Eventing in Pennsylvania

[Feria]

Hi everyone,

My husband is trying to talk me into a move from Texas to Pennsylvania. I am curious about general things such as the eventing community up there, price of boarding/hay/farriers . . . etc and maybe some super positive things for me to look forward to if I do move up there :-)

Thanks in advance

[kcrubin]

it's a big state - some of the best eventing in the us is here - where in pa are you moving

[Feria]

Lebanon County - Thinking of living in the Annville/Lebanon/Grantville area.

[Ajierene]

At a quick glance, within about two hours you have Bucks County Horse Park and Fair Hill, MD. Plantation field would be in there, as well as Flora Lea.

I am more familiar with things that are a two hour distance from Fair Hill, MD area, so you will likely be able to find venues closer as well.

There are a ton of venues in this area, as well as clinics. The Chadds Ford area plays host to the Davidson's farm and the Dutton's farm, Jane Sleeper isn't to far and a few others.

Plus your going to be right next to Hershey, PA - home of the Hershey Chocolate Factory and Hershey Park - chocolate is good for all ailments!

[Evalee Hunter]

Lebanon County - Thinking of living in the Annville/Lebanon/Grantville area.

There is a wonderful equine vet (Dr. Brophy) in Annville. You would be near Penn National race track (a possible source of horses at inexpensive prices). You will not be all that far from the Univ. of PA's New Bolton Center. Definitely, look forward to moving here.

[VWBug]

I live on the northern end of Lancaster County, just a few miles south of Lebanon County. Annville is a darling little town; there's a wonderful independent movie theater on Main Street with a great coffeehouse attached, lots of good-to-great local restaurants, farmers markets etc.

There are alot of great events in this area and I really don't drive longer than 2.5 hours to get to them. I can get to Maryland, DE quite easily. I've gone to Fair Hill, Olde Hope, Carousel Park, Loch Moy, Plantation, Burgundy Hollow, Full Moon, Bucks County Horse Park, Waredaca and more. There are eventing-greats that live in South East/South Central PA too, so there are always wonderful clinics to ride in or audit.

Bonus: in the spring and fall there are a ton of paper chases if you need a break (or your wallet does) from horse trials.

[ideayoda]

The good news is you are within driving distance of alot of things, the bad news is that there is nothing much going on up there (dressage show in near Lancaster/some hunter stuff in Lancaster/Reading). But its well located to get to MD or east towards philly where there is far more. For texans who drive hourssssssss to show, it would be considered close by.

[bornfreenowexpensive]

The good news is you are within driving distance of alot of things, the bad news is that there is nothing much going on up there (dressage show in near Lancaster/some hunter stuff in Lancaster/Reading). But its well located to get to MD or east towards philly where there is far more. For texans who drive hourssssssss to show, it would be considered close by.


yeah most of the activities in PA are in Southern Chester County but you would not be too far off from a lot of things. It is beautiful country. I just took my young horse out hound exercising with Cheshire Hunt this morning....roughly 30+ horses I would guess and it was fantastic. Horses generally well behaved, hounds looking great and beautiful country side. So there is a TON to do on top of being one of the mecca areas for eventing.

[Feria]

Thanks for all of the positive things you have posted! It definitely makes me feel somewhat better about loading up and moving across the country :).

I have been looking for a place to board ponies there while we are moving and getting settled - does anyone have any suggestions for local boarding? Mine are used to 24/7 turnout and only get stalled to eat or when injured and I would prefer something along those lines. I am not picky about amenities except that there would be a suitable place to ride (ie nice field/ring etc)

Thanks in advance!

[VWBug]

You can poke around on lancasterhorse.com (you just have to register first but it's quick and easy). There are lists of local boarding/lesson barns, farriers etc.

And just food for thought - we have a pretty active local chapter of the Old People's Riding Club. We meet monthly and it's a really fun bunch. So think about joining once you're here and reasonably settled ,and you'll make alot of friends and good contacts fairly quickly.

[eventer80]

Hey there from another Texan! I currently live in Cat Spring, TX but spent a month in PA ridding and grooming with my old coach. She lives in Boiling Springs. I have to say that I loved it!!!!! I am a die hard Texan but have considered relocating there for a couple of years! Its beautiful and the depth of eventing trainers and venues is awesome!!! We schooled Fair Hill, Plantation Field, rode with some fox hunters, did all kinds of cool stuff and it was all only about 1-2 hours away!!!! That's right next door when you live in Texas!!!!!! I say go for it!!!

[Evalee Hunter]

Another thing you will probably like about this general area: lots of tack shops. Rick's Heritage advertises the largest selection of used saddles in the US, Bit of Britain caters to eventers, Dover is near here, Horse Unlimited. Lots of fun shopping.

[horsetales]

I'll ditto what others said. You'll have lots of venues to choose from within a fairly easy commute. Lots of hay suppliers up in that area, so prices usually stay reasonable. Also close to Amish leather workers, so you can pick up some nice halters and such. Where in TX are you coming from? Winters may be an adjustment.

[Feria]

Thanks again for all of your input!

We are coming from Central Texas and as I was browsing through pics of properties for sale . . . I noticed the snow. I haven't seen real snow in years.

I don't think any of the ponies I own have ever seen snow :eek:

I would die to have real tack stores - I have been online shopping for too many years now. We finally got Dover in Dallas which is a 3.5 hour drive from me. I am dying to get up there just to stand and oogle and smell the gorgeous tack.

[Evalee Hunter]

. . . . Also close to Amish leather workers, so you can pick up some nice halters and such. . . .

Ah, yes. I forgot Bartville Harness & the other small shops. The absolute BEST strap goods at very modest prices. The racing tack made by Bartville is so wonderful that we have British race trainers that send us orders to fill - better quality racing tack than they can buy in England. Bartbille custom makes all kinds of things. They borrowed my daughter's exercise saddle & took it apart to study it (put it back together, of course).

We love shopping at the Amish stores as the prices are generally very good. We buy a lot of farm stuff, especially for electric fencing.

[wildREDhorse]

We just moved from TX to PA a couple of weeks ago... But a different part of the state... If you're coming from Central Texas, you might consider finding a place that DOES have stalls... Your critters may not grow warm, thick enough coats for the first few winters and it may be tough on them to be out 24/7, but that's just my thought.... Also, stock up on heavy weight turnouts... Also, I'd suggest looking for a place that has an indoor of a nice, full size... Seems as though most of the year is spent riding indoors, even now during their "summer" it keeps raining and making outdoor riding sloppy... Some places even have heated indoors up here. :)

Feel free to PM me for more details on the TX to PA experience. :)

[ottb]

We are coming from Central Texas and as I was browsing through pics of properties for sale . . . I noticed the snow. I haven't seen real snow in years.

I don't think any of the ponies I own have ever seen snow :eek:
they will see a little snow. you may want to reconsider your 24/7 turnout - weather can be a bit more brutal here in the NE than in TX. We can get some pretty serious cold - although recent winters have been pretty mild w/ minimal snow fall.


ooops, what wildredhorses said!!!!

[wildREDhorse]

:lol: :lol: ottb, your "minimal snow" to a central texan who has been there most of their life is life changing, holy moly, it's a ton of snow to me! :lol:... you just don't understand! ;)