Really, really need help finding a HUNTER barn in South Jersey

[NJCOTHAlter]

Posting under an alter in an effort to stay somewhat anonymous…

I really, really need help finding a HUNTER barn in NJ. For several years I’ve been boarding at a more mixed-used barn and I have just hit a wall. I need to be in a program. I want to show. I do hunters. I have nice hunter horses. I’m not so bad I should take up knitting but I need a trainer who DOES HUNTERS. I just do. I want to be part of a hunter barn again and be out going/showing with other people doing the same thing as me. To have HUNTER riding lessons. I just want a hunter barn again.

The tough part, I live in the freakin’ South Jersey hunter wasteland. I will move if I HAVE to but I would really, really, REALLY rather not if I can at all avoid it. The direction where I currently board is bigtime dressage-land. I can name 2-3 hunter barns, none with an indoor or a trainer who is serious or able to do more than a beginner level. I just want a regular hunter barn with working adults like me.

It’s SO HARD to find anything about South Jersey. I am begging those of you in the area who are more linked in to please help me.

So here’s what I am looking for

-Within 30-45 minutes drive from Camden County (Haddon Township specifically). Don’t care which direction. Even the suggestion of which areas/directions I should look would be appreciated

-Boarding facility with indoor ring (larger than a breadbox would be great or else I think I’ll get seasonal affect disorder)

-Decent/safe turnout (at least 1/2 day, more is better)

-Good, honest, quality trainer that deals with adults (A/A level)

-Prefer a mix of local and rated shows. I don’t need to go to WEF or takeover the words, I just wants a show a little somewhat locally

-Trainer rides, trains, and shows horses

-Board in roughly the $600/month range

I’m despondent. I don’t know what direction to look. I don’t know who to look with. I am stuck in my little non-hunter barn rut and if something doesn’t change soon, I might snap. Ideas! Please!!! MUCHOS GRACIAS IN ADVANCE!

[HoofaSchmigetty]

HUNTER BARN and SOUTH JERSEY should NEVER be used in the same sentance!!! There are NONE…at least NONE that are reputable. Looks like your going to have to move to Central Jersey…Monmouth, Mercer and Hunterdon counties are where the “HUNTER” barns are. OH…Don’t forget…Bring your checkbook, your gonna need it!!!

[HoofaSchmigetty]

Never mind…Just saw your board budget…your about $1400 per month SHORT!!! Looks like your stuck in the “wasteland”.

[westie55]

I think for a show barn you will have to, in all likelihood, spend more on board. About $800 a month is about the MINIMUM you can find a show barn with an indoor for. And even that is hard to do!

I am not familiar with that area of NJ, sorry Best of luck!

[Parrotnutz]

[QUOTE=HoofaSchmigetty;6141084]
Never mind…Just saw your board budget…your about $1400 per month SHORT!!! Looks like your stuck in the “wasteland”.[/QUOTE]

Sounds like you are talking near Colts Neck Hoofa

I board in Cream Ridge/ Allentown area with a really good Hunter trainer and my board is 800.00 which is a good deal in Hunterland around here…but it’s a small <12 stall> private, gorgeous facility with the owner living on premises.
We have 2 indoors, a large ring and a field to ride in. We are half hunters and half dressage BUT we all get along great!!

South Jersey, like someone said…hunter+south Jersey…nope. If my area is an option PM me OP. I will give you my trainer’s name and number.

PS: we are not far off Rt 195.

[NJCOTHAlter]

Constructive suggestions GREATLY APPRECIATED!

I do not need to take over the world. When I say “hunter barn” I don’t necessarily need a fancy show barn. I’m not thinking BNT here. I don’t even really mind it the barn is only local/unrated. I just want to ride my discipline and have access to limited, local showing. I don’t need fancy. I don’t need famous. I don’t need to go to Florida all winter. I just want a hunter barn with a hunter trainer.

