Boarding north of Washington DC

[IPEsq]

Another consideration is that that some routes have traffic controls in place meaning certain of the smaller (not interstate) commuter roads become one way only during rush hour, and that one way may or may not be the way you or your SO wants to go.

I’ve off and on been looking for jobs/talking to recruiters in the area thinking of moving back. I did not have horses when I lived in the area previously. I used to ride a bike a lot and have actually considered if I move back maybe looking in the Poolesville area and riding my bike most often to the city or NoVa burbs (Crystal city and the like) because it would be faster. We are talking maybe 60+ miles round trip.

[Larissa]

I do wish I could help you on barn suggestions as I think you’re being a bit shortchanged on this thread. But alas, I have been out of the in-a-program circles for a long time and never shopped in that particular price range.

If you are indeed going to pursue Gaithersburg I could at least suggest some areas to consider searching in. I lived somewhat near this intersection for about three years and rode in varied locations. You would probably want to limit yourself to a 20mi radius of your home location and preferably less than that. I rode in Boyds (20m early weekends, 35m+ weekdays), Poolesville (45m, 1.15h), Mt. Airy (45m, 1.15h), Brookeville/Olney (25m, 45m) and Damascus (25m, 45m).

And yes, the driving is incomprehensibly bad. It’s not a “sore subject” - it is a fact. From the location noted I commuted with HOV privileges to Bethesda (18mi). Even with three different accesses to the highway it usually took 55m. Easily half of that was spent on the 3-4mi between highway and house. In fact I moved back home to Frederick County because the traffic on local roads was so heavy morning, noon and night, weekdays and weekends that I nearly lost my mind. I now commute, sans HOV, from Urbana (south Frederick) to Bethesda - 31mi (2mi off highway at either end) at 5:45AM takes me an avg 1:05. Rush hour starts before 5 am, slows around 9:30 am and ramps again from 2:30 to 7:30 pm.

To be honest the traffic becomes a bit second nature so I’d think more about the atmosphere of the area you are choosing to live in when making a decision. Some pockets of Gaithersburg are quiet, mature, even slightly rural but much of it is strip-mall living, busy neighborhoods with overcrowded neighboring apts/houses and much, much cultural diversity up close and personal. Areas like Rockville, Bethesda, Arlington are the more stratified condo, nightlife, city living locations. Suburbs west of 270 lean more spacious and “slower”-paced.

Most farms in the area that would meet your criteria have websites or Facebook pages. I would suggest doing some intensive searching and returning to the forum with perhaps a new thread asking for input on those barns that you’ve identified as potential fits.

[findthedistance]

I’m in the Germantown/Boyds/Poolesville area, and $650/month is a reasonable budget to find good care, indoor, on-site trainer. It won’t get you a program doing AA shows, a fancy lounge, or four feedings a day, but safe and competent is definitely doable. Also, look north toward Damascus, etc. Second the recommendation to get very familiar with the Equiery, narrow down your options, and return for specific recommendations.

Now, I’m with everyone else on that commute to Arlington. Eek. Unless he’s working major off-hours, that’s going to be hideous. I strongly advocate for never commuting over a bridge.

[gottagrey]

It would depend on where OP’s SO is working in Arlington? Also don’t know what the OP’s housing budget is - closer in DC is going to be more expensive than out my way.

I commuted for 10 years from Germantown to Tysons Corner and that took on average (barring any major accident) about 45 -1 hour in the morning, afternoon was another story = 1 hour+ most of the time, and traffic starts around 3:00pm.

The other thing is if SO will have parking available or if he needs to take metro? Or if there’s a van pool. If her SO has to take Metro, that throws a whole new wrench into the mix. Metro from G’burg would involve redline (ugh) to Metro Center and transfer to Blue, Orange or Silver Line. Parking comes at a premium in many parts of the area.

[raisethebar]

Woooo, so much information to digest. Thanks everyone!

Idk even where to start. I believe we have a good idea about the areas now and how long commuting will be. SO already travels an hour (hour and a half with traffic) into another part of VA, so I am confident that we have that under control.

All the better places to commute into Arlington are great if we can afford them. Renting is going to have to be the way we do things in the beginning until we can find something that works for us. Unfortunately my money tree hasn’t grown I know the prices of those easier to commute from areas are highly expensive and I do not think we would practically be able to go that route at the time.

[IPEsq]

Where is your SO currently living and commuting to? That info may help us…

You can be somewhat close in and find affordable rents if you can still be driving distance from Metro or commuter rail. There are also some areas such as along the I-95 corridor where you can commute by slugging to have access to HOA from some of the burbs to some closer in metro stops. I agree with those who say to try to avoid being on the red line right now…and it’s best actually if you or your SO need to incorporate Metro to avoid water crossings if possible. Lots of single tracking, having to get on a bus, closures, and it’s only gotten worse since I left the area.

