I’m an eventing trainer potentially relocating. While I’ve run big competitive training businesses, I’m looking to scale back. I’d really like to get a part time job (maybe as a vet tech?) and just teach a bit on the side (vs the full time trainer thing). I’m looking at South of Nashville (Murfreesboro area) or over by Knoxville. Pros or cons on either area? I won’t be buying a place yet, barns to check out and any info in general appreciated!
I’m not an eventer, so I’ll let others speak to that.
I will say that Murfreesboro/Rutherford County is one of the fastest growing areas in the country. I work in Rutherford County and live almost 90 miles away from my office, so that I can afford land for my horses…The Knoxville area isn’t cheap, but it is definitely more affordable than the Nashville/Murfreesboro area.
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I lived in middle TN for 11 years and did some low level eventing. I’ve been gone awhile now.
Yes, there is a need for more instructors.
There is a lot of turnover- of barns, of instructors, of clients.
Everyone, and I mean everyone, vacates for Florida for the winter. (Someone surely will chime in and say “not everyone!” But I bet you can name more eventers in FL right now than not)
There aren’t a lot of recognized competitions nearby, especially since River Glen is for sale and may be lost. Things may seem close by west coast standards, but it is annoying to be in the no man’s land when other parts of area III are so dense with activity.
For equine vet tech work, there is UTK’s vet hospital in Knoxville or Tennessee Equine in Thompsons Station. A few smaller, mostly single vet practices dotted here and there.
Tennessee is beautiful. Tennessee is also a bit frustrating for horse ownership from my perspective. The insane growth appears to be making it harder, not easier, as land gets snapped up left and right.
ETA: no matter how hard I try not to do it, I get a negative tone about my time in TN. I really did enjoy my time there. But I’m also happy to be owning horses elsewhere these days. 11 years was enough for me.
Knoxville is 3 horse from Chatt hills, Tryon, and Kentucky Horse Park. Pretty great to have multiple world class venues so close. I was able to work a full time job and keep a 3* horse going. The winters are fairly mild, I don’t have an indoor and I had no problem not vacating to Florida.
Alex Green/Dry Ridge, Penrose Farm, and Seals Sport Horses all have some type of XC
Where do you own horses now? I’ve learned there is definitely no perfect place. Appreciate you sharing your experience.
Still looking for info as I’ll be relocating in the next month or two. Specific places to check out (or avoid) appreciated!
I think Middle Tennessee is a better place to live in terms of more of a cultural vibe. It has a better potential client to trainer ratio as it has much more population. Local schooling is decent. Percy Warner Park in the south part of Nashville proper is the site of Middle Tn PC HT and the Pony Club has a well attended “Learn to Event” schooling HT in the Spring and a recognized in the Fall and opens the park up regularly for XC schooling. Another local farm runs low level schooling shows–HTs, dressage, jumper, on a monthly basis. There is also a HJ, dressage, fox hunting and polo population close at hand that also has things going on. It is historically a very horsey community. A 4 to 6.5+ hour drive gets you a full calendar of eventing: Lexington, Louisville, River Glen, Poplar Place, Chatt Hills, Tryon and everything in Aiken. There is a big hole here as to highly accomplished trainers.
Knoxville is a college town and still trying to be more. A bit cheaper but not the population center with as much potential clientele. Mostly I know about Alex Green Kirby in Loundon Tn just east of Knoxville. I’m not sure what’s there locally other than River Glen on the east side which has all the things, but is for sale so a bit of an unknown future. All the places listed to go compete from Nashville are at least hour closer for Knoxville plus some stuff in Virginia becomes accessible.
I have a low level trainer/friend 45 minutes from me whom I adore, but It should tell you something about both places that I try to ride every 4-6 weeks with Alex Green Kirby who is 3 hours from me. (So does my trainer.)
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@Westcoasttrainer I live 30 minutes outside Nashville and keep my horses at home. There are a lot of fantastic trainers out here for eventing, but not a lot of them are available all the time. And as already mentioned, most go to FL for the winter and come back at the end of March. A short list of the pros in our area are the Hoos (at least 1 if not 2 of them are ICP certified), Chelsey Sawtell, and Cathryn Brekken.
A freelance trainer that travels to clients would be a much-needed service. Several friends and I have been searching for an instructor to come work with us (indoor & outdoor with lights) but the current options are lacking.
We have few local shows but Percy Warner usually has 2 rec. shows each year. I love Walnut Trace’s fantastic venue and they offer schooling shows. IMO we could do with more good people to work with and help build the community.
You may want to check out this Facebook page. It’s a great resource and you can get a better feel for the area. If you want any more information feel free to reach out and I will be happy to answer any questions. 
https://www.facebook.com/groups/nashvilleareaequestrians/members
Thank you! What would be some specific towns to check out? What about boarding options? I have one personal horse I’ll be bringing with me.
