Trainers in the Cincinnati, OH area??

[mbrick1]

Hi everyone! I am once again relocating, this time to the Cincinnati, OH area. I am now on the hunt for a good program for my young and green hunter. So far, I have come across a few barns from online searches, and would love to hear any reviews and information about them, as well as any more names that I haven’t come across yet! Because my horse is green, I would like a barn that goes to the A circuit shows and can get him some experience. Any information you can give me about these trainers and facilities, as well as any others in the area would be greatly appreciated!!

-David Beisel
-Christopher Payne and Dave Belford (New Hope Farms)
-Hathaway Hill–I saw that this just opened, not sure who the trainer is??

[keepthelegend]

There is also Freestyling Farm with Jill and Trevor Gaffney.

[Halfpasser11]

There are several really great trainers that go to A shows in this area. I have taken lessons and done training with David Beisel and his assistant Allie and I can’t recommend them enough for both hunters and jumpers. I don’t think I’ve met a more down to earth group of people.

Karen Reid (Lakewood Farm) is active on the circuit and her students do really well. I’ve never ridden with her but I’ve seen her students go and like listening to her teach. Another option is Brigette at Apple Creek. I have done lessons and training with Brigette and while she isn’t as “fancy” as other trainers she really makes everything affordable for her clients and takes her time with the horses. However, she is considered a little rough around the edges and isn’t for everyone.

You can PM me with any extra questions or I’ll try and answer them here. These are only the places I have personal experience with.

[hairystockings]

I live and train in Cincinnati there’s a lot of great trainers here for a variety of price points and show levels.

David Beisel and his assistant Allie do a great job. David is on the road with his circuit riders most of the time, he’s home more now thanks to WEC but Allison is the home based trainer who runs the home program and takes students to all the shows within the greater Cincinnati area.

New Hope is one of the best if you can afford it and that’s the barn lifestyle you’re looking for. Incredible horses, incredibly expensive. I have a friend that showed with them a few times, you better have $$ to train with them (I think a week at a KY horse show ran her $4000+ not including her show bill). They are on the circuit, winter at WEF, all the major finals etc. They are a very serious AA top level show barn and are priced accordingly with similar expectations for the horses they work with.

I am unfamiliar with Hathaway Hill they must be very new.

Jordina Thorp is new to the area with Maple Wood Equestrian and she’s very good. I tried a horse with her and all her horses were fat and shiny and happy. Her riders seem to do well at shows.

Aubrey Hunt-Sears with Milestone Farm does a good job with hunters and I know some other adults that ride there that really enjoy her.

Karen Reid is another good choice.

I board at Apple Creek with Brigette Myers and she does a great job being budget friendly and has a very family friendly no-drama atmosphere with a large contingency of young professional boarders. We are full right now with a wait list but I can’t speak to what that list looks like, you’d have to speak to Brigette.

It depends on what kind of barn lifestyle you’re looking for. I’ve been riding in the Cincinnati horse scene since 2011, message me and we can talk about the area, shows, different barns, price points etc.

[findeight]

Hathaway Hill opened for business July 1st at the former Lochmoor Stables, the Darst family sold the entire property. They have a trainer who relocated from Northern Ky, Canterbury I think, and all her clients moved the 30+ miles with her but her name escapes me. HH is now home to the Xavier college team. Believe they added heat to the facility. Websites a little sketchy at the moment but has the contact info. Met them, no red flags, can attest to very nice and horse friendly facility worth many extras, like indoor, big, beautiful outdoor with a small bank complex, in ground, open water jump, generous turn out and a place to hack out. Since they are new, the rates are quite reasonable. If nothing else you could get the horse moved and start there, give you a base to start exploring all possible area options without rushing to decide before you have to move.

If you want to run the big, National circuits and travel and have the budget then New Hope or Jeff Gogul who apparently is now based at WEC, no doubt there. Known the Paynes for 20 years.

Another great option for the more average owner is Aubrey Hunt at Milestone Equestrian. She keeps a lower profile and loves her Adult group, does WEC, KHP plus local shows. She’s a great teacher, caring horseman, has brought youngsters along, including OTTBs and all around nice person. Very friendly and social barn too, they have a good time. Good website including rates, beautiful new facility. Be my choice.

[NC001]

This is kind of off topic and if you want me to remove it let me know.

My family lives in Cincinnati and we visit 1-2 times a year. It is visiting my elderly mom which is fairly boring for my daughter. I was wondering if there are any barns in the area where she could take lessons while we are in town. She is 12 yrs old and rides 3-4 times a week (half leases and lessons twice a week). I’m not sure if barns are open to having “drop in” lessons or not.

Thanks for any advice!

[findeight]

Yes, Aubrey Hunt Sears at Milestone Equestrian has school horses. Didn’t know that until I checked the website when I recommended her to the OP on this thread. Believe this is about the only barn that does anymore, least something I’d put my DD on instead of some stray sales horse passing through that happens to need a hack.

[NC001]

@findeight

Yes, Aubrey Hunt at Milestone Equestrian has school horses. Didn’t know that until I checked the website when I recommended her to the OP on this thread. Believe this is about the only barn that does anymore, least something I’d put my DD on instead of some stray sales horse passing through that happens to need a hack.

Thanks! Yea I had looked at some places but Im a little hesitant to take my kid someplace without some kind of recommendation especially since I am not really horse savvy myself.

[findeight]

Known AHS for many years and have many long time horse owner friends who are with her and have been for some time. Absolutely no doubt it’s the best option for drop in lessons with a 12 year old girl for both horses and overall barn environment.

[NC001]

Thank you so much! Her place is only 30 minutes or so from my moms house so I will get in touch and see if we can work something out. My daughter will be thrilled if she can get in a lesson.

[ElementFarm]

I second, or third, David Beisel and Allie. He’s a lovely, soft rider with a terrific eye and green horses really gain a lot of confidence in his program. Allie is very supportive and encouraging, and I was consistently impressed with the quality of the horses and students in their program.

Audrey Hunt Sears is also very good. I think you can’t go wrong with either of them.

[Madison]

I’m so glad to see that people think highly of Aubrey Sears. I tried one of her sale horses at her farm a couple of years ago and both my trainer and I really liked her, she was straightforward to deal with and very helpful when I was trying the horse, and struck me as someone I’d enjoy taking lessons from!! So I clicked on this thread, curious to see if her name came up and whether my impression of her based on limited dealings was accurate!

[findeight]

SEARS. Knew her for quite awhile under her maiden name and darn well know she’s been married for years. My bad on that one. But, yeah, she’s good, just doesn’t blow her own horn or treat clients like captive ATMs.

[mmeqcenter]

David Beisel is excellent