Midwest HJ scene

[Doctor_sOrders]

Hello,
I’m looking into another move soon. I grew up in STL and have boarded and been involved in the HJ scene in LA, Atlanta, STL and E Alabama. I am wanting to move back to the Midwest to be closer to family (they all live in and around St. Louis). I work in a field that isn’t location specific so as long as there is a city with jobs around, work shouldn’t be a huge obstacle. I am wanting to be within driving distance, maybe 5 hours or less, from St. Louis.

Turnout is a must, learned the hard way in LA. I’d love to stay under the $600 mark on board, which I feel should be pretty reasonable for the Midwest. AA shows aren’t a priority currently but could be down the road, so proximity to some AA shows and a nice local series would be nice.

I have an older gelding that is still trucking along fairly well but I want to be mindful about retirement needs down the line. An area that has a good mix of HJ barns and retirement board is desirable. Also, in the fairly distant future (5-6 years), I’d like to start entertaining the idea of purchasing a small farm so availability of decently priced land is a must.

The last 3 years have been in LA and Atlanta so to say I’m done with traffic is an understatement. I’m done with the whole ‘keep my horse 30 miles and 1+ hour commute per way’ thing. Driving is fine but I can’t stand the bumper to bumper traffic anymore.

I’ve thought about/looked into Kansas City, St. Louis, Cleveland, Omaha, Louisville/Lexington and Indianapolis.

Any opinions, suggestions or insights would be appreciated!

[mmeqcenter]

Cleveland, Ohio? That’s about 8 hours from St Louis.
Ohio has a healthy H/J scene, mostly centered around Columbus (~6 hours to St Louis). World Equestrian Center North is at Wilmington (a bit north of Cincinnati) for winter shows, Brave Horse Ohio is at Willow Way in a suburb of Columbus with a rated summer series and Split Rock makes a stop or two there each year. Columbus has a couple popular schooling series as well, and about a billion barns all across the map in price, services, and amenities.
ETA - Not sure how much turnout you need in the “turnout is a must” statement, but turnout was my biggest strife as a boarder in Columbus was lack of turnout. Every barn will say “daily turnout, weather permitting.” Which means, at like 95% of barns, if it’s cold, or raining, or rained three days ago and the fields are still slightly wet, your horse won’t get out. Some will turn them out in the arenas for a few hours during the winter.

Cleveland has several h/j barns and shows as well, but it is a bit pricier than the Columbus area.

[lmlacross]

Chicago would be closer than Cleveland to STL, but maybe a bigger metro than you’re looking for? New HITS facility to the south, Lamplight and Ledges further up.

[endlessclimb]

No affordable land around chicago - NWI seller’s market is hopping from all the cross overs

[rockonxox]

I am in Kansas City (KS side) which is ~3 hour drive from STL. Here in the KCK/KCMO/JOCO areas there is a lot of hunter jumper activity and in your price range easily. I know of a handful of barns that do A shows in my area and one that does AA (in Manhattan, KS). There is definitely land for sale out here, but the prices fluctuate. Right now it is pretty expensive as is the rest of the housing market. I personally love the area as you are a stones throw from both the city and the country and the traffic is definitely no where near the nightmare that it can be on the coasts. We have many great local series, a brand new “A” rated facility on the Missouri side, the Am. Royal, close proximity to Omaha, etc etc. Feel free to PM me if you have any specific questions about this area and the H/J scene, I’d be happy to talk with you.

[lmlacross]

@endlessclimb

No affordable land around chicago - NWI seller’s market is hopping from all the cross overs

Not really true. Well, the “people fleeing Illinois” part is unequivocally true, but there are MANY reasons for that beyond cost (and really lack) of land for horses in the collar counties (speaking as an Illinoisan well versed in our particular brand of dysfunction). There’s actually plenty of affordable land if you’re not above being a bit further out at the end of the western Metra lines. Elburn, Maple Park, Campton Hills, etc. or nearer the electric line (Crete-Monee, Balmoral, etc.). It’s not for everyone, but an hour on the train isn’t bad if your office isn’t far from the downtown station and your horse is at or near home.

[endlessclimb]

I live 5 minutes from the new HITS facility. Land prices are absolutely outrageous around here, even for smaller plots <5 acres. The plots that are 20+ acres are unobtainable as they are slotted for subdivisions and would have to be re-zoned.

