Lesson barns north/east of DC?

[NErider]

I just moved to D.C., and while I’m not in a position to purchase a horse right now, I’d like to find somewhere to get 1-2x weekly lessons just to get out of the city and keep the rust off a bit. I know lots of places down in Virginia, but I live on the eastern edge of DC proper, getting across to Virginia is just too much! Any suggestions? Doesn’t have to be strictly eventing, a more show jumping-focused h/j barn or even a dressage barn will work. I’m just not overly interested in a strict hunter barn, is that makes sense?

I did try the search function but mostly found recommendations for barns in Virginia. Thanks!

[asterix]

I live on Capitol Hill. Waredaca is a easy trip (ok, not in rush hour but…) up the BW
Parkway to 32 to 108 to Brighton dam to 650.

[cheerio280]

I’ll apologize in advance because I’m not from the area and don’t know it that well, so these suggestions might not be useful to you.

I have a friend that boards at Bennett’s Creek Farm and she really likes it. From their website, it looks like they mostly do lessons for boarders and haul-ins, but it couldn’t hurt to call and check. Might be a tad far depending on where exactly you are.

My mom also lives in Gaithersburg and has been riding with Heather Achen for ~6 months now. She is more on the h/j side of things but has evented in the past. Her program is smaller and mostly adults. Depending on where you are, she also might be a bit far for you.

Waredaca is a smidge closer. I have no personal experience with the facility, but it looks like they do have a lesson program.

[bambam]

[QUOTE=asterix;8009069]
I live on Capitol Hill. Waredaca is a easy trip (ok, not in rush hour but…) up the BW
Parkway to 32 to 108 to Brighton dam to 650.[/QUOTE] I work near asterix and go to the barn during rush hour often and getting to the waredaca area is actually not that bad (grading on a DC-based curve :D). Rush hour usually adds 15-25 minutes to a 45 minute trip (leaving btw 4:15 and 5:30 (the later, the longer) and going BW parkway to 95 to 200 to 97). But if there is a problem (big or multiple accidents) or it is Friday evening, it can be kind of hellish but that is DC traffic in general

[GotSpots]

Also, depending on where in DC you are, you may be looking at the same commute time to VA. Particularly if you’re close to Chain Bridge, you might find it easier to cut across and pick up 123 to the toll road - likely be about the same 45-1 hour quoted above (again, all caveats re: bad traffic apply). When I worked in the district I fairly regularly rode in the mornings before work and could be at my desk by 9:45 or 10 (helped to have semi-flexible hours some days).

[NErider]

I live in NoMa, right off NY ave/50. I saw a girl walk into my complex in breeches and half chaps she must ride somewhere! Lol.

I have semi-flexible hours depending on the day. I’ve had waradeca recommended as well but when I looked at the website I was a bit overhelmed! seems like a lot going on there.

[curlykarot]

Check out http://destinationeventing.com/ in Frederick. Not sure of the drive from your area, but if it is off peak hours it might be worth it.

[asterix]

Waredaca would be a 45 min trip for you esp if not in the thick of rush hour. I board there so happy to answer questions. It’s not really that busy - the website has gotten out of control (we literally just had a meeting about getting it tamed :lol:).

There is a good core of active boarders who compete from BN-P. There are others who just ride for fun. In practice this means there are a reasonable number of horses around sometimes for part lease or lessons.

There is a lesson program, mostly on weekends with some weekend evenings. If you can come out during the day you can easily have a private when it is dead quiet.

We have an amazing facility- 200 acres of xc fields and access to parkland for hours of hacking or fox hunting.

It is a busy place at times but if you can come at non peak times it can be peaceful.

If I were you I’d put together a list of possible places and go visit. It’ll probsbly be obvious what works for you when you get a feel for each place.

[PonyMagic]

Www.wheatonparkstables.com

15 minutes or so from DC and close to a Metro stop.

[FrittSkritt]

If you’re looking for just lessons, Clay Hill Stables is a H/J barn that UMD rides out of… that’s probably the closest distance-wise to NE DC.

[gottagrey]

Waredacca is probably the OP’s best bet. It’s the discipline she’s interested in - and with a lot going on there it would be easy for the OP to ease into activities at the barn (increase riding social life) by volunteering at the horse trials and/or clinics if that’s something that the OP might be interested. Also once the OP finds a good place, like Waredaca - and gets to know people it’s often that people might be away and want their horse ridden etc.

[NErider]

Thank you for all the suggestions! I’ll go check Waredacca out and scope out some other places. H/J is fine too depending on what’s available. Can’t be too picky lol. Also even if I can’t ride often I’ve never lived so close to so much horse activity, I’m going to try to audit clinics and spectate some shows Thanks again!

[oldfuzzyhorses]

Also have a look at Reddemeade, Columbia Horse Center and Woodland Horse Center. Closer in there’s Meadowbrook Stables and Rock Creek Park Horse Center (right in the middle of Rock Creek Park). East of you, there’s Loftmar, and someone mentioned Clay Hill. All have reviews on Google. Waredaca is the only eventing-focused barn in that area that I can think of, but Reddemeade does dressage and has at least one instructor with eventing experience. They also have a sort of group-lease program where you can ride and compete their lesson horses for a flat fee. The other barns are mostly h/j.

If you were in NW, I’d say try Destination or Bascule, or any of the barns in the northwestern part of MoCo, but they are a long haul from your neighborhood.

The local Maryland horse news publication is the Equiery. Check out that, if you haven’t, and Horse Talk Magazine for Virginia and Southern Maryland. Not sure what the major trade paper is for Virginia anymore, as the Virginia Horse Journal is defunct, and nothing seems to have replaced it.

Welcome to the "neigh"borhood!