One of our students is moving at the end of the month for a new job and is looking for a barn referral. She is a young adult and is a timid rider. She is a lovely rider and possesses the skill to ride a 2’6" course on a made horse but sometimes her head gets in the way. Her learning style works best with an instructor who is confident and supportive but will kick her butt when she needs it (not yelling though). Any suggestions?
My barn (that I board at, not own) is fantastic but about 40 minutes west of the Mechanicsburg area. Probably a little too far but it is very affordable, you can PM me for more info!
http://www.hollyhurstfarm.com is in Carlisle, have no experience with them or their prices but it looks nice!
Also, if I could hijack, I’m also interested in barns to the east of Harrisburg…we might be headed there if DH gets the promotion he’s up for (crossing my fingers!).
Hollyhurst would be a great fit. Betsy Morret is super nice but firm when needed.
How far East of Harrisburg? Several good choices around Mohnton. Cindy Bohn is closer to Harrisburg. Rick McGrath as well but he is on the road quite a bit.
I’m a transplant to Central PA from Hunterdon County, NJ (horsey central :D) and started riding a year ago at Heritage Acres in Dillsburg, PA. Unfortunately, the original owner, Dave, is retiring, but if he had been staying, I would have HIGHLY recommended him as a trainer for the type of rider you’re describing. I would not recommend the barn under the new owner as a personal preference and in regards to training methods.
I second MAX’s recommendation of Hollyhurst -I haven’t trained with them but they come to almost all the Heritage shows and the level of riding, as well as the look/training of the horses, is usually very good. The trainer, Betsy, is also very kind to the horses (from what I’ve seen publicly, of course). Halcyon Farm also has good reviews in general.
MAX - I live east of Harrisburg (Hershey area) and am moving my horse from Heritage to a private barn in Elizabethtown. There isn’t an on-site trainer but the owner allows us to bring in our own trainers and she has a dressage trainer who comes every other week.
However, if I had unlimited funds, I would totally go for either Flintrock Stables (Lancaster area) - http://www.flintrockcorporation.com/ or Heron Hills (Grantville area) - http://heron-hills.com/. Both are gorgeous facilities and Heron Hills trainer, Cindy, is wonderful!
[QUOTE=sara;7259796]
I’m a transplant to Central PA from Hunterdon County, NJ (horsey central :D) and started riding a year ago at Heritage Acres in Dillsburg, PA. Unfortunately, the original owner, Dave, is retiring, but if he had been staying, I would have HIGHLY recommended him as a trainer for the type of rider you’re describing. I would not recommend the barn under the new owner as a personal preference and in regards to training methods.
I second MAX’s recommendation of Hollyhurst -I haven’t trained with them but they come to almost all the Heritage shows and the level of riding, as well as the look/training of the horses, is usually very good. The trainer, Betsy, is also very kind to the horses (from what I’ve seen publicly, of course). Halcyon Farm also has good reviews in general.
MAX - I live east of Harrisburg (Hershey area) and am moving my horse from Heritage to a private barn in Elizabethtown. There isn’t an on-site trainer but the owner allows us to bring in our own trainers and she has a dressage trainer who comes every other week.
However, if I had unlimited funds, I would totally go for either Flintrock Stables (Lancaster area) - http://www.flintrockcorporation.com/ or Heron Hills (Grantville area) - http://heron-hills.com/. Both are gorgeous facilities and Heron Hills trainer, Cindy, is wonderful![/QUOTE]
How funny, I’m also from Hunterdon County! 
It definitely is a different (horsey) world out here, huh?
I rose with Betsy years ago and loved it. She runs an amazing facility and is a wonderful, honest and patient trainer. I can’t say enough good things about her.
Thanks everyone. I appreciate the help.
[QUOTE=To the MAX;7259860]
How funny, I’m also from Hunterdon County! It definitely is a different (horsey) world out here, huh?[/QUOTE]
What a small world! It is most definitely a much different world here in PA than there - bit of an adjustment for me!
@HunterPrincess…do you happen to remember a 13.3 hand chestnut pony with socks and a blaze named Lucky that was at Hollyhurst? He was an arab/welsh cross. I’m not sure when you rode with Betsy…anyway we sold that pony to her. I forget the year…it was probably around 2003/2004. I don’t think Betsy kept him for more than a year and he changed hands a few more times before winding up in his final home. He died of colic 2 years ago at the age of 27. He was a WONDERFUL pony to our family as we all grew up riding him. I just thought it would be neat if you remembered him!
Seconding the Hollyhurst suggestion, I also think Barb Kohr at Halcyon is excellent, she really knows her stuff.
As someone who is intimately familiar with the h/j scene in central PA (including all of the previously mentioned trainers), I would definitely recommend Cindy Bohn (Heron Hills) 717-821-3723. Her facility is gorgeous and the care of the horses is top notch. Cindy is very supportive of her riders but makes sure you learn what you need to to ride well. She is an excellent trainer and rider!
I second either Barb Kohr or Betsy Morret. I’ve known Barb pretty much my whole life and she runs a great program. Betsy’s a little further away, but is also really good. Rick McGrath is also pretty awesome, but as said above, they are on the road most of the year. Worth checking into, though. All three are very professional and great to deal with. Barb and Betsy both hold horse shows on site. If I were looking for a trainer, I’d be comfortable picking any one of the three.
Thank you all.
I personally WOULD recommend Heritage Acres. I can not speak to what the above poster Sara was writing about in regards to the new ownership of the stable.
