Hunter Jumper A rated trainers Kitsap county, WA

[Stepback123]

Hi. Wondering if anyone can give me referrals to hunter jumper trainers in Kitsap county or close to for my daughter. We are coming back from Long Island where she jumps 2’6" and wants to enter the A rated circuit. Need a trainer that works with high levels. Any suggestions?

So far I have Karen O’Neal from Kent.

Thanks.

[541hunter]

Karen is an eventing trainer, not sure she does any h/j. She comes down to teach at a barn in my neck of the woods (Eugene OR) on a monthly basis and she has a reputation as being tough but good. But I’ve never seen her at any of the rated h/j shows.

Woodside Stables might be a good bet (Cindy Daniels, Sarah Smith, Lisa Petersen – mom and daughters). Don’t know a TON about their program but they bring lots of cute horses at the shows in my area, and I’ve worked back gate with Cindy before. Lovely lady, and her daughters are great riders. They’re in Kingston.

[Calvincrowe]

I’m pretty sure Karen O’Neal is based out of Spokane now, not Kent. There aren’t a lot of choices out on the Kitsap Peninsula. PNWJumper on here is out there and might have some suggestions. Let’s hope she finds this thread, or you could private message her and ask for her advice.

I think Woodside is your best option for a H/J program on the peninsula.

[Calamber]

There is also Blue Heron Farm, http://www.blueheronfarmllc.com/ and Julie Gelderman’s barn Sandamar. http://sandamarfarm.com/.

[Groom_amp_Taxi]

Sandamar was going to be my suggestion.

For the top of the line “high level” hunter barns (like the ones that occasionally go back east for various finals or to Thermal in the winter), you would probably be looking toward the eastside of Seattle (Thumbs Up, Pot Creek, Aleron) or to Brass Ring in Buckley.

I can say definitively that Karen O’Neal is presently training in assocaition with Freedom Run at Reber Ranch in Kent (edited to add that she is absolutely an eventing trainer as well).

[PNWjumper]

Sandamar is my favorite and that’s where I take my daughter for lessons. The trainer, Amanda, is terrific! Feel free to PM me with any questions or if you’d like more information about the area.

[ladyj79]

I would contact Phil le Dorze at Ios on Bainbridge. Phil is a long time and successful show jumper.

[541hunter]

[QUOTE=PNWjumper;8472711]
Sandamar is my favorite and that’s where I take my daughter for lessons. The trainer, Amanda, is terrific! Feel free to PM me with any questions or if you’d like more information about the area.[/QUOTE]

I forgot about Sandamar! They hosted some IHSA shows when I was an undergrad and had some lovely horses.

[Stepback123]

thanks everyone I will look into all of these…we don’t want a schooling barn. At least in east coast it’s harder to schedule riding around schooling lessons… So Ios seems more up our alley…FYI: spoke to Karen O’Neal and she is working out of a barn in Kent…

Anyone heard anything about Chalice Farms in Port Orchard.

[Stepback123]

Thanks Grooom&Taxi … That is the type of barn we are looking for but hoping to find in kitsap

[Stepback123]

Spoke to Karen - she is training H/J. but in Kent. Will look into Woodside…thanks

[Credosporthorses]

[QUOTE=Stepback123;8473296]

Anyone heard anything about Chalice Farms in Port Orchard.[/QUOTE]

Pretty sure Chalice is another eventing barn.

[LovesHorses]

If you’re a serious rider, only option is Woodside.

[BITSA]

you can find a good directory of WA barns in

http://www.flyingchanges.com/#!stables---washington/cxeh

[Stepback123]

OK. thanks LovesHorses…great facilities but pricey for the area.

[PNWjumper]

[QUOTE=LovesHorses;8473803]
If you’re a serious rider, only option is Woodside.[/QUOTE]

Totally disagree. There are several options for serious riders.

Sandamar and Ios (on Bainbridge), and several others travel around the bigger shows as well. Sandamar is less pricey than Woodside (which is a great option for a show barn, don’t mean to imply otherwise) and they do many of the same shows that I do (I have an FEI horse and try to stick to the shows with the big GPs and/or the High AO Jumpers - which is tough to find around here). And Ios does more big shows than any other barn in the area including several stints down to NorCal and SoCal in the off season up here. There are a couple of other barns as well that show all summer, but stick to the more local-type A shows. I don’t think that Ios is taking people right now (though it would certainly be worth a call - the trainers there are fantastic), but I know that Sandamar has a couple of spots.

[PortRoyal]

Karina Hogan used to be the head trainer at Sandamar but has since started her own program. Operates out Cottingham farm on Bainbridge and Boblets Lone Eagle Ranch in Poulsbo. She usually does 3 or so rated shows during the summer plus plenty of schooling shows whenever she has kids that want to go. Smaller program for sure than Woodside or Sandamar, but she is absolutely fantastic. Feel free to shoot me a PM if you want any more information.

[costco_muffins]

Amanda Gelderman at Sandamar is great. Definitely worth a call.

[LovesHorses]

You get what you pay for

[Kestrel]

Signature West is in Spanaway, but may be more the type of program that you’re looking for. http://www.signaturewestfarms.com/