We are seriously thinking about retiring in Colorado in the near future but haven’t decided exactly where yet. I was hoping to get some info/opinions as to where the best areas are in CO for dressage. Where are the pockets of the best trainers and facilities located? What/where are the best venues for competitions? How long is the competition season? I am a little spoiled here in SoCal because we compete pretty much all year round. But, CA is so expensive and the traffic is so bad we aren’t going to stay here much longer. Where do the bigger trainers go in the winter? Do they go to FL or CA? I’m just trying to get a sense of the dressage scene in CO. Feel free to drop some names of recommended trainers and/or facilities. Thanks!
Hi! I’m near Boulder. I’m not very competitive but there are a few gold medalist and judges in this area. I would say Parker and Boulder areas seem to have the most dressage barns in Colorado.
Good luck!
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Following. Wonder what’s on the western slope?
Yep. Parker (including nearby Elizabeth and Franktown) or Longmont (near Boulder). The entire state of CO does not have the concentration of BNT’s that you’re probably accustomed to in So Cal. Regionals are held at the Colorado Horse Park in Parker. There are other big shows during the season north of Denver around Longmont or even Ft Collins. You should do well on the real estate trade. You could probably find a small (or maybe not-so-small) horse property in Elizabeth for the price of a condo in So Cal. While the show season in CO is definitely not year-round, the outdoor riding season is longer than you would expect. Winters in the Denver area are surprisingly mild. The average daytime temp in the winter is in the 40’s. Except for the first few days after a blizzard, or the occasional cold snap, you can ride outside most of the year. This coming from a Chicago transplant. We don’t really have a mass exodus of trainers in winter, but of those who do head to warmer climes for training and show calendars, CA seems to be the destination of choice.
Reported raviseo85 as SPAM - same post on multiple forums :mad:
Wondering as well!
I believe Allison Dechant is in Basalt.
Grand Valley Dressage Society in Grand Junction, CO is quite active throughout the season with several schooling and rated shows. GVDS Grand Valley Dressage Society in Grand Junction.https://www.gvds.org
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You’re going to find good barns either in Parker or boulder/longmont area. i am at a barn in longmont that has nice pastures, which not all barns in CO have. We mainly show at the colorado horse park which has the same owner as the owner of global. it is kept up well with nice stalls and footing, but we also have to share it with the jumpers over the show season so it gets really busy. there are now quite a few shows in the longmont area now that nighthawk equestrain center has opened their doors to shows. if you like to show some of the top trainers here in colorado for showing would be greta vowell, karen whitman (these two are in the longmont area and both have good show teams) near parker… maureen sterling, julie burt, petra warlimont, shannon dahmer also have very well known show teams. a handful of the trainers here have been going to CDIs in California& florida, lamplight, and have good show records! there are lots of nice barns depending on your preference!
