My company has offered me a promotion which would require me to work in the Foxborough, Mass area and a big part of our consideration (besides home cost and schools) is finding an equitation/jumper trainer for my daughter. My daughter is an 8th grader currently competing in the 3’3 medals and low children’s jumpers with her new, green warmblood partner. Daughter’s goal is big eq and eventually junior jumpers. I need a trainer who can help her achieve her goals, and continue to develop her young partner. I do plan to get input from our current trainer if I decide to move forward, however, I really wanted to start investigating my options to determine if I want to pursue this opportunity any further. My organization is growing, and I was assured I will have many more opportunities should this not be the right fit. For reference, we have lived and competed in USEF Zones 2 & 3, but we have no experience with Zone 1. Any suggestions for places up to an hour or so from this location that I should look into?
You have great options in that area!
Off the top of my head quality programs that should be within about 30 minutes of Foxboro are:
- Stargazer Farm - Grazing Fields Farm runs a satellite business out of there. They particularly have a thriving junior client base that do all the big eq etc. (also have a great group of adult ammy’s)
- Greg Best is the new head trainer at Dana Hall in Wellesley (doesn’t get much better than him) I am not sure what type of program is run there since a lot of the is geared to the students but I am pretty sure outside boarders can train with him but not certain.
- Greg Prince is in Sherborne at Woodridge Farm
- Holly Hill Stables
A Bit further out:
- Riverwind Farm with Carl Catani - they are based in Marshfield MA - getting to the “south shore” with traffic can be a total pain however they are one of the best barns I’ve ever ridden with
Don’t have a ton of experience with the following but they have good reputations:
- Tibri Farm - Rhode Island
- Not sure the status of Cory Hardy/Newbury Farm as I havnt heard much from their program lately but worth checking out
- Kristy McCormack Herra - Oasis Show Stables
Thank you, I will check those out!
Cory is excellent but a bit of a hike from Foxborough. Another good option to add to the above list (which is great!) is Jen Ritucci/DJ Volandre at Saddle Rowe in Medway.
Agreed - absolutely look into Saddle Rowe as well. That is another program that sounds like it could be a great fit for you OP.
I would just be careful - does this horse need training rides? Quite frankly some of the listed barns have you buy/lease made horses, maybe a couple, to get the job done versus bring up a horse through the levels and are lacking ability to do it, maybe it’s not their operating model, who knows. Obviously Greg Best can help if he’s available. I know people have spoken highly of Cory.
Is Kristen Bumpus in the area still?
I would recommend Saddle Rowe for your situation for sure and Grazing fields (satellite or commute to the Cape).
Kristy Herrera moved to Saratoga. Tibri could be a good option as well. Also many of these trainers are in Florida most or all of the winter which can make the winter minths challenging if you do not have the funds to stay south. Feel free to PM for any trainers I would avoid.
Agree that most listed go to FL for the full winter season. Cory is great but a haul from Foxborough. I would caution you that turnout around here can be somewhat limited even in the summer, and in the winter mud/ice can be an issue to almost everywhere restricts to pretty small paddocks for pretty short hours. It may not matter depending on the horse but it’s something to be aware of. I believe Kristen is still at Arrowhead.
Greg Best is at a private girls school Carl Catani sold his farm years ago Saddle Rowe would be a good choice closest to Foxborough
Did I hear that Dana Hall (Greg Best) is now allowing outside students to come in again? Then again, with the traffic around here, getting from Foxboro to Wellesley on a regular basis would be the pits.
Carl Catani/River Wind Farm is still in business … he sold his farm but is now based out of a different location.
Greg Best is at a private school Dana Hall - which is why I said I wasn’t sure what his availability would be - as you indicated I am not sure what that means for working with outside clients - but certainly something to look into. (he is amazing to ride with)
Regardarding the other barns being known for having you buy “made/leased” horses, I agree that is probably the case for a couple on the list, or for sure some of the “higher end programs” that are in our area (and sadly most likely the same everywhere you look) but a handful listed were A OK with my greenbean of a TB gelding and happy to help me (adult ammy on a budget). The grazing fields location based out of Stargazer farm in particular has a wonderful “backyard” feel with high end training and services.
The OP stated “My daughter is an 8th grader currently competing in the 3’3 medals and low children’s jumpers with her new, green warmblood partner. Daughter’s goal is big eq and eventually junior jumpers.” I gave my recommendations based on the type of facility that fits that type of clientele.
Best of luck finding a good fit OP - it can be tough, but if you decide to make the move there are some great options. Although as BostonHJ said - turnout is limited in this area and almost all “major programs” go south during the winter months.
