You are so right! I see so many trainers pack up and move for very little reasons. And I don’t need anyone well known and don’t care about a show record as long as they know what they are doing.
The facility looks beautiful. I saw no mention of turnout. Do barns in CA have turnout?
AZ TD, Flagstaff has the Coconino Horse Trials and has hosted the Olympic Trials. There are eventers and dressage riders there. Since Ocala and Wellington are out due to humidity, I was thinking she could haul to Scottsdale occasionally where there are numerous instructors and former Olympians.
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The OP asked about great dressage training, not a long drive up and down a mountain to get dressage training, and not somewhere to event.
Flagstaff is gorgeous, but doesn’t appear to fit with what the OP requested.
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If you want to avoid intense heat and cold, the only perfect option for you is the Pacific Northwest! Greater Seattle area is quite expensive, but we have a number of world class trainers up here and you can find excellent options in the country with easy access to the big cities. There are some really top notch barns on the east side (Redmond/Woodinville), south (Auburn/Enumclaw) and North (Snohomish/Monroe). Check it out!
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Agree, beautiful area, but you have so much rain. I lived in Tacoma 4 years and did not see the sun for the first month that I lived there in May.
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Yes, that would be a concern as I have been in the Seattle area two years ago, when I visited Alysa Pitts while we were horse shopping. It was so rainy and moss grew everywhere - even on sidewalks. I got a rather bad sinus headache the second day I was there and when I mentioned it at the barn, several people whipped out Exendrin Migraine pills right away. Beautiful area though!
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Former… say WHAT now?
I have heard that the northern countryside of Virginia has some really nice barns and landscapes! Lauren Spriser of Spriser Sporthorses is a great dressage trainer with many achievements.
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How about either the Denver or Colorado Springs area.
I have done clinics with both Debbie Rodriguez, and Axel Steiner , they are both in that area.
OP: it would be helpful to have an idea of whether you are east or west in the country currently, and some idea of what part you think you would like irrespective of the dressage part. I lived in NE Ohio and western NY and the summers, though short, could be a bit humid. The winters were long and dreary and we had lake effect snow. I would not move back no matter how good the training might be up there.
Though I wasn’t sure Icould really get used to central Florida summers, I did. And now I HATE the cold; head for sweaters, socks, jackets at about 65 degrees. And less taxes leaves more $ for horse stuff!!
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I am familiar with that area but don’t believe either resides in Colorado? And I an not per se looking for a BNT, but good, knowledgeable upper level trainers.
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Are you serious? There are 9 months of winter here. I am looking to go somewhere else when I retire. Also, it is SUPER expensive with long commutes and (except for privately) dressage is pretty dead here
That’s my take also - very cold, few dressage barns/trainers and the Horse Park is no longer doing shows
[QUOTE=Dressage8812;n10651056]
That’s my take also - very cold, few dressage barns/trainers and the Horse Park is no longer doing shows[/QUOTE
Yes. Exactly.
🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂
I somehow skimmed and thought it meant clinics. 😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣
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Sorry looks like I gave you old info on Debbie and Axel,
It was a long time ago!
My brother used to live in Littleton and we would go up in the winter so we could ski.
The times I was there it really was not that bad, in the Mts yes it was cold but not south of Denver, maybe I just got lucky all those years.
I live in Aiken, lots of really good trainers reasonable real estate, but hot and humid in the summer.
Looks like CA is your best bet for perfect weather and good trainers.
Good luck!
Honestly, the only place that comes to mind that fits your list would be California - either the Bay Area or San Diego. The downside? The cost of living. And the cost of living. Did I mention the cost of living? If that is not a issue for you, I’d be looking north of San Diego for sure.
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Yes, great area, could you be specific about the dressage trainers and barns?
Dear OP, you can find a quality dressage trainer in most places. Where are your priorities for areas to retire in? I’d think this might inform your decision.
Is your goal to retire in a place with a great trainer? Consider Wellington and/or places where the good trainers “summer”. Consider shipping your horse and yourself to Wellington for the winters.
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