Riding at Penn State

[TSHEventing]

Hey guys,

I have an opportunity that would require me moving to State College, PA. I was curious what the horse “scene” was there and what opportunities and trainers were around. I don’t mind trailering around within a reasonable distance, but I was hoping for some inside intell

1. What are boarding rates like? Is the care good?
2. How close events?
3. Are there schooling shows (dressage/SJ/eventing) around?
4. Are there any equine groups or organizations?
5. What trainers are in the area (Of any of the disciplines)
6. are there xc schooling areas? Not just in state college but within an hour or so?

Just trying to get a feel for the area.

TIA!

[skipollo]

1. What are boarding rates like? Is the care good?

Here is a list of boarding barns in the area.

2. How close events?

The closest events are approximately 2-3 hours away. We’re technically in Area II, but we’re not close to anything.

3. Are there schooling shows (dressage/SJ/eventing) around?

There are a lot of local H/J shows, and there is a dressage show (also offers hunter and jumper classes) in the spring and the fall. Unfortunately as far as shows go, it’s an eventing dead zone.

4. Are there any equine groups or organizations?

There are a few PCs/HMs as well as 4H. There’s also the PEC (Pennsylvania Equine Council.) They aren’t strictly in State College though.

5. What trainers are in the area (Of any of the disciplines)

Most of the boarding barns at the link above have trainers. It’s mainly an HJ area. I board at a more eventing-based barn. Feel free to PM me for details or the scoop on different barns.

[Sticky_Situation]

What skipollo said. Unfortunately, central and west central PA are both basically eventing no-mans land. There’s basically no eventing scene locally. However, there are lots of events to choose from within a 3-4 hour drive.

[cleozowner]

I live 10 miles from Penn State. PM if interested in the low down.

[woodhillsmanhattan]

I tried to send you a much more detailed PM, but your inbox is full!

I am moving to Penn State in December and toured most of the local facilities in June.

The three I would recommend are Carousel Farms (HJ mostly), Kocher Equestrian Center (HJ and Penn State IHJA team), and CTP Equestrian (Eventing!).

The Traband family and facilities at Carousel Farms are lovely and trailer down to Joe Fargis in VA regularly. They are the most expensive in the area but everything is included and the barn is amazing.

Carla at CTP Equestrian was lovely and her facility was very nice (but small). Her stalls are only 10X10, which is the only reason I didn’t end up there (I have a 17h warmblood…lol). She is just starting her program. She plans to keep it small and only has about 8 stalls. I would highly recommend her.

[TSHEventing]

Thanks Woodhill! I just cleaned everything out.
Carousel was one that I had looked at as well.

[gypsymare]

I rode at and then boarded at Carousel Farm from 2000-2005 while in college. They’ve grown and changed a lot over the years but Mark and Annette are two of the nicest people I know. The care is absolutely top notch and the facility is beautiful. They bred and raised several Trakehners every year and and stood the stallion Sonsets Seiger. Their daughter Lizzie Traband is doing jumpers now I think but they’ve even done a lot of trick riding and training with Tommie Turvey and her pony Toby was a special edition at Breyerfest. Their original focus was hunters.

I can’t recommend them enough!