Hello! I’ll be moving to Philadelphia soon and I’m looking for boarding/training options in the area. I’m a FEI level dressage rider looking into a variety of options (only boarding, partial training, full training, possibly lessons on school horses, etc). Looking to stay within 45 minutes or so of downtown (without traffic - I’m expecting traffic to be a pain!). TIA!
You might have difficulty staying within 45 minutes of Center City as barns that can cater to an FEI rider in this area tend to be in the outer counties. I drive 45 minutes from the western side of Philly to northern Chester County to get to my horse. If you are driving against traffic, you’ll probably be fine (barring accidents where everyone has to slow down to look - the bane of my existence) but you will most likely want to learn the back roads.
Off the top of my head, some trainers in the area that do a combination of boarding/training are Jeanne McDonald, Ange Bean, Kymmy Pullen, Emily O’Neill, Susan Springsteen, Frank Burns. I would say most of these people have training programs. I’m sure there are people that I’m missing, though.
Southern Chester Co. has a few options, Emily Donaldson and Silva Martin, Jessica Ransenhousen still teaches on a limited basis also I believe. Look across the river in NJ also, there are more trainers there, but you will have to see what the driving distance is. Catherine Haddad, Lauren Samis, Sarah Schmidt are the ones that come to mind. Jaime Dancer is not far from the NJ HP. Ana Digironimo is across one of the bridges, and not too far. Traffic will be an issue unless you can work “odd” hours.
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Look on the Jersey side, the worst traffic you’ll deal with in the Philly area is I-76 and the PA turnpike/turnpike extension. Tolls can add up, it’ll cost you $5 to get back and forth from NJ if you’re living in Philly.
Skip Ahead Dressage in Marlton is a really nice facility with top-notch care.
