I’m sorry, but the “Gnu Arena” made me envision a herd of stampeding gnus taking over the arena!
Now, I have harbored a dream for some time of living in a converted shipping container (or combo of several), so I am not inherently opposed to the idea, but my conversion plans involve a lot more windows and a lot less plywood.
[QUOTE=meupatdoes;6625274]
Now, I have harbored a dream for some time of living in a converted shipping container (or combo of several), so I am not inherently opposed to the idea, but my conversion plans involve a lot more windows and a lot less plywood.[/QUOTE]
There was a feature on converted containers as housing (I think it was Yahoo) a couple of days ago. Someone designed & built a really nifty looking beach house by connecting several.
Of course it was considerably classier than the Meredith Manor box homes.
I looked at their “housing”, and I am using that term loosely, and I was reminded of a housing development built out of old railroad box cars that I demolished a number of years ago.
I am going to guess that no one from the local government has been out to inspect their housing, let alone were any permits issued.
:lol: 
:lol:
I like the crate housing better than the dorms. I seem to remember having a brochure from MM back in the mid-70s and although I don’t remember details I think it seemed like an attractive enough facility. Of course they might have used phony pictures for the brochures. 
Its in the mountains of West Virginia, isn’t it? Maybe the local government ignores the entire set-up, or perhaps MM gives the local sheriff a big tip at Christmas.
I’ll bite.
If the rooms were safe and legal I would be fine with staying in them short term.
I would not, however, pay anything close to what they’re asking. Nor would I want to go to this place in general.
Odd, but Kay Meredith has pretty solid dressage credentials. I know she’s no longer affiliated with MM, but was it this much of a joke when she was involved in it?
[QUOTE=Mara;6625503]
Odd, but Kay Meredith has pretty solid dressage credentials. I know she’s no longer affiliated with MM, but was it this much of a joke when she was involved in it?[/QUOTE]
I have no knowledge of Kay Meredith, but -
I think it had a slightly better reputation then, if only because of Kay, it was considered one of those places where you paid a lot of money but no one of any note really came out of their program. I guess I should not have used the word “scam” in my first post. And as I already posted, I seem to remember it having a nice brochure, which gave the appearance of being a decent facility. Her husband at the time (can’t remember his name) was a western rider, so there was also a program geared to that discipline too. I guess it has gone downhill over the years.
Potomac Horse Center was around at the same time, and I don’t think their program exists anymore, it was a similar type situation IIRC. I was a junior and used to send away for all the pretty brochures. 
Kay Meredith was an early advocate of Dressage in the US. Back when only a handful of true instructors were in the US. So she read the classic dressage books and taught her self. I remember reading where she read a section of the book, put it on a post and practiced that section.
She placed well in major US competitions, opened MM with her husband, Ron I think. Plus she may have also held a judge card.
Back then there was MM, Potomac Horse Center and Morven Park.
Each had strong and weak years, depending on the level instruction at the time. The better graduates seem to have had a strong background before attending the schools.
IIRC-the Meredith’s divorced and the husband took over the school. It was closed within a few years. Edited to say it looks like the school stayed open and they dropped the English disciplines, stayed with the western for awhile. Will have to look at the website to see who is running it now.
No matter one has to admire Kay Meredith for her accomplishments and her attempt to provide knowledge to others that was not readily available for her at the time.
So after reading everyone’s comments I took “the tour” and despite its modest accommodations, I think it looks like fun! Of course its impossible to know the quality of the program but its interesting in its own quaint way. They have seven indoor arenas! Lots of barns, too. Living in West VA is probably cheap, I’ll bet Ron Meredith is making a fortune if the classes fill each term.
Kay Meredith was a Pan Am and World Championships competitor. I think her most famous horse was Domino. She is of the same era as Linda Zang and Fellow Traveller. I am guessing the late '70’s???
I have a friend that went to MM and she always brags about going there. I never looked into it or cared to. Makes sense now. This girl doesn’t know anything about horse care, how to feed them, care for them or how to ride. Not trying to belittle her, but she would never make it on her own farm.
Wow – as someone pointed out, aren’t the photos on your website supposed to look better than your facilities really are??? The school bus thing reminds me of the Manson Family! I wouldn’t stay in that for free!
And OP – here is my plug for UNC!!! I absolutely loved it in Chapel Hill, so much so that I did undergrad and law school there. But UVA is great too, as are all of the schools on your list. Visit them and decide which one suits your personality the best.
[QUOTE=TarheelJD;6625644]
And OP – here is my plug for UNC!!! I absolutely loved it in Chapel Hill, so much so that I did undergrad and law school there. [/QUOTE]
Same here! (Though I did law school elsewhere)
I absolutely loved Chapel Hill and highly recommend it! :yes:
[QUOTE=TarheelJD;6625644]
And OP – here is my plug for UNC!!! I absolutely loved it in Chapel Hill, so much so that I did undergrad and law school there. But UVA is great too, as are all of the schools on your list. Visit them and decide which one suits your personality the best.[/QUOTE]
I wasn’t the OP! haha but thanks for all the advice everyone! This is all definitely just a preliminary list and while UVA, UNC, and CoC are really my top picks, a lot also depends on riding opportunity.
[QUOTE=HappyTalk;6625611]
Kay Meredith was a Pan Am and World Championships competitor. I think her most famous horse was Domino. She is of the same era as Linda Zang and Fellow Traveller. I am guessing the late '70’s???[/QUOTE]
Thanks, I couldn’t remember if she was on a team or not. Yes she rode Domino.
Yes mid to late 70s. Others of that era were Anne Gribbons on Tappan Zee, Linda Oliver and Trenzado, Sandy Howard on Bull Market, Cindy Mikolka on Thor, Hilda Gurney and Keen.
[QUOTE=hunterrider23;6625727]
I wasn’t the OP! haha but thanks for all the advice everyone! This is all definitely just a preliminary list and while UVA, UNC, and CoC are really my top picks, a lot also depends on riding opportunity.[/QUOTE]
Oops, sorry about that hunterrider23!