My wife and I have two daughters who ride at Heritage. Both girls are under the age of 8. We have been there for about one year with the first couple of months riding under the previous owner. It became clear that Megghan Watts (current owner) saw my children ride more than the trainer we were paying…
After doing more research we switched both girls to Megghan Watts and their riding and most importantly their confidence whether in the barn working around the horses or in the saddle has increased tremendously!
Change is good and that is what is happening at Heritage Acres. The stable is being cleaned, painted, organized and most importantly improved to level that it may have never seen before. Maybe the above poster was just happy with an average trainer whose heart is no longer in the game. If your student has the love for horses, wants to show, wants to win I would suggest she contacts Megghan Watts and sees for herself. Megghan’s students show record can speak for itself when in comes to wins and she also has a stellar reputation within the industry. I am proud to say my children are trained by Megghan Watts & ride at Heritage Acres.
Heritage Acres is about a 20 minute drive South of Harrisburg all within easy access from the interstate.
Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.
ejm:
I am going to give you the benefit of the doubt since you just created your account two days ago and have only been involved in riding for a year (though I certainly have my doubts). Maybe you don’t realize how rude and unkind your post is. As one of Dave’s students/friends of over twenty years, it was upsetting to read your assessment of Heritage Acres, past and present. I normally just lurk around on here without posting, but I felt the need to say something now.
I have nothing against Megghan Watts. We have been acquaintances for many years, having showed together in the CPJHSA since childhood. She has a great reputation with kids/showing and she always has cute ponies. I was very happy to know that upon Dave’s retirement, the farm was going to a local, young professional. So this is not about Megghan. Nor is it about your kids switching from Dave to Megghan. That’s the beauty of a barn with multiple trainers, particularly when we’re talking small kids. When one trainer isn’t your cup of tea, there is probably someone else who is.
This is about your fourth paragraph.
I find it very bold of you to post something like that paragraph when Dave is still at Heritage Acres. You’re basically spitting on Dave, Heritage Acres, and anyone who has loved the place in the last thirty years. You sound like a jackass. I understand it is easy to hide behind the internet and say things like that, but I hope to God he never catches wind of this because he will be so, so hurt.
Next time you attend the CPJHSA awards banquet (because let’s be honest “dad”, you’ve been there before), take a peek at the names on the trophies. Call it “doing more research”. Many of those riders/horses are or were Dave’s. Including myself and two of my throwaway horses that nobody else wanted.
I am proud to say that I was trained by David Heiser and rode at Heritage Acres.
- Lauren Hall
I didn’t think there was anything in Sara’s response negative about the new trainer - I just read it as maybe the personality of the OP’s student wouldn’t mesh with the trainer’s teaching style. You can be a great trainer and prefer one type of student over another, or be able to teach certain people better than others.
I was just going to let the response from you, ejm, go unanswered but I am a bit unsettled by it and would like to express my appreciation for both Lauren and MAX’s support.
I had (nor have) no intention of saying anything against, professionally or personally, the new owner at Heritage - I was stating that, based on the OP’s assessment of the student who is looking for a new barn, I felt the student could be better served by another trainer. I am certainly happy to hear that your children enjoy their riding lessons with her - that is the best basis for enjoying a lifelong hobby of riding and is of course the most important aspect when a child is taking lessons in any sport. I appreciate your defense of the barn and think that you and LastFlightOut both feel the same way about your respective trainers.
I am happy with being trained by Dave Heiser and feel that he is the best trainer for myself and my horse. This is my personal preference based on my experiences and, as in anything based on subjective observations and experiences, other people will have different preferences, which is why I think this sport can be great but also easily turned into a game of “barn politics,” which was not my intention with posting my above assessment.
[QUOTE=LastFlightOut;7267134]
ejm:
I am going to give you the benefit of the doubt since you just created your account two days ago and have only been involved in riding for a year (though I certainly have my doubts). Maybe you don’t realize how rude and unkind your post is. As one of Dave’s students/friends of over twenty years, it was upsetting to read your assessment of Heritage Acres, past and present. I normally just lurk around on here without posting, but I felt the need to say something now.
I have nothing against Megghan Watts. We have been acquaintances for many years, having showed together in the CPJHSA since childhood. She has a great reputation with kids/showing and she always has cute ponies. I was very happy to know that upon Dave’s retirement, the farm was going to a local, young professional. So this is not about Megghan. Nor is it about your kids switching from Dave to Megghan. That’s the beauty of a barn with multiple trainers, particularly when we’re talking small kids. When one trainer isn’t your cup of tea, there is probably someone else who is.
This is about your fourth paragraph.
I find it very bold of you to post something like that paragraph when Dave is still at Heritage Acres. You’re basically spitting on Dave, Heritage Acres, and anyone who has loved the place in the last thirty years. You sound like a jackass. I understand it is easy to hide behind the internet and say things like that, but I hope to God he never catches wind of this because he will be so, so hurt.
Next time you attend the CPJHSA awards banquet (because let’s be honest “dad”, you’ve been there before), take a peek at the names on the trophies. Call it “doing more research”. Many of those riders/horses are or were Dave’s. Including myself and two of my throwaway horses that nobody else wanted.
I am proud to say that I was trained by David Heiser and rode at Heritage Acres.
- Lauren Hall[/QUOTE]
I am glad you had a great experience with Mr Heiser, unfortunately ours was not the same.
EJM4:
Welcome to the forum, I see that you are new here.
Your issue with the above response (Sara’s post) could have been satisfied with a personal and glowing recommendation of your child’s experience. Instead, you chose to viciously respond which, in my view, reflects poorly on you and creates unnecessary distress. I sincerely hope your future posts are more productive and positive.
