Eventing trainers in Atlanta GA area?

Hi all! I’m looking for an eventing trainer in the Atlanta area. I grew up doing hunter/jumpers, switched to showing AQHA for about 20 years, then decided to get back into H/J a few years ago and am looking to dip my toe in the eventing waters. I’m currently between horses (aside from my 20 year-old retired QH), so it would need to be someone who has access to lesson horses. Thanks in advance!

I’m not from that area, but if you don’t get any hits here, you could check out the Area III website (https://www.usea3.org) and maybe shoot some emails off. The facilities that host recognized and schooling shows are a good place to start and they are all listed on that site. Good luck!

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Lesson horses are not as common in eventing as in H/J but maybe you will find a half-lease or something available.

Which side of Atlanta are you on / what general area are you looking in?

I know a bunch of options near Athens if you are on that side of ATL. Let me know :slight_smile:

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Yes, will depend on what side of the city you’re on.

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I live in Atlanta, and it does semi-depend on the area you live and how far you want to commute, but I work in Sandy Springs and commute to Newnan every day. Feel free to PM me. If you are in Midtown/VA Highlands/West Midtown I’d make the commute down 85 to Newnan.

Contact Julie Richards (4****/Olympic Rider/Area III YR Coach) She does not have lesson horses, but her sister who is just as lovely, does. They are next door and hack over to the farm. So between the two there are adult riders and kids learning to post to ultra-competitive young riders to adult amateurs at every level.

There’s also Jade Anderson; I think Abby Hamlin is in Newnan. Both are great instructors I’ve steered friends to.

North of the city is Big Time Eventing/Lauren Eckardt. Katherine Johnson would have lesson horses, I think she’s in Fairburn. (But I could be wrong) Feel free to PM me, but everyone I’ve mentioned is on Facebook.

You’re really looking at going to Newnan or the Alpharetta/Milton/Canton area.
I love living here as an eventer! We have a great community in the greater Atlanta area.

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^^^Good post. Depending on your level of riding and goals, there are some others in the area but the above does encapsulate the better known in the area.

There’s Foxberry Farm in Dallas, GA; Rebecca Bowman at North Atlanta Equestrian Center; Lisbeth Storandt in Fairburn and 3 miles from Chatt Hills; Sarah Dunkerton also in Newnan. Way further south but resident eventing coach at Poplar Place Farm, Werner Geven.

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If you are commuting from intown, take into account where we have express lanes on the interstates, that can make a huge difference in being able to get to the barn during the week.

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I live in Kirkwood so ITP, east of 75/85 and just north of I-20. I work remotely so fortunately, I don’t have to worry about commuting home from work and then to the barn. :slight_smile:

Thanks! I’m more on the east side of Atlanta, in Kirkwood. I’m fairly experienced riding overall but would be starting from the bottom/from scratch in eventing. Started taking lessons 30 years ago, did primarily jumpers as a youth, switched to quarter horses for 20 years, decided I missed jumping and real english a few years ago and went back to H/J. :slight_smile: Like I mentioned in my OP, I’m currently between horses and really don’t want to buy anything until I figure out what discipline I want to land in. I’m also moving to Ocala in the fall so that would be one less thing to worry about coordinating. :wink:

You should contact Lisbeth Storandt in Fairburn. Not really a bad ride from the city. If she can’t help you, she’ll know who to send you too. Lis has a whole group of nice TB prospects on consignment right now too. PM me if you want her number. Lis rode with and groomed for Michael Pollard and Kim Severson.

Go With It Farm is another one to check out. Their Huntcliff location is close to the perimeter. I have a friend that teaches at that location, I think they have a good number of lesson horses.

If you don’t mind a drive Lauren Turner of River Birch Farms has some nice lessons horses up in Jasper, GA.