Hi All- I’m considering a job opportunity based in Kansas City, Missouri. Anyone have insight on the dressage community out that way? I’m equally grateful for information about boarding and trainers. Thank you!
Which part of the city?
There is a big dressage community in KC. As far as a trainer and where to board it will depend on what part of the city you want to reside in and keep the horses. We have lots of good trainers who come on a regular basis for clinics as well…David Wightman, Mette Rosencratz, Chris Hickey to name a few. There are 2 recognized show dates but several within a couple hour drive. The local group is Kansas City Dressage Society. I work in North Kansas City, MO but live on the Kansas side. I currently have my guys at a private farm (a friend’s place) but have boarded at several places in different parts of town and have been involved in the dressage community here since the '80s so know the good, bad, and the ugly so to speak!
Thanks, folks! The worksite is in Missouri near the Kansas/Missouri line… south of 435 and west of 49, near Minor Park. I haven’t thought much about where to live yet. Friends of mine live near the Plaza and love it, but I’m not sure what that would do to boarding options. Thank you again for any thoughts!
Check out https://willowcreeksporthorses.webs.com/ They are south of the city on the Missouri side. I boarded there for a bit and was happy with the care - just was not convenient to me. Full size indoor with great footing - daily individual turnout. An added bonus is the other side of the facility is an equine vet clinic so you have vet care on site! From the work site you mention Willow Creek would be easy to get to from work and about 20-30 min depending on traffic back to the plaza area.
There is Pine Hill, http://www.pinehillfarm.org/
I was there for awhile as well - I didn’t care for the turnout situation - but the place is very nice and the owner has clinics and there is a trainer but you do not have to use her and this is a boarding barn. This is probably 15-20 minutes from the plaza.
A bit further north (about 30min from Plaza) there is Landers http://landersdressage.com/
I have not boarded here but have a friend who does and I have know Linda Landers since the '80s - she is one of the founding members of our GMO. This is not a boarding barn per se but a training facility so you do have to take lessons with Linda and/or their trainer Heather. There are clinics there as well and it has super turnout and care - almost a full sized indoor with great footing and they have an outdoor.
There are some places on the Kansas side south of your work site as well but they are not dedicated to dressage only so if you don’t mind sharing with the hunter/jumper crowd I can give you some suggestions.
