Seeking SF Bay Area H/J Barn Recommendations

[erl2013]

Hello all,

I am an adult ammy looking for recommendations for A-circuit hunter/jumper trainers in the SF Bay Area, specifically Marin, Sonoma or Napa counties, with hunter/eq focus. If you also have a “might want to avoid” story, please feel free to private DM me.

Many thanks in advance for any advice!

[erinmeri]

Welcome to the forums!

I now live on the East Coast, but grew up on the Penninsula and my siblings both live in Marin. It might be helpful if you provide more information:

• Do you own or lease? Or are you currently horseless?
• Are you looking to show at rated shows pretty heavily (Thermal in winter, etc) or more casually?
• Maybe give a general location (city/town or county) where you will be living. Drive times can be rough depending on where you are located.

I think Gry McFarlane and Ian McFarlane are in Napa County.

I think Hope Glynn is doing sales only now, but I am happy to be corrected.

You might want to check out the trainers at Sonoma Horse Park:
https://www.sonomahorsepark.com/onsite-trainers

I can recommend folks on the Penninsula if that’s an option.

[erinmeri]

Also, check out these older threads below. One of them reminded me of Lumpy Kilham. https://www.kilhamfarm.com/

Some info is surely outdated, but it may help your search:

Santa Rosa Area Boarding Barns w/ Trainers

Hi there- my farm, Jaz Creek, may be a good fit for you. We offer full service or partial service boarding with all day turnout and Buddy Brown is onsite to offer lessons. Check out our website, www.jazcreek.com.

Jumper Trainers in SF/BAY AREA

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Looking for suggestions on Bay Area Barns

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Bay Area Trainer Suggestions

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Who's your favorite jumper trainer in the Bay Area (preferably North Bay)?

I’m an upper-level event rider looking to do a bit more work in the jumper ring. I already work with a Grand Prix dressage instructor to fine-tune the flatwork and am looking for the same keen eye and attention to detail over fences. Who is your favorite person to work with and why? Thanks in advance!:winkgrin:

Horse Shows and Show Barns in Silicon Valley / Bay Area?

HI, I will be relocating to the Bay Area, close to San Jose/Mountain View. I am focused on jumpers, from young horses to Grand Prix, and have always shown in the East Coast - Wellington, Saugerties, Atlanta, etc, and know very little about West Coast jumping. I am looking for a show barn to bring my horses, a place with riders and trainers that travel to the bigger shows? Can someone tell me who are the Grand Prix riders in the SFO - Bay Area, where do they keep their horses, where do they sh…

[erl2013]

@Santa Rosa Area Boarding Barns w/ Trainers Hunter/Jumper

day

Thanks! I own, and we will most likely be in Marin, so I think for now the peninsula isn’t logistically feasible. Yes would like to show fairly consistently including Thermal in winter (for prob up to 3 weeks not the entire circuit). I will check out the ones you recommended. Many thanks!

[Demerara_Stables]

Welcome! I sent you a PM. You can find those by clicking on your profile photo on the top right of your screen.

[BrownDerby]

One can hardly swing a cat in that area and not encounter A H-J barns. I recommend Dusty Blackwood.

[JazCreekInc]

Hi there! I own a facility called Jaz Creek in Petaluma and we have a wonderful trainer here that has a few openings, Patrick Seaton. You can learn more about his business at patrickseatonstables.com and the facility at jazcreek.com. We would love to give you a tour anytime!

[erinmeri]

@erl2013

Thanks! I own, and we will most likely be in Marin, so I think for now the peninsula isn’t logistically feasible. Yes would like to show fairly consistently including Thermal in winter (for prob up to 3 weeks not the entire circuit). I will check out the ones you recommended. Many thanks!

I would not be looking in Napa County, then, unless you would be going from the far northern part of Marin (i.e. Novato) to somewhere in the very southern part of Napa County, S/W of Napa (the town). Even then it would be nearly an hour in peak traffic each way, and I’m not even sure if such a barn exists. From somewhere like Tiburon, Sausalito, or Mill Valley, you’re talking over an hour and a half.

As someone who commutes from NYC over an hour each way (sometimes nearly 2 hours each way) in peak traffic, it gets OLD, fast.

[SweetMutt]

@BrownDerby

One can hardly swing a cat in that area and not encounter A H-J barns. I recommend Dusty Blackwood.

This is so true.

The Sonoma Horse Park has several onsite, including Dusty. Their website is here: https://www.sonomahorsepark.com/onsite-trainers

North Bay Equestrian Center is a nice facility (previously the Glynn’s place). They have a h/j trainer onsite, not sure if they do the desert thing.

North Bay Equestrian Center

Jaz Creek posted above, I’ve heard great things about them!

I’m sure I’ll think of more and add them. I might also know of any you come across and want an opinion on. Lucky for you A-circuit H/J is the bay area specialty!

[horsegurl]

Again, depends what you are looking for. All “A” Barns–
Chestnut Hill/Beverly Jovais in Santa Rosa. Top notch hunters and Eq., not too much jumpers. Winners!! Show all over Cali. Quality care.
Jaz Creek/Patrick Seaton, mostly jumpers, he is really good. Some hunters which he does ok with, but he’s more of a jumper guy.
KMC is at Sonoma Horse Park. Big practice. Hope is located there and takes some clients to shows. Successful.
Rubicon/ Les Ann LeClaire also at SHP. Small boutique group. She wants it that way. Previously she had a huge barn, very good rider, good care. Both H/J and successful. Does not go all over Cali and shows once a month or so. More low key, but very quality
Kindred Hill Farm/Heather Rhoades and Kylee Arbuckle, the remains of the former Sonoma Valley Stables. Mehhhh on jumpers, and pretty good on hunters. Nice girls who have fun. They rack up alot of ribbons, but not my favorite. Improved since going out on their own. Might be worth a private message though. Show all over Cali.
Estancia Farms in Cotati. Hunters, Jumpers, Eq. Big practice that wins a lot. Good care, and serious show barn like Chestnut Hill. Go all over Cali and Traverse City.

[BrownDerby]

If you want to go slightly east, I recommend Gry McFarlane at Windfall Farm in Fairfield. At the right time of day it is only an hour’s drive from the City. 101 is a bottleneck from Novato northward, any time of day.

[BergEquestrian]

Hi there,
My name is Simonne Berg and I own and operate Berg Equestrian Enterprises at my stables in Santa Rosa. We have a few stalls open for training. I have a record from the ponies all the way through the 5* FEI classes and competed at last years World Cup Finals. I absolutely love teaching. Our facility has:
12x16 stalls with runs
Eurosizer
Treadmill
Covered arena
Irrigated grass pastures
Sand turnouts
Haygain steamers
BEMER therapy
Custom program for each rider and horse
Please reach out with any questions we would be happy to answer them and give you a facility tour

Sales | Berg Equestrian Enterprises LLC

[BrownDerby]

Kilham Farm might be the shortest commute. She’s in Nicasio. Bert Mutch used to be right next door but I think that farm has been sold.

[Horsegirl_s_Mom]

@horsegurl

Rubicon/ Les Ann LeClaire also at SHP. Small boutique group. She wants it that way. Previously she had a huge barn, very good rider, good care. Both H/J and successful. Does not go all over Cali and shows once a month or so. More low key, but very quality

She has our mare’s son (we don’t own him). She is an incredible trainer–insightful, intuitive, takes time to understand what each horse needs. Anyone would be lucky to train with her.