Who is your favorite eventing coach?

[JP60]

Seeing the love fest for some trainers, I’ll want to add Amy Nichols to the mix. She works near Greenville SC and has ridden to upper levels, trained a number of students who now ride at 1*.

What I’ve found working with her is her ability to really get at the heart of an issue, or take a goal and formulate a plan to get past the issue and make the goal happen. SHe’s ICP certified, has been riding and training for a long time and has strong connections in the region.

Unless one has a high end budget, places in the northeast can get quite expensive which may limit options, not increase them. In the Greenville area, you are inside 2 hours to multiple shows in Aiken, inside 4 to Poplar Farms, and Chatt Hills, FENCE, Windridge, and TIEC (when it goes EVenting) barely an hour.

As for other training options, Beth Perkins, Amy Barrington, Lellie Ward (and more I don’t remember) live and work in our area. Working with A level Pros has it’s advantages, but you may not get the same attention to detail, access and time that you would with those dedicated to Training the next best Eventer.

What I want to know is how do you get a job like that I work in IT and for all the “mobile office” crap seen in commercials, companies are loathed to accept telecommuting or remote office work (sigh). Best of luck in your search.

[Winding_Down]

This is an interesting thread because of the great diversity in recommendations. There is no “love fest” for any one trainer. Everyone has their favorites. In my case, I have quite a few, and would be hard-pressed to recommend just one or two, especially since what I like may not be what the OP likes.

Which goes to the point that in the OP’s case, it may be advisable to move to an area rich in options for trainers. In Northern VA, we have so many BNR’s so the less well known trainers can be really focused on the particular goals/issues of a particular rider. It is also easier to find a smallish boarding operation that allows self-care, if that is what the OP wants, because in some areas, there is a lot of land that is suitable for horses.

When I consider moving to some other regions, I realize that there are hidden costs that make those areas more pricey. For example, the cost of hay in the south can be prohibitive, whereas in Virginia and North (and west), hay prices are 1/2 or less of those in NC and south, and west. One area I really like is Southern Pines but the cost of property next to the foundation, and the cost of hay, pretty much rule that area out. And I won’t move horses somewhere that doesn’t have good ride out land/areas, top equine vets/hospital, and things for me like artists/painters and restaurants.

[Vaeventer]

One of my good friends trains with Emily Beshear in VA. She has nothing but good things to say. She is about an 2 hours from DC, closer to Charlottesville, but has a beautiful farm and my friend loves her as a coach and person. Another plus is that her husband is a very well-respected vet.

[pologirl27]

Another vote for moving to Area II or another trainer-rich area. In central Maryland there are lots of options and shows are very close. I never have to stay overnight.

[JP60]

@Winding Down

For example, the cost of hay in the south can be prohibitive, whereas in Virginia and North (and west), hay prices are 1/2 or less of those in NC and south, and west.

Wow, I never even felt the knife go in. You are good.

Just for something to say, Unless hay in Virginia is $2 to $3 a bale, I’m going to have to call you on that point. As one who does buy hay here in the barren and blighted south, I’ve purchased mine between 4-6 dollars.

After that I’m just blown away by all the hidden costs I must be missing that folks in other parts of the country are not. Sure, our gas/diesel prices are lower, property taxes are generally lower, land prices are lower, training costs are lower (on average), boarding costs are lower. Yes, your are correct, we do have hidden cost savings. Good call. I’m sure that is what you meant.

And strangely enough, for some reason many of those BNRs head south to live it up in the winter, so training for a few months can occur with the potential to ride, train and compete year round without having to leave your home. God, how boring is that.

As always WD, I appreciate your thoughts for they remind me about how blessed I am with a fantastic trainer whom I’m proud to name, a great small farm I can afford, and a location that provides me access to so many options for riding and other activities without breaking the bank. Thank you.

From what I gathered, the OP had a dream job that allowed her/him to live anywhere that had competent trainer(s) that could work on whatever goals that are desired. (S)he may be rich, less rich, wanting no more than peaking at Prelim or think (s)he can get to Rolex. Like others, I promoted the place I love and felt the OP can follow up or ignore. Either is fine. Peace!

[bornfreenowexpensive]

When you are in a horse rich area…like NO VA, MD, PA…there are a lot more than just BNT. There are just as many if not more, lesser known trainers. There are more riders, more vets, more farriers…just more choice.

You don’t hear a ton about lesser known trainers…but many of them have even gone to the 4* level. The one I train with more regularly…has a family and doesn’t go south for the Winter. A much more well known trainer who does go south is using my indoor once a month to come back and teach her students who don’t go south.

There are a ton of great choices out there. If could go anywhere…I personally would go more south as I HATE the cold…or honestly, I would go to the UK.

[poltroon]

Sounds like OP has a job with lots of location options rather than a telecommute job. Getting a fit for a working student type position that’s compatible with a job is a little trickier and I hope she’s getting some PMs that are of help. Ideally one goes and clinics or takes a few lessons before committing, depending upon how flexible the situation is.

For myself, I really like coaches that have gotten past their first midlife crisis and who have some program of continuing education for themselves.

