What is the horse/dressage scene in the Frederick, Maryland area?

[HappyTalk]

We recently visited this area on a vacation and really liked it. Loved the close proximity to Washington, DC. We didn’t notice a lot of horse farms in the area and wondered about the horse community.We would have our own farm, but wondered about dressage instructors, shows, vets and farriers. Feel free to pm.

Thanks!

[gailbyrd]

TONS of good barns, tons of good instructors within a 50 mile radius of Frederick. Tons of farms/open space north and west of Frederick. LOTS of schooling shows. Several recognized shows within 1 hour drive. Plenty of vets, New Bolton, PA is 2 hours away, Morven Park (Leesburg, VA) Equine Hospital (associated with Blacksburg, VA vet school) is ½ hr away.

Only downside is traffic. It truly is a suburb of DC.

[piedmontfields]

[QUOTE=gailbyrd;8801930]
TONS of good barns, tons of good instructors within a 50 mile radius of Frederick. …
Only downside is traffic. It truly is a suburb of DC.[/QUOTE]

Ditto. It is great place for dressage and training, but you will do some heavy driving, depending on where you live and work.

[HappyTalk]

[QUOTE=piedmontfields;8801948]
Ditto. It is great place for dressage and training, but you will do some heavy driving, depending on where you live and work.[/QUOTE]

Not an issue. Hubby and I will be retired.

[HappyTalk]

[QUOTE=gailbyrd;8801930]
TONS of good barns, tons of good instructors within a 50 mile radius of Frederick. Tons of farms/open space north and west of Frederick. LOTS of schooling shows. Several recognized shows within 1 hour drive. Plenty of vets, New Bolton, PA is 2 hours away, Morven Park (Leesburg, VA) Equine Hospital (associated with Blacksburg, VA vet school) is ½ hr away.
.[/QUOTE]

Can you direct me to a FB page or a website with listings of local shows, etc.?

[tarheelmd07]

In Frederick, you’d be well within reach of PVDA, MDA, VADA/NOVA, and FADS schooling shows. There are also numerous recognized show venues (By Chance, PG equestrian center, heavenly waters, morven park, commonwealth park, Glenwood, etc) that would be very do-able drives.

[starsandsun]

You can find lots of information from PVDA.org, and the Equierry.com. It’s a fun area, with lots of horse related stuff going on, and many wonderful restaurants as well.

[rebecca_yount]

Equiery.com. There’s only one “r” in “Equiery”.

[Trevelyan96]

Definitely a great area for all sports. Tons of quality barns and instructors. I’m on the other side of DC and totally envious of the multitude of great choices available in that area. Just be aware that if you need to drive into DC on a regular basis for any reason, traffic on the main commuter routes is disgusting anywhere south of the Frederick county line. If DH and I did not both work in DC, I’d be moving up there in a heartbeat just to be closer to all the excellent trainers in the area, but the commute is a deal breaker for both of us.

[CapitolDesign]

We have a dressage facility just south of Frederick in Germantown, Md. Though my husband works in Northern Virginia, we chose to move my training business to the agricultural reserve because there is so much within a 1-3 hour drive. From our place, we can get to three major show grounds and the vet hospital within an hour. If you would like to talk more, we just added stalls and have boarding space available – visit mooredressage.com for additional info and contact.

[CapitolDesign]

[QUOTE=HappyTalk;8802781]
Can you direct me to a FB page or a website with listings of local shows, etc.?[/QUOTE]

Potomac valley dressage association fb page

[Cowgirl]

What are you guys talking about with regards to traffic? Where I live, I think the drive from downtown job to horseyland is about an hour. Are we talking DC to stables in Frederick in the two hour range? I have thought about moving out there, but my job would most likely be in D.C. I have done a 2 hour each way barn commute before and that WOULD be a deal breaker!

[fordtraktor]

When I lived in DC I boarded in Poolesville. it would take me an hour and a half or two hours just to get to Poolesville from my office downtown if I went during rush hour. 40-45 minutes during off hours/no traffic. and that was six years ago, I am sure it is probably worse now.

[gailbyrd]

[QUOTE=Cowgirl;8815959]
What are you guys talking about with regards to traffic? Where I live, I think the drive from downtown job to horseyland is about an hour. Are we talking DC to stables in Frederick in the two hour range? I have thought about moving out there, but my job would most likely be in D.C. I have done a 2 hour each way barn commute before and that WOULD be a deal breaker![/QUOTE]

There are a few barns within an hour (rush hour) of DC. The majority however are 1 1/2 to 2 hour commutes during rush hour

[FleetFeet]

I live in NW DC in the city and regularly go out to Poolsville, and Fredrick for riding.

To get to Poolsville takes ~45-50min, to get to Frederick takes 50min - 1hr 20min both driving against traffic (early mornings/weekends). I have not tried to drive with traffic yet :no: avoid that at all costs.

I audited a clinic at Woodvale Farms / Peace of Mind Dressage just outside Frederick. Very nice facilities, and the trainer Jaclyn is super nice and laid back.