Your referrals for quality care, good training H/J barns in the Sacramento area (or Sonoma???), with in 20 or so miles, though Sonoma is further. Serious enough to show, but not serious enough to be crazy about it–the horses welfare, shoeing, feed, safety of facility, and turnout is more important than getting to some big “A” show–though I would like to go to a few. Big, small or medium sized program. Amateur friendly. THANKS.
Welcome! I just moved here a few months ago. I actually found that it was pretty difficult for me to find a barn within a reasonable distance from my house/work that checked all the boxes (esp. with turnout). Also, I’m sure you know that Sonoma is like 1.5 hours away, right? Might be tough if you’re living in Sacramento.
Up toward Granite Bay, Los Lagos seemed pretty nice and there are a few barns to choose from. It also has trail access which is great. Ultimately this was too far for me to travel.
Riverbend Equestrian has a good reputation, but it seemed more show-oriented and it was above my price range. The trainer was super nice about answering all my questions, though.
Folly Farm came highly recommended to be, but it’s a bit further north and the commute would’ve been too much for me. Anyway, seems like they have a good property with respectable turnout. Again, the trainer was super nice and very patient as I asked her a ton of questions.
The barn I’m at is in South Sacramento. It’s a medium sized program, mostly adult amateurs. We have a great group and we have a lot of fun together! It has small turnouts, but the horses go out 6 days/week and they can live in small paddocks (except during the rainy season). They have stalls w/ attached runs, but there’s a waiting list for them. The barn doesn’t go to a ton of shows because a lot of the horses in training right now are pretty green, but I think by next summer there will be more interest. Anyway, the barn isn’t the fanciest but it’s safe and functional and has a very good mix of personalities.
Happy to answer any more questions you might have! Hope this is helpful.
Lol, is there a name and/or trainer for this mysterious barn you have landed at?
I didn’t like Riverbend–too snooty and show oriented. JH Sporthorses had nice trainers, but rundown and too show oriented. Van Vleck’s was very accommodating, but too show oriented. Any hooooo, this is why I posted–looking for that barn I didn’t find on my own. Thanks for your recommendations. PS–Sonoma is far but might consider if the right program is there. THX!
I don’t think you have to go all the way to Sonoma if you want something less competitive than those you listed. There are a ton of barns in the Sacramento area, but as you’ve found, those that are less show-oriented might also not advertise as heavily. But you’ll find things as you keep turning over stones.
Hunterville in Penryn I know to be moderately show-oriented (might be far for some, depending which side of Sacramento you’re on - likely still closer than Sonoma), Foxtail Farms at Brookside might be worth a look, and Fox Farms in Woodland could have the mix of recreational and competitive riding you’re looking for. I know of Beach Lake Stables to go to some of the B shows. Not sure what’s going on at Flying Horse Farms in Davis these days, but that might be another one to check out towards the west. I know you’re hoping for more specifics on barns, which I don’t have for you here, but hopefully that at least gives you a couple of ideas.
If you’re still looking come January, the winter classic series at Rancho Murieta will pick up and you could go hang out and see a number of trainers in action. You’ll get a mix of the local-show programs and those that use it as a prep for Thermal, but it usually has a decent turnout for a winter show. I think I saw they’re doing a Christmas show this year too? They might even get more folks for that since we’re not drowning in mud yet, and it doesn’t compete with the desert.
Sami Milo (Cavallo Stables) or Jenifer Paris (Cheval Farms) would be great options depending on your location. I believe both have assistants that teach when they are at shows.
Also, I’m sure we’d all love to hear where you end up!
Unfortunately that is a tall order in Sacramento. I would urge you to reconsider Van Vleck. It is by far the nicest facility in the area and is a well run program. Chelsea Jones who is the rider/assistant is a great teacher and although there is a group that consistently travels to shows, she also attends a lot of the local area shows. Hunterville is a nice facility as well and has a good program that goes to the shows as well.
You may want to also consider Windfall Farm in Green Valley/Fairfield. It is a drive (not as far as Napa or Sonoma County). It is a nice facility with a smaller program that goes to a select amount of shows.
Good luck !
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I don’t want to hijack this thread…but if anyone has recommendations for a local barn close to Sacramento (within 30 min of downtown) with school horses (or sales horses) that can jump a reasonable height (3’6+, but the higher the better), I’m interested in taking a few lessons!
My current horse doesn’t jump much anymore (he’ll be 25 in January), but I’ll be looking for a jumper next year and want to make sure I stay sharp. Not a ton of other options in my barn right now - lots of babies and dressage horses - so I’m looking for a 1-2x/month lesson type deal.
Would love any input you guys might have!
Edit: Totally understand that most barns don’t have lesson horses that jump the bigger stuff (or they don’t allow people taking infrequent lessons to jump them bigger), which is understandable, so what are my best options considering?
In all honestly, I doubt someone will let you show up and jump their nice horse that high with you only taking a few lessons a month.
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Fair enough, I don’t expect to show up and jump 4’6 on my first day.
I would like to take a few lessons a month over the next 8-10 months or so. I would expect to ride school horses, or potentially sales horses, and build up height over time. I’m in full training in my current program and ride friends’ horses on weekends in addition to that. It’s not like I’m terribly rusty or anything, I just need some more jumping experience to keep my eye sharp.
I don’t know of any barns that have school horses that can even jump 3’6". You will most likely need to lease or buy to jump those heights. We rarely jump our show horses that high unless it’s right before a show. And they regularly compete at 3’3" and higher.
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Good to know, thank you! I’m not in a position to lease right now and I’m saving up to buy another one next fall/winter.
What barns would you recommend around the area that have good lesson programs for more advanced riders?
Check out Legacy Farm in Oakley - it’s a bit of a haul from Sac but Sonoma is about the same distance if not a bit more.
I second NorCalH/J’s comment about reconsidering Van Vleck. Kelly, Chelsea, and Alycia are really good instructors. There are plenty of adults who aren’t that “show-oriented” but still get a lot out of the program.
I’m from Northern CA but not Sacramento. I know some of the trainers from seeing them at shows but not familiar enough to advise on lesson programs. Most of the known trainers are listed in this thread so I would just start calling and see who might be a good fit. Good luck!
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One South Sacramento County barn that hasn’t been mentioned in the thread is Starr Vaughn. The operation is geared primarily for dressage, but they do have SAHJA shows from time to time. Maybe the SAHJA web site could give you some other leads.
I forgot about Jem Stables. They are in Woodland/Dixon I think. Not as nice as a facility as Van Vleck but a quality nice sized program that goes to an array of different shows.
Love the ladies at JEM. Emma is a hoot and a very good horsewoman.
My daughter is now training under Carol Wright and Crescendo Farm, along with Carly Swank. It is an amazingly positive, supportive environment with outstanding training for horse and rider. Not a bad drive, just out in Wilton close to all the show grounds. High quality horse care and the lessons are well planned and consistent. Definitely worth checking out www.crescendofarm.com
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