Yep! Full-service is the only option, so it’s whatever mix of pro rides/lessons/Pessoa, etc., that you need—six days a week. The only upcharge is supplements and body clipping as needed, and a quarterly supplies charge ($50/horse).
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And at really good jumper programs. At one time, all the best in the USA were based in the area.
People have implied the OP would be disappointed with programs here, which is probably true when limited to public transit access. But having a car opens up a world of possibilities.
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Sorry, I’m coming back to this again because it’s really bothering me how the picture was painted for the OP.
There are weekend only “local A” hunter/jumper shows around New York and New Jersey. Plenty of amateurs show in the 1.20m classes. Barns do exist where you can jump without the supervision of your trainer. There are still barns with access to hacking.
I think the OP has received good advice on the limitations of finding everything they want within access of public transit. It doesn’t sound like it exists with public transit only. But the picture doesn’t need to be quite so gloom and doom overall- there are a lot of compromises that can be made where the OP might get most of what they want (especially with a vehicle). I completely understand those compromises probably mean shipping from Europe is not worth it. But there are still some options.
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One of the best ways to understand and embrace another culture is through its music.
Its from a Simon and Garfunkle song circa 1970s. If OP is not familiar with them, she should listen to their early work. They were quintessential New Yorkers with many references to the city in their songs…like 59th St Bridge song (Feeling Groovy) and the one with “Counting the cars on the NJ Turnpike they all come to look for America”.
Those songs have aged very well and still are relaxing, thoughtful and some quite beautiful. Enjoy them.
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I think you said it yourself.
Some options totally exist if OP is willing to buy a $10-15k used Prius or leverage a Zipcar membership. OP clearly said they don’t want to drive.
As someone who doesn’t LOVE longer-haul driving (I have a visual disability where driving at night is uncomfortable driving over 2 hours) - I get it. She made it clear she’s not interested in driving so that severely limits the options she does have.
Sometimes you have to believe people when they tell you their boundaries and limits - even if with them the outcomes are limited or less “good”.
Given the OPs very specific criteria of public transit only: I vote leasing a dressage horse or a hunter and have FUN riding something different and gaining new horse skills and experiences. Maybe OP meets another AA who has a 3’ + hunter and allows her to show lease it for HITS - who knows!
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I think most key here is that things change over 2 decades.
20 years ago we didn’t have Amazon same day delivery and super computers (iPhones) in our pockets, and deep fake computer vision video filtering (hello, TikTok Bold Glamour filter)…
things change at a rate way faster than 20 years… especially in the 2000s
the house I live in is 7 figures bought in the last 2 years, 20 years ago it was $300k -$400k … believe me I wish my mortgage was that of 20 years ago… Imagine a CA coastal $400k house AKA I’d have no mortgage 
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OP came in very firm about not wanting to drive or use a Zipcar (as is their right!) But that is why the overall tone of the thread was so negative. People offered a lot of solutions, but they all involved driving…because unfortunately, living in NYC without a car and wanting a quality program for a jumper (1-2 training rides per week for a 1.2m horse) is not really possible.
And OP was clear that they wouldn’t move their horse unless they found the perfect situation. Perfect situation seemed to be accessible by public transport from NYC, under $3k a month, program suitable for 1.2m horse. People in that area said that doesn’t really exist, and OP took that in stride. I don’t think anything about that is doom and gloom - just honest. OP didn’t ask for compromises, and was upfront that horse was only coming from Europe for perfect situation because current situation was very ideal.
@erinmeri Two out of the four barns I’ve been at in the past 3 years have allowed jumping outside of lessons. One was a smaller barn where the trainer recognized my own experience and allowed me to school my own horse. Current barn is a large, nice boarding barn, and anyone can use the jumps (everyone has their own horse and are all adults). The level of rider at my current barn varies quite a bit, but I’ve been pleasantly surprised by how rational everyone is about it. You don’t really see people jumping things they shouldn’t be, and that includes on a small cross country course out back.
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Oh @Rel6 and @mika0116 , I totally agree about the boarding situation part.
The “doom and gloom” I was referring to was more about the showing culture, what you can and can’t do, etc.
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Oh yes, I can see that! I think things are very different here, but some of it are valid points to be aware of. The NYC area is nice in that there are a lot of options at the 1.2m level somewhat locally, but I can imagine that the lack of ability to go show at that level easily and accessibly in general in the US would be quite the letdown.
There are barns in Bedford and North/South Salem that you can take the train and then take a 10/15 minute taxi ride to and from the barn - I have done it for YEARS! Peter Leone is at Sunnyfield in Bedford, at least he was, James, forget his last name, was PL assistant trainer now has his own barn - anyhow, if you don’t mind taking a short, affordable, taxi to and from the barn, they do exist… not plentiful but possible. Jorge Ventricelli, is also in the area and use to have lesson horses and horses for full or half lease - not sure what the current prices are - Yes, Westchester is expensive! I have found places to ride by doing google searches, calling the barns - many times the person answering the phone can give you suggestions on who to contact at an other barn.
I know people have done that at Ox Ridge in Connecticut for years, although that one is probably only a 5 minute cab ride.
The distance from the train station might almost be walkable, although I don’t know if anyone has ever actually done that. Lol.
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Well, on the flip side, OP: if you aren’t spending lots of money on board, and time and money traveling to the barn, that will leave you with money and time to buy the occasional plane ticket to Europe to visit your horse 
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I certainly haven’t questioned the quality of the programs… there are a lot of superb ones in this area. I just questioned whether it’s realistic to check all the boxes (cost, accessibility, level of jumping, hacking out opportunities)… especially without a car.
You could fly home 3 times a month on budget airlines for the cost of board.
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Haha good point, if sustainability wasn’t a thing I would probably do that 
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Same here
OP, just out of curiosity, is there a specific reason you’re making the need for a car a deal-breaker? Even if you find a facility, it will also need to be a good match for you and your horse.
I think your decision to leave her home and experiment with dressage, trail riding, and jumping at a bunch of other barns is a sound one, but having lived in the UK, I will also agree that any U.S. public transport (especially outside of heavily-trafficked areas in the city) may be more of a headache than just buying a beater car you don’t mind getting dinged up for a few years. I wish public transport in the U.S. was as good as Europe.
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OP lives in Manhattan. I currently have two friends who on a near weekly basis tell me how dumb they were to think they could have a car in Manhattan.
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Does it matter? Also your experience in the UK doesn’t matter as you yourself said Europe has better public transportation and Europe is where the OP comes from.
I dunno, this thread reads like people are offended the OP doesn’t want to buy a car and move her horse.
The OP had a set criteria and it won’t be met. She was gracious about it. Why keep acting like it’s an issue?
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I’m not offended and I expressed my sympathy that public transportation in the US isn’t the same as in Europe. I certainly wish it was. In fact, that was my point.
The fact it’s necessary to have a car to access barns is one reason finding riding time in the city is so difficult for many people. No one is attacking the OP for it personally, but merely pointing out it is an unfortunate infrastructure problem and she needs to weigh the cons of having a car in NYC versus the pros of how it will expand her riding options.
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