Charlotte NC AA Hunter/Jumper Barn

[HunterMolly]

Hello!

I am contemplating a move to Charlotte, NC for work. Before I even seriously consider it I wanted to see how the h/j scene is in that area. I searched on the forum and could not find anything within the past few years on this area. I am thinking I would live in the Mid-town or Uptown area, but am open to driving up to 45 minutes for a good fit. Here is what I am looking for:

1. A barn that has successful riders in the high level hunters. My horse is a current first year horse and will do the derbies, and I want a trainer who can continue to develop that potential.
2. Cost around $1,000 to $1200 for full care and some mix of training and lessons.
3. A mix of smaller A shows and traveling to the bigger AA shows and indoors.
4. Some other friendly adult amateur riders would be nice!
5. Good care for the horses, turnout, and a covered arena would be nice.

Let me know your thoughts.

[janedoe726]

Check out the Charlotte Area Equestrians page on Facebook. There are several barns in the area that fit what you’re looking for.

[HunterMolly]

Thank Janedoe, I requested to be added to that page earlier today and will ask there too. Any suggestions or thoughts? Good or bad? Feel free to PM if its easier.

[Didi]

Maplegate Farm and Cathy Dow. Cathy is the current president of the NCHJA as well. Robbie Hunt (Southlake Farm) is also good. If you locate closer to Greensboro, Torihope Farm now has Chrissy Serio (Louise Serio’s daughter) as a trainer.

[Cannonball]

If I was moving to that area I’d try to find a way to ride at Finally Farm in Camden, SC. It’s an hour and a half from Charlotte so it could be out of the question. But they are some of the best around and have numerous clients who don’t live in the immediate area.

[mroades]

Robbie is no longer at Southlake. And most people at your level ride with Finally Farm in Camden or DFG in Aiken.

[HunterMolly]

The Towells would definitely be my first choice, but I sm not sure I can do that commute to ride during the week…

[APirateLooksAtForty]

And they are not in the $1200/month price range. Try Sims Hill, where Mike Henaghan fairly recently began training.

[Limerick]

[QUOTE=APirateLooksAtForty;7970550]
And they are not in the $1200/month price range. Try Sims Hill, where Mike Henaghan fairly recently began training.[/QUOTE]
Mike is a very competent and classy trainer-I would definitely talk to him.

[mroades]

Yes Mike is great!

[HunterMolly]

Thanks for the replies!! I will definitely check out Maplegate and Sims Hill. Where did Robbie Hunt go? And is he worth calling?

I also have a horse who will be starting the baby greens soon. Would you reccomend any of these barns that has a strong trainer or assistant trainer who is a very capable rider as well?

[Didi]

If you don’t mind sending the horse down the road an hour, Chrissy Serio is doing great things with greenies at Torihope.

[Darden]

PM Sent. I ride on the A circuit here and work uptown.

Mike, Cathy Dow, Chrissy are all great.

DFG and the Towells will be too far but may be an option to meet them at shows. You could work with Lynn Caristo Forgione (here except for when she is at WEF working with her Dad) and meet DFG or the Towells at the shows that Lynn doesn’t attend. Just a thought.

[APirateLooksAtForty]

To be frank with you, I think you are going to have a hard time finding precisely what you want within the stated budget.

[NCbarnrat]

[QUOTE=Didi;7970968]
If you don’t mind sending the horse down the road an hour, Chrissy Serio is doing great things with greenies at Torihope.[/QUOTE]

I second this. She does a great job with the young horses and her pricing is on the high side of your budget.

[NCbarnrat]

[QUOTE=Didi;7970968]
If you don’t mind sending the horse down the road an hour, Chrissy Serio is doing great things with greenies at Torihope.[/QUOTE]

I second this. She does a great job with the young horses and her pricing is on the high side of your budget.

[showmom68]

I sent you a PM! I’m the Barn Manager for Sims Hill and would love to speak with you. Thank you everyone for your kind comments about Mike! I agree, he is wonderful!

[Finzean]

Depending on where you land housing wise in Charlotte could have an impact on your choice of farms. Ditto Torihope…and, again, depending on where your work/home is, Camden may not be out of the question drive wise. Torihope would be a heckuva drive if you end up living on the south side of Charlotte or in one of the SC burbs of Charlotte. That said, I don’t know Henaghan but have heard great things. There was also a recent write up about Sims Hill in Waxhaw Equestrian I think…might be wrong about that, though. Maybe google that publication as it is very local to the area.

[HunterMolly]

[QUOTE=APirateLooksAtForty;7971109]
To be frank with you, I think you are going to have a hard time finding precisely what you want within the stated budget.[/QUOTE]

Thanks, based on what I have heard I agree. Budget was just a starting place. I am willing to pay more to get quality care and training.

Thanks for all the suggestions and PMs everyone!

[janedoe726]

Sims Hill is an amazingly beautiful facility. Nicest in the area.