Hi all, I am looking for more/ up to date info than what is already out there. I am entertaining a move to the Jacksonville area and would like to know a few things. Boarding options- what is around, average prices, turnout, services etc. Footing is very important to me. Trainers. Would be looking for someone with experience making FEI horses. Very particular about the type of training. I would like classical back to front training with tact and without force that is rewarded in the show ring. Someone who can deal with talented but sensitive type of horse, and who could also train a highly motivated amateur. I looked on the Nfladressage.org site, but many of the barn and trainer links aren’t active any longer. Also, when it comes to showing in the area, are there shows with good footing and judges nearby, or do people travel. If so, where to? Are there easy trails to access in the area? Can you ride year round, or does it get too hot in the summer? Anything else pertinent I’d love to hear! TIA!
As far as showing, I travel from Ocala to show at the Jacksonville Equestrian Center. They ahve an indoor coleseum and two or three outdoor arenas with good footing (I was there just last week…). Great show managemnt from Southeast Horse Shows.
Other good footing venues are Canterbury in Newberry (near Gainesville), and Grand Oaks,just east of Ocala in Weirsdale. Those are both about an hour from Jacksonville.
Here in Ocala we have the Florida Horse Park with three outdoor arenas with amazing footing. Region 3 Championships will be here in 2020.
A bit further south is Clarcona in Apopka. Another nice showground
ANother management group is Orlando Dressage. Both SOutheast Horse Shows and Orlando Dressage have websites with calendars.
If you look on the USDF COmpetition Calendar you can find contact info as well as who the manager is, and who the judges are for upcoming shows.
As far as trainers go, we have lots here in Ocala, and there are some who I know travel to Jacksonville, and others who live there… sorry I do not have info on the local trainers there.
Riding in the summer (starting now) is possible… I ride around 10 AM or in the evening. A covered arena is a bonus but most places don’t have one.
I don’t know about trails near Jacksonville, but I think there are some beaches nearby that permit horses…
As far as trainers and boarding, my best advice is to contact Northeast Florida dressage Association. Contact the President or other officer… their emails can be found on the GMO page of the USDF website. THey are the local USDF GMO. http://www.nfladressage.org/ Note there is also a “contact” page on their website.
ANother local GMO in the area is the First Coast Classical Dressage Society. They ahve a slightly different focus but are also a good resource. http://www.nfladressage.org/
I’m in Central Florida so can’t speak to specific questions re the Jacksonville area and trainers, etc. But I would say that having a covered arena to ride in makes a HUGE DIFFERENCE in terms of riding in the summer. Definitely worth finding a place with a covered if you possibly can. Keeps you out of the sun which is a big deal when its as hot as it gets down here, AND importantly in the summer keeps you riding during the wet season when there are regular storms and uncovered rings can get very soggy!!
Thanks you guys. Great info! Lorilu, do you know of any Ocala trainers that fit what I’m looking for that travel to Jax? Feel free to PM me as well. I appreciate any and all info!
I’ll check around and send some names… give me a few days. I’m showing this weekend and I’m pretty sure there will be folks from the Jax area there… I’ll ask around.
Unfortunately, we don’t have options for dressage trainers that live here and boarding barns are even worse. Sad, but true. Do you have the option to move to or board Ocala? There are so many more and better choices there.
I’m in Tallahassee, not familiar with Jacksonville, but Gainesville may have some options and be closer than Ocala for you. Check with Hilda Donohue–she travels around the east coast of FL quite a bit and may have some helpful insights, and although her focus is eventing and endurance, I believe she’s brought a horse or three to FEI levels (PSG/I). Also check with Erin Brinkman at Valhalla Farm–Erin has produced FEI horses, they are between Tallahassee and Jacksonville, and I know they occasionally bring in Herwig Radnetter for clinics.
You might need to focus on finding a good boarding situation for your horse, and then be willing to travel to Ocala to work with FEI-level folks.
I believe Brian McMahan travels to the jax area regularly, and I know at least one Jax area person (whose name is escaping me…) who travels to his farm, over by Live Oak. He is a Recorded judge so you can find his contact info thru that.
