Hi, my horse and I will be moving to Austin this fall and wow there are a lot of barns to choose from. However, I really want to narrow down the list. So far, I’m considering Rio Vista, Monarch, Madrone, Corragio, Esoteric, and Hilltop. Ideally, I’d like at least 8-12 hr turnout (very important), a great training program for a young hunter, goes to mainly A/AA instate shows, and has a covered arena. I don’t mind a drive, but ideally within an hour of midtown. Thank you!
We looked at Madrone, Rio Vista and Monarch. We ultimately decided to board our young horse at Monarch, as my daughter had ridden there prior to purchasing the new baby. The grooms are very good and observant and we have a good impression of the training, thus far (the horse only arrived in January). They show locally (A/AA) and a group goes to WEF for January every year. They have a large outdoor and a good sized covered arena, turnout is half-day only. They have a 6 show minimum requirement (most of the barns have this) and a few other young horses they are bringing on, in addition to ours. Training board includes 3 lessons or pro-rides a week.
What do you mean by midtown? For example if your office is on Congress, near Cesar Chavez, it could take anywhere from 25 - 45 minutes depending on the time of day.
Most of the barns here have a wait list, so that is something to consider. I’m happy to answer any specific questions via DM
I’ll actually be at UT. I’m assuming that’s in the midtown area as well.
UT would be about 25 minutes with no traffic going and would be longer on the way back. Traffic coming into Austin on I35 is always bad.
It would be best to go late morning, early afternoon, or after 6:30 - avoiding peak commuter hours.
^ this should help!
That amount of turnout… hmm I think only maybe Scattered Oaks and Bit by Bit might. Coraggio can if they’re on the night turnout rotation. Sadly turnout and socialization is not very important down here for whatever stupid reason.
I can give you pretty specific details on just about every barn here, DM me anytime.
just a note please be aware the Austin area is the prime flash flooding region of the entire US
Might want to question the stable’s management on how and what they do handle these events Which Do Happen fairly often
Also Interstate 35 traffic rivals anything Los Angeles has to offer
The biggest thing that will impact your list will be the covered arena and the turnout. In my experience, it’s normally one or the other.
Something to keep in mind is that Hilltop is for sale and Rio Vista was sold to Elon Musk’s LLC – they have a long-term lease with the LLC that will run until 2026.
The drive is also likely to be a killer. I moved to Austin a few years ago and the traffic is not to be underestimated. I’ve heard good things about Madrone and Monarch, but I believe Madrone’s turnout leaves… something to be desired.
Personally, if I had to choose and needed a covered, I would go to White Fences, which is home to Empire Acres – the hunter/jumper side. I know they do WEF and the Texas circuits and I very much like their head trainer.
In my 3 years here I have not experienced this to be an issue.
It’s so funny to see this out in the wild! I made this spreadsheet a few years ago when I was in OP’s shoes! OP – not sure when this copy was made but I had last updated it and published it around Jan '22 so some of the pricing might be slightly off. 
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We must be in the same FB group where I found it!! It’s a great list, has been so helpful for so many people!! Thank you for creating it!
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A real and well-documented concern!
it has been forecast that the weather pattern is to shift to a El Niño pattern later in 2023
