H/J barns in NW NJ-near Lehigh Valley PA

[Jelleigh]

Possibility of moving to the area. I did a couple searches and didn’t find anything recent.
Wondering if anyone knows anything about the following:
Changewater Stables (trainer Maren Sarsten Hollenback

Top Notch Equestrian Centre (trainers Kelly Ann Poff, Rebecca Ann McGregor)

Autumn Acres Equestrian, LLC (Sashi McDowell)

Also saw these in PA-
Three’s A Charm Farm (Julie Veneziale)

Legacy Farm (Kris Moyer)

Cornerstone Farm (Marisa Kalmer)

Looking for barn that does variety of shows-some local-lower rated, some A shows, has indoor, good turnout. DD loves equitation.
TIA-trying to research this well and plan to take some lessons at places interested in. Just hoping for some collective guidance.

[myalter1]

I was just going to ask how far you wanted to drive… perhaps adding in the location to which you are moving might yield a better result.

[Jelleigh]

I’d be working in Allentown so I was searching in a 30-40" radius. Not sure yet where I’d be living exactly. I don’t think I’d be living in NJ but Phillipsburg is close. I looked down to Telford b/c I could live in the Coopersburg area.

If anyone has any other suggestions not on here I would welcome them. Thank you very much. The whole moving thing is stressful! I’m more worried about moving the horses and finding a new trainer than us finding a house!

[Zoneiihunter]

Katie Benson is very good. She’s at Black River Farm in Ringoes, NJ. Also if you are willing to drive a little, Robert Beck in Long Valley, NJ is fantastic. His indoor is beautiful and he will definitely keep you laughing.

[TatteredDaydreamer]

Three’s A Charm Farm (Julie Veneziale) is wonderful. Great care, extremely knowledgeable but no indoor. With the PA winters that generally means a month or so off while the ground is frozen. PM me for more info if interested.

[silver_charm]

I just moved to Philly and was riding at Legacy until my car imploded.

Kris is not around all that much, but there are plenty of assistant trainers that are extremely good. They seem to go to shows fairly often though it does seem to be more A/AA rated than local. They do have a lesson program and camp so have their own shows from time to time. I was really impressed with the barn when I first got there, and there’s an indoor and plenty of turn out.

Feel free to PM me if you have an specific questions. It’s a bit of a hike for me so I might be looking for other options but I wish I could go back.

[vxf111]

Traffic in the Allentown area is incredibly bad. I cannot explain WHY that is,but it is. Just something to factor into your calculation of distances/travel time. Until I started going there regularly and stayed there for a week, I had no idea how congested it would be.

[Jelleigh]

[QUOTE=vxf111;8326551]
Traffic in the Allentown area is incredibly bad. I cannot explain WHY that is,but it is. Just something to factor into your calculation of distances/travel time. Until I started going there regularly and stayed there for a week, I had no idea how congested it would be.[/QUOTE]

I know it’s grown a lot since I grew up @ there…22 is awful! I would love to find the right barn and then find a home that is in good relation to both the barn and work. All assuming we make the move of course. Have family in belvidere nj and Stroudsburg.

Appreciate the feedback all-keep it coming if you all think of anything else!

[FoxyandFritz]

You should check out the Gerhart’s the place is amazing and the training program is top notch. http://www.northridgefarmsonline.com/index.html

[longtimelurker]

[QUOTE=FoxyandFritz;8327580]
You should check out the Gerhart’s the place is amazing and the training program is top notch. http://www.northridgefarmsonline.com/index.html[/QUOTE]

I came on here just to recommend the Gerharts. I cannot recommend them highly enough! If you have any questions, feel free to PM me.

[newflame]

The Ridge Farm / Nona Garson

[shalomypony]

Caley Nonnemaker at Nonnemaker sport horses in Schnecksville pa

[pony_baloney]

I live in Belvidere too!

I’ve met one of the trainers at Top Notch at the farmer’s fair. She was really nice and is involved with 4H I think, so your daughter, depending on her age, will be with other kids. The facility is nice and it’s just a few minutes off Rte. 78. I don’t ride hunters/jumpers or show but they seem to be a competition barn.

Changewater has a lot of shows on the property; good if you want to show, not if you don’t want a lot of horses and riders at your boarding barn. I don’t know anything about the trainer though. They are even closer to PA, just off the P’burg exit.

Sashi is I think leasing stalls at the farm where she is located, which is new and gorgeous. It’s been for sale for some time (not sure if it still is or not). It’s a bit further from the highways than the others.

Don’t know their boarding rates, but someone recommended Nona Garson’s place, and I’m sure she’s over your budget.

I can ask my BO what she’s heard about the trainers mentioned.

[pony_baloney]

I live in Belvidere too!

I’ve met one of the trainers at Top Notch at the farmer’s fair. She was really nice and is involved with 4H I think, so your daughter, depending on her age, will be with other kids. The facility is nice and it’s just a few minutes off Rte. 78. I don’t ride hunters/jumpers or show but they seem to be a competition barn.

Changewater has a lot of shows on the property; good if you want to show, not if you don’t want a lot of horses and riders at your boarding barn. I don’t know anything about the trainer though. They are even closer to PA, just off the P’burg exit.

Sashi is I think leasing stalls at the farm where she is located, which is new and gorgeous. It’s been for sale for some time (not sure if it still is or not). It’s a bit further from the highways than the others.

Don’t know their boarding rates, but someone recommended Nona Garson’s place, and I’m sure she’s over your budget.

I can ask my BO what she’s heard about the trainers mentioned.

[ced713]

Joni and Hayley Willever at Blue Valley Riding Center in Pen Argyl, they are wonderful people, great trainers and have a beautiful farm. They attend local rated through AA shows, I highly recommend checking it out!

Also look into Billie Rae Wilkes in coopersburg at Stonefield Stables
Top Notch in stewartsville, NJ and Donna Bazos in orefield stonegate stables

As far as it goes for quality trainers and farms in the Lehigh valley those are all I can really think of and I’ve grown up riding here, if you have any questions please don’t hesitate to ask!

[harr754]

http://www.bluevalleyridingcenter.com/

they are having a schooling show on Oct 18th (rescheduled from the 3rd) if you want to check it out.