JP60 asked how you get that kind of job, and it seems to me there are a lot of smaller companies that are arranging their tech staff around Slack and a virtual office these days. They tend to be in the startup phase, with the roller coaster that implies. Get yourself an awesome profile worth of code on GitHub, and that will help.

[Winding_Down]

JP60 wrote:

[ Originally Posted by Winding Down
For example, the cost of hay in the south can be prohibitive, whereas in Virginia and North (and west), hay prices are 1/2 or less of those in NC and south, and west.

[/I]

Wow, I never even felt the knife go in. You are good.

Just for something to say, Unless hay in Virginia is $2 to $3 a bale, I’m going to have to call you on that point. As one who does buy hay here in the barren and blighted south, I’ve purchased mine between 4-6 dollars.

I have no earthly idea how I offended or attacked you, but my apologies for having done so.

FWIW, I have friends in SP who tell me they pay $10-$14 per bale but I am sure you have a better source then they have. I pay $6.50 for 2nd cutting orchard/alfalfa so I stand corrected. $4 a bale is friggin amazing!

Again, my sincere apology.

[Highflyer]

…Is there a competition? Are there prizes if the OP picks your area/ trainer?

[QUOTE=JP60;8971425]
Wow, I never even felt the knife go in. You are good.

Just for something to say, Unless hay in Virginia is $2 to $3 a bale, I’m going to have to call you on that point. As one who does buy hay here in the barren and blighted south, I’ve purchased mine between 4-6 dollars.

After that I’m just blown away by all the hidden costs I must be missing that folks in other parts of the country are not. Sure, our gas/diesel prices are lower, property taxes are generally lower, land prices are lower, training costs are lower (on average), boarding costs are lower. Yes, your are correct, we do have hidden cost savings. Good call. I’m sure that is what you meant.

And strangely enough, for some reason many of those BNRs head south to live it up in the winter, so training for a few months can occur with the potential to ride, train and compete year round without having to leave your home. God, how boring is that.

As always WD, I appreciate your thoughts for they remind me about how blessed I am with a fantastic trainer whom I’m proud to name, a great small farm I can afford, and a location that provides me access to so many options for riding and other activities without breaking the bank. Thank you.

From what I gathered, the OP had a dream job that allowed her/him to live anywhere that had competent trainer(s) that could work on whatever goals that are desired. (S)he may be rich, less rich, wanting no more than peaking at Prelim or think (s)he can get to Rolex. Like others, I promoted the place I love and felt the OP can follow up or ignore. Either is fine. Peace![/COLOR][/QUOTE]

[RunForIt]

“Kim Severson is in the Charlottesville area. I am impressed by her dedication to students and teaching skills. And she does not go south for months at a time so she is available in the winter.” Winding Down

If you can spend some extended time working with Kim Severson, you will deposit a great deal of skill, finesse, and knowledge into your riding education. She has every phase sorted out…no one better for helping you with dressage and how to use dressage in both SJ and XC. Keep us posted!

[KateWootenAgain]

I’ve enjoyed riding with Kyle Carter, Sinead Halpin, Lucinda Green and Clayton Fredericks.

I hope that’s ok. Sorry. Do I get killed now?

[yellowbritches]

While it’s nice to ask for recommendations…a coach that works for one person may not work for another.

Good advice! The coach I would ride with ALL the time (Stephen Bradley) helped my riding tremendously. If I was still riding seriously, no matter the discipline, I would be heading over the mountain for lessons with him because I love him, his teaching style, and his way of training. My horse and I made great improvements because of him, and I got a whole lot braver AND more technically proficient. That being said, a friend of mine didn’t find him as beneficial. They didn’t mesh quite as well. No big deal. We’re in an area where you can spit and hit about 10 great trainers, both BNT and not so much. Area 2 spoils us rotten.

[gottagrey]

This thread has a familiar ring to it - OP posted back in Sept. they were looking for an eventing coach in the Columbus OH area and then a post in Nov saying they were looking for an eventing coach in GA as they were moving there soon. Since it looks like those areas are out now for the OP, on the east coast, I’d suggest somewhere in Area II - MD, NoVa and PA are fortunate to have several different event venues within reasonable drives which allows for good selection of BNT and not so BNT. In addition to those mentioned in VA/MD/PA - I’d add Phyllis Dawson, Sharon White, and Sally Cousins.

[OTTBS4ME]

Elizabeth Stewart Eventing is an amazing horsewoman and coach. Check out her FB (Elizabeth Stewart Equestrian). She recently moved to the barn where I was boarding in Chester County PA. I am an over 40 re-rider with a H/J Eq background and a 7 year old OTTB mare. She helped us do our first XC school and first trial at Plantation and I can’t say enough good things about her. Her students/clients are all fantastic as well. They go to Ocala JAN-MAR and I can’t wait until they get back so we can get ready for our next horse trial!

[EventerGirl98]

Tryon, Landrum, Columbus SC/NC area has a lot great trainers (We also have the one and only Tryon International Equestrian Center where WEG will be held in 2018 hehe) and I personally would HIGHLY recommend Eric Dierks or Annie Maunder. They are GREAT coaches/trainers