Been at Equestrian Dreams for a while. Can’t speak to the things iridescent is talking to as haven’t seen them. Great place, super people, amazing coaching. The Jeremy Steinburg clinic there was really good.
Heard really good things about Alison Banbury as well, Jacqui Brooks is amazing if you have the $'s.
Another boarder from Equestrian Dreams here. Can’t speak to what iridescent is talking about as haven’t seen any of those ‘practices’ or heard people whispering about them around the barn.
On another note I like the clinics and shows at the barn - the Jeremy Steinburg clinic was super awesome.
Alison Banbury is great too.
Lots of good choices - like the price at EDreams - my board includes lessons so that helps me keep going and makes the cost more effective than a lot of board only prices.
Hope it helps - changing barns always stressful.
Also Krista Pollock at Pause AWhile in Stouffville - in the area you mentioned. They usually hold a few shows in the the spring so if you want to do a few shows without the hassle of trailering it might be fun. It is a large facility with an active school - so that may or may not work for you.
[QUOTE=iridescent;8907302]
Jen McCartney is north of TO in Newmarket neat the 404 (her place is Ovation Hall) and she is amazing–she also does clinics with people like Arthur Kottas which is awesome. She’s one of those coaches who will push you but also will be your biggest cheerleader. And she’ll work with anyone, including eventers/jumpers. Indoor board with with long turnout which is nice for the young ones.
I can’t rec Equestrian Dreams tho. Debbie is nice but the horses don’t get enough turnout and no one seems to move beyond first level. She also sells her students her own green horses for $$$ which I think is a conflict of interest (and again, they stay at walk/trot and training mostly). It’s a lot of people who are kind of scared about riding and need to build confidence, but also have lots of money and will pay $25k for a green horse with no show record.[/QUOTE]
I’m not terribly sure coming on here to promote your coach through trashing others is really the best course of action. Shows the mentality in your own barn perhaps?
I rode at Ovation Hall for awhile. I was new to the area and should have done more research - especially when my old coach warned me off. Jen talked me into part-boarding a horse and then proceeded to get me to ride him in a way that took months and months to correct after I left. It was a disaster. I should have looked and seen (as you claimed about Equestrian Dreams) none of her students were beyond first and those that were training higher should not have been due to having horrible seats. No thanks.
I rode at Equestrian Dreams as well, long before I rode at Ovation Hall. I can’t say I noticed anything you claimed. I didn’t stay there as Deb’s teaching methods just didn’t mesh with the way I learn.
The OP is looking for suggestions around TO. Let’s all just give our suggestions we have and let them go visit the facilities and make their decision. Everyone learns differently and everyone has a different opinion as to what kind of care and turnout are best for their horse.
Again OP - good luck!
[QUOTE=Piaffe11;8911901]
I’m not terribly sure coming on here to promote your coach through trashing others is really the best course of action. Shows the mentality in your own barn perhaps?
I rode at Ovation Hall for awhile. I was new to the area and should have done more research - especially when my old coach warned me off. Jen talked me into part-boarding a horse and then proceeded to get me to ride him in a way that took months and months to correct after I left. It was a disaster. I should have looked and seen (as you claimed about Equestrian Dreams) none of her students were beyond first and those that were training higher should not have been due to having horrible seats. No thanks.
I rode at Equestrian Dreams as well, long before I rode at Ovation Hall. I can’t say I noticed anything you claimed. I didn’t stay there as Deb’s teaching methods just didn’t mesh with the way I learn.
The OP is looking for suggestions around TO. Let’s all just give our suggestions we have and let them go visit the facilities and make their decision. Everyone learns differently and everyone has a different opinion as to what kind of care and turnout are best for their horse.
Again OP - good luck![/QUOTE]
How about we all stick to good forum etiquette and make only positive recommendations publicly. If you have a negative experience that is relevant to the OPs question, PM may be the most appropriate way to share it.
And even then, I’m sure the OP is smart enough to do her own due diligence and research. I’d hate a good trainer / facility to get crossed off her list due to a negative comment by one disgruntled person.
I am in Eastern Ontario, but some folks here get Andrea Bresee here once a week.
She is in the TO area.
For what it’s worth, Jen’s not even my coach, but the OP asked for recs north of Toronto so I gave one. As well as my honest experience with another barn mentioned.
As BigMama said, I’m sure the OP has enough suggestions now to do her own research to find the right match for what she’s looking for!
[QUOTE=Mallard;8915171]
I am in Eastern Ontario, but some folks here get Andrea Bresee here once a week.
She is in the TO area.[/QUOTE]
Andrea Bresee is amazing! Her lessons are expensive but you get so much out of them (based on the couple I’ve had). I thought she was further east but maybe I’m out of date now 
do all the trainers recommended in this thread require you to have your own horse? I’m looking for a coach but I need to use a school horse.
This thread is quite old, you might look for an update.
I responded to your question in the other thread
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