Philadelphia, PA lesson barns accessible by public transit?

[daisy.cutter]

Hi everyone,

I just moved to downtown Philadelphia. I’m really hoping to be able to ride while I live here. Unfortunately I don’t have access to a car. Are there any barns that are accessible via public transportation? From searching around, it seems like there isn’t much…

I really want to ride and don’t mind a long-ish commute (couple hrs?).

I’m looking for a lesson barn, and possibly interested in leasing/showing depending on the barn and what my schedule ends up looking like this year.

Thanks in advance!

[SnicklefritzG]

What is your discipline and budget? There are a lot of places to ride, more so H/J and some dressage if you are talking close to Philly. There is a decent public transit system, both bus and rail (Septa) but I don’t know of any that are close enough to walk from the bus/train stop to the barn. You would need to take a taxi or Uber.

[mrs_beasley]

Hi! My barn is called Great Scott Farm, and we are easily accessible from the Paoli train station (the R5 Malvern line). I have a few clients that come from the city and take a quick 10 minute Uber ride from the train to the barn without much hassle!

Please message me via Facebook thru the farm page if you are interested in more info.

Lindsay Langan

[vxf111]

There are a couple of barns in Fairmount Park.

http://www.monasterystables.org/

Northwestern
Chamounix
Solly Stables

None are likely to satisfy you if you’re expecting an A circuit show/lesson type barn.

Probably the closest accessible by mass transit (PATCO) plus uber is Woodedge in Moorestown NJ

http://www.woodedge.com/

[daisy.cutter]

Thanks for all the great suggestions! Will definitely be checking these out.

@SnicklefritzG

What is your discipline and budget? There are a lot of places to ride, more so H/J and some dressage if you are talking close to Philly. There is a decent public transit system, both bus and rail (Septa) but I don’t know of any that are close enough to walk from the bus/train stop to the barn. You would need to take a taxi or Uber.

Most of my show experience is in hunters and equitation but I’m also happy to do jumpers. I don’t mind taking a short uber if I can do most of the journey by train/bus–just hoping to avoid spending $100 on ubers each time I want to go out to the barn.

[vxf111]

@daisy.cutter

Thanks for all the great suggestions! Will definitely be checking these out.

Most of my show experience is in hunters and equitation but I’m also happy to do jumpers. I don’t mind taking a short uber if I can do most of the journey by train/bus–just hoping to avoid spending $100 on ubers each time I want to go out to the barn.

I think your two viable options are going to be taking the regional rail to the main line and finding a barn a reasonable uber ride from the station or taking PATCO to somewhere in south jersey and doing the same. The city barns are not going to be what you’re looking for and there really are no barns I know of close enough to walk from mass transit. You might be able to carpool with and hitch rides with someone, possibly the Penn IHSA team?

[silver_charm]

Also, I had a lot of friends who lived in Center City who used ZipCar. Not sure how much that would cost, but they used it for weekend trips and such so maybe an option to look into?

[BORN_TO_RIDE]

Hi! I ride at Northwestern Stables, but also have ridden at Belmont, Chamonix, and Monastery too. If you are taking an Uber, Belmont and Chamonix are going to be closest to the city. If you want a great lesson program, leasing or showing I’d suggest Northwestern. If you love to trail ride and want to share a horse, Monastery may be your best bet. If you are interested in private lessons, Belmont is a good option too.

Someone’s suggestion to hitch a ride with the Penn team when they are back in school is a good one. I’m coming from West Philly every Tuesday night for a 7pm lesson if you wanted to consider a car pool. We are a group of 4-6 women (depending on who shows) and our jumps run 2-2’3".

[joiedevie99]

It’s been 10 years since I was in Philly - but back then I knew people that took lessons at Northwestern right in the city. My horses were boarded at Churchville in Bucks County, but I had a car. There are quite a few places up that direction that aren’t too far off the bus lines.

[vxf111]

I’ve never heard of NW showing anywhere. Do they?

