Hello, I am considering moving to one of these areas for my company and wanted to know if anyone is familiar with riding/showing/trainers in these areas? Pros and cons of living? I’m coming from Virginia which is really hard to beat when it comes to great trainers and venues to show. This would play a huge role for my decision process. Any help is appreciated. 
Hello! I live in Orlando, Florida and can help you with barns in the area. However, I’m not familiar with Jacksonville (and from what I hear, I don’t want to be familiar with it!).
So depending on what you’re looking for I can give you kind of a topical break down:
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Barrett Farm of Florida: Located in Oviedo, FL (minutes outside of Orlando, you’ll find that most barns are located in Oviedo/Apopka, both easily accessible from all parts of the Greater Orlando Area.
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Waters Edge Stables: I did ride here for a brief time, but wasn’t interested in showing immediately (as I’m an adult re-rider), so I ventured elsewhere. It’s a gorgeous facility though, and Waddy Oursler is a great trainer. Will consider going back when I’m ready to show.
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Westwood Farms LLC: Never been here myself, however I have a good friend who has been riding there for a little over a year.
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Over the hill farm: Bill Schaub is great!
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Sommersby Farms: This is where I’m leasing right now, and overall moderately happy with my experience. When I’m ready to consider showing, I’ll probably relocate to Barrett or Waters Edge. It’s a nice place with very friendly people, but it’s definitely not a fancy-pants show stable. The trainer has a presence at local shows but she’s not trailering to WEF or HITS; it’s a happy medium between budget and show stable.
Edited to add: I lived in Wellington until college and was in for a big shock when I relocated to Orlando and was ready to start riding again. Everyone is either 2.5 hours south in Wellington, or an hour north in Ocala. But if you’re looking to show then the first four are your best bet.
Despite what the previous commenter said, Jacksonville is a nice place to live. But it’s also extremely spread out. I drive an hour/28 miles from my house to my barn.
What type of farm/trainer are you looking for? Budget? As far as showing goes, HITS Ocala is about 2.5 hours away, WEF is 4. There’s great smaller shows (Horse Shows in the Park) in Gainesville (1.5 hours) and at The Grand Oaks (2 hours). There’s a local association here that has 6-8 shows per year, and the Southeast Medal Finals and Jacksonville Spring Circuit are held at the Jacksonville Equestrian Center.
Some of the barns in the area:
Haddenloch
Coriander Farm
Penny Lane Stables - My trainer. Love love love her and the atmosphere!
Smoak Meadow Farm
M&M/Michelle Moen
Thanks a lot! Both of what you gave me is really helpful. I have a very nice 4 year old that will be 5 in May. I may sell her and buy another once I am somewhere else but I raised her so it’d be hard for me to let her go. I want to do A shows with her but right now she’s just starting to jump around like a big girl and get it together so she’s not quite there yet but I would be looking for that type of barn/trainer. It’s a tough decision.
Natalie Johnson Russell with Oakmore Farms is in Apopka and Suzanne Muchow with Snow Kissed Stables.
I don’t know that Suzanne is working out of a farm at this point? At least not as of 1.5 years ago or so. I highly recommend Over the Hill Farm. Oakmore, at least in my experience, can be a little chaotic and as of last year the daily care routine can be iffy. If you want a quiet environment, you may want to look at Claudia Heath Farm, though I don’t know much about the trainer.
Finally, if you are on a budget and looking for quality care in a low-key setting, the Becerras at Becerra Stable take impeccable care of their horses. It is not a fancy facility, but I have always been impressed by how attentive and hard working the staff is.
Freelance trainer wise, I know Brook Stainthorpe is very well liked. April Plourde is another.
As far as living goes, I really do like Orlando. Lots to do and convenient enough to Ocala and Wellington. Horse Shows in the Park puts on some fantastic local shows throughout Central Florida as well for when the circuit is over.
