Any good trainers in Eastern PA?

[takethestage]

I'm currently training with an older trainer who is technically a hunter jumper trainer, but evented up to prelim level in the past. Unfortunately, they are not up to speed with the current eventing world and I'm getting frustrated. My horse is still pretty green and I've never evented before, and we've gotten through three recognized trials without any major problems. I think it's time to find someone who knows what they're doing, because both my horse and I have a lot of potential and I'm hoping we can go far together. The biggest problem is that my trainer knows very few eventing people, and I'm not really making any connections or getting experiences that will help sustain a long prosperous eventing career. Any suggestions? I know that a lot of top eventers aren't too far from me, but unfortunately I have trailering and wallet restrictions.

[bornfreenowexpensive]

Where in Eastern PA are you? And what are your trailering restrictions?

[takethestage]

The Lehigh Valley - Allentown area. I have a truck and I have occasional access to a trailer, but I can't use it all the time, which will make regular trailering-out hard. Unfortunately, that's my only choice at the moment because I'm not allowed to bring in outside trainers at my current barn.

[bornfreenowexpensive]

You are a bit too far north for the folks that I know (most are in Southern Chester County). Save your pennies for a trailer....even a little stock trailer. You will need it if you want to compete anyway....plus you can then take advantage of the great many things to do in this area. For most of the really top knotch trainers, you will need to travel to them.

Also, consider joining the Area II adult riders. They put on clinics etc.

http://www.usea2.net/index.html

Other good local groups that have eventing clinics etc are

http://www.frenchcreekdressage.org/

http://www.dvcta.org/

They may be some good sources for you for contacts.

[takethestage]

I'm actually a JR/YR :o but my parents are planning to buy a trailer over the winter, since it's such a pain to get out to events seeing as I'm the only eventer at my barn. I was wondering if anyone was close to me that I didn't know about though, so I could get some better training sooner. Who would you recommend, so I can remember for the future? Thanks.

[retreadeventer]

Yeah, what Bornfree said....I was going to say something cute like "No...there are no good trainers in Eastern PA, only EXCELLENT trainers....like Phillip Dutton (Rolex winner)....Boyd Martin (Adelaide winner)....Bruce Davidson (World Champion)....the list goes on!
Lehigh is not too far from the "mecca" Bornfree speaks of as far as trailer rides go. If you hook up with some in the these organizations you'll find a lot of people are going the places you want to go.
A word about trainers and your barn...if you are going to trailer out for a lesson you probably are looking at making changes...sometimes the people are down with that, sometimes not....be aware of it, though....but it does sound like you need some assistance. That's where having Adult Riders comes in...we walk courses together, trade info, call each other, etc. and generally support one another, and it's a fun group, too.

Consider making a foray out into the clinic world, too. But I vote with the horse trailer idea, worth the $ no matter how humble, if it's safe and your horse goes in it, you're in business!

[takethestage]

Do the Adult Riders work.. for lack of a better word.. with the JR/YRs? Because I'd definitely be interested in getting to know the Adult Riders around here, and the other Juniors too! I'd love to get some insight from people who've been doing this for longer than I have (which is only four months ha) Luckily it's a sort of complicated situation at my barn trainer-wise, and I don't think there would be much drama with me trailering out.

[TheHunterKid90]

You (as well as I) are in the greatest area for some amazing trainers!
I am in the Poconos, Stroundsburg area. I would try Doug or Holly Payne!
Both in NJ and about an hour from me so not much farther for you and then are less expensive then Boyd or Phillip and might be just what you're looking for!
I too, am a Jr/YR on a budget. While I have a truck and trailer, I don't drive it (haha) so and my mom works alot so it makes it difficult!
Goodluck! =)

[retreadeventer]

Is there a YR chat list like the AR chat list?
I'm going to look for you at the Area 2 website but in case I don't find it -- www.usea2.net

[takethestage]

I was actually just looking at his website today and thinking, hey I should find this guy. Thanks for the tip, I'll definitely check him out! Maybe I'll see you at Radnor, I think I remember watching you go at Bucks last month.

[bornfreenowexpensive]

You should try and hook up with the YRs and the other organizations that I listed. There is a trainer's list as well on the Area II web site.

There are almost too many good trainers in this area to name. Both well known (international caliber) and lesser known. Yes....we are spoiled and that is why I live here. Try and get on some of the clinic lists...go and audit even if you can't participate. Go to some of the local events and you will meet people....hell, go watch Fair Hill CCI*** in October and you will meet people from the area;) Just be warned....many of them go south for a chunk of winter but there will be a few winter clinics going on. If you can drive and want more exposure...consider volunteering your time to groom for some riders. It can be a really good way to learn...and eventually get paid too.

[takethestage]

retreadeventer... Thanks, I'll search the site too. I haven't found any lists but I haven't known to be looking.

[takethestage]

bornfreenowexpensive... We definitely are spoiled with our area! I haven't thought much about auditing or volunteering, I've been too focused on being in the saddle, but it's definitely time for me to experience the other part of the eventing world... the part that's on foot haha.

[TheHunterKid90]

I was actually just looking at his website today and thinking, hey I should find this guy. Thanks for the tip, I'll definitely check him out! Maybe I'll see you at Radnor, I think I remember watching you go at Bucks last month.

