Hi everyone,
So I just moved up from pony hunters to horses. I currently ride at a barn that is very good for developing basics, but it is time for me to move beyond that. I just started doing junior hunters and want to switch to a well respected barn with top trainers and horses. I was looking at Val/ Timmy Kees. If anyone has any other recommendations in that general area, please let me know.
Thanks:)
[QUOTE=youngrider1;8036547]
Hi everyone,
So I just moved up from pony hunters to horses. I currently ride at a barn that is very good for developing basics, but it is time for me to move beyond that. I just started doing junior hunters and want to switch to a well respected barn with top trainers and horses. Heritage might be a tad too expensive but I was looking at Val/ Timmy Kees. If anyone has any other recommendations in that general area, please let me know.
Thanks:)[/QUOTE]
Val/Timmy are both great options but neither are inexpensive. Do you drive? Are you in CT/NJ or LI what are your goals (Devon/Indoors/Eq Finals?) Your answers will help determine where you end up. There are many quality trainers that are a bit less visible that are also good and worth considering
I am just outside of North Salem, NY, and won’t have my license till next summer, so traveling more than about 45 minutes isn’t an option. With my current horse I would like to qualify for Devon/Indoors/Junior Hunter Finals, although in the future I would also like to do some big eq and jumper stuff.
What’s your budget for monthly board? Shows?
We don’t have a set number but cost isn’t a big concern for us.
I would love to help out as I have lived in the area and boarded my horses here for 35+ years…my ponies, jr hunter and eq horses, to my current A/O saints. There are a lot of choices in this area and as many good trainers as there are, we certainly have our share of train wrecks. Many of those train wrecks present quite well, too, unless you have first hand knowledge of dealing with them.
Could you provide a bit more of what you are looking for?
Correct me if I am wrong but it sounds like you want a trainer who doesn’t specialize solely in hunters but has a bit of a mixed client base? What about winter circuit? (wellington or ocala or not?)
What do you want in terms of the facility out of which the trainer is based?
I am intrigued (in the best way) of why the most well known BNT such as Andre (or Frank Madden) who have riders in eq, hunters and jumpers are not the immediate go to choices.
I can offer some suggestions (including my trainer, who is wonderful!) via PM.
Hayloft, Andre and Frank/Old Salem are a significant price above many others in the area, that may be a limiting factor for the OP.
Hayloft, Andre and Frank/Old Salem are a significant price above many others in the area, that may be a limiting factor for the OP.[/QUOTE]
There is no question about that, Supershorty! I was basing my response on her statement that “cost was not a big concern” for them.
There’s Linda in CT, and also you have multiple choices at Redgate in Newtown. I have a friend who has a mare currently with a trainer there, lovely facility if you’re into spending all circuit at WEF and then being at most of the big shows and not home all the time.
I love Val.
I didn’t ride with her but a rode at the same facility and watched her train and teach every day and, unless I am seriously missing something, that is a kind, horse friendly, very high quality program.
[QUOTE=hayloft;8037089]
Hayloft, Andre and Frank/Old Salem are a significant price above many others in the area, that may be a limiting factor for the OP.[/QUOTE]
There is no question about that, Supershorty! I was basing my response on her statement that “cost was not a big concern” for them.[/QUOTE]
The OP edited her original post - at first she said that Heritage may be too expensive and wanted suggestions other than them.
I would think any of the trainers mentioned and doing the “full circuit” in a full care barn which they all are, the budget should be 5k a month, if that’s no problem, then any of the barns would be great. But if your not looking to do the entire show circuit, check out Beyaert - Emmy Tromop in North Salem, or contact Super Shorty, he trainer is great as well and has all the connections
Heather Hays is also very good. Since money is no object then Heritage or Val based on your location.
I want a barn that competes at all of the major shows and I would like to go to wef for at least some of the winter. We aren’t considering heritage because I have heard that it is so big that it almost seems like a factory where as I would prefer somewhere a bit smaller with more individual attention. I know a few people who have gone to frank relatively recently but no of them seem to have been happy with the services that they received. Thanks for your help??
Val is great - a good friend of mine rode with her remotely during HS (we were down in VA, she flew up to meet her), and my interactions with her and her clients were nothing but positive. Really made a huge difference in my friend’s riding as well. Granted, that was forever ago, but from what I’ve seen, she still runs a quality program.
I wouldn’t rule anywhere out (aside from price reasons) without watching or taking a couple of lessons with a trainer you’re thinking of.
What about Arcadia Farm in Yorktown, with Patty Peckham and Molly Flaherty?
I love our barn but they only do FEI sports… Jumpers, dressage and now some eventing. If jumpers are your goal they are awesome. They are a little different as they are both from Europe so the training is a bit different but very correct and the care is amazing…
not sure how far it is from you but probably at least an hour or so…If you are interested checkout their website… petitgalop.com
good luck…
Kate Oliver at CEO in Bedford Hills
Have heard good things on this board about Emil Spadone and his ATs at Redfield.
