Hello,
I will be moving to Chester County, PA in the near future and am looking for a barn to board my 6yo gelding. I have a strong interest in dressage, with the goal to get my bronze medal in the next year or so, and lower level eventing (BN, N, T). I am looking for something with a training program for lessons and training rides given my future work schedule. I know there are a ton of big names in this area, but not sure about the boarding situation. TIA!
As you said, there are a ton. A couple to consider are Blue Goose Stable, Fylicia Barr and Carrie Butler.
Emily Donaldson, Kerri Healy Nitzenberger (leases at Philip’s)
Lauren Annett/ Bally Vae Farm
Ardara Sport Horses
Balley Vae
Blue Goose Stables
ES Eventing
The Stables at Fox Crossing
Windurra
Kate Hicks (teaches a great lesson and indoor at farm)
Blue Goose is great but not really an indoor
I wouldn’t go to Windurra— they are usually south for winter and while good training, not really a boarding facility. No indoor yet.
it really depends on what exactly you want. I boarded at a lot of places in the area before building my own place (sorry…no room for boarders).
Blue Goose does have a 40x90 indoor. Looks newer…attended a dressage show there last year.
I agree about any long term boarding at Windurra. I guess I was thinking more about the training. As
@bornfreenowexpensive said, they go south for the winter as well as Erin at ES Eventing.
If you’re serious about dressage and your bronze medal (Awesome goal!!) I would board and/or train with Emily Donaldson or Darcy at Blue Goose.
If you’re more split between Dressage and eventing I would lean to try to be at Fox Crossing or one of the other places nearby with an indoor and some outside jumps. (There’s some in West Chester area)
Chester County is a LARGE area and there are a lot of farms so it would help to know where you will be living/working/communting from.
Em
Thank you everyone! We are looking at specifically of moving to the Landenberg, Kennett Square, Chadds Ford area, but will actually be working in Delaware, at the ChristianaCare Hospital in Newark. My biggest concern with this area was that most of the big names may go south for the winter. An indoor is certainly a plus but not necessarily a deal beaker, assuming the footing outdoor can handle some riding during the winter months.
Ardara may be a good situation for you. It’s in Cochranville with a beautiful indoor and 2 Outdoor rings. Melissa Gallagher runs the main barn focusing on dressage. Alison Chubb has the 2nd barn focusing on Eventing (AMC Equestrian). Both teach and will do training rides and are very talented.
