Houston Trainers; Need Advice

[karasha]

I’m in a predicament. Sorry for the length.

Earlier last year I moved my hunter/derby horse to a dressage barn for the main mission of installing lead changes on him. I was hooked up with a Dressage trainer and my horse has really flourished. He got his lead changes about a month after getting there, so while my original objective was completed, I wanted to stay because I learned there were so many holes in both his and my training! The barn is also absolutely gorgeous, I adore the barn manager/head trainer, and he is 10 minutes from my house (which, in Houston, is SO MAJOR).

Prior to this, I was with my hunter/jumper trainer, who I have been with for approximately 8 years. She was an hour away which made it too hard to be consistent. We made the “deal” that my horse would go off the dressage barn and I would come down 1x every month/month to train and I would continue to show with her.

Well, I am no longer happy with my current hunter trainer (mainly because I have “outgrown” her and her advice is no longer really constructive and helpful) and I know it’s just time to move on. So my predicament is trying to find another hunter trainer in my area that would be open to me trailering in for lessons and showing with them at shows. Is this uncommon/unfavorable? I am wanting to do the A/AA shows down here this year, so I am a serious competitor (but do not have the financials to go to, say, WEF).

Anyone have any advice if what I want is feasible and perhaps if y’all have any recommendations on a trainer in Houston (Specifically Cypress/Cyfair/290/Hwy 6 area or 20-30 minutes from this area).

My “requirements” are a trainer that goes to the A/AA shows, but isn’t on the level of say, Peter Pletcher. It would be great if the trainer has a respect for Dressage. I prefer a firm, but fair and kind trainer that will help me be successful in the A/Os.

Thanks y’all!

[Angelico]

I love Berry Porter. I can’t answer for him, but based on my experience with him I think he’d be open to working with your current situation. It’s been a while but I think he is in the Tomball area, don’t know how feasible it is for you from where you are located. PM me if you’d like his phone number.

[HiddenAcres]

The driving thing is a real problem. These 2 are “Cypressy”.Try the THJA website.

Smaller, lower profile, but talented and pleasant to deal with, near 249/Boudreaux, doing more A shows, haul ins welcome.

www.devereauxsporthorses.com

Near the Sam Houston Tollway and Windfern by the racetrack. Wife does hunters, husband does dressage. Haul in probably ok.

www.irishdayfarm.com/

Good luck and keep us posted if you discover something wonderful:)

[meupatdoes]

Brian Powell in Conroe is a little further away than you wanted but he is THE BEST. There is no window dressing with his program but the man has a depth of knowledge and ability to pass it on through teaching that is hard to beat.

He trained in Germany, rides his personal jumper PSG in the double for fun, and recently returned to TX after spending a few years running a successful training and sales program in Europe. He can also make up a hunter like nobody’s business, starting with his junior hunter from back when which was the first horse Hunterdon ever went to TX to buy.

So, you know, 20 extra minutes to drive.
Email me if you would like his contact info, there is no website.

[Blinky]

Yes, I call Houston the 45 minute town! I live in Magnolia and my trainer is in the Kingwood area. Will Roberts and Sarah Rice. They are great and we have a few clients that are haul ins. Love them!

In the Cypress area is Sherre Sims. I do not know if she takes haul ins but you can check with her. I think her barn name is Rendezvous Farm.

There is also Jessica Harries at J n L Stables (I think).
Both these trainers are at nice facilities and are good with ammies. If I was looking to move to that side of town I would consider either one.

[HiddenAcres]

Brian Powell is doing dressage, not hunters. Does not do A shows. Also way farther away than 20 minutes - at least 45 minutes from Cy Fair area, depending on construction at the Exxon campus site. Good teacher though.

[HunterMolly]

I second Will Roberts. I show against some of his clients regularly and his seems like a great teacher and always has well prepared riders and nice horses.

[karasha]

Thank you all for your suggestions and testimonials. It’s important for me for people to give their first hand accounts as to why they recommend a trainer. I nearly “know” them all (not personally, but I’ve been in Houston/Zone 7 all my life, so I recognize them all and have recognized their presence at shows).

I have Will Robert’s riders go at the A/AA shows, and yes, as others have stated, they are always great competition and well prepared. I would love to work with him, but he is a solid hour away from me, sans traffic. My mom and I only share one trailer, and it stays down at her barn… So it would be an ~2.5 hour escapade, just to pick up my horse and take it to him, each week to get a lesson. I have a facility to jump, but I doubt it would be in his best interest time wise to come to me.

