Anyone have first hand knowledge of boarding schools that not only offer riding but riding to hounds? We are looking for a school that is strong in the arts, and is not exactly “trailing” academically. Daughter is straight A student and artist / musician, but wants to ride - cant say I blame her ! Some of the schools we have looked at so far that offer riding either don’t measure up in other ways, or the riding they offer is 100% in a ring, with the emphasis on showing.
Foxcroft regularly has girls out hunting with Middleburg Hunt. For the most part, hunting is only available to Juniors and Seniors, by invitation, and not to 9th graders and Sophomores. I know that several other schools will take girls out once or twice a season, including Madeira. I think Chatham Hall offers hunting as well.
OMG! Go to Foxcroft! I was accepted to go as a freshman this year, but because we didn’t get financial aid, I couldn’t go (Does anyone know of any private grants/scholarships so I could reapply?).:(:(:(
Foxcroft is so gorgeous, and your daughter would probably have the time of her life if she went there.
What about Kent in CT. The school has a fabulous reputation academically.
Don’t know about riding out with the hounds but the school hosts USEA recognized events from spring - fall. There is a fabulous xcountry course so I assume the riding for students it is not all regulated to ring work.
I don’t know what the story is at Millbrook (in NY) but the school sits right in the middle of hunt country. Don’t know if you could bring a horse and join the local hunt.
Thanks guys, all three are definitely on our list of places to consider… Trying to find the best fit…Rail jumper, Sorry you cant go to FC, did you look at any other schools with riding? Also, what exactly did you like best about FC?
West - Kent looks interesting, I’m going to go look at their website and Millbrook too…thanks
St. Timothy’s, outside Baltimore, used to hunt regularly with Green Spring and Elkridge Harford. The only restriction was that the riding teacher had to be confident that you could keep up. No second field/hilltopping…
http://www.stt.org/pages/sitepage.cfm?id=4&pname=Home&purl=../index.cfm
STT is academically very strong as well.
That was a while ago on the hunting, but the academics are still up to snuff.
Madeline, St. Timothy’s looks very very interesting…
Chatham Hall- strong riding and academics.
St. Tim’s is a GREAT place for riding. I would recommend calling the stable and asking to speak to the Director of Riding about your daughter’s interests. Feel free to PM me with any questions, I worked at St. Tim’s for two years.
Madeira is excellent academically, but the riding program is not as strong as some other schools (limited to no opportunities for eventing or dressage). Foxcroft is very good academically, although perhaps not quite as strong as Madeira in the sciences (but maybe stronger in art). Foxcroft has a better riding program. Look at both schools. As the mother of two Madeira grads, I think Madeira is great. My neighbor’s daughters went to Foxcroft and they were very happy with Foxcroft.
AKB, I sent you a pm.
These are two schools we are considering…
Also, Oldfields (near Baltimore).
[QUOTE=grey mare;2764379]
Thanks guys, all three are definitely on our list of places to consider… Trying to find the best fit…Rail jumper, Sorry you cant go to FC, did you look at any other schools with riding? Also, what exactly did you like best about FC?[/QUOTE]
I fell in love with Foxcroft, because, it seemed to me that they genuinely cared about you wanting to come to the school. I did look at Maderia and Oatfields (maybe it’s Oldfields?), but Foxcroft was the only school that offered full scholarships. They also were not just into academics and sports, but they had their own “pep rallys”. What also appealed to me was there annual “Whipper’s In”- a timed course over the hedges in the riding field.
Grey mare, I pmed you.
Railjumper, I pm’d you.
AKB, thanks. I will email you soon - have to get off the puter now…
Madeira
As a Madeira grad, I also highly recommend the school. Most of the riding is H/J but I know that some upper classmen do go out with some of the hunts at least once a year, possibly more. I also remember that I had friends who were involved in local hunts and took riders home with them on the weekends to go hunting.
The academics are top notch and you will learn to work hard. The arts are fairly strong, particularly in theatre. The music program depends on who’s teaching at the moment but from what I’ve heard, it’s pretty good at the moment. You’ll also have the benefit of the Co-Curriculum program, which gets girls out into the community and onto Capitol Hill for internships once a week. Definitely one of the best experiences of my life. Madeira also provides a great community to spend your high school years in. It’s much different than your average high school experience but if you’re okay it that, it’s fantastic.
Please feel free to send me a PM if you have any questions about Madeira. Happy Hunting!
