Good Hunter Jumper Barns in Georgia?

[aceofhearts]

Hi! I’ve known for a while that my horse and I need to move to a better barn, as the one we’re at now is not helping us, but this year I’ve decided that I’m really going to do it. I currently live in Kennesaw so I know that many good barns are in the Alpharretta area and ideally, I’d like the barn to be no more than 30-40 minutes away. One important factor is that the board needs to be below $700. I have heard a lot about Sunny being an excellent trainer, but my going-to-college-soon self can’t afford that. The horse I have right now is a hunter, but I would love to give Jumpers/Equitation a try.

I have been looking at barns online for weeks and I can’t seem to find one that is everything I need. I would love to have some input! Does anyone know any barns that might suit what I’m llooking for?

[findeight]

What do you NEED? And what do you want you are willing to compromise on?

[hunterrider23]

Lots of good trainers in that area, many may be willing to work with you on working off board.

[HunterJumperGin]

http://www.jayvictoryfarm.com/ - southside in Palmetto, GA just a few miles from Chatt Hills facility. Just gonna throw my hat in the ring because we have several boarders who come from the northside and say the drive is not bad although it would be closer to an hour for you. I’ve been with Liza for 15 years and she is great at handling A show contenders down to 3 year olds. We have a blast.

[pattnic]

Probably all more than you want to pay, but within or close to the distance you’re looking:

7C’s
HMS
Falcon Ridge
Patchwork Farm

Less expensive:
Mariposa Farms
Crooked Creek

Other options:
Three Bears (probably too far for your preference, too expensive)
Centurion Farm (not exactly sure on location)
River Run Equestrian at Huntcliff (probably too expensive)
Phoebe Loughrey Stables
Green Acres Equestrian Center
Rosewood Farm
Show Me Farm
Fortitude Farm

Just trying to think of what was within your preferred driving distance when I lived in Kennesaw, but not commenting on how “good” any of them are. As with anything else, you get what you pay for, and it largely depends on what you’re looking for - and where you’re willing to compromise.

[Perfect10]

[QUOTE=pattnic;8766314]
Probably all more than you want to pay, but within or close to the distance you’re looking:

7C’s
HMS
Falcon Ridge
Patchwork Farm

Less expensive:
Mariposa Farms
Crooked Creek

Other options:
Three Bears (probably too far for your preference, too expensive)
Centurion Farm (not exactly sure on location)
River Run Equestrian at Huntcliff (probably too expensive)
Phoebe Loughrey Stables
Green Acres Equestrian Center
Rosewood Farm
Show Me Farm
Fortitude Farm

Just trying to think of what was within your preferred driving distance when I lived in Kennesaw, but not commenting on how “good” any of them are. As with anything else, you get what you pay for, and it largely depends on what you’re looking for - and where you’re willing to compromise.[/QUOTE]

Most of those are in Alpharetta or Milton, which I would think would be a bit far for the drive OP is looking for, especially with any kind of traffic. Maybe Falcon Ridge, but it is quite expensive.

[Jello]

I boarded at Falcon Ridge for a handful of years and really enjoyed my experience there. I think at the time, board was only $650.

[DarkenStormy]

I can vouch for Crooked Creek - I know the owner personally. And that drive is not bad from Kennesaw in the evening - you are going against traffic and it’s an easy 20-30 min on the weekends. I do it all the time.

[Jsalem]

OP, there are many great choices in the Alpharetta and surrounding areas. Certainly, location should be an important factor, especially with the Atlanta traffic. And I understand that budget is important as well. I suggest that you start by thinking about your goals. Are you looking to show? What types of shows (Schooling shows, Local rated shows, A shows intown, AA out of town)? Look at the show schedules for the barns that you’re interested in and see if they actually do what you want to do. Now look at their results. Are they good at what they do? Currently- not 10 years ago. Are you looking to ride in college? Has this program produced what you hope to become? This process should weed out a lot of programs. If you’re frustrated where you are now, don’t make the mistake of not doing your homework.

Now as to price: I know that $700 is a lot of money. But in the Alpharetta area, it does limit you to a certain quality of facility and care. And $700 is way too much to spend if you can’t ride in the ring for days (or weeks) on end when it rains because there’s no indoor. It’s too much to spend if the footing is bad and your horse is lame. Or if the care is poor and your horse gets sick. Or if you constantly worry about the care because the farm can’t afford to hire good help. So I urge to look at the big picture. Don’t just go by boarding rate. Look at the training rates. Look at what you get for your money. If it comes down to a few hundred dollars between a backyard program and a quality, professional one- maybe you could get creative?