I know there are many more options (and much more expensive) in Central/Northern NJ. The unfortunate reality is that I have a job (in Philly) and that job means I can’t relocate to a horsier part of NJ just because I want to.

I know there are some huntery options in South Jersey. Tustin Farm does lots of rated shows and is in South Jersey. Woodedge, for example, which no longer boards but hosts many rated shows throughout the year. There are some hunter barns I’m aware of that don’t suit for one reason or another (no indoor, not a trainer I think would work etc.) I just need to research the other viable options. I’m looking for other options people are aware of!

Paying more, especially if there’s training included, is a possibility-- but only for a good situation.

If that fails, my better option is moving to PA versus moving further north in NJ. I work in Philadelphia.

Again, constructive suggestions and ideas very very appreciated! Checking PMs now.

[TesignedInGold]

PM sent

[JackieBlue]

Moving to the other side of Philadelphia may be the way to go. I lived in Montgomery Co. juuuuust barely west of Chestnut Hill for years and rode in Chester and Bucks. Great horse country, great barns, great trainers, and super fun shows. Maybe you should look into PA?

[JinxyPoo]

check your PMs!

[baylady7]

are u near Toms River?

[bear_necessities]

PM sent

[vxf111]

I don’t know enough about them to say good/bad otherwise but I know they exist…

Fertile Green (Mullica Hill)

Red Oak (Mullica Hill)

Royal Haven (Mullica Hill)

Glen Ayre (Lumberton)

Glen Holly (Pedricktown)

I don’t know who is at the Dream Park anymore. Used to be Delia Apollo and Louis Galindo. And now Heather Bonaventura?

[HoofaSchmigetty]

WOW…NEVER heard of ANY of those places listed above nor any of the named “trainers” …Believe me when I say I know them ALL.

[eby]

If you are interested in a hunter trainer in SJ you might check out Debbie and Kelley Cowperthwait. They work out of 2 farms in the Southampton area. Kelley rides great and I think they are very good with their customers. I think Kelley has her own website www. KelleyCowperthwait.com
She works out of Three Charm Farm Beautiful facility with indoor and outdoor ring. Check it out -you may be pleasantly surprised

[Parrotnutz]

[QUOTE=HoofaSchmigetty;6142886]
WOW…NEVER heard of ANY of those places listed above nor any of the named “trainers” …Believe me when I say I know them ALL.[/QUOTE]

Glenayre is owned by the Healey family the kids rode out of Beacon Hill. Leigh Healy is one sister.

[NJCOTHAlter]

[QUOTE=HoofaSchmigetty;6142886]
WOW…NEVER heard of ANY of those places listed above nor any of the named “trainers” …Believe me when I say I know them ALL.[/QUOTE]

Maybe we’ll both learn something from this thread?!

I am shocked you wouldn’t have heard of Bob Allen/Woodedge. He has several rated rates and host fairly large shows both at Woodedge and at the NJHP.

[CAH]

Woodedge and Three Charm are not in the $600 a month price range.

OP I feel your pain.

[Prima_Donna]

[QUOTE=eby;6142900]
If you are interested in a hunter trainer in SJ you might check out Debbie and Kelley Cowperthwait. They work out of 2 farms in the Southampton area. Kelley rides great and I think they are very good with their customers. I think Kelley has her own website www. KelleyCowperthwait.com
She works out of Three Charm Farm Beautiful facility with indoor and outdoor ring. Check it out -you may be pleasantly surprised[/QUOTE]

I actually learned to ride many years ago from Debbie and rode with Kelley a lot when we were both young. I highly recommend both of them.

[CAH]

I second taking a look at Fertile Green Farms. Might be more in your price range and while off the beaten path would be an easy drive south on 295.

[TiaRosa]

Might you find a barn that’s near your work instead of near your house?

That’s what I did. Driving a bit farther on the weekend is a small price to pay when I can leave work and be in the saddle 20 minutes later during the week!

Good luck!