Overseas Training

[ASWJumps]

Okay gang I need all the advice!

Quick Background: Me 30 yrs old. Been riding since age 6. Took time off riding for college (4 yrs) but have been back riding for the like 8 or so years. Have learned a ton and currently have 5 beautiful jumpers all jumping between 1.20-1.40. I currently own a few companies which is making all of this possible (Never thought I’d say this but money is less of an issue atm!)

That said I’m wanting to spend time taking my riding to the next level. But I’m STRUGGLING with where. Here are my contenders but I’m open to anywhere in Europe.

1. Netherlands- Show Jumping Mecca + Close to a ton of venues (outside of the Netherlands) + I can get residency via a business pathway!
2. Ireland - Been pumping out amazing talent + incredible trainers + Good cost of living + Residency via business pathway!
3. Germany/Sweden (I’m open to either of these)

What would you do in my situation? Where would you go? I’m potentially open to doing like a few intensives in different countries as well. Like spend a month in Ireland doing an intensive, a month in netherlands etc!
I’m really looking for top training but also being near-ish to a lively city where I can meet people (maybe a boyfriend lol!) but also compete heavily and take my riding to the next level. All 5 horses will most likely come with me.

Any suggestions on countries, stables to board/train at, any advice at all will be greatly appreciated!

[Lost_Shoe]

I know of at least one show jumper who went to the Netherlands for what was supposed to be a short term working student type situation and liked it so much she ended up arranging to stay for years. She did not bring any horses.

Based solely on watching Holly Lenahan’s you tube videos, Ireland seems like an amazing place for show jumping, and I appreciate the DIY approach that Holly takes at shows and at home. She also spent a short time competing in France. I recommend watching her videos as a starting place to get a sense for what showing might be like in those countries.

A CoTHer (Gone Away I think) took her show jumper to England. She posted a few blogs on CoTH about it.

From a logistical standpoint, moving 5 horses overseas and then finding time to ride them all and compete while running your companies seems infeasible. It seems that you would need a “program” wherein trainer/riders help keep your horses in work while your are busy working and I imagine that is going to be more difficult to find than in the States.

If money really isn’t an object, can you pick a trainer here who goes to Europe to compete each summer? Reed Kessler wintered in Wellington, and competed in Europe in the summer, when she was training with Katie Prudent.

Finally, who you train with probably matters more than where you are located, in terms of show ring success. My advice would be to think about people you would like to work with, and let that be the determining factor in where you move to. Unless you are prioritizing the adventure of living abroad over other considerations.

[lintesia]

Do you work with a trainer now? Maybe this trainer is not the one to give you the guidance you need, but he/she could put you in touch with someone who could.

Alternatively, think about the riders who are at the level you’re striving to attain and who had a background similar to yours (i.e., capable horses and no limit to $$) and ask for their advice.

[nutmeg]

Sending you a PM.

[ASWJumps]

I do work with a trainer and she has been wonderful getting me to where I’m at now! I have asked for recommendations but it seems her network might be a bit limited so I figure I’ll make my own opportunities!

[GleesBid]

While I certainly don’t ride at your level and wouldn’t have knowledge of programs, I have lived in the Netherlands and I’ve been in Ireland for the past six years.

My choice for the quality of life, standard of horse care, and accessibility would absolutely be the Netherlands. I am planning to move back to either the Netherlands or Belgium in the next year. You are able to access so many horse shows much more easily on the continent.

The housing crisis in Ireland is quite scary. The cost of renting or buying a house is extremely high, and the quality that you get for it is not great (if you’re even lucky enough to get something, as demand far exceeds supply). I know the Netherlands has housing crisis issues as well, but in my current real estate search, the quality of homes is much nicer for the price overall. (Also, I have to mention that the tack shops are more abundant and much better there! )

I think on the continent you will have more luck in finding a nice facility and a good trainer who goes to a lot of shows. Ireland is a relatively small island and it feels claustrophobic to me at times, especially after living on the continent.

Best of luck with your decision and adventure ahead of you!

[GraceLikeRain]

Given the number of horses and level you are showing it feels like your local network would be a better resource. I’d think at least a few would have thoughts on barns with similarly aligned training philosophies or priorities that could be a starting point. Recommending entire countries feels like a really broad brush. Taking five horses alone could be a real bottleneck about the number of top barns who have the capacity and interest for an abbreviated amount of time.

It sounds like resources aren’t a barrier but for the $100k it would take to get them there and back plus all of the shipping unless you buy your own rig once you get there, you could train with essentially anyone in the US.

[Ponyplusaninch]

I think one of the things that surprised me as a spectator of horses/horse showing abroad is the difference in horse care from Ireland/GB vs. Germany/Netherlands. It’s not that one is better than the other; it’s just different. Especially in Ireland, they are not as precious with their competition horses as we are in the states. Lots of walking, lots of hacking out, lots of pasture time. The riders I know from Germany are more calculated (dare I say scientific) in their approach to care.

Would you by any chance have the opportunity to go and observe ahead of time? While I can’t give immediate trainer recommendations, I would recommend maybe doing a mini vacation, going to some shows, and observing what the care looks like before making a decision.

I state this because not all horses flourish under the same approach; I’d hate for you to get stuck in a situation or have to pivot really quick if the care or training approach isn’t what works for them.

[NaturallyHappy]

I could never afford to do what you are planning. That said, I agree with visiting. I’m a worrier and would want to make sure I had a good support system in place wherever I went so if something happened to me, my ponies would be safe. Can you go to some of the shows where guys from Germany, etc are and meet and interview them? My late DH was from Europe…. I have no connections to share but I do know things can be very different from here. I’d probably try to ride w someone here for a while who was well connected and ask for help from them.

[ASWJumps]

Thanks everyone for the advice and feedback! Definitely alot of things to consider as a make this decision! I definitely know that I want to relocate to Europe not because theres anything wrong with the training in the US but just that I’m looking for a change! I’m leaning more and more toward the Netherlands as I continue to do my own research and what I’m seeing considering life balance, ease of access to shows and horse life but yes before I do anything I will be visiting various cities and seeing what I’m interested in!

Thank you for all the comments and keep them coming!

[nutmeg]

CSIO Rotterdam starts June 19 if you want to dive in the deep end. (and check your PMs)

CHIO Rotterdam

[calishowjumper]

I think The Netherlands (or possibly Belgium near The Netherlands border) for what you are looking for. Taylor Kain moved from the US there and is having a lot of success…maybe you could reach out to her for advice and if you can, go over there first and check out some of the shows and the area (ie Sentower Park)

[CBoylen]

You absolutely need to choose a program before you choose a country.
When making the choice of a trainer and a program that suits your current needs as far as competition and home time, the correct philosophy, and who has room for the amount of horses that you want to bring and the time to devote to you, location is generally the last consideration. You go to the right person.