[comeoutandplay]

I believe northwestern does the Bucks County schooling series or at least used to

[vxf111]

@comeoutandplay

I believe northwestern does the Bucks County schooling series or at least used to

I knew someone who lessoned there and at that time they didn’t show, but it’s been a couple years now. I always thought of that as a pure lesson place, no real jumping over 2’6ish and now showing. If I’m wrong that might be an option for the OP. When I looked into it the place was very much a beginner lesson type place

[Las_Olas]

I’m also interested in boarding facilities close to Philly. I just bought a place in Old City, and will be spending the summers there. I’d like to find a place to bring one or two of my OTTB geldings (no bad habits and can be out 24/7) for the summer. Maybe june - October. I’d prefer a place that I can ride on trails right off the farm, preferably no kids (or few of them), and if populated with re-riders that enjoy a glass of wine after a day on the trail, even better! I’ll have a car, and prefer less than an hour drive.

I looked into Fairmont, which was the obvious choice, but have been told that it isn’t very safe there???

[To_the_MAX]

@Las Olas

I’m also interested in boarding facilities close to Philly. I just bought a place in Old City, and will be spending the summers there. I’d like to find a place to bring one or two of my OTTB geldings (no bad habits and can be out 24/7) for the summer. Maybe june - October. I’d prefer a place that I can ride on trails right off the farm, preferably no kids (or few of them), and if populated with re-riders that enjoy a glass of wine after a day on the trail, even better! I’ll have a car, and prefer less than an hour drive.

I looked into Fairmont, which was the obvious choice, but have been told that it isn’t very safe there???

I don’t have any particular recommendations for you, but your best bet is probably to find somewhere in South Jersey, being on that side of the city. But I’d totally be your riding (and wine drinking!!) buddy in the area!

[Las_Olas]

@To the MAX

I don’t have any particular recommendations for you, but your best bet is probably to find somewhere in South Jersey, being on that side of the city. But I’d totally be your riding (and wine drinking!!) buddy in the area!

Where do you currently live/ride? I would be open to South Jersey. I just want a friendly, easy going atmosphere.

[vxf111]

@Las Olas

Where do you currently live/ride? I would be open to South Jersey. I just want a friendly, easy going atmosphere.

Couple places in Mt. Laurel/Lumberton/Medford area that are pretty low key and provide trail access (though in the interest of full disclosure I’ve never ridden on the trails and don’t know what they’re like). Bit O Woods also, an eventing barn but hackable to trails (I believe).

[To_the_MAX]

@Las Olas

Where do you currently live/ride? I would be open to South Jersey. I just want a friendly, easy going atmosphere.

I live in Delaware County PA (near Springfield area). I am newly horseless so taking lessons in Hainesport NJ for now. IMO going to Jersey is WAY easier than trying to head into Chester County or anywhere west of the city, especially if you’re not looking for anything super fancy.

[vxf111]

@To the MAX

I live in Delaware County PA (near Springfield area). I am newly horseless so taking lessons in Hainesport NJ for now. IMO going to Jersey is WAY easier than trying to head into Chester County or anywhere west of the city, especially if you’re not looking for anything super fancy.

You sold Chip? Where are you riding? I’m right in the area!

[Las_Olas]

@To the MAX

I live in Delaware County PA (near Springfield area). I am newly horseless so taking lessons in Hainesport NJ for now. IMO going to Jersey is WAY easier than trying to head into Chester County or anywhere west of the city, especially if you’re not looking for anything super fancy.

Does your lesson farm board and have trails? I really just want a nice place that has good fencing and a casual atmosphere. I live next to the Betsy Ross house, so I guess I can just take the Ben Franklin bridge over?. Not very familiar with the area yet.

[vxf111]

@Las Olas

Does your lesson farm board and have trails? I really just want a nice place that has good fencing and a casual atmosphere. I live next to the Betsy Ross house, so I guess I can just take the Ben Franklin bridge over?. Not very familiar with the area yet.

What made you want to live in Old City, out of curiosity?

Yes, you can take the Benny. Hainesport (depending on what part) is essentially where I live. It should be maybe 40-50 minutes depending on traffic and what part of Hainesport (I have some guess what barn this is but I could be wrong).