To my knowledge Mike is not banned from any showgrounds and has not been for years now since his suspension for a drug violation. His methods are definitely unique but no one can argue their success. Definitely go look at NTEC. Christian Heineking is the main jumper rider and trainer but Amanda Comly is also there. Both have a German background although Amanda grew up in Texas so she also knows the hunters. I was very impressed with their program last time I was out there.
[QUOTE=ballisticgirl;6331291]
You all are scaring me with the wacky trainer talkā¦any strong academy programs that serve up competitive AA riders in the area? Should I consider NTEC in Wylie?[/QUOTE]
In a word, NO.
Horse stolen from there a few years back, and I dealt with one of their trainers at a show this weekend while working the gate. Had absolutely NO idea what was going on and some of her rounds were terrifying. Her students also were more than a little scary.
If anyone wants good/bad trainers in the area, PM me. I am familiar with most of them.
[QUOTE=olivertwist96;6331318]
In a word, NO.
Horse stolen from there a few years back, and I dealt with one of their trainers at a show this weekend while working the gate. Had absolutely NO idea what was going on and some of her rounds were terrifying. Her students also were more than a little scary.
If anyone wants good/bad trainers in the area, PM me. I am familiar with most of them.[/QUOTE]
Really? Wow! Christian was showing in Tyler this past week, who did you see teaching? To the OP, he would not be my taste, but won the grand Prix this past weekend, has a student also that shows at that level, and I have a friend I used to ride with at a smaller barn that loves him.
For top notch training in DFW, I would look at Matt Cyphert, Courtney Calginini, Laura and Jordan at Summerhill, Stacie Goodson, Julie Cleveland, Elmstead Farm, or Jim and Joan Hensen at FoxGlen. Each have their pros and cons, but those would be my choices! Feel free to PM me for more info.
[QUOTE=Tollriffic;6331306]
To my knowledge Mike is not banned from any showgrounds and has not been for years now since his suspension for a drug violation. His methods are definitely unique but no one can argue their success. Definitely go look at NTEC. Christian Heineking is the main jumper rider and trainer but Amanda Comly is also there. Both have a German background although Amanda grew up in Texas so she also knows the hunters. I was very impressed with their program last time I was out there.[/QUOTE]
Itās been years since iāve competed so my info could be a bit dated 
I remember hearing so many horror stories as a kid of people getting chairs thrown at them while riding and some terrible names called! :lol: I never rode with him but I had been out to his place many timesā¦ uhg it was just beautiful thereā¦ and everyone I knew who went to ride with him a few times came back with quite the growth in experience.
I rode with Marleta and Kersten Lillejord for many years every summer in the Austin area. Hands down the best barn Iāve ever been atā¦ I bought three of my horses from them and if I ever move back to Austin Iād ride with them again!
Lanes End in Houston is an up and coming barn. Younger teenage girls, but great trainer and successful. Strong focus on hunters and specifically derbies with a few jumper riders.
Also fantastic facility with three arenas and beautiful professional jumps for hunters and jumpers.
If youāre looking at Wylie, call Becky Sanoja with Bryherstone Farms. I love her.
Elmstead is also very good. I showed there a few years back when they hosted local level shows and Britt was always very kind and nice to me. One of the girls who used to ride at my former barn has great success in the hunters there.
Shelby Graham is also in the Wylie area though Iām not sure that her kids are competing at the same level as Bryherstone or Elmstead, still a very nice barn from what Iāve heard.
As far as NTEC goes, I think it depends on the trainer you get.
in the DFW area, you can also try Colleen Acosta at Showtime Farms.
Texas has a plethora of H/J barns as you can see. Some do strictly AA, some do a mix of rated and local. Some are fantastic and some are mediocre.
First you need to determine what part of Texas. Its a big state! Then determine 3-4 trainers, go to their barns, and watch what they do and how at the horse shows.
Good Luck!
I show with Matt Cyphert, and have two hunters. Considering he had the top junior hunter in the nation last year, I donāt think Iād consider him to be solely jumper focused.
There are really SO MANY options in the DFW area, from little barns that do big shows, to big barns that do little shows. You need to find the one that best suits your needs.
[QUOTE=Prime Time Rider;6329566]
Best trainer for hunters or jumpers?
Mike McCormick and Tracy Fenney donāt take any new clients to the best of my knowledge. Matt Cypert is primarily jumper focused.
I love Stacie Goodson and her barn is almost exclusively adult riders, which is a plus if youāre an adult and donāt want to ride with a bunch of kids.
Chris Nelson is no longer in the Dallas area, I heard he moved to Louisiana.
I hope this helps. Send me a PM if you want more details.[/QUOTE]
Is Chris Nelson gone from Dallas for good? He still has a website for training and boarding. I just contacted him for more info on training, since the place looks nice? Do you know this for sure? Whaaaā¦
I have ridden with Laura and Jordan out of Summerhill Farms (DFW area) for 5 years now and I never plan on riding with anyone else. They are absolutely amazing with horses and riders and run a great program. Definitely worth looking into!
I also rode with Matt Cyphert as a kid and he is fantastic as well.
Overall, thereās plenty of amazing trainers in this area with great facilities and great programs, but they are all different! Take a few lessons at a few different places and see where you fit in best
[QUOTE=Noms;6334828]
Is Chris Nelson gone from Dallas for good? He still has a website for training and boarding. I just contacted him for more info on training, since the place looks nice? Do you know this for sure? Whaaaā¦[/QUOTE]
Well, his facility (which he leased, not owned) is now being leased by Matt Cypert. My friend who boarded there when Chris leased the place told me of his rather quick departure from the Dallas/Fort Worth area (he gave her less than 30 days notice), so yes, I that is confirmed. Whether he decides to return to the DFW area I canāt speculate, but he no longer leases the property, Matt Cypert does.
Does anyone know about a Gerry Castleman from Bastrop?
1 Like
It depends if you are wanting hunter or jumpers, a show. āAā show barn or local. Family atmosphere and fun or strictly business.
I would recommend Windswept Farms and Debbie DiVecchia. The barn is wonderful. If you have your own horse, this is where you want to be. Bet turn out for the horses and she is a very knowledgable horsewoman. Attends all the big shows in the area and travels to the championships and finals every year, including indoors and Devon.
There are lots of good trainers in the area, but owning quite a few horses, I would never have them anywhere but Windswept. My horses deserve great care and lots of time outside to be a horse in a big grassy paddock.
Check it out. Www.windsweptfarmtx.com
I second Debbie. Rode with her for almost 10 years before moving out of state.
[QUOTE=asparwhite;6338388]
Does anyone know about a Gerry Castleman from Bastrop?[/QUOTE]
Itās my understanding that heās the Thompson of Texas. Iād stay far, far away.
Does anyone have an opinion on Gianna Aycockās program in Flower Mound?
[QUOTE=ballisticgirl;6346847]
Does anyone have an opinion on Gianna Aycockās program in Flower Mound?[/QUOTE]
They do mostly the jumpers. Gianna has several very nice jumper horses and her kids do pretty well. Wouldnāt go there if you were looking to do the hunters.
Heard her GP mare died on course in Tyler the other day. Apparently she had a heart attack. Very sad.
