(Re)rider (Re)turning to DC with my horse. Barn suggestions in MD?

[BayWithChrome]

Hi all,

Yet another DC boarding question. I’m going to be moving back to DC after being away for about 5 years. I previously lived in NoVa for approximately 10 years, and did most of my living/riding/showing out in Virginia. I’m pretty familiar with most areas of NoVA, but slightly out of touch with the horse scene.

I’m also returning with a young horse that I’d like to continue in a training program. Everyone I’m familiar with is on the Virginia side. However, I’m afraid that the daily commute from working in downtown DC (by Union Station) to Middleburg could be soul crushing. Would I be better off considering barns on the MD side? We’re also looking for a new place to live, so we have some flexibility there, as long as its metro accessible. Cost is also a concern, as this move is going to hit our finances quite a bit.

Would welcome suggestions, including from those familiar with the latest commute times.

Thanks in advance!

[AKB]

If your budget is strong, look at buying an older house in Great Falls with a barn. There are some off Seneca Road with good trail access. The Metro runs from Reston, so it is not too bad of a commute.

[DoodlesMom]

If you buy somewhere around the Vienna/Dun Loring metro, the drive to Middleburg (or Aldie, which is closer) is not terrible. I work in Vienna, and it takes me 30 min with some traffic, roughly 45 min - 1 hour with heavy traffic. Then again, my barn in right on the east edge of Aldie, so it’s slightly closer.

Also keep in mind the Silver line! That’s the one they’re building along the toll road - Reston and Tysons stops are open, but there is going to be one at Dulles soonish.

[BayWithChrome]

Thanks all! Sadly, we’re not going to be able to buy anything in the near future. We’ll probably rent something in the district itself, or in Maryland, which is why I’m considering barns in MD for the first time. However, I don’t know anything about trainers/facilities in MD.

I’m looking for a barn that focuses on jumpers, no drama, and reasonably priced (a unicorn trainer, I know…). My mare is only 5, and I just want to keep her in a steady program that continues to build on her foundation. She’s super easy when she’s in regular work. She’s a maniac if she just sits. I’m hoping to find a barn that will be able to look after her and keep her going if I have to travel or work late. We’re not going to be heavy hitters on the show scene, so looking for a barn that doesn’t discriminate if I don’t show every weekend.

Previously I owned a home out in Herndon, which is why the VA barns worked really well for me. But we’re trying to explore other options in MD this time around, as that is where my husband may end up working.

[GoneAway]

I work in DC and live on Andrews AFB, and board my horse in Upper Marlboro. Boarding in MD was far more convenient than trekking out to my old stomping grounds in NoVA (Middleburg), so I went that route. Like you, I had no knowledge of the MD horse scene, and even now I don’t know a lot of folks because I keep to myself. But that said, I would think if you’re working near Union that something in MD, maybe in Anne Arundel county, would be fairly convenient. I would avoid PG county as it’s not the best from a housing or boarding perspective - I only live there because the base is pretty nice and I happen to have my horse boarded at a lovely private farm. Otherwise, not a lot of options. But if you’re looking more in the Harwood/Davidsonville areas, it’s great farm country and very horsey. Top side of MD also is very horsey and probably has a lot of great options, but I’m not familiar with what’s up in that direction.

I recommend you check out options on the Equiery (http://equiery.com/stables/) and going from there. I know Bay View Farm is in the area and does Jumpers, but I have no experience with that operation so I don’t know what they’re like. I’m currently hauling in to work with Katie Domino (Domino Equestrian) in Harwood and I love her. She is an eventer, but outstanding with young horses, can do jumpers, and has regular clinics with well-known dressage and eventing professionals. I also have a young jumper and this is working well for me. Stephen Bradley comes to the farm almost monthly and he’s amazing to work with. Very fun, supportive environment.

[MIKES_MCS]

try Bel Mont Farms http://bel-montfarm.com/about-us Dimitriy Kokoshkin is teaching there now , He’s great no Drama jumper focused , European trained

[CEB1108]

Following-up on this. I know someone who is relocating to DC and needs to find a boarding/lesson farm. She and her husband will be living in the city so she will be commuting out to ride. She is interested in lessons (dressage or hunt seat) and boarding. Does not need to be an “A” circuit stable. Just a nice laid back barn for a middle age adult with good care and turnout.

Requirements include: daily turnout on pasture, a grooming stall (if possible), and an indoor arena (if possible).

Does anyone have any recommendations in southern Maryland or northern Virginia?

Thank you!

[blondewithchrome]

Rolling Acres in Brookeville isn’t too far out, but commute wise it could be tough. Alan and Jessie Lohman are also in Maryland but further out, I believe. Closest to DC is by far Meadowbrook - they do have boarding available, but not cheap. Poolesville has a few jumper barns too, if memory serves.

Most, if not all, of the serious show barns have a program that’ll keep your girl tuned up. I am sure you may even find a talented junior or Ammy who wouldn’t mind a free ride a day or two a week to help where your work schedule won’t allow you to make it out to the barn!

[gottagrey]

My recommendation is to find someplace to live along the MARC train - which curiously enough has lines running from Union Station to Baltimore and thru Montgomery County and also towards Frederick. While I’m not familiar with the line that runs from Baltimore to DC. If you live in close proximity to the Brunswick Line (also known as the party train for awhile as commuters heading home on Friday nights would have a bit of a happy hour LOL, not sure if that’s still the case) Anyhoo there are several decent barns that would be within a fairly decent commute of MARC train, barn and home. Some barns with to look into would be:

Alan Lohman - H/J barn Poolesville (shows, on/the road alot)
CF Farm - Kevin Bruce- near Alan Lohman - H/J (shows A,)
Surmont/Jo-Ann Schaudies (H/J shows A, MD regional & local shows, foxhunting)
Dreamcatcher Farm, Melinda Cohen (H/J A shows)
Otasaga/Cindy Lytle (H/J, A, MD regional and eventing)

If you lived further out along Brunswick line like Point of Rocks, that would put you closer to some VA barns but that’s more time on train = less time at barn.

[hunter.pleasure]

Hi there: My barn is in Accokeek, Md. 20607 which is 19 miles due south of the US Capitol and 12 miles from the Virginia side of the Woodrow Wilson Bridge. I bought in this area because I live in Falls Church and work downtown DC and I wanted as much land as I could afford as close in to DC as possible. We have 40 acres—25 of them in pasture, a state of the art facility, a 150 x 80 indoor arena and 225x175 grass outdoor ring.
We do dressage and hunt seat at Soft Landing Stables in Accokeek, Md. We have a classical French Dressage instructor named Michel Gauthier who trained at Paris’ Cordon Noire. We have a great hunter/jumper trainer named Lisa Caruolo. We have a third trainer who is an eventer.
We also have a stall open as of Oct. 1 which is a fairly rare occurrence. If your friends are still looking please ask them to check my website, www.softlandingstables.com and get in touch. Thank you! Bonnie Erbe’