Oregon Coast

[TheJenners]

@Groom&Taxi

If you want something with coastal type access without actually being on the Pacific coast, you could check out the northern part of the Olympic peninsula in WA: Port Angeles, Sequim, Port Townsend. From my observation, there is a decent horse scene in most of those areas, and they are pretty convenient to most of the horse amenities in the greater Puget Sound area. It’s not quite as spectacular as the Oregon coast but generally a lovely area.

This, I’m on Whidbey Is and while I don’t show, lots of barns do and no one has complaints about the drive, and omg it’s gorgeous. And I get packages quickly and easily, unlike the poster who said “forever” and nothing has been moldy. I drive 35 min (or a titch over an hour for IMAX) for a good theater, that’s my only gripe ever. @mlkapral if you want to check out Port Townsend and get to Whidbey, let me know and I can give you ideas. We have excellent vets (one a sport horse person, she just got her USDF Bronze this weekend) and good farriers, good hay suppliers, etc.

@Calvincrowe

Well… if you’re showing on the AA circuit year round on the East Coast or eventing every weekend and wintering in Tryon, then yes, the PNW is not a good match if you plan to continue. However, we do have a thriving H/J circuit here on the A/B scale within a 5-6 hour drive from Portland or Seattle, max. I live in a rural area of SW WA and can show every week from May to October if I choose to drive to Thunderbird (BC), Seattle, Wilsonville or Cle Elum-- all from 1 hour to 6 hours from me.

Eventing in the PNW entails much more driving, but there is a fairly full calendar of recognized and schooling type events at Aspen, Caber, Spokane, Inavale, Lincoln Creek and Rebecca that are quite doable for the intrepid folks who event. Yes, many do drive to CA to add to the mix. And yes, everything is farther out here than on the EC. But…no humidity, hurricanes, chiggers or nor’easters! :winkgrin:

And this :yes:

[mlkapral]

Ok so I’m back from my trip. The Coast was nothing like we were expecting. BEAUTIFUL, but not a place to necessarily live like many of you alluded to. I drove up the valley, also beautiful with all the wineries, but I don’t know if I could see us living there. I LOVED Hood River, and there was lots of farmland on Odell, but I didn’t see any horse farms. Are there any in this area?? Looks like there is a Hood River fairgrounds that has some shows, but not sure about the Dressage/Jumper/Eventing trainers in this area or boarding options? Hood River checked off almost all of our other requirements being right on the river with the mountain and national forest right there.