I’d love recommendations for lesson barns in Loudoun County, VA, preferably near Purcellville/Round Hill, but Lovettsville or closer in would be fine too. I have a client looking for a barn for their girls to take lessons at once they move down here. The girls are new to horses, so beginner friendly please! TIA.
Marty Bigley, Unison, contact info sent on PM
sending PM
Overlook Farm seems to have a nice kids program. Their address in P-ville and are on Berlin Tnpk, I think. They actually share a driveway with Sunset Hills Winery, if you know where that is!
There’s also Serene Acres in Bluemont/Round Hill. I know nothing really about that program, other than it’s existence!
A barn next to a winery? Yes please!!! Lol
[QUOTE=yellowbritches;7698163]
Overlook Farm seems to have a nice kids program. Their address in P-ville and are on Berlin Tnpk, I think. They actually share a driveway with Sunset Hills Winery, if you know where that is!
There’s also Serene Acres in Bluemont/Round Hill. I know nothing really about that program, other than it’s existence![/QUOTE]
Stay away from Overlook Farm in Purcellville. Kids will learn more bad habits than good. Just because a farm looks nice from the outside, doesn’t mean the care/training/teaching is better.
Serene Acres would be a much better choice. Not as fancy, but a much more solid program.
[QUOTE=Gainer;7698188]
Stay away from Overlook Farm in Purcellville. Kids will learn more bad habits than good. Just because a farm looks nice from the outside, doesn’t mean the care/training/teaching is better.
Serene Acres would be a much better choice. Not as fancy, but a much more solid program.[/QUOTE]
I’m not a kid but I’ve ridden/boarded at Overlook for years. I frequently ride w other, BNT and have never had them contradict my previous instruction. And her kids typically do well at the local H/J, dressage and eventing shows they go to. She teaches great basics. The only thing I could fault her for would be sometimes the parents/kids get upset because she won’t let them jump until they are READY. (And is that really a fault? )
I think no matter what barn someone brings up, there will always be someone that has a beef. OP, go visit, watch some lessons and judge for yourself.
I don’t have TONS of first hand experience with them, but I’ve seen some of what she produces, talked to her, seen her ride, and know (and very much respect) who she rides with. I have nothing to gain from my recommendation, but I’m also VERY particular about barns, especially kids barns, and nothing I’ve ever seen or heard about the place has thrown up big warning signs to me. I also appreciate that she seems to give them a well rounded education, instead of JUST hunter focused lessons.
And, yes, groomette, they are right next door to a nice winery. They have little xc jumps running along side the grapevines. 
Thank you everyone! If you have specific reasons for me to not consider a particular barn, please PM me if you haven’t already.
[QUOTE=yellowbritches;7698163]
Overlook Farm seems to have a nice kids program. Their address in P-ville and are on Berlin Tnpk, I think. They actually share a driveway with Sunset Hills Winery, if you know where that is!
There’s also Serene Acres in Bluemont/Round Hill. I know nothing really about that program, other than it’s existence![/QUOTE]
I have been to Sunset Hills a bunch of times, how did I not notice the farm next door!
Jane Colley at Willowin does a really nice job with young kids, and they seem to have a good group of customers.
We have a small barn and we are private right in Purcellville, but I do give lessons. We have a couple of ponies here and I love beginners. My son who is 4 has just started to ride with me too! There are not lots of kids because as I said, we are usually private, but I love to teach
I also recommend looking at Clairvaux Farm in Leesburg VA. Terri Young and her assistant Joanna have a fantastic lesson program with a great string of beginner friendly lesson ponies and horses.
It’s a bit farther than you’re looking, but I learned to ride from Kim Yotko (now Fox Meadow Farm) some 20+ years ago. They were in Oakton in the 90’s, but moved out to Haymarket, where they’ve stayed.
What M O’Connor said. Marti started my daughter many years ago. Cannot do better!
Another vote here for Clairvaux in Leesburg - lovely facility, great instruction, happy students.
[QUOTE=Cliffy;7701070]
What M O’Connor said. Marti started my daughter many years ago. Cannot do better![/QUOTE]
This.
If she isn’t an option for whatever reason, other good names mentioned in alphabetical order include
Clairvaux
Irish Eyes
http://www.shadesofbay.com/ (not previously mentioned)
I’ll PM you on the others
Thanks again for all the suggestions! I know of Terri at Clairvaux - I announce at some shows she brings her kids too. I think they’d like to stay closer to Pville, but I’ll pass along the suggestions.
You have some great choices in that area.
Amanda Smith of Worth The Wait Farm in Purcellville
Terri Young of Clairvaux Farm in Leesburg
Serene Acres in Bluemont
Marti Bigley in Unison
Katie Petronelli in Purcellville
Red Gate Farm in Hillsboro
All of these farms have brought riders to our shows and they teach safety and seem to do well with younger children.
