I’m a novice h/j looking to switch to dressage or do both. Would anyone be able to recommend a good dressage barn? Location isn’t important as long as it’s within 1-1.5 hr drive from downtown Toronto.
Lots of options within that driving distance. Biggest factor is are you bringing your own horse or looking for somewhere with school horses or something to partboard / lease? My suggestions would vary greatly depending on your answer. Also your budget will play a role.
You could lesson with really top-notch, FEI, Pan Am And Olympic riders like the Irwins, Belinda Trussel or Jacquie Brooks within that commuting distance, but would need your own horse.
Other recommendations north and east of the city:
Meredith Risk / Nobleton Dressage
Julie Laforge / Stirling Hill Farm
Leah Wilkins / Aislinn Dressage
Also Stephanie Jensen is advertising a schoolmaster available for lessons.
More to the west of the city M2 Dressage is a solid choice for mid to upper level dressage riders. Equestrian Dreams I would recommend for someone new to dressage up to mid-levels. Alison Banbury at Hill Haven Stable would be another good choice, especially if you’d like to continue jumping as well.
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thanks for all the recommendations…sorry, I forgot to mention that I’d be using a schoolie. also, I think I was a little too relaxed with the commute distance…would you be able to give some closer options too? for example caledon area rather than orangeville or gormley would be ideal. Thanks!
Does anyone else have any recommendations?
Is Georgetown too far? Myrddin on Trafalgar Road has school horses and a very good dressage program.
If you’re looking to ride a schoolie, I would suggest trying Pause Awhile. Krista Pollock is the dressage trainer there. She’s got students of all levels and has trained quite a few horses to the advanced levels.
I think she primarily has students with their own horses, but they do have a fairly large riding school and they might be able to accommodate you with a suitable horse to make the switch to dressage. They’ve got a lovely facility with 3 barns and 3 indoor arenas, and they’re super close to the city, which is a nice bonus! http://pauseawhilehorseriding.com/
When I got back into riding many years ago, that’s where I started. Krista worked with me on a few school horses for a while, and then I made the switch to part-boarding/leasing before moving on to my own horse.
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