My company is possibly relocating me to Southern California by the end of the year. I’m looking at living in Newport Beach/Costa Mesa/Huntington Beach area. I’m bringing my horse with me, and want to keep him somewhere close to home while I’m getting settled in. I used to ride in San Juan Capistrano as a junior, so I will probably head back there after 6 months or so if things aren’t good in northern Orange County. I’m looking for recommendations for good trainers at the OC Fairgrounds or Huntington Beach Equestrian Center. My horse is still a little green, and this year is only his 2nd full show season. I’m currently showing on the A circuit in NorCal doing the adult Eq, 3’3 AO hunters, and some of the 3’ Hunter derbies. I was planning to step up to the 3’6 AOs next year if I stay with my current trainer. Any recommendations???
At HB Equestrian Center you have a couple decent options, one being Elvenstar, and the other being Windsong Farm. I personally have only competed against them, so I am not overly familair with their day to day programs. Their students do well, and they attend local and AA shows. I’m more familar with the trainers down in South OC, and if you are willing to drive there are some great options down there, way more so then north OC IMO.
It really depends on how much youwant to show though. Orange county has a fairly competetive Local circuit that does year end championships, and of course we are right by the Oaks & Blenheim. Most competetive local horses and riders cross over to the A and AA shows actually so it is a great stepping stone. Then there are some barns that just do A & AA. It really depends on what your goals are show wise and how far you are willing to drive.
I would not go to the fair grounds. IMHO, it is the worst stables in Orange County - freeway noise, fireworks all the time, the whole place is asphalt and absolutely no access to trails. Huntington Beach is decent, but I much prefer San Juan Capistrano.
What is your budget monthly? How often do you show? Do you want to do strictly “A” circuit or a mix of county and “A” shows?
John Bragg is in San Juan Capistrano but board and training will easily run you $2k a month. Natalie Manning is at the Oaks and she is very honest and lovely all around. Elvenstar and Wingsong will probably run you $1500+ a month for board and training. Tracey at Windsong is tough and so you need to be prepared for that if you ride with her. She will not hold your hand. I have never ridden with her, but on of my AA hunter friends used to and she made her cry frequently. That said she does instill a great foundation.
Personally, I much prefer San Juan Capistrano stables since there is access to trails and it is a more “horsey” friendly area. Even though you pay more to board at the Oaks, then you don’t have to pay for stalls at shows. I am currently pregnant so my riding horse is away at the trainers, but if I weren’t I would probably go to the Oaks or Rio Vista since both are more private stables.
Totally agree with this! The fairgrounds is not the place I would want to be, and it is even very close to my house. In fact, I wouldn’t even take my dog to the dog park there, let alone board a horse. There are no notable trainers left there because of it.
I make the drive down south to ride because the options are just sooooooooo much better. Rio Vista is nice, but small, and you either have to ride with Joie Gatlin or Equitess. In terms of rates, Joie isn’t cheap, and I wouldn’t put a hunter with Equitess, not because they aren’t great, but because they focus on Jumpers.
Huntington Beach has quite a few trainers to choose from depending on what you are looking for. I rode with Elvenstar and really liked the trainers and their program for my sometimes difficult mare. Blackstar Equestrian has a wonderful program, and of course there is Windsong. All have students competing on both the county and A/AA circuits. Depending on where you will be living and working you’ll want to factor in the commute, going down to San Juan might be difficult at peak times.
[QUOTE=MtnDrmz;8309103]
Totally agree with this! The fairgrounds is not the place I would want to be, and it is even very close to my house. In fact, I wouldn’t even take my dog to the dog park there, let alone board a horse. There are no notable trainers left there because of it.
I make the drive down south to ride because the options are just sooooooooo much better. Rio Vista is nice, but small, and you either have to ride with Joie Gatlin or Equitess. In terms of rates, Joie isn’t cheap, and I wouldn’t put a hunter with Equitess, not because they aren’t great, but because they focus on Jumpers.[/QUOTE]
Actually Joie is now at Giracci Farms and her training is ridiculous $2200 a month per horse. John Berney came into Rio Vista and has very reasonable rates and mainly AA hunter ladies. I can’t really comment on his hunter training skills (I’m a jumper rider), but he is honest and my best friend got sick of the $$ at John Bragg’s place and is very happy at John Berney’s. That said if your goal is to go back east, he probably is not your guy. But if you want to do some AA shows and county shows, he is affordable and has tons of AA lady riders. He also won’t make you cry :D.
I have been in Huntington Beach since 1992 this time around. Love it. Highly recommend Tracy Burroughs/Windsong and Kristy Miller/Black Star.
If you want to live in HB/NB or Costa Mesa and keep your horse in San Juan, your closest relationship will be with the 405/5/73.
