Muskoka/Orillia/Barrie, Ontario, Canada

[StaceyA]

Hi everyone!

I’m still a bit of a new user with only a few posts under my belt, but have been a longtime follower so am trying to plug back in a bit.

Over the past two years I’ve started showing again and have been having an amazing time, wanting to pursue it as far as I can. Unfortunately, a move to the Muskokas has seemed to put some restrictions on that, as I’m now an hour and a half from my recent coach, barn and leased horse.

I’ve been exhausting the internet (google searching I should say, with my limited computer skills haha) looking for facilities in the Orillia, Barrie, Muskoka areas with frustratingly limited results, I was always under the impression Orillia was horse country?

I’ve e-mailed the OHJA and OEF asking the same question with responses saying they couldn’t think of anything.

Anyways, as a former foxhunter I’m very interested in the Jumpers, A circuit if possible, but am coming from the Trillium Hunters. My only limit, I don’t have a horse that I can show or learn on right now, just a youngster that needs years to grow up.

My monthly budget, not including show fee’s, would be ~$1000. Lesson programs, lessons with part boarding, part leasing, anything found would be great. Lessons with a reputable, knowledgeable, reliable trainer is a must though.

Any advice, opinions, direction pointing, or recommendations from the COTH minds would be greatly appreciated!

The farthest I can travel is Barrie, anything South of Barrie would be a bit too far.

Thanks in advance!

[cherham]

Hi, from frozen southern Ontario near Schomberg, not too far south of you. Sadly I would definitely not consider Orillia to be THE optimal horse country as far as hunter/jumper trainers and barns are concerned. Certainly that distinction would have to go to King Township area…20 miles south of Barrie at least. Having said that $1,000.00 will not get you into a top A facility with lessons anywhere close to King… There may be some private facilities I am not aware of that could offer you full training and board for $1,000.00 closer to your area. Good luck in your search.

[Blondie22]

I can’t think of any A barns north of Barrie. Erin Amos shows Trillium and is up that way. Top of the Hill Farm.

[StaceyA]

Hi cherham, these places you speak of south of Barrie. Are their fee’s a result of leasing with lessons or part boarding with lessons? I ask because I’m wondering if it’s even possible to take strictly lessons at these high level facilities and if it isn’t, what would my options be?

I had wanted to lease and ship in, but after speaking with some places, they seemed to not be interested in that either or, the only ‘teacher’ horses I found were based somewhere. I’ve also learnt that lease fees on these horses ranges from $20000-$50000, am I correct there?

I’m looking at the A level places specifically because I’ve found the lower levels are less reliable with their quality of coaching, there seems to be a bigger spectrum of opinions/teaching styles yielding results, ‘best of the worst’ situations as some describe. Being new to the area, I don’t know anyone I can trust enough so when they say “go here, they’re really great” I can be assured that yes, yes they are really great.

Blondie, I did hear of Erin but when looking at the site they primarily target the hunters it seems, and she also just had some babies I hear

About my budget, it fluctuates. I’d love to pay a $20000 lease fee and go all in, but I have one more year of school before I start making the big bucks so am really hoping to do what I can, without taking time off riding.

Thanks for the replies so far!

[cherham]

Hi StaceyA. I would certainly say you are correct that a nice A circuit hunter/jumper horse that is consistently in the top ribbons will cost you at least $20,000 per year plus insurance plus commissions. I just recently leased my hunter mare (who was Champion of her division here in Ontario for quite a bit more then that but she went to the US where lease fee’s are seriously out of sight). By the way leasing these top horses seems to be the norm now rather then buying outright and I see that happening more and more here in Canada as well…anyway if you want to send me a PM I can give you a few options for some nice barns that you might want to look at.

[Blondie22]

Erin does generally do the Hunters although I believe she has a couple of clients do the jumpers. She did just have her babies but I don’t think she plans to slow down and has a lot of help!!

If you want to show on the A’s, you need to have your own horse, or find one to lease. A lease fee is generally 1/3 of the purchase price of a horse. If you are looking to do 1.0M jumpers, you can probably find something fairly easily. If you plan to board at any of the higher end barns in King, expect to pay a minimum of $1000/month for board only. Likely they would put you on training/lesson board which would run at LEAST $1500, probably closer to $2000/month.

I still think that Erin would be a good option if you are looking to ride for a year before you go all in. She has a pretty big operation, some nice horses and is in your area. I would steer clear of all other barns up there that show on the Trillium circuit. You can PM me if you need more info!

[Sport]

There is Highview Farm, but they may be closer to Coldwater, so might be out of your way as well. I know they do both hunters and jumpers and Trina shows on the A circuit. Not sure if they have many clients going that way or if they are predominately Trillium.
Cathy Inch is in Sudbury, so may be too far in the other direction.

[StaceyA]

Hi everyone!

Sport- Highview is actually within my travel distance, I just had never heard of them and no one has ever recommended them so I wasn’t sure what they were like. Do you know them?

Blondie- If she seems not to be slowing down, I might call Erin then! I only hesitate as I still want to feel as though I’m moving forward with my riding you know? So to go back to the same circuit, even changing levels, I’d just need to wrap my head around that I did compete against her barn this summer though, and everyone spoke well of them so there certainly wouldn’t be any problems with the teaching!

cherham- I will send you a message! If any suggestions you might have don’t pan out, I still welcome any education you can give me about this new ‘world’ I’m hoping to dive into.

Cheers,
Stacey

[MuskokaLakesConnemaras]

Good luck! You are right that there isn’t much up here in the way of A circuit level stuff. Travelling south is mostly where it is (Cathy Inch is way up the other way).
Good luck!

[Sport]

We show on GB trillium, so saw Marc and Treena around the ring there. Both are incredibly knowledgeable and seem really good with the students. Treena is an amateur with the beginner instructor certificate and Marc coaches the students from what I can tell. Their facility is quite nice and they seem to have a number of nice horses.

[GoodTimes]

My other suggestion would be Shawn Butler at Butler show horses. The website is a little misleading with all of the western stuff. I’m not sure how many A shows they do, but he’s always got several nice horses in the 1.10m (the highest at the Trillium shows). I’m sure he could bring a horse up to the 1.30m.
Highview has a nicer facility as far as the rings, but they have very limited turnout.

[Sport]

I thought of Shawn as well. Another great option. I just wasn’t sure if he did the A shows. He seems to have a wonderful group of clients and treats everyone very well at the shows.