Top hunter barns near Atlanta

[Juliagulia88]

Hi all,
My husband and I are going to be relocating to Atlanta in a few months, so I wanted to get the lay of the land in terms of top hunter programs in the area. We will be living in the Buckhead area so I know that I’ll have to drive north to get to any horsey areas. I’m an adult re-rider who is looking to buy a green hunter to bring along in a top program that does most of the large rated shows around the southeast.
A few names I’ve come across and would love more info on if possible:
Seven Hills Equestrian / Ceyda Dixon
Windsor Stables / Michael Leon
Arbor Hill - nice facility but can’t figure out who the trainer is here??
Does Hunt Tosh still train in the area?

All insight you can give me would be greatly appreciated! TIA!

[weixiao]

Sent you a PM!

[Juliagulia88]

Got it thanks so much, will check it out!

[Bristol_Bay]

No personal experience with any of them, but the assistant trainer at my barn rode with Michael León and still goes to WEF every year to help out. That’s a pretty ringing endorsement right there.

[AmmyHunter]

Be sure you look at New Vintage Farm (Julie Curtin). Her farm is closer to Buckhead, she has mostly adult clients, brings along the green ones, and does WEF/Indoors every year. She hasn’t been in the results as much for the last year because she was injured but she’s back in the tack and showing again.

You might also look at Patchwork Farm (Lauren Kissel rides well and they have a good group of adults) and HMS Stables (Heather does jumpers and hunters and has a dressage background so she puts a good foundation on the green ones).

Arbor Hill doesn’t really have a hunter program of the type you are describing - that’s not going to fit what you are looking for.

I don’t think Hunt has more than a couple of training clients (and they may only be ones that just meet him at shows), he’s mostly showing the Wheelers’ horses these days.

[vxf111]

Carolyn Bell?

[fivestrideline]

Highly suggest Patchwork Farm (Canton) - Lauren Kissel is a soft and sympathetic rider and turns out nice ammy friendly horses!
If I was ever back in the area I’d go there in a heartbeat.
Carolyn Bell at Fortitude Farm (Alpharetta/Milton area) always has lovely sale horses and I like the way she rides, though I don’t know anything about the program.

[showy]

I second what everyone has said. I would add Michael Allen to your list. He used to own Michael Britt-Leon’s place but is now renting the farm next to Julie Curtin. Good group of adult ladies.

I wish you luck if you plan to drive up during rush hour after work. It’s brutal. I ended up moving to Alpharetta because I couldn’t ride during the week and I am so much happier.

[AmmyHunter]

@showy

I wish you luck if you plan to drive up during rush hour after work. It’s brutal. I ended up moving to Alpharetta because I couldn’t ride during the week and I am so much happier.

400 to Alpharetta in rush hour is misery!!! Places you can get to up 75/575 with the express lanes are a better option at that time of day.

Melinda Sise at MDS is also an option with a hunter program, and Krissy Wilson is a great hunter rider as well if her show schedule suited you.

[Juliagulia88]

Thanks! I forgot to list her NVF in my post but it does look like she has a great program worth checking out.

[Juliagulia88]

Yes I’m worried about traffic! I’ve also heard good things about Michael Allen so I’ll check him out too. Anyone here have any personal experiences with Michael Leon? His barn and show program look top notch…

[Juliagulia88]

And patchwork looks great although it is quite a hike from where we will be living, but I like how lauren rides from videos I’ve seen

[vxf111]

Is Harrison Ford still around?

[fivestrideline]

Yes he’s still around! He’s moved locations a couple times in the last decade. I believe he’s in Vila Rica now.

MDS is great too, we’d stable next to them and show with Melissa if my trainer wasn’t going to make it to a venue. Very knowledgeable and big on correct flatwork.

Edited to add: if Canton is too far I bet Gainesville is too, but if you end up that way check out Hillmar