I am looking to move to Monterey, CA for the Navy and looking for a quality dressage barn and training for my 8 year old KWPN Gelding. I would like as much turnout as possible but weighing the pros and cons of even bothering moving out there due to the limited turnout. Any opinions and recommendations appreciated. My guy is easily ulcer prone and use to ample ample turnout.
Anne Howard owns American Sporthorse, http://www.in-balance.com/Ash-indx.htm
You might check California Dressage Society for trainers and visit some facilities before making a decision.
Ample ample turnout and quality dressage barn and training will not happen here. You can have one or the other. The ample turnout I’ve found is pasture board with no services. The dressage barns don’t have ample turnout. If you have the option and this is important to you I wouldn’t move out here.
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It will be difficult, however, some barns have stalls with runs. Pasture is scarce in the west.
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Here is one in Castroville. http://www.glynnsongfarms.com/farm.html. They have grass turnout and dressage training. I do not know anymore than that. Maybe a call or visit?
Megan O’Brien who I personally rode with is at Pebble Beach Equestrian Center. I would call or visit there too. Here is their rate sheet. https://www.pebblebeach.com/content/uploads/Pebble-Beach-Equestrian-Center-Rates.pdf
“History distinguishes this center,” says Pebble Beach Equestrian Center manager Megan O’Brien, who started riding at the facility at age 7.
The U.S. Dressage Federation gold medalist returned to Del Monte Forest about three years ago to oversee boarding services, lessons, team events and trail rides. “It’s hard to beat the beauty of Pebble Beach,” O’Brien says. “Our surroundings are amazing, and our weather is almost impeccable year-round.”
Monterey area is beautiful!
The OP doesn’t say where they are now, but I don’t think anyone classifies a run as turn-out. I know pasture is scarce in the west, which is why I advised they do not move here if they have the option and that’s a priority in their life.
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That is why I advised her to come tout and look at facilities. You can make compromises that the horse will do well, inspite of less than ideal conditions. Yes, I know a run is not a great turnout, but better than a closed in stall.
If you want FEI quality training and ample turnout I think that will probably not exist in the Bay Area and surrounding communities, except maybe cheaper places to live like Sacramento/Grass Valley. I live in the outer East Bay and I’d say my current barn has one of the best turnout situations with in house FEI training which is 1/2 day solo turnout in about 60x60ft grass or dirt turnouts and all stalls have a 12x12 attached walkout. There is also a euro walker for bad weather days. The places around here with real pasture/full time decent size turnout options tend to be very DIY or have western trainers or very low level English trainers. Unfortunately land is just very expensive and a predominant number of FEI level clients just don’t care about lots of turnout so the trainers gravitate to facilities with nice arenas and common areas but tiny turnouts that often go unused.
If you want FEI quality training and ample turnout I think that will probably not exist in the Bay Area and surrounding communities, except maybe cheaper places to live like Sacramento/Grass Valley. I live in the outer East Bay and I’d say my current barn has one of the best turnout situations with in house FEI training which is 1/2 day solo turnout in about 60x60ft grass or dirt turnouts and all stalls have a 12x12 attached walkout. There is also a euro walker for bad weather days. The places around here with real pasture/full time decent size turnout options tend to be very DIY or have western trainers or very low level English trainers. Unfortunately land is just very expensive and a predominant number of FEI level clients just don’t care about lots of turnout so the trainers gravitate to facilities with nice arenas and common areas but tiny turnouts that often go unused.
Seconded what everyone is saying here about ample turnout and also quality dressage training in this general area of California.
