I’m looking for a great Dressage trainer in the San Diego area where I will get high quality instruction, low drama, a safe facility with excellent care and board that won’t break the bank. I’d love to go to Arroyo but just can’t afford it.
I’d love to hear thoughts on who the favorite trainers are in the area.
I think it depends how easily broken the bank is, since that’s a quite expensive area…
$700 or less preferably.
$700 for full training and board? That’s a big stretch. You will have to compromise somewhere. What level are you riding? There are more cost effective options at the lower levels, but if you need upper level instruction it will likely come with a hefty price tag.
Also, San Diego is a pretty big area, and depending on traffic can seem bigger. Are you looking to stay in the Del Mar/Carmel Valley/Rancho Santa Fe area? Great options, but also among the priciest due to land costs in those areas.
You may find boarding for that, not training.
Check out the trainer listings on the CDS website. You might be able to find some not big name, but quality instruction trainers. For $700, you possibly could do board and a couple of lessons a month depending on where you end up.
More specificity regarding where you want to be would help. As mentioned already, Del Mar and barns close to that locale are pricey. You might have better luck looking in Temecula and other areas more inland.
Good Luck.
My board budget is $700 training would be on top of that. I’m willing to go as far as Poway, San Marcos or Encinitas, I can’t deal with the traffic any farther than that. Some of the names that keep popping up are Michelle Reilly, Bettina Loy, Emily Lasher, Robin Garrett, Birthe ?? and Verena?? sorry I can’t remember their last names at he moment. Any thoughts? I’d prefer to keep the comments positive, no trainer bashing???
I think the only trainer from your list above that is based at a boarding facility in your budget is Bettina Loy, but I’m not sure if full training is required. Many of these facilities require at least partial or full training $$$($) on top of board. Marion Wright/Rancho el Camino might fit your budget.
Jeremy Steinberg is in Del Mar.
[QUOTE=Absolut Equestrian;8927209]
I think the only trainer from your list above that is based at a boarding facility in your budget is Bettina Loy, but I’m not sure if full training is required. Many of these facilities require at least partial or full training $$$($) on top of board. Marion Wright/Rancho el Camino might fit your budget.[/QUOTE]
Marion Wright is a good choice in your budget, and she works with clients 1-2 lessons/week up to full training.
$700 for board is going to be tough to find unless you drive farther, I suspect.
I boarded in inland Encinitas over the summer and we paid $1100 for board, and then the daily turnout ($150) and feeding of supps ($50) were a la carte fees on top of that. Another fee for blanketing in the winter which I didn’t need since it was just a summer thing.
But that gives you an idea.
Thanks for the responses keep them coming!! I really need your suggestions and advice. All advice is greatly appreciated!
Where is Jeremy located? I found his website but is doesn’t say much about the facility.
Not sure where Jeremy is now. He was at RidgeMar (next door to Rancho El Camino in Del Mar), but I heard he may not be there anymore. He travels quite a bit too, so you may have a hard time with scheduling.
Jeremy is still at RidgeMar Equestrian in Del Mar. He takes horses in training or you can trailer in for lessons. He rides during the week, and travels many weekends (not all) to give clinics. Board for a 24x24 paddock is $700. A stall is
higher.
If that doesn’t work for you, try Nick Onoda at Seabreeze Farms, also in Del Mar. http://www.onodadressage.com/
Angela Taylor in San Marcos
[QUOTE=Mardi;8928567]
Jeremy is still at RidgeMar Equestrian in Del Mar. He takes horses in training or you can trailer in for lessons. He rides during the week, and travels many weekends (not all) to give clinics. Board for a 24x24 paddock is $700. A stall is
higher.
If that doesn’t work for you, try Nick Onoda at Seabreeze Farms, also in Del Mar. http://www.onodadressage.com/[/QUOTE]
I’m surprised at that pricing! From his videos it looks super nice and last time he was here he was discussing nice groomed paths for hacking, too. If I were in that area it’s where I’d want to go because I love riding with Jeremy.
Jeremy is trying to cut out his weekday travel / clinics to spend more time at home and with his clients. Looking at his calendar, he will be away most weekends. If I had the opportunity to board / train with him instead of just one or two clinics a year I would jump at it in a heartbeat! He’s a true horseman, a real dressage “geek” in the best sense of the word, an exceptionally talented teacher and he seems happy to work with all breeds and all levels of rider.
Birthe Laufer
[QUOTE=vagabondrider;8933058]
Birthe Laufer[/QUOTE]
Birthe is fantastic, but the board at the facility where she is based is above what the OP stated as her budget.
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