Going south end of March - Area II a possibility?

[ihearttbs]

Would xc courses in Virginia/Maryland normally be open for schooling last week or so of march? And does anybody have any recommendations for advanced level eventers in that area to train with and boarding farms that would allow short term semi-rough board?

Background below:

I’m a young professional based in New England and this year my dream is coming true for the first time and it looks like I have the help in place and can afford be able to take a couple weeks off in late March/early April to go south for some intensive training with my horse and one clients horse.
Because I can only do a couple weeks + a couple extra days for travel, and because I’m driving down by myself, I’m hoping it would be possible to go to Virginia/Maryland instead of Aiken, since it would save me some travel time.

Thanks in advance!

[Highflyer1]

Yes, but it will be very weather dependent. We can have anything from snow to 70 degrees and the footing can be pretty terrible. I’d definitely think about Windurra, even though it’s in SE PA, since if it’s open it will have everything you need and there will definitely be plenty of people heading north by then to lesson with.

[grzywinskia]

I would reach out to Dan and Kaitlin Clasing and Tim Bourke. Both are excellent people in Area II who aren’t “migrating” as such and might be of assistance.

[evtrmom]

I agree with the Clasings and also Molly Kinnamon in VA, and I saw that Jill Thomas is also staying “North”. They might all have boarding options for you too including Loch Moy Farm. Natalie Hollis too in MD. Windurra isn’t open for xc schooling until April and we don’t have anyting else around us. We drive down to Loch Moy as they have all of their xc jumps in all weather rings during the winter for schooling.

I live in Unionville, PA our weather is super spotty in March and the footing can be either frozen or too soft. Most of our local trainers who go south are back after Carolina. I would look in MD and VA for better footing.

[Libby2563]

Good suggestions and I’d check with Sharon White as well. I know people who’ve done short-term board there for training, and she has a XC schooling course on-site. It’s not far to Morven or Loch Moy either. The first HT at Morven is at the end of March—not sure if they have open schooling days the next week like they do later in the season. As others have said, weather and footing will be a crapshoot. We often get one last snow in early March and then by the end of the month it’s just muddy.

[TXnGA]

Another option is southern pines. Ariel Grald, Will Faudree, Sydney Elliott, Andrew Mckennon, Bobby Costello are all down there.

There is a few xc areas open. Carolina will have some shows both recognized and schooling. Will has xc as well.

[Gardenhorse]

Morven’s website says they will have their XC schooling day Apr 4. I don’t know how late Loch Moy keeps their jumps on the all-weather rings. The last Derby this year is March 18-19 so they may move them after that? But their front field is always open.

[Highflyer1]

Loch Moy has a starter HT the 25th/ 26th so they’ll be moved before that.

[ihearttbs]

Problem is southern pines, although slightly closer than Aiken, is still a 12+ hour drive (not factoring in traffic etc), which realistically means 2 days of driving each way for me as a solo traveler, which adds a lot of $ for me both with missed income from my business and having to stay over somewhere. The Maryland area I can definitely make the drive in one long day so that’s why I’m hoping to go there if at all possible

[ihearttbs]

Thanks for the info! I did contact Sharon White, that would’ve been a dream come true for me, but she’s not back in the area until almost May.

[ihearttbs]

Thanks so much, I reached out!

[mdp9]

Clasings and Tim Bourke are excellent suggestions. Both facilities have XC schooling fields on site.

Typically we can get a few decent opportunities to school in March. Really just depends on the year. There is always the wonderful Loch Moy derby schooling (xc jumps moved to their massive arenas including ditches, banks, water complex, etc.)

If you’re here the first weekend in April you could compete at Morven, too! One of my favorite venues.

[Baybear]

Loch Moy has the XC jumps in the all weather rings but also has the other XC schooling area too. Natalie Hollis/Destination has a few cross country jumps. Does Windchase have anything set up?