Experience with Fox Meadow Farms in Michigan?

[morningsong]

I finally have a question to post to the discussion board! In the fall, I am relocating from the Orlando area to northwest Ohio due to my husband’s occupation. I will be bringing my young horse with me and am looking into boarding/training options. I am looking for a barn that regularly attends the A and AA shows. Additionally, I would like to work with a knowledgable, fair, and honest trainer that has the best interest of my horse in mind and has successful experience with young horses. Horsecare is paramount, as this horse is very important to me.

Several people have made the suggestion of Fox Meadow Farms in Michigan. Does anyone have experience with this facility? I am interested in the positives and negatives (if there are any). You are welcome to PM me. Searching for a training facility is difficult when you are not from the area. I will be visiting the area in July or August but would like to do as much “homework” as I can before that time. Your help is greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

[Justice]

I see them at the shows all of the time, and one of my friends trailers there for lessons (it’s about 2.5 hours, way too long for me as I have children). They are supposed to have a great program.

[slp]

Probably the best H/J barn in Michigan, and the Howard family are all great people. Their clients all do very well at shows, horses always look great and if we had lived in that area when my daughter was a junior that’s where she would have trained.

[222orchids]

The Howards are great. I used to live in Michigan and they were a class act back in the '80’s. A barn that has been there for 30 years and still is competitive, popular with riders and attracting new business is a place I’d go.

[ParadoxFarm]

[QUOTE=222orchids;7587060]
The Howards are great. I used to live in Michigan and they were a class act back in the '80’s. A barn that has been there for 30 years and still is competitive, popular with riders and attracting new business is a place I’d go.[/QUOTE]

Yes, I saw them at all the shows when I was in MI back in the early '90s and will agree with this. Go for it.

[sweetpea]

Great place with variety of teaching talent.
Solid program tough but solid and it’s proof in the riders it produces.
Place is ran very tight and is immaculate.
Footing is superb and turnout is a must.
Variety of client ages which makes it fun .
Just a thought though first four weeks of July will be a ghost town as being traverse city is where they show!!!
Definitely check out solid place with real people.

[findeight]

Polly is…direct…in teaching style so if you need your hand held, sunshine,lollipops and hugs? Not for you.

But if you want to do it right? She’s one of the best. Including training a USEF East Finals winner now a successful trainer herself. She’s not mean or a screamer or anything, just meticulous in getting the best out of you and your horse.

Just a guess but it’s probably going to be about the same or a little less then a comparable central Fl barn. I’d sure check her out seriously.

Cant think of anybody else I’d recommend based on what you say you want if you are serious about developing a good AA level show horse and yourself. I can think of at least one in that area that would not be my first choice.

[morningsong]

Thanks everyone for your input. It is really appreciated.