Two part question...coming to the dark side and Bucks County, PA barns.

[ImagineAlters]

So using an alternative for several reasons. When I started riding I always rode with event trainers and really liked it. Over the years made the switch to hunters and have been there ever since. I’m not in love with the hunter/jumper world. I’m also not happy with the care at my current barn. That combined with a few other things has got me thinking why not make the switch back to eventing? One of my big hold ups is that I’m a weenie over fences, and the thought of going cross country scares the living crap out of me. But combined training events would be fun! For those of you that made the switch, why did you do it? Any regrets?

Second question relates to where I’d start looking for a barn in lower bucks county. I don’t need a BNT and likely couldn’t afford to be in a program with one anyway. Would like something a bit laid back with good turnout, and fabulous care with a good feeding program and lots of hay fed. An indoor would be ideal, as well as other adults to ride with. I’ve been riding forever but due to past experiences can be a bit nervous, especially over fences, so I’d need someone that’s good with that type. I have an older, been there done that mare now who is lovely but can be tough. I’d love a nice TB again when I’m ready to shop and my current trainer also hates OTTBs, which is another issue in general!

I’d love to hear your suggestions or advice in general!

Thanks!

[Foxtail]

@ImagineAlters

Second question relates to where I’d start looking for a barn in lower bucks county. I don’t need a BNT and likely couldn’t afford to be in a program with one anyway. Would like something a bit laid back with good turnout, and fabulous care with a good feeding program and lots of hay fed. An indoor would be ideal, as well as other adults to ride with. I’ve been riding forever but due to past experiences can be a bit nervous, especially over fences, so I’d need someone that’s good with that type. I have an older, been there done that mare now who is lovely but can be tough. I’d love a nice TB again when I’m ready to shop and my current trainer also hates OTTBs, which is another issue in general!

Cass Gwalthney at Groveland Farms fits your bill, for sure. I took lessons from her for years until I moved out of the Delaware Valley. Loves OTTBs, the barn is great, and there’s a great mix of ages at the barn. Oh, and if it’s still the same as it was when I was riding with her, quite laid back and very supportive.

That said, she is a work hard, play hard type of trainer. Not overly harsh or mean, but she’s good at pushing at the edges of your comfort zones.

ETA: Not sure if Pipesville is far enough south for what you’re looking for, but the farm’s still a facility worth checking out.

[tbchick84]

To your first question, don’t worry about being a weenie over solid fences. As you already know, there are plenty of combined tests to do throughout the season. Hell you can even just do a straight dressage test at some schooling shows. I started eventing much older than most people get into riding. I never tried H/J so can’t comment on that world. I do like how supportive eventers are, the fact that there are tons of older re-riders in the sport how TBs are the breed of choice by so many, and that fact that the jumps are numbered! It sounds like a great fit for you.

I’ll be curious to see the feedback about Buck’s County. I’ve thought about moving there a few times, but haven’t pulled the trigger due to all the unknowns.

[ImagineAlters]

@Foxtail thank you! She’s very high on my list to check out. Pipersville is much closer to my house then where I am now. What can you tell me about her feeding program? Good turnout with grass?

@tbchick84 Thanks!! I love bucks county in general and know there’s a strong eventing scene nearby, but just don’t know a ton about it!

[ImagineAlters]

Would love to hear more suggestions!

[Foxtail]

@ImagineAlters

@Foxtail thank you! She’s very high on my list to check out. Pipersville is much closer to my house then where I am now. What can you tell me about her feeding program? Good turnout with grass?

Bear in mind that my insight is a few years old at this point, but as I recall turnouts were individual or small group, with I think an option for more of a herd setting. The horses that went out went out as often as possible, usually up to half a day. Out at night in summer, out during day in winter, weather permitting. Grass was standard for the area, if not a touch better given that they have some land to play around with. Granted you’re still apt to get springtime mud, and the horses will graze it down (it’s not like they’re being turned out onto 20 acres), but IIRC they do supplement with hay.

I’m afraid I can’t tell you all the details of the feeding program, as I was leasing a horse from a friend, but I do remember that if you supplied and portioned your own grain the staff would feed it. They’d feed grain up to three times a day. I don’t know what the “house grain” is, but no one would give you crap if you didn’t want to use it.

They’re not stingy with hay either. It’s good quality alfalfa (again, IIRC), and they’d feed hay multiple times a day. Most horses were on a morning/night hay schedule, but some went up to four times a day.

[ImagineAlters]

Thanks so much! Would love to hear about any other available options out there. Is there really a lack of these types of barns in the area?

[tbchick84]

@ImagineAlters

Thanks so much! Would love to hear about any other available options out there. Is there really a lack of these types of barns in the area?

I know I asked about Bucks County a long time ago and did not get a lot of responses, so I’m thinking not a lot of people live in that area.

[HereComesZach]

The area is pretty eventing-heavy, but most people I know either keep horses at home, or board at smaller, private facilities. There are some really great trainers in the area, or that come to the area often (Casey McKissock, Martha Wunder, Jimmie Schramm, Caroline Martin, etc etc) but most people I know don’t board with them because they’re full.

@ImagineAlters - have you tried posting in the Bucks County Equestrian facebook group? You might be able to find a nice, small barn with access to the bucks county horse park, or access to a nearby indoor which could suit your needs. A lot of trainers will come to you once you find a barn that’s a good fit.

[ImagineAlters]

@HereComesZach I have with not much luck other then a few places I’m already aware of. I will continue to look.

[kcmel]

@KellyS could have some suggestions. She lives in that area.

[KellyS]

@kcmel, thanks for bringing this thread to my attention!

@ImagineAlters, I live in upper Bucks County, near Lake Nockimixon and Bucks County Horse Park. I don’t have any recommendations for eventing barns in lower Bucks County (I’m not that familiar with boarding in Bucks County since we keep our horses at home), but with regard to trainers, I can recommend two right off the top of my head.

In Bucks County and probably willing to travel to you, Jane Cory is awesome. She is a USEF/USEA judge and owned Pleasant Hollow Farms, which ran events for a very long time and was a staple in the Area II calendar. She also developed and runs the Jersey Fresh event, I have ridden with her in my eventing days and while bringing along my young pony and it has always been a wonderful, confidence-building experience.

In Chester County, in Coatesville, if you’re willing to travel, is Sally Lofting, who I currently ride with. She mainly focuses on dressage but originally evented, including the Fair Hill CCI***. She has students who event and trains and sells event horses.

Please PM me if you would like contact info for either.

I believe Jane used to post as @Tuppence.

[gumtree]

Another in the Unionville area is Erin Sylvester. She leases a nice part of what used to be the sprawling Thoroughbred farm Derry Meeting. Herfarm is is about a 5 minute ship to Boyd Martin’s schooling courses. Probably could hack there. She has a website with details.

[ImagineAlters]

@KellyS I’m shooting you a message!