Los Angeles area trainer recommendations?

[txhjgirl]

Hi Everyone! I am currently applying to graduate schools, and I have the possibility of attending Mount St Mary’s, which is in the middle of LA (Zip code 90007). I have never lived in the LA area, but do currently live in CA so I am familiar with how intense the traffic can be and how urban the area is. Does anyone have any recommendations for trainers/barns in the area that are within an hour’s drive?

This is what I would love to have in a barn:

• Hunter/equitation instruction
• A show level barn, but no requirement to attend a certain # of shows per year (won’t be able to do a lot in grad school)
• Full training options as I will need training rides when I have a busy day of class
• I have a mare, so if you know of any trainers who have the mare feel, that is always helpful!

Thanks in advance!

[AndNirina]

Jeni Brown/Shadowbrook Stables is wonderful. She’s in Moorpark, but I did the UCLA (right by Mount St. Mary’s) to Moorpark commute for years and it’s do-able. She’s a wonderful instructor, a great horsewoman, goes to lots of shows, nice facility, full training and grooming options and is GREAT with mares. www.shadowbrookstable.com

Archie Cox and Peter Lombardo would also be excellent choices. All three are north (Archie Cox) and northwest (Jeni Brown and Peter Lombardo) of the Westside and depending on what time of day you were planning to ride would be within an hours’ drive.

[Bristol_Bay]

[QUOTE=AndNirina;7354907]
Jeni Brown/Shadowbrook Stables is wonderful. She’s in Moorpark, but I did the UCLA (right by Mount St. Mary’s) to Moorpark commute for years and it’s do-able. She’s a wonderful instructor, a great horsewoman, goes to lots of shows, nice facility, full training and grooming options and is GREAT with mares. www.shadowbrookstable.com

Archie Cox and Peter Lombardo would also be excellent choices. All three are north (Archie Cox) and northwest (Jeni Brown and Peter Lombardo) of the Westside and depending on what time of day you were planning to ride would be within an hours’ drive.[/QUOTE]

OP will be at the downtown campus, more in the neighborhood of USC.

I ride at a mostly jumper barn, so while close, you would not be happy there. Check out the trainers at The Paddock or LAEC. PM me if you want names. There are plenty to choose from!

Jeni Brown is awesome, but it’s a long drive from MStM.

[Peggy]

Carolyn Biava in Cerritos. Might be an easier commute depending on the time of day.

[AndNirina]

@Bristol Bay;7355015

OP will be at the downtown campus, more in the neighborhood of USC.

Yes, well in that case, Moorpark is quite a trek and nothing you’d want to undertake. LAEC would even be a bit far from downtown but probably your best bet. First Field Farm, as mentioned above, is another good and much closer option.

[AndNirina]

http://www.firstfieldfarm.com

[txhjgirl]

Thank you guys so much for the thoughtful suggestions so far!

[Peggy]

Given that the campus is a bit south of the 10-110 interchange, another possibility is Seahorse in Rolling Hills Estates. You are going to drive 15-20 minutes (or more) on surface streets once you’re off the freeway.

http://seahorseridingclub.org

[STA]

Foxfield in Westlake Village is worth the drive and would fill your needs.

[shojumpin]

LA trainer

Try Santiago & Erika Rickard at SR Stables. They are fantastic.

[King_Creole]

I don’t know anything about the area, but my friend just moved to L.A. and he’s been riding w/ Leslie Steele at Acres West and loves it there.

http://acreswest.com/

[Bristol_Bay]

I forgot to mention Flintridge Riding Club and the McAllisters. They are highly regarded by many on this board. The club is gorgeous and your horse will be well cared for. There are maybe 3 A shows on the grounds every year, and one dressage show.

http://www.flintridgeridingclub.org/index.html#ad-image-0

[alexshrugged]

Welcome to LA!!!

Second the suggestion for The Paddock and LAEC since those will be the closest commute to you and both have a ton of lovely trainers, several rings, etc.

I love Kim Baxter (http://www.baxtersporthorses.com/). She is fantastic with riders and horses, has affordable full training, goes to shows but not every single weekend (and there’s no requirement to show). PM me if you want more details.

[Peggy]

[QUOTE=alexshrugged;7370900]
Welcome to LA!!!

Second the suggestion for The Paddock and LAEC since those will be the closest commute to you and both have a ton of lovely trainers, several rings, etc.

I love Kim Baxter (http://www.baxtersporthorses.com/). She is fantastic with riders and horses, has affordable full training, goes to shows but not every single weekend (and there’s no requirement to show). PM me if you want more details.[/QUOTE] Small world. Kim was a student in one of my chemistry classes years ago. Say hi for me. My first name is Peggy and she knows I ride.