Are there any other considerations about you choosing MD that we are not aware of? Are you trying to establish MD residency to go back to school, for example? Tax reasons? How often do you expect to be going to B’more? How often to Frederick? Since they are in opposite directions…it can make a big difference where you are in relation to what quadrant of the beltway. For example, if you’d go to the Frederick area more often, then maybe you’d want to live out near-ish 66 if you choose the VA side. If you would be going to Baltimore a lot, then it would make more sense to live north of the beltway provided you could find the right balance with SO’s commute.

If you want to consider VA, look at virginiaequestrian.com for listings and compare to what you find on Equiry. Then maybe come back and ask for comments on some specific barns/programs? Or narrow down the target area?

[raisethebar]

Coming up with a list of places and would love some input -

The Other Left @ Oatland Stables - Brookville, MD
CB Farm - Poolesville, MD
Centeurion Farm - Poolesville, MD
Walnut Pond Farm - Brookville, MD
JET Stone Stable - Dickerson, MD ($825 board for new barn, inquired if other barn would be cheaper)
Beyond A Bay - Poolesville, MD
Dream Catcher Farm - Adamstown, MD

Does anyone have any ideas to feed off of this?

I spoke with my trainer and she is aware of my eventual move. I want her to be a part of it to help me land some place where similar to the care and training I have now. She is going to make some calls to our professional rider (from Northern MD) and see what she would recommend. She highly recommended Alan Lohman, but unfortunately I cannot afford his board at this time.

[mortgagemyhorse]

Given your wants list, I think Walnut Pond would be a good choice. Barbie at Beyond a Bay is a lovely woman with a great group but I’m not certain her program would be the best option for a young/green one if you need trainer rides. CB I would have thought was pricy, but if not that is a solid option. Centurion, though beautiful and great footing, doesn’t always have a steady trainer, unless things have changed, but perhaps allows for a trainer to come in as you also mentioned.

[AKB]

Playland Farm in Union Bridge is lovely. I don’t think I would live in Gaithersburg if I were boarding there. Google maps should help.

[Jazzme2305]

I’ll put in another vote for Rolling Acres Show Stables with Patty Foster and Marylisa and Alexandra Listrani Panetta at Walnut Pond. Alexandra (Allie) is likely cheaper than Rolling Acres but RASS offers a bigger program.

RASS goes to Ocala for winter but leaves a good trainer at home (who actually lives in the Gaithersburg area as well). Allie stabled and rode with Rolling Acres in Ocala but flew in to show so she was able to train/travel with her students in MD/PA during the winter.

http://walnutpondfarm.com/
http://www.rollacresshowstables.com/

[wanderlust]

[QUOTE=raisethebar;8866060]
Coming up with a list of places and would love some input -

The Other Left @ Oatland Stables - Brookville, MD
CB Farm - Poolesville, MD
Centeurion Farm - Poolesville, MD
Walnut Pond Farm - Brookville, MD
JET Stone Stable - Dickerson, MD ($825 board for new barn, inquired if other barn would be cheaper)
Beyond A Bay - Poolesville, MD
Dream Catcher Farm - Adamstown, MD

Does anyone have any ideas to feed off of this?

I spoke with my trainer and she is aware of my eventual move. I want her to be a part of it to help me land some place where similar to the care and training I have now. She is going to make some calls to our professional rider (from Northern MD) and see what she would recommend. She highly recommended Alan Lohman, but unfortunately I cannot afford his board at this time.[/QUOTE]

I think you are going to find most of these outside of your price range - I’m not familiar with Oatland or JET Stone, but the others are all well above $650 and more in the Lohman price range, and several have training requirements as well.

I’m in south Arlington and ride in Poolesville. It’s significantly easier to get to during both rush and off hours than Middleburg/Leesburg areas.

[Hollywood87]

Since you’ve indicated that you plan to stay in the Gaithersburg area, and considering your requirements, a good option to consider is Southwind Farm in Damascus.

[SansPeurDansLaSelle]

Walnut Pond and Beyond A Bay are pretty close to your list of requirements and not quite as expensive as RAF. Adrian Ford at Big Easy/Canterbury is also worth a look, I loved riding with him as a kid, RAF is just right down the street from my house now.

Oatlands is probably not going to be he type of environment you’re looking for, they have a giant IEA and IHSA (UMD team) program so the indoor is packed with lessons most nights and they host a ton of shows through the school year. The barn also definitely needs an update and the field situation is giant herds with not great fencing. I love the trainers who work there and they are great with all of their team kids (I rode there with my HS team and with the UMD team) but I wouldn’t recommend it for a serious working amateur.

[raisethebar]

Thank you so much!!! This helped a lot I believe I have crossed Oatlands off of my list. I fight to get into the ring as it is on lesson nights which I don’t always mind, I like riding with other people but I don’t want to have any more of a problem.