I’ve watched Berry Porter and he seems super personable and like a great trainer. He has always been personable in the in-gate, as well. He’s a bit closer relative to Will, so I will consider him.

We have the Great Southwest Winter Series I-IV coming up at the very end of this month. I will be there and be doing some “shopping”.

If you guys ride with any of these people that you recommend, please let me know, because I would be more apt to perhaps message you and ask questions from students.

[Blinky]

We are there for weeks 2-4. I’m happy to meet new people.

[Prime_Time_Rider]

While I haven’t ridden with Berry Porter, my impressions of him are positive.

[meupatdoes]

[QUOTE=HiddenAcres;7939484]
Brian Powell is doing dressage, not hunters. Does not do A shows. Also way farther away than 20 minutes - at least 45 minutes from Cy Fair area, depending on construction at the Exxon campus site. Good teacher though.[/QUOTE]

That’s interesting considering that he helped me put the foundation on my hunter and was perfectly happy to go to A shows when clients requested. I have flown him east to teach h/j clinics.

Here are three videos from Brian Powell lessons. You can see the development in the horse.Horse was 5 at the time.

January: http://youtu.be/mPJkhgc-9t0
October: http://youtu.be/i9q-EXvZ_5w
Following February: http://youtu.be/oh8PM4yEc-M

I moved bck east with the horse and spent two years focusing on dressage, but when I sent it back to hunterland it walked right into a program that shows several times a month. Garden State, Four Seasons, Old Salem, Gladstone, Devon etc. Obviously the current trainer is wonderful too, and her program is much more focused on showing than Brian’s is, but the horse remembered what it learned at Brian’s and was definitely ready to walk in the door and do the job.

If OP is looking for an excellent hunter education that is based on a solid foundation of dressage, she could not ask for a better match.

[HiddenAcres]

Meup - your PM is full.

Brian Powell is working out of Hatfield Farms last I heard in November, down the street from Tex-Over to give distance to OP.He does put an excellent foundation on a horse.

Just checked w/ Brian - he decided he missed the hunters, so call him up.

www.hatfield-farms.com

[meupatdoes]

[QUOTE=HiddenAcres;7940875]
Meup - your PM is full.

Brian Powell is working out of Hatfield Farms last I heard in November, down the street from Tex-Over to give distance to OP.
He does put an excellent foundation on a horse.
www.hatfield-farms.com[/QUOTE]

If OP is interested in seeing what the arena looks like there it is what we are riding in in videos 2 and 3.

[karasha]

Looks like I am going to check out Jessica and Dylan Harries JNL Stables per recommendation of a few people!

If Will Roberts wasn’t so far… I would consider him. Maybe if my SO and I move to the east side of Houston in a few years, I will move him then and there. Perhaps I’m a bit partial since he judged my horse at a local show a few weeks back and pinned my horse Champion in the 3’ hunters. :lol:

[southernoaks]

I have a small barn just behind Cypress and haul in for lessons with Will & meet up at shows. I have a few stalls available. Just a thought, you could tag along with me. I offer full care & have a full course always set.

[ohmissbrittany]

Have you taken a look at Fincastle Farm? It’s fairly close to your searchosphere, off of Highway 6. Great group of adult ammy’s, juniors, and kids. Super easy place to live with. Nice facility, knowledgable staff, and we attend 1 A/AA show a month and/or B’s and C’s as the group needs. I moved there from another trainer I still greatly enjoy when I moved to Houston last May, and have had no issues with trailering to clinics and such on my own and schooling with other folks from back home.

[karasha]

[QUOTE=ohmissbrittany;7963261]
Have you taken a look at Fincastle Farm [/QUOTE]

I am not going to get into it, but I am not interested in Fincastle due to some unfortunate previous dealings with them. Probably was super flukey and an anomaly (I mean, they always have a full barn and I was on a wait list; good indication of happy people). I have heard many good things about them, but due to prior circumstances, I don’t feel comfortable going back. Kind of a bummer; they are a 5 minute drive from my house!

However, I am glad they have worked for you! It’s nice to find a place that supports your needs.

Just an update, I contacted Sarah from Pine Hollow Farms and will be lessoning with them this upcoming week! I had the opportunity presented to me to be able to trailer out to them, so I am taking it!

[Blinky]

Excellent!