H/J trainer for ambitious adult

[aspiringAO]

Hi - been reading forever, first time posting. I’m looking for a trainer/barn with at least a handful of adult competitors doing the A/AAs in the Northeast.

I’m an adult ammy in my 50s. Lifelong rider, evented in my 20s, dabbled since, now showing 3’ hunters and hoping to work my way up to the 3’6" AOs.

I’m in northeastern PA. Love my trainer, but she mostly does kids, Big EQ and on their way to it. I hate being the only adult at the shows, plus the kids take priority since they are her bread and butter. We work “remotely” - keep “practice horse” at home, show horse with her, we meet at shows.

I’m dedicated - ride daily, keep fit, lesson often. Care more about improving my riding than ribbons, but want to put in respectable rounds. Do like to win now and then!

I have a reasonable budget, and a decent horse, imported, safe and fun, respectable but not a winner in great company. We do NE shows in summer and FL in winter. But I’m divorced, working, don’t have unlimited means, so buying a made competitive A/O horse or having more than two at a time isn’t in my future–and I suspect I can’t afford top barns in the NYC area.

I could relocate or travel, so I’d consider trainers anywhere in the NE. Maybe Central OH; I have clients in Columbus and Dayton. South is harder, but for the perfect situation…

Need someone patient and fun/funny; I leave stress at work. Perhaps prefer someone who is still growing a barn and a reputation over someone who’s winding down (and probably can’t afford the big names currently at the top). But really I’m very open for the right personality and capabilities. Need to have someone who can ride my horses in the pro classes, since I can’t afford made horses and still hoping to luck into a superstar doing the 1.0M with some kid in the Czech Republic. :lol:

Any ideas, thoughts, suggestions welcome! It would be great to be among peers competing at the shows, sharing the challenges of adult showing, rather than the oddball middle-aged divorcee hanging with the show moms…

Thank you!!

[Blinky]

Usually the AO’s and the Adult Ammies are aware of their peers and who is doing what and we already have opinions on their trainers. With that said is there not anyone (trainers) that you have seen in your area you would want to explore further? Have you chatted with your fellow Adult riders? Who does well and seems to be having fun?

[monty]

Blinky that isn’t a very productive post. She is looking for options. I know a lot of trainers but I don’t know everyone. Unknown on the rise trainer can be a great option for someone without a lot of funds but want someone really good that can help them excel. Often these types turn into bigger known trainers eventually and become less available and more available for the kids with nice parent pocketbooks. But when they are on the rise, it can be a great option for a dedicated Ammy with limited funds.

[osgoka01]

I went to College in PA and had the good fortune of riding with Jill Shull of Equi-Comp. She has quite a few adult clients and they are always competitive at big shows (all the way to indoors). I grew up showing with great trainers in Connecticut, and felt she taught me much about improving hunters.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Equi-Comp-Inc/157895137588649?fref=ts

[findeight]

If you do end up relocating, Columbus has a very good local show scene and some A trainers who work with Adults and travel to shows. Dayton doesn’t really to my knowledge but it’s very close to the Northeast side of Cincinnati where there are some top notch A trainers (Fl in winter, numerous KHP shows May to Nov.). Like an hours drive.

Just a thought.

[Blinky]

Monty-not sure why you think it necessary to say that sort of comment to someone. Actually I think suggesting one ask their peers and the people they know for referrals is productive. Thats where I would start and why I suggested it. Word of mouth is a powerful tool.

If you want a name…one of my barn peeps (Adult Ammie) moved to CT and Shachine Belle was recommended to her.

[mvp]

[QUOTE=Blinky;8119166]
Monty-not sure why you think it necessary to say that sort of comment to someone. Actually I think suggesting one ask their peers and the people they know for referrals is productive. Thats where I would start and why I suggested it. Word of mouth is a powerful tool.

If you want a name…one of my barn peeps (Adult Ammie) moved to CT and Shachine Belle was recommended to her.[/QUOTE]

I think your post came off as snarky because the advice was so obvious as to seem dismissive…. as though the OP was not right to ask for more help than she could procure for herself. But she’s looking for a place to start shopping that’s beyond her region. I see why she’d ask for help here rather than among local showing friends. I think it’s a fine use of COTH.

That said, Y’ain’t wrong about needing to shop in person after getting recommendations.

OP, you know enough (that is…. you probably ride well enough and manage your show horses well enough) that you will need to spend some time really test-driving the pro that will do better than your current Kiddie Eq option. In your spot, I’d go to some shows to watch the A/O division and the trainers who got their riders to the ring in the way you’d want. Really, I think you’ll be able to see lots in watching that pro with her riders in the warm-up ring. If you can do a good job spying, watch them for the whole shebang from when the horse leaves the barn to when he comes back. You’ll get a sense of whether the folks are good horsemen or bad.

After that, haul in and take some lessons on your beast yourself. You’ll get a sense of the pro’s approach to teaching. My .02: Keep your eyes peeled for really good, correct flatwork. That separates the men from the boys. And if you want to try to win with a less than perfect horse, I think great flat work will help you get there more than any other single ingredient.

