Instructors north-west of Toronto, ON

[Piaffe11]

Looking for help from my fellow COTHers!

My SO and I just bought (what we hope will be) our forever house. Very exciting! Unfortunately it’s on the other side of the GTA. My current coach does not know of anyone to recommend so I thought I would turn to the wisdom of COTH

I will be moving south-west of Orangeville as of the end of October. I will be searching for a new dressage instructor who hopefully can come highly recommended. Unfortunately I have yet to save up enough pennies for my first dressage horse so it will need to be someone with a lesson program or that has some sort of part-boarding/leasing system set up.

The closer to East-Garafraxa the better. I do hav to travel down to Brampton for commuting on the weekdays so it could be in that direction too!

TIA!!!

[Cat_Tap]

The only one that I know of that has school horses is Equestrian Dreams in Campbellville which is south/west of Toronto. I do not have any personal experience with the stable but have never heard anything negative.

[Forte]

Is shelburne too far? I think Leah Wilson is out that way and I think she may have school horses

[BigMama1]

I board at Equestrian Dreams and recommend it 100% for a welcoming, friendly environment where lesson students are part of he family as much as the boarders, for good quality, kind coaching and for having school horses and a part board program. If you want more info or want to come visit, please PM me.

If Campbellville is too far, suggest Meredith Risk in Nobleton. It may be closer to your neck of the woods.

[Piaffe11]

Thanks for the replies!

CatTap and BigMama1 - Campbellville is an hour from the new house and that is definitely farther than I’d like to be travelling (especially in winter).

Forte - Shelbourne is very close! Do you know what the name of Leah Wilson’s barn is?

BigMama1 - Nobelton isn’t too far and is between the train and the house. Where does Meredith Risk teach out of? Do you know if she has some sort of lesson system?

This definitely makes me feel better knowing there may be options!

[Lusoluv]

Frank Grelo (www.grelofarms.com) is one of the old masters, born/trained in Portugal as a young man under Nuno Oliviera. He is a true treasure and lives in Caledon. Has many upper level school masters to take lessons on. Highly recommend him!

[Forte]

Aislinndressage.com is Leah’s website.

[BigMama1]

Meredith’s site is www.nobletondressage.com. I do t know that she has school horses per se, but might have some part boarding options. Send her an email or give her a call. She’s super nice

[Piaffe11]

That is great! Multiple options!

I will probably wait till later in October to contact them as my current house is a good distance away for visits. Excited!

Thanks again everyone!

[Spud_amp_Saf]

You could also look into Alison Branbury in Hillsburgh. I am not sure if she has horses available but it is so close, it may be worth it for you to inquire.

http://www.hillhaven.ca/index.html

I am located in Erin, so if you have any questions about the area, feel free to PM me.

[Piaffe11]

Thank you Spud&Saf!

I will definitely be taking you up on that. I’ve been to the Caledon Horse Park before but don’t know much about the rest of the horse scene.

[emmo]

@Piaffe11

Thank you Spud&Saf!

I will definitely be taking you up on that. I’ve been to the Caledon Horse Park before but don’t know much about the rest of the horse scene.

Curious to know if you were able to find a barn with a lesson program. I am kind of in the same boat ride…looking for a trainer with school horse option.

[BigMama1]

@emmo

Curious to know if you were able to find a barn with a lesson program. I am kind of in the same boat ride…looking for a trainer with school horse option.

Whereabouts in the GTA? And is part boarding an option or do you just want weekly lessons? There are very few lesson programs with true dressage school horses, but a few decent options at the lower levels, particularly in eventing barns. If you are interested in part board / leasing that definitely opens up more trainer options. If you can narrow down the location I might be able to point you in the right direction.

And if you are talking about upper levels, there are a few excellent trainers who do offer lessons on schoolmasters: Stephanie Jensen, Leah Wilkins and Jaimey and Tina Irwin all come immediately to mind. But of course that is a different price range than your average lesson on a school horse.

[emmo]

Part leasing isn’t an option right now so it would be weekly lessons for VERY low level… I’m switching from H/J to dressage.

I have a daily commute from Markham to Brampton so anything in that corridor (not too far east or west).

I’ve heard frank grelo has a few schoolmasters for non boarders. What are my chances getting in with him or does he mostly do high level?

[BigMama1]

@emmo

Part leasing isn’t an option right now so it would be weekly lessons for VERY low level… I’m switching from H/J to dressage.

I have a daily commute from Markham to Brampton so anything in that corridor (not too far east or west).

I’ve heard frank grelo has a few schoolmasters for non boarders. What are my chances getting in with him or does he mostly do high level?

Frank will teach all levels, to my knowledge. Probably too far west for you but Equestrian Dreams in Campbellville is great for those just learning dressage. Ovation Hall in Newmarket might be a better choice, location wise.

[BigMama1]

@PDDT

Depending where you are coming from in Markham Pause Awhile might be a good option.

Is that where Krista Pollock is? I don’t know her but hear good things about her as a dressage coach.

[PDDT]

@BigMama1

Is that where Krista Pollock is? I don’t know her but hear good things about her as a dressage coach.

yes, that is Krista Pollock’s barn. I have shown there and have heard good things about her too.

[jayessbee]

I used to board out of Ovation Hall many years ago. Jen is well liked, but I wasn’t crazy about the turnout and the indoor arena is very small. I don’t know if she has school horses.

Pause Awhile is a large facility with many, many horses in lots of different disciplines. Those who I know who ride there like it a lot, but I would not classify it as a “dressage barn.” I believe they have school horses as they run camps there.

Meredith Risk of Nobleton Dressage operates out of a private barn. There aren’t any school horses and there may be the rare opportunity for a part board situation, but that would likely be in the context of a horse in a full training program. Highly recommend her whether or not you want to show.

[BigMama1]

@jayessbee

I used to board out of Ovation Hall many years ago. Jen is well liked, but I wasn’t crazy about the turnout and the indoor arena is very small. I don’t know if she has school horses.

Pause Awhile is a large facility with many, many horses in lots of different disciplines. Those who I know who ride there like it a lot, but I would not classify it as a “dressage barn.” I believe they have school horses as they run camps there.

Meredith Risk of Nobleton Dressage operates out of a private barn. There aren’t any school horses and there may be the rare opportunity for a part board situation, but that would likely be in the context of a horse in a full training program. Highly recommend her whether or not you want to show.

It’s funny you should mention that - I’m moving my horse to Meredith’s this week.

[Piaffe11]

@emmo

Part leasing isn’t an option right now so it would be weekly lessons for VERY low level… I’m switching from H/J to dressage.

I have a daily commute from Markham to Brampton so anything in that corridor (not too far east or west).

I’ve heard frank grelo has a few schoolmasters for non boarders. What are my chances getting in with him or does he mostly do high level?

I did actually find a barn - I’m currently riding with Alison Banbury, but I feel at 40 minutes northwest of Brampton, it is well out of your way. She also doesn’t have lesson horses, but does occasionally have horses for part-board.

I tried with Frank, but felt the cost was much higher than I wanted to pay for a group lesson. I have heard good things about Pause Awhile and Nobleton Dressage - I would look at these as options.

Good luck!