Suggestions for hunter barns close to Cary? Will be relocating there in November. Just brain storming now, not sure where to look/start, not familiar with the area… However, I just found an older post, that lists a bunch places and am starting from there.
Hunters or jumpers? How often do you intend to show? Do you need your horse ridden? By barn manager, what services do you need from them. I think most barns around here are run by the trainers with grooms.
I board in that area. There’s a wide variety depending on what you need and what level you want to show at.
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Are you looking for boarding? Lesson horses? Showing–schooling or rated shows? Leasing?
Laurel Tinney at Oriana is the BEST.
Cary is kind of sprawling, just be aware. I live in Cary and it took me 45 minutes to get to Oriana despite being in the same town. I think I entered and left Cary town limits 3 times during the drive.
There is NO good/easy way to get to my vet at her location in Cary. I have business client in Cary who is the same way. It’s an odd (but lovely!) town to drive in.
DQ here, so I cannot speak to hunter barns, but consider Apex and New Hill when researching barns (my neck of the woods). Or portions of Raleigh, Fuquay Varina or even Holly Springs. As quoted above, you may be closer to some barns in these towns than an actual barn in Cary.
I was in Cary for 8 years! Agreed with the above posters, it’s dependent on your discipline and goals.
I personally recommend Laurel Tinney and Chelsae Keyes at Oriana Stables. That’s my “home” barn (I live in CO now,) and they are fantastic upper level Hunter/Jumper/Equitation trainers. The barn is well maintained, and horse care is second to none. There is also a dressage trainer there (Kris Barrett). They average ~2 rated shows per month and typically go to FL for 2-3 weeks in the spring. They’re excellent trainers AND riders! My mom still has her horse at Oriana.
If you’re looking for a big time jumper barn, I would recommend Kyle Timm at Apex Equestrian. He deals a lot with imports/sales but also shows and trains through Grand Prix. He typically goes to FL for the whole circuit and (I believe) goes north some during the summer. He also just opened a location in Europe.
If you’re looking for more of a low-key schooling barn that still has good training and goes to the occasional show, I would recommend Lesley Jenks at Finally Farm (out of Yates Mill Farm.) Great management and dedication to the horses, plus (last I saw) her prices are very reasonable for the area.
Then, there are several just straight boarding barns, bigger lesson barns, and backyard barns in the area as well.
Cary is fantastic (although rapidly expanding) and has a nice horse scene. The NCSU Vet School is a great resource and is 15-45 mins away, depending from where you are in the Cary/Raleigh area. Across from the Vet School is the Hunt Horse Complex, which hosts many USEF rated show and schooling shows throughout the year. In addition, you’re an easy drive from the VA and SC horse show scenes.
If you have any more questions, feel free to PM me!
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I am with the above mentioned Lesley Jenks and Finally Farm. She runs a schooling show series on site and we do mostly C shows and the occasional A/AA show as there are riders getting to that point. Prices are very reasonable for the area and care is great. I came to her as a rank beginner in the hunter ring 4 years ago and have learned tons. Not currently showing as my horse is rehabbing, but the rest of the group actively travels to shows a few times a month!