If you want to go even farther south (bourbonnais, kankakee, peotone), then you might get lucky and find something, but now you’re talking a rough commute. And then - good luck with the taxes.

For the western metra lines - I can’t speak for that as I haven’t looked there.

Certainly nothing “ready to go” around here for less than 450-500K. I’m talking barn, fencing, house. Everything less than that has about 60-100K worth of work needing done for the property, and more for the house.

[Doctor_sOrders]

Thanks all! Yes, sorry, I meant Columbus, not Cleveland.
How bad does Chicago traffic get though? Is the metra pretty reliable. That’s a big problem in Atlanta currently. It seems every time I try to take Marta, it either breaks down or there is some fight (if I have to take it later in the day) that delays travel significantly.

[findeight]

Don’t forget Cincy if you are open to Columbus. If you draw a traingle on the map from Louisville to Lexington to Cincy, that’s where the majority of the small horse properties and barns are. Don’t forget Dayton and Indy too.

Lexington itself is just not what you think. Easy to get seduced by pictures of massive breeding and lavish race training operations serving the top 1% and middle east royalty. Most of the area outside Lex doesn’t look like that and they push the property values way up. The serious AA hj barns are northeast of Cincy. So is that WEC, about halfway between Cincy and Columbus, they run rated and local shows there all year. Lots of land in that corridor. Close to good services and two middle sized cities about 100 miles apart. Good area to look at if you are looking to buy some horse property.

Most barns in the area offer decent turnout 8 or 9 months of the year and the native grass is Bluegrass, early to green up.

[fordtraktor]

@Doctor'sOrders

Thanks all! Yes, sorry, I meant Columbus, not Cleveland.
How bad does Chicago traffic get though? Is the metra pretty reliable. That’s a big problem in Atlanta currently. It seems every time I try to take Marta, it either breaks down or there is some fight (if I have to take it later in the day) that delays travel significantly.

Chicago traffic is awful. It is comparable to DC area traffic.

I live in South Bend and my work is in Deerfield (north CHI suburb). I only have to go in a few times per year, but when I do I thank God I don’t have to live in all that traffic. All my coworkers have to drive over an hour to find affordable housing and it often takes them closer to 2.

A smaller city like South Bend has no real traffic but we have fewer jobs and even less of a hunter/jumper scene. I have a farm here and tend to go towards Indy for lessons/shows/etc. On the plus side, HITS Balmoral is 1.5 hours away which will be great when my young horses are ready.

and the other big factor – you’ve been warm places. Be sure you really want to deal with winter. for example, it snowed here yesterday…

[Edre]

Resident of Chicago’s western suburbs. The metra (BNSF line for me) is a viable commute option for people on it. I hear similar things about other lines. Neighbors who work in the city have commuted with no rea issues for 20+ years (minus a big weather event here or there). Daily driving is pretty miserable unless you can flex your hours. Getting off the road by 6:45/7 am and 4-6:30ish in the evening is pretty miserable. Heavier traffic will surround those times but its more endurable.

If you consider the suburbs and are willing to deal with a train commute to the city (though plenty of the suburbs are large enough that you may find your work can operate through them - Naperville, Joliet, and Aurora come to mind. Not all are inexpensive but the further west you go the less expensive things tend to get. Oswego, Plainfield, and St Charles are all worthwhile mentions) you’ll find that show grounds are close enough to trailer to easily (Lamplight, Ledges, Fields and Fences) but if you do some searching and aren’t looking to actually ride out of one of the premiere barns, you can find trainers that all go to those shows but work out of a more affordable area.

[endlessclimb]

@findeight

Don’t forget Cincy if you are open to Columbus. If you draw a traingle on the map from Louisville to Lexington to Cincy, that’s where the majority of the small horse properties and barns are. Don’t forget Dayton and Indy too.

Lexington itself is just not what you think. Easy to get seduced by pictures of massive breeding and lavish race training operations serving the top 1% and middle east royalty. Most of the area outside Lex doesn’t look like that and they push the property values way up. The serious AA hj barns are northeast of Cincy. So is that WEC, about halfway between Cincy and Columbus, they run rated and local shows there all year. Lots of land in that corridor. Close to good services and two middle sized cities about 100 miles apart. Good area to look at if you are looking to buy some horse property.

