settle for year round somewhere between the west San Fernando valley and Santa Barbara.
If money is very much the object, North Carolina, Nashville and the area where I have lived for 20 years, SW Ohio/Northern Ky/SE Indiana.
Well working my current job-just being able to do it anywhere I wanted, money would always be a limited factor…but I really love VA it’s just what I’ve read in terms of H/J it’s more expensive than where my friend is in NC. So I think I’d pick NC or SC-there is a lot of H/J stuff going on. The winters are more temperate. I hate being in a long winter-this winter sucked almost everywhere! But if I could have just 2-3 months of cold-ish (but not below 20 degrees) weather I’d be happier! And I am an East-coaster-lived in NJ most of my life, so I think I’d find it hard to be on the West coast (although San Diego area is great year round).
I would have to vote for NC. We have an easy winter compared to the Northern States. We have several good horse show facilities-Tryon, Carolina Horse Park, Williamston, and Sedgefield Showgrounds. Sedgefield hosts a terrific C circuit from March to October. And NC is home to Southern Pines which is horse heaven in my books. Aiken and Camden are easy drives from here and host wonderful shows.
Once they develop another horse show facility in Tryon, NC will be a slam dunk for horse lovers!
Best state is a little hard, things can vary by area. For example South Eastern PA is very H/J oriented… Pittsburgh is a wasteland. Florida has highly horsey areas and places where they ride gators 
If I had to pick an ENTIRE STATE I’d say VA. If I could pick an area of a state I’d say SEPA, Central NJ, Atlanta area, Aiken, NOVA, Ocala, or Wellington.
Virginia but I could be biased. Ocala in the winter is a plus.
Virginia, hands down.
Course PA and VA aren’t states… but I assume commonwealths are included
Good one! Yes!
are you talking just for horses in general or for competitions?
eastern PA, from about bucks county south, is great. Also including montgomery, berks, chester, and brandywine counties. Zone 2 is a huge hub for horse people and incredibly competitive. Ive lived her all my life, and I really like it here.
Second choice? Id probably go to NC so I could easily go to aiken, gulfport, atlanta, etc.
Absolutely and undeniably, VIRGINIA!!!