And you do sound like a really fun adult to have in a barn, OP. I personally like having some serious ammies around-- the maturity and commitment to getting the job done is refreshing.

[Darden]

sent a pm

[aspiringAO]

Thanks so much, guys! Monty and MVP, you pretty much summed it up. I have only been back in hunter world for a couple of years, and really don’t know who’s who beyond my immediate area (where there isn’t anyone who’s a fit). I am also truly sad to contemplate leaving my trainer, and really want to avoid hurt feelings or cranking up the local rumor mill by talking to others I might see at shows until I have a better sense of how I want to proceed. And for those reasons, and to get a fresh start so to speak, I’d prefer to leave the area. Anyway, your advice has been helpful, and I’m already exploring a few possible options. Thanks again!!

[osgoka01]

Aspiring- If you do head up further into New England, Sachine is incredible. Not only is she a fantastic rider, but she is a great coach as well. If you end up that direction, the other person that springs to mind is Kristen Newton (Chance). She has brought quite a few youngsters along all the way to ribbons indoors and always has adults. Kristen is in Rehoboth, MA and Sachine is in RI.

[Zoey101]

I will second findeight’s post and say that I live in Columbus, consider myself a competitive/involved ammy and had a very successful season both locally and for the zone last year. We did the local circuit, rated indoors and kentucky as well as some rated outdoor shows. I am really looking forward to showing this summer and my trainer shows my mare in the derbies/professional divisions. She is no hack winner, but she was third and fourth in two big derbies (25+ horses) so if you have clients in Columbus, I would recommend Hunters Court Farm in Johnstown, OH. I am one of a few adults that show but my trainer treats us the same as the kids, and if you have goals she works with you to get them done- but she also understands the life of a working ammy that doesnt have an endless supply of money. PM me if you want more info!

[greysfordays]

Being a West Coaster, I don’t have any recs for the East Coast, but I really have to agree with MVP, the more you can see of how a trainer is for the whole shebang, the better. If they have a FB page, you definitely want to pay attention to that. You can sometimes get a sense for spirit of a barn that way.

I also in my own search, paid a lot of attention to how the trainers interacted with grooms and working students. At the shows you can really get a sense if the trainer is super dismissive or kind in recognizing the hard work of the whole team. I really like to be around positive people as a rule.

Whoever you choose, try to take your time with the process. Finding a great trainer can really make such a big difference!

[mvp]

Given what you posted in Round 2, OP, I’d add a couple more thoughts.

1. When you watch “the whole shebang”-- from when the ammy/horse team leaves the barn to when they get back-- check out a few things:

In the schooling ring, is the flatwork good-- whether the ammy is riding by herself or getting direction from the pro.

Do they jump each schooling fence with a purpose? Does the horse (or rider) change and improve each time? Can you hear them discussing each one? All this speaks to a good partnership and to a horse-centric, technical approach to training.

Same for the post-game analysis: If you can eavesdrop, was it pretty technical and a two-way conversation? If so, the pro is making a good rider and horseman of her ammy.

Maybe I’m projecting my wants onto a pro but if I’m an adult ammy good enough to be competitive at 3’6", I’m looking for someone who can help me step up my game.

2. The business acumen of the pro will end up counting for heckuva lot in your situation. That’s because you already fear the effects of leaving a long-term gig with a pro for reasons that are really no one’s fault but still might make for some disappointment. And if you don’t pick the perfect trainer this time, having picked the one who already showed you that she could be up front and professional-- a grown-up-- will make switching again that much easier.

In addition as an A/O client who isn’t a billionaire, you’ll probably always be the one doing your own division at shows vis-a-vis the other clients. You need a pro who can/will/understand that she must show up for you 100% just like the 5 kids she has going back-to-back in the Children’s Hunters.

[AliCat]

What shows are you doing? Do you stay on the PA side or venture into NJ?

[fourfillies]

Jill Shull may be a good fit. Speaking in broad strokes but having lived both places she is more price sensitive than the Philly crowd. She has a bunch of successful adults/AOs.

[fourfillies]

If you would consider Northern VA there are a bunch. Tony Workman/Tom Breenan or Peter Foley.

[Impractical_Horsewoman]

If you’re looking for someone in NJ, send me a PM.

[monty]

[QUOTE=Blinky;8119002]
Usually the AO’s and the Adult Ammies are aware of their peers and who is doing what and we already have opinions on their trainers. [/QUOTE]
I guess it is the tone. Usually to me meant, why are you asking this? and I felt the OP was looking for help. and sometimes we want to be discreet so that your current trainer doesn’t find out that you are looking elsewhere. This creates hard feelings especially when you are currently training with someone.

[FirstChance]

A third for Columbus! Moved here about a year and a half ago and there is a lot of great stuff in the horse scene withing a couple hour radius. Lots of nice h/j barns over a wide economic range.

[Arby]

I’m not a customer but Amanda Steege in Califon, NJ has a great (and successful) group of adult ladies.