My husband is a considering a job in the area and I am wondering about the area and of course the horse scene. I do Dressage and Eventing. Anyone recommend any barns/trainers in the area? Know any good realtors? Thanks in advance. This is a HUGE decision and I’d really appreciate any info you guys could pass my way!!!
[QUOTE=mactanscott;3762484]
My husband is a considering a job in the area and I am wondering about the area and of course the horse scene. I do Dressage and Eventing. Anyone recommend any barns/trainers in the area? Know any good realtors? Thanks in advance. This is a HUGE decision and I’d really appreciate any info you guys could pass my way!!![/QUOTE]
I lived in Lexington for 3 years. I cannot at this moment remember any specific barns or trainer names, but they are there.
The important thing is that its one of the most beautiful places on earth, the people are wonderful, there are 3 universities for cultural enrichment and anyone you can find a job there is blessed.
There are fewer boarding barns then you would expect for such a horsey area, but that’s because many keep horses at home. There are many places to ride and show.
I live in a horse paradise, but if I had more $$$$ I would consider going back to Lexington. That’s saying a lot:)
for realtors I can highly recommend Amy at http://www.welcome2lexington.com . They handle renting my property (I live much further north) and they would be great at finding you a home. As they told me just last week, they have a lot of open inventory right now. And no----you can’t have mine!!!
Resources:
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don’t know which chapter you want http://www.virginiadressage.org/About%20Us.htm
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if you look at Area II Eventing they have barns, boarding and trainers listed – see left column under RESOURCES http://www.usea2.net/contact.html
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Horse Park has a directory, if you can get one there you’ll find trainers, etc.
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there is also a Dover Saddlery on Maury River Rd, Lexington, which might list resources, (540) 462-3820
have fun!!
Beautiful, beautiful place… almost convinced it is Heaven on Earth… We show at the VA Horse center a couple times a year… wish we were closer… just adore the views and over all feeling while we are up there 
Like most W&L alums, I have a lot of fond feelings for Lexington! The area is beautiful, the town’s gorgeous and historic, and home to two prestigious universities (are we still counting…geez, who WAS #3, Southern Sem?)
I will say one thing–I had to buy a car senior year, because my friends with wheels had graduated, and Lexington is a long way from anywhere. Roanoke was “civilization” and it’s fifty minutes away (but there are some great restaurants in Clifton Forge and Staunton, and there is an Amtrak station in Staunton. Oh, and that’s “Stanton.” I know, there’s a U there, but still. Say “Stauhn-ton” and they know you aren’t from around here.)
I rode at a couple barns, but for the life of me I can’t remember the name of the bigger show barn. But they were all beautiful spaces and the view when you’re riding…I was always disappointed I never had a chance to show at the Horse Center!
Southern Sem is gone Its now A Mormon University with no horse program. Its still in “Buuuna Vista” though:)
I do know of a wonderful old farm house with a small 4 stall barn for rent on a huge horse farm, but I still can’t remember anything useful like names or barns.
The Event barn where most of the girls at Law School rode was run by someone named “gammon” who also does a lot of dressage. Perhaps google Gammon. How many Gammon is Lex Vegas can there be?
There was a thread in H/J a few weeks ago with all the H/J barns listed.
[QUOTE=equinelaw;3762508]
I live in a horse paradise, but if I had more $$$$ I would consider going back to Lexington. That’s saying a lot:)[/QUOTE]
I’m in the same horse paradise, but I too could definitely move to Lexington if the opportunity arose! I have so many good memories of showing at the VA Horse Center as a Pony Clubber growing up. Hooray for Lexington!
It’s Gammon Nuckols. She’s the volunteer coordinator for the Virginia Horse Trials and her farm is Sunrise Stables.
Lexington can get pretty pricey when looking for a nice home. Staunton and Waynesboro are about a 30 minute drive from Lexington and prices there are pretty good. Also, take a look at buying in Buena Vista, VA. It’s about a 10 minute drive from BV into Lexington. Really good prices to be had on some beautiful homes.
Not to familiar with the horsey community in Lexington. I went to school in Buena Vista. But that was many years ago and my horse stayed on campus with me. I know of Stone Bridge/Fancy Hill Farm and Sunrise Stables and have heard very good things about both places.
I have my own farm, so can’t really comment on boarding facilities…but I have heard VERY good things about Gammon. A woman I work with boards with her – and has for quite some time.
There are no employers in this area besides the one college (VMI) and the two universities: W & L and Southern Virginia University – formerly Southern Sem (which, as noted, is now like a small Brigham Young).
Realtors: Amy Gianinni (mentioned above) is very good, as is Candy Lynn (www.CandyLynn.com).
Housing in Lexington is still VERY expensive. Most of the faculty at W & L and VMI walk to work – and since tenure means never having to say you’re sorry – the housing market in town has been somewhat insulated from the rest of the SW VA housing market slump. Farms outside of town are coming down. It’s a good time to buy a farm. Northern Rockbridge County, southern Augusta would be a particularly good investment….topography and scenery very much like Northern Fauquier County 40 years ago.
There is a shocking lack of diversity here, and a surprising lack of cross-pollination between those in academia, and the “natives”.
Staunton, ½ hour from Lex Vegas (inside joke) has really turned into a charming small city – with a rather active arts community.
Feel free to email or pm me if I can be of any help.
Kate
Thanks everyone!!! This is all very helpful. Keep it coming!!!
I just moved away from that area and want to cry because I miss it so much. It is absolutely beautiful there, fairly mild weather, very horsey, the VHC is pretty amazing, and did anyone mention how amazingly pretty it is?? 
The difficulty finding solid employment in the area is a very real thing. SW VA is gorgeous, but having a career there is tough. If you are moving there because of a good job that is transferring… lucky you!!!
My long term life goal is to own a second home/farm in that area. C’mon Lotto!! 
PM me for trainer info within a reasonable drive from Lexington.
Caroline Atherholt Dowd is about 30 minutes from Lexington-she does 3 Day and could probably help with a realtor since she just moved to the area less than 2 years ago. Her website is www.carolinedowd.com. PM if you would like her phone number. SHE IS AWESOME!
I absolutely love that part of Virginia. I think it is one of the most beautiful places in the world and I would love to move there. I remember standing on the XC course one morning at VHC and watching clouds spill over the mountains and color pink in the sunrise. It was stupendous and ethereal.
I don’t know the horse scene there and it would not matter! I’d move anyway! The Shenandoah National Park is right up the road and is one of my favorite places to visit and hike. You can also trailride there.
Best of luck to you in your decision.
HA HA HA
“W and L alumn fond memories”
he he he
as a VMI alumni… i have not so fond memories!
cackle cackle cackle… although I must admit old Cyrus I did chirsten once that was a fond memory.
Um the only place I knew was south and it was a private barn… it was to help with the VMI drill team but it didnt’ really work out. There is a girl at school who is still working on that so I can see where they are based out of, which is probably either really low key or really nice facitily. will go back and dig into some numbers to find out whats going on there.
Va horse center
http://www.horsecenter.org/view.asp?id=home
This is one of my most favorite places to show. Although I live almost 4 hours north, I love going here. The people are wonderful and the Center is well worth the drive. They have numerous dressage shows as well as events there.
I guess where you come from will determine whether you think it is expensive there or not. Coming from just outside DC, I find the prices much more reasonable then where I live. If it wasn’t for the long communte, I won’t mind living there.
Good luck with your move.
