Hubby and I are considering a move to Texas. We lived there 10 years ago so I know some of the trainers but wanted more up to date recommendations. Looking for somebody who focuses on jumpers and does mainly local shows but also some away stuff. Also can anybody share board and training costs? Do most trainers there require full board and training or do more A La Carte places exist? I was looking at Daniel Bedoya as one option. All location suggestions are fine at this point. Thanks so much.
Do you guys have any inclination of where in Houston you’d be living? Majority of the jumper oriented barns are on the north side, so if you’re still up in the air, that might be a consideration.
I’d check out Daniel, as well as Martien van der Hoeven. Both are in the Woodlands area. I can’t speak specifically to their board costs or how they run their programs, but a full care stall at most barns in the Houston area will run you $600-750, plus whatever training is.
I can HIGHLY recommend Rio Vista Farm in Austin. The barn is near the Austin airport. I rode there from first learning to ride to junior hunters (14 years) and Susan McMorris is in my opinion the best trainer in the Austin area. The reason I think Rio Vista could work for you, is they have two facilities: the main barn and then another barn known as the “breeding farm” that is a short drive further down the main road. The main barn board is rather pricey (but typical with board prices in Austin these days) and offers stall and paddock which comes with two lessons a week, but the breeding farm board is very reasonable and offers pasture board as well as paddock and stall. Susan takes riders to the A and AA shows, while the second in command trainer, Amy, focus’ on the local shows. Susan has brought many many riders from special beginner to the upper levels, and a number of riders on to GP level. I’m not familiar with Houston barns, but there are so many decent barns in Austin you really can’t go wrong anywhere.
Maybe Someone can PM me about Houston Barns. I have researched but am still looking for any information any one can provide. Will most likely be stuck in Southeast side, so any advice about that area would be greatly appreciated. Cheers!
In Houston (and probably like everywhere else), we tend to have three levels of Trainers. Trainers that go to Local shows. Local shows as defined as in the Houston area and probably not rated. Then we have some trainers that do Local shows and then local Rated shows in the Katy area. Then we have Trainers that only do Rated shows. Both in town and out of the area and state. You need to determine which type of trainer you are looking for as prices will vary for board and training/lessons.
Elite sport horses
I had a client that moved to Houston and rides at a place called Elite Sporthorses. She’s an adult amateur and seems very happy there. The facility looks very nice from the pictures I’ve seen
Lots of options in Houston - Martien Vanderhoven, Tony Font, Christian Rogge. Not as many options in Austin, but Rio would be a good one to check out to start with. Also Nikki Mathen seems to be a good option though I haven’t met her personally.
For both of these cities where you live will greatly affect where you ride unless you don’t mind an hour plus commute each way.
