San Diego Area Barns

[eq3019]

I am transferring to the University of San Diego this fall (a few weeks:D) and am looking for a place to ride with around 45 minutes of a drive. My hope would be to find a horse to lease. I mainly do the hunters (adult amateurs) but would also consider finding something to introduce me to the jumpers.

In terms of showing I have done local to AA and everything in between. If the county shows are good, I would be up for that. I generally only do about 3-4 AA/A shows a year and don’t HAVE to have a barn that does that (although it isn’t a bad thing if they do)

In terms of pricing, I am flexible (I am moving from Fairfield County, CT so it will be a nice break:cool:) I just want GOOD care and training.

Here are the barns I have found so far (they are very diverse):
Hidden Fox Farm - El Cajon
Hidden Valley Riding Academy - Lakeside
Lucky Kid Farm - Jamul
MM Training - Bonita
Sweetwater Farms - Bonita
Nancy Reed Horses - El Cajon
Royal Ridge Equestrian Center - Poway
Elite Show Stables - Poway
Foxlair West - Poway
Turning Leaf Farm - Harmony Grove
Blue Fox Farm/DVG Training - Escondido
Hunter Equestrian Center - Escondido
Concord Equestrian Center - Del Mar
EE Show Stables - Del Mar
Haven Farms - Encinitas

Please feel free to PM me if you don’t want to post here.

[two_sticks]

PM sent.

[showmom858]

Sent you a pm as well.

[eq3019]

Thanks!

[eq3019]

A further question: any opinions on the shows in the area (of all levels, local-AA)? Any differences you find between east coast and socal in terms of showing/riding/etc?

Thanks!

[showmom858]

eq3019 - There are A/AA and local shows located at both Showpark and the Del Mar Fairgrounds. Less that an hour away you also have the Oaks which also hosts great A/AA and local shows. In the winter many people go to Thermal which hosts 6-8 (don’t know exact number) weeks of AA shows and is about 2 1/2 hours from San Diego. LA Equestrian Center is a couple of hours away and also hosts A/AA and local shows.

In San Diego there is a good local organization (Greater San Diego Hunter Jumper Association - GSDHJA) which hosts local shows at Showpark as well as many other places in San Diego county. You can get points to then compete at their big year end show at the Del Mar Fairgrounds which is a lot of fun and has great prizes.

I don’t know where you are use to showing on the east coast, but you may find some divisions smaller here in the west. If you want to see the numbers entered you can look up shows on horseshowtime.com and see class sizes.

[arabiansrock]

I lived in Escondido and went to UCSD. Way back then, it was about an hours drive, just enough that I lived on campus. I would imagine with traffic these days, Escondido would be too far. I suggest you try the places in Poway, if there is nothing in La Jolla itself these days (there used to be one right above the beach, nice!!!).

[two_sticks]

[QUOTE=arabiansrock;6512802]
I lived in Escondido and went to UCSD. Way back then, it was about an hours drive, just enough that I lived on campus. I would imagine with traffic these days, Escondido would be too far. I suggest you try the places in Poway, if there is nothing in La Jolla itself these days (there used to be one right above the beach, nice!!!).[/QUOTE]

I second this - Del Mar area or Rancho Santa Fe area are going to be a much easier commute than Escondido/San Marcos.

[jumpytoo]

I would also look toward Del Mar area. More choices.
Good Luck !

[eq3019]

Okay I’ll definitely keep that in mind. What are the general traffic patterns and does it get as bad as LA?

[HJStyleReport]

I’m not sure which trainers have businesses at showpark but that would be the first place I’d look. There are county and AA level shows there all year, so being a regular resident there means you save money on stalls, shipping etc when you show.

[Mardi]

[QUOTE=eq3019;6513084]
Okay I’ll definitely keep that in mind. What are the general traffic patterns and does it get as bad as LA?[/QUOTE]

Nope, not as bad as Los Angeles, and it never lasts very long.
And there are some great side roads to take that will get you around the worst of it.

[eq3019]

Thanks to all the responses and PMs! I am still open to more suggestions and advice (especially where to look for a lease)

Has anyone had experience with http://www.horse-savvy-training.com/

They have a couple of horse ads that I have been looking at but I’m not sure if it would be worth the time to go look.

[showmom858]

Sent you a pm.

[ako]

I think you will have a lot more luck in Del Mar and nearby. Don’t even bother looking East towards Lakeside or El Cajon. The traffic will be a PITA. And those areas will be hit or miss, mainly miss. I would absolutely check out the Del Mar Horsepark. I would also ask at Mary’s Tack if you are still looking once you arrive.

I’m in NYC and if I ever moved back, I know I’d be looking at Del Mar area stables. That’s where many of the top English trainers will be concentrated.

Del Mar is easy enough to get to from La Jolla.

[FAW]

Good luck at UCSD. My daughter graduated this past spring from there. Great school.

Check out Chance ( don’t know his last name), the H/J trainer at the Fairbanks Equestrian Center in Rancho Santa Fe. UCSD and Fairbanks are very close. My daughter does dressage and is there.

[Peggy]

OP - Are you attending USD or UCSD? I wonder if some of the Del Mar recommendations are assuming the UCSD. I had an interview at USD years ago–beautiful campus and really nice people.

[showmom858]

I think the OP said USD. USD or UCSD are both easy drives up to Del Mar Horsepark to ride.

[eq3019]

USD (University of San Diego) is where I am headed.

[svf86]

[QUOTE=eq3019;6523602]
USD (University of San Diego) is where I am headed.[/QUOTE]

I would stick to Del Mar and Rancho Santa Fe, even with the drive. To be quite honest the quality of facilities, care and training will differ quite a bit when looking in Del Mar compared to many other locations south or east. This is my personal opinion, I may be biased. They also have a riding team at USD, but I think a program more north with a lease would be most beneficial especially if you are looking to do the circuit.