[pattnic]

[QUOTE=Perfect10;8766338]
Most of those are in Alpharetta or Milton, which I would think would be a bit far for the drive OP is looking for, especially with any kind of traffic. Maybe Falcon Ridge, but it is quite expensive.[/QUOTE]

I’m just going based off how long it took me to drive to any of those places from where I lived. If she’s a student, I’m assuming her schedule is going to be a little more flexible than the rest of us working folk.

I know pretty well what most of those places charge, hence the disclaimer of being more than the OP wants to pay. My point is that the OP is going to have to decide where she is willing to compromise and what her priorities are, because she’s not going to get Sunny-level training within 30-40 minutes of Kennesaw for $700/month.

[Lucassb]

You might look into Hunters Glen in Milton. They are pretty close to your specified price range for board and have both indoor and outdoor arenas. The barns are not fancy but they are clean & safe and the care is excellent; they also have amenities - like a new Eurociser - that a lot of more expensive places don’t have.

There are lots of other places in the Alpharetta/Milton area but most are considerably more than the OP wants to spend.

[relocatedTXjumpr]

As others have said, you need to figure out WHAT you want/need out of a facility and a trainer and what you are willing to compromise on.

Are you just looking for a place to board, or, are you looking for a place to train and show with? That’s going to narrow your search as well…and affect the price you pay. IS that $700 max for BOARD only? Lessons, training rides, showing fees, etc are all going to be added to that price.

Are you willing to give on the distance or price on the right fit? I am a good hour away from all of the barns mentioned in this thread…board doubles in that distance as well. But, you get what you pay for, having boarded at several not so nice places I get that now.

Depending on the answers to those questions, you should be able to narrow down your search.

[Ponyplusaninch]

Board and training at $700 or less or just the boarding? OP, I’m familiar with the scene in that area (although I got out of it awhile ago). Would you mind PMing to let me know where you’re coming from? That might help give some indication of what didn’t work for you/your horse and what would be a better fit. GHJA has a lot of different flavors in its barn directory…

Also I believe part of if not all the 7C’s property is on the market to be sold… it may just be the house, but they might be selling the whole thing, so just keep that in mind. Otherwise it is a stunning property with great facilities and turnout. The owners are lovely people to boot.

[relocatedTXjumpr]

[QUOTE=Pony+ an inch;8769578]
Board and training at $700 or less or just the boarding? OP, I’m familiar with the scene in that area (although I got out of it awhile ago). Would you mind PMing to let me know where you’re coming from? That might help give some indication of what didn’t work for you/your horse and what would be a better fit. GHJA has a lot of different flavors in its barn directory…

Also I believe part of if not all the 7C’s property is on the market to be sold… it may just be the house, but they might be selling the whole thing, so just keep that in mind. Otherwise it is a stunning property with great facilities and turnout. The owners are lovely people to boot.[/QUOTE]

I had heard that Green Acres was actually for sale as well…not sure if that is true or not.

[aedhe]

OP, the going rate for full board + lessons/training at the hunter/jumper barns north of ATL (that I know of; my knowledge is in no way complete) is usually in the $1000ish range or more - less as you go further away from the Alpharetta/Milton/Canton hub area. You’re almost definitely going to have to compromise.

There’s a pretty big range of h/j barns who do just do local shows, a mix of locals and regional A shows, and barns who pretty much live on the road doing the AA circuit. What specifically are you looking for? (Or, if you’re not looking to show at all, that will also narrow your choices.)

One suggestion that has worked for an acquaintance of mine was boarding at an eventing barn and meeting an h/j trainer at shows. It tends to be a bit cheaper and you can still work on jumping and so on with whoever is there, or bring someone in to lesson with when you can (I know you mentioned Sunny and I do think she will come to you but I’m not sure about specifics). That said, you are probably going to get a different type of care at a different-discipline barn than at a h/j training barn (not necessarily bad, just different). It’s not the solution for everyone.

[MistyJumper]

So I would suggest west creek and crooked creek

Also i have to shamelessly suggest my family farm that has a trainer that travels from down the road to train at our barn. She has made it up to the Olympic levels and now is doing lessons and shows. Its $450 a month for full board. Nothing fancy, just quiet and calm.

[findeight]

Wonder where OP ended up boarding her horse last year, she never came back.

[HunterJumperGin]

@MistyJumper Where is your family farm? I’m south of Atlanta, but am always on the lookout for friends with boarding needs.