Central VA Trainers

[eventerchick517]

I have recently been offered a new job which will be moving me down to southern VA(Lynchburg area specifically) from CT. I am very unfamiliar with the area and I am struggling a bit to find a trainer or good local boarding barn and figured COTH might have an idea or two!

I’m looking to place my guy in a full training program(eventing or dressage oriented preferred) since I will be likely unable to ride consistently for a while. He is quite green over fences and I’d really like someone who will be able to give him a really good foundation. Showing is not a huge priority for me, but is something I would like to do in a season or two!

Sending him up to northern VA is the obvious choice and something I am willing to do for the right trainer. But I’d love to have him no more than two hours away if possible so that I can ride on the weekends. I know that NOVA is filled with lots of BNTs, but I am looking for a bit smaller(and more budget friendly!) program.

Any suggestions of names or barns?

Thanks!

[Texarkana]

That area is generally referred to as “central Virginia,” which might be why there hasn’t been any replies.

I went to college just outside Lynchburg years ago, but I was strictly H/J then. There’s a fair amount of horse activity of all disciplines in the area, though.

This might be a good resource: http://cvacta.org/
It doesn’t list trainers specifically, but you could probably check out some of the farms and names that are active at their events.

[hopashore1]

Lynchburg is a bit of a dead zone for eventing/dressage, unfortunately. Also check out the blue ridge eventing association and blue ridge dressage association, they would have farm link, it’s been a while since I lived there!

[eventerchick517]

@Texarkana

That area is generally referred to as “central Virginia,” which might be why there hasn’t been any replies.

Thanks! Shows how much I know about the area! :lol:

[mimiwenk]

You might want to check out Sandy River Equestrian Center. I believe it’s about 1 1/2 away. They are an eventing facility. Bob Orton and Shera Koch are very close to Lynchburg, but strictly dressage.

[eventerchick517]

@mimiwenk

Bob Orton and Shera Koch are very close to Lynchburg, but strictly dressage.

Do you happen to have contact information for them that you could post or PM me?

[Texarkana]

@eventerchick517

Thanks! Shows how much I know about the area! :lol:

Welcome to the area, though I haven’t been there in many years!

But yeah, usually “southern Virginia” refers to the very rural area around Danville near the midsection of the NC line. The south east becomes tidewater/Hampton Roads/Virginia Beach area (I’m not sure what the natives prefer exactly); the south west is usually just “southwestern Virginia” and encompasses everything from about Roanoke down to the panhandle. Mountains and/or lack of high speed roads make it take longer than it appears it should to get between the regions.

Even if you can’t find a suitable trainer in Lynchburg, Charlottesville is only about an hour and change north and very horsey. Definitely do-able for weekend rides. A lot of H/J (emphasis on actual hunting), but a lot of good horse(wo)men in the area period. Isn’t Will Coleman there?

[weixiao]

@Texarkana

Welcome to the area, though I haven’t been there in many years!

But yeah, usually “southern Virginia” refers to the very rural area around Danville near the midsection of the NC line. The south east becomes tidewater/Hampton Roads/Virginia Beach area (I’m not sure what the natives prefer exactly); the south west is usually just “southwestern Virginia” and encompasses everything from about Roanoke down to the panhandle. Mountains and/or lack of high speed roads make it take longer than it appears it should to get between the regions.

Even if you can’t find a suitable trainer in Lynchburg, Charlottesville is only about an hour and change north and very horsey. Definitely do-able for weekend rides. A lot of H/J (emphasis on actual hunting), but a lot of good horse(wo)men in the area period. Isn’t Will Coleman there?

Will is in Gordonsville which will be about 1 1/2 hours+ depending where in Lynchburg you’re talking.

Kim Severson is in Charlottesville but probably close to the same distance because if I recall correctly she is up Stoney Point way.

I’d look around the Roanoke area - not sure who events around that area though.

Also, I’m blanking on who it is at the moment but there is an event person south of charlottesville in North Garden which might be less than an hour for you depending where in Lynchburg you are. I took a horse there to get tried once and it was a nice facility with little xc jumps. I’ll go back through emails and figure out who it is.

You also have Kim Schmidt at Grayson Farm which is south of cville and might be under and hour for you. She is a dressage instructor but they have jumps and a xc course as well. Nice facility.

[Janet]

Cady O’Daly Farm ( http://www.cadyodalyfarm.net/ ) is just outside Lynchburg. It is an Eventing focused Connemara breeding farm. I am not SURE if they take in outside boarders, but if not they know the area and can give you recommendations. Alicia (mother) and Emily (daughter) are both good trainers. Emily also used to be the editor of USEA News.

[Wamelohe]

Congratulations on your new job! Josie Howard of RE Sporthorses (http://www.royalendeavors.com/) is located just north of Staunton. She offers training and boarding with an Eventing and Dressage focus. Might be too far to visit every day but definitely would work for weekend visits and an occasional evening, and much closer than Northern VA. Smaller barn with a great vibe, top notch horse care and a nice bunch of clients. Full disclosure: I’m a bit biased Josie Howard started my horse from the ground up, and we’ve thrived under her training.

You’ll find plenty of eventing and dressage people in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. Feel free to PM me for more info and welcome to VA!

[overhorsed]

Caroline Atherholt Dowd, in Eagle Rock, between Lexington and Roanoke. My vet rides with her and keeps her horse there in training like you would need. https://www.facebook.com/RedFoxHillFarmEventing/

[jawa]

Sarah Greenway at Levermont Farm may be able to help you, or would be able to give you some ideas other options.

She is located in Powhatan,Va…so probably a bit far from Lynchburg, but she is very active with eventing.

[justix]

Charlottesville is an hour from Lynchburg and your best bet: Mark & Mimi Combs have an excellent small training facility. Kim Severson is about 1.5 hours from Lynchburg. Will Coleman 2 hours. Kiki Osbourne is also in Charlottesville.

As already mentioned Cady O’daly is probably the closest to Lynchburg. Powhatan is 2+hrs from Lynchburg. Roanoke, Lexington, Staunton are not far but they are all on the “other side of the mountain”. That commute could be tough especially in winter.

[justix]

Almost forgot Wavertree Hall Equestrian Center (Emma Wade). Very nice active facility, south of Charlottesville. Probably the closest of all of the Charlottesville eventers.

[MoonLadyIsis]

Stacey Donnelly is fabulous with green horses. She is in Somerset, VA. Theirs is a small family farm. Her husband is a farrier (he shoes my horses and does a phenomenal job). Her son is very talented and is currently competing in 1* and prelim. I wouldn’t be surprised if he moved up to intermediate soon.

[Janet]

There is also Gammon Castelvi at Penmerryl Farm (it is also a B&B) just south of where I64 meets I81
http://www.gc-equestrian.com/

I am not sure if she is actively competing at the moment, but she has a successful history both competing and training.
Also has a nice cross country course.