Most barns in the area offer decent turnout 8 or 9 months of the year and the native grass is Bluegrass, early to green up.

Someday I will live in the Berea area. Super affordable land, close enough to horse mecca, and proximity to DBNF. Perfect.

[NJRider]

I also second the poster that suggested Kansas City. There is a new 200 stall show facility that opened east of KC that is in the fledgling stages of hosting shows and events. One change in St. Louis is the National Equestrian Center is under new management and is undergoing renovations. They have a regular winter show series there. In either area you will find what you need as far as board options and also affordable retirement board.

[Doctor_sOrders]

NJRider, interesting, I had no idea. I remember showing there late 90s through early 2010s. Footing could be really awful! I also remember boarding in STL being pretty cliquish but I guess that can be true of anywhere.

I think I’d have to nix Chicago for weather and traffic. I’ve traveled enough up there during the winters to know it’s not for me.

I might have to plan a trip to try and hit Indy/Cincy/Columbus. I know next to nothing about those cities but don’t want to take them off the radar. I can’t imagine winters there being much more insufferable than the ones I grew up with in St. Louis.

[JoannaHCR]

I really enjoy living on west of KC. There are new show venues popping up, additional events being added, several local barns host school shows and series. My husband and I live about an hour Southwest of KC, and there are very nice communities in between. It’s not a bad drive to StL, Omaha, or even down to the Oklahoma City area. There are many nice boarding barns in the area, and land prices aren’t too outrageous. I always think traffic is terrible, then I travel somewhere, and realize it’s really not bad.

[hairystockings]

Cincinnati has quite a few excellent boarding barns with access to the types of shows you’re looking for. I currently live and board both a competition horse and a retiree (two different facilities) in Cincinnati and am familiar with most of the area trainers. Feel free to private message me if you want to talk more specifics. In the greater Cincinnati area as you get farther out of the highway loop (traffic is not bad here) you’ll find those less expensive options and land you’re looking for. This could include in Northern KY or Eastern Indiana. This area puts you in a 2 hour or less drive from the KY horse park, WEC in Wilmington, and several great local shows.

I also went to college in Columbus and boarded in that area for several years and can speak about it as well.

[TrotTrotPumpkn]

Omaha is very affordable. I don’t know if it is big enough for you though.

[woodhillsmanhattan]

Indianapolis is a good area with a healthy schooling show circuit and easy driving distance (3-5 hours) to several nice rated shows (WEC in OH, Lexington KY, Brownland TN, Lamplight, Michigan summer shows, etc.). Some of the schooling shows are held at the old Trader’s Point showgrounds with very nice stabling, police night watch, 3 show rings, large schooling rings, great footing, and occasional derbies on the grass Grand Prix field. Other schooling show locations were OK (I typically only showed at the Trader’s Point venue, Grandview Stables, Meadowview Stables, or Foxton Farm). There are a lot of reputable trainers in the area that I would highly recommend (Tammy Provost, Richard Rinehart, Abby Blankenship, Michelle Ooley-Arnold, etc.). For the A show barns, you will likely be at the upper end of your budget ($600-$800 just for board). However, I think there are a couple of good boarding options in the surrounding areas if you are able to trailer in for lessons (or Michelle Arnold travels to teach). You will find board rates to be anywhere from bare bones $350 to required full-care with training packages at $1,200.

The cost of living in Indiana is very affordable and I believe there is a good market for small farms or lands in the surrounding Indianapolis area. Winters are not fun, but not unbearable. To remain active and showing (or ready to show immediately come April) you will definitely need an indoor. However, my horse was able to stay on night time turnout throughout the whole winter, so it isn’t THAT bad. Even in “bad” winters you will have a few random days that you could ride outside if you wanted.

[Doctor_sOrders]

I have officially decided to move to KC!! I have heard of lots of great boarding options. Now I’m on to farriers, vets and chiro. Any suggestions? Most worried about farrier. I have struggled constantly with this horses feet. He has funky front end conformation. I always give xrays to help but I’ve had so many issues. I need someone who is really good at balancing a TB foot and will work with xrays to help him compensate for his strange conformation.

[rockonxox]

Sending you a PM.