Yeah, Doug is a really great guy, lots of fun to work with!
Oh...and did you see me before or after my white breeches magically became brown? :no:
haha, I'm hoping to stay out of the mud at Radnor! =D

[takethestage]

It was before, because you were in the saddle! Don't worry though, last weekend at Flora Lea, it was pouring and muddy and I was at fence 15A out of 16, a half coffin, and my little brat threw on the brakes, and I flew straight over his head into the ditch. Luckily I go XC in black breeches! I'm hoping I stay clean at Radnor too. (:

[TheHunterKid90]

It was before, because you were in the saddle! Don't worry though, last weekend at Flora Lea, it was pouring and muddy and I was at fence 15A out of 16, a half coffin, and my little brat threw on the brakes, and I flew straight over his head into the ditch. Luckily I go XC in black breeches! I'm hoping I stay clean at Radnor too. (:

awwe, hehe, mine jumped the half coffin at Bucks very nicely. (the ditch seemed kinda big to me) but hung a leg on the cat face jump and I flipped over his head. I swear it was a slow motion thing!

[takethestage]

Unfortunately, it started raining harder right as I left the start box, so as I was going to the fence, I couldn't see because there was rain in my contact. I didn't get a chance to get my crop going, so BAM no half coffin for my horse; me on the other hand, I definitely got to feel the inside of it haha. I think I saw you fall at Bucks, that was when I was walking my course. Did your horse walk along the airstrip in the bushes?

[TheHunterKid90]

Unfortunately, it started raining harder right as I left the start box, so as I was going to the fence, I couldn't see because there was rain in my contact. I didn't get a chance to get my crop going, so BAM no half coffin for my horse; me on the other hand, I definitely got to feel the inside of it haha. I think I saw you fall at Bucks, that was when I was walking my course. Did your horse walk along the airstrip in the bushes?

ahahahaha, yessss. He was attempting to sneak off because he thought he was in trouble because he lost me over the fence. :lol::lol::lol:
The jump judge almost had a heart attack when I fell! She radioed in "THere's been a very bad fall at fence 9...the rider's down, the horse fell too!" I was like "WTF" I got popped out of the tack and bounced on the ground...my horse never touched the ground with anything but his hooves! :no: lol

[takethestage]

haha yeah I remember that! You were walking away and you were just like "I'm fine!" and your horse looked like a puppy that forgot about it's house training haha.

[TheHunterKid90]

haha yeah I remember that! You were walking away and you were just like "I'm fine!" and your horse looked like a puppy that forgot about it's house training haha.


hehe, that would be an expression my horse often makes...and while I kept yelling "I'M FINE" at her...I did end up breaking my finger. LOL not that I ever would have told her that anything hurt...she would have had me life flighted somewhere! :lol:

[takethestage]

haha good point! That sucks about your finger. ):
I think they though I was retarded when I fell because I layed in the ditch, in the rain, for a good thirty seconds because I was still kind of processing what just happened. And of course my dumb horse walks away and the jump judge had to chase him. They didn't really freak out, luckily for me! Are you doing any other trials besides Radnor this season btw?

[TheHunterKid90]

haha good point! That sucks about your finger. ):
I think they though I was retarded when I fell because I layed in the ditch, in the rain, for a good thirty seconds because I was still kind of processing what just happened. And of course my dumb horse walks away and the jump judge had to chase him. They didn't really freak out, luckily for me! Are you doing any other trials besides Radnor this season btw?

just headed there, then (since eventing is his night job) he goes to the PA 4H State Horse Show to do the 3' Hunters and Eq. woo!
Thennnn, We go to the Schooling HT at Bucks and then to Equine Affaire in MA to ride with Jan Byyny, Lendon Gray, and Linda Allen! =D
what's the rest of your season like?

[ottb]

The Lehigh Valley - Allentown area. I have a truck and I have occasional access to a trailer, but I can't use it all the time, which will make regular trailering-out hard. Unfortunately, that's my only choice at the moment because I'm not allowed to bring in outside trainers at my current barn.Michelle McBride is in the Lehigh Valley area - Northampton I believe. She has a wonderful farm for XC schooling and even ran her 1st recognized event there this summer. Name of farm is Burgundy Hollow. Think that's also the name of her website. I think she's open to trainers bringing students for XC schooling and I would imagine she would also coach you.

[SonnysMom]

This is a little south of you but if you go to some of their events or meetings you may be able to find somebody thru here. There is a classified section with a few instructors listed. I do hunters so don't know if any of them are any good or not.
http://www.ovcta.org/

[ottb]

a little closer to you, but you'd have to cross a big river. http://www.esdcta.org/index.html actually I think they may do some "stuff" in the Lehigh Valley.

Also there is http://www.lvda.org/index.html - very focused on dressage, but again a potential resource?

[rideon22]

I would recommend Jane Cory. She teaches out of Travelda Farm in Quakertown, but does travel to people for lessons as well. I know she's gone up towards Allentown before to teach lessons. She is fantastic with green horses and definitely knows the current eventing world; she has organized Jersey Fresh for the past two years and has lots of contacts in the industry.

PM me if you would like her number!


~Stephanie

[mew]

Nick Cwick, who was Dayna Lynn-Pugh at flying tail farms left to go some place near the PA NJ border, I believe to work with buck.. . Anyways he is a wonderful trainer and I would try to track him down, the whole barn is super bummed he left.

[takethestage]

just headed there, then (since eventing is his night job) he goes to the PA 4H State Horse Show to do the 3' Hunters and Eq. woo!
Thennnn, We go to the Schooling HT at Bucks and then to Equine Affaire in MA to ride with Jan Byyny, Lendon Gray, and Linda Allen! =D
what's the rest of your season like?

Sounds fun! I'm doing the Pink Ribbon Ride at Bucks this weekend to warm up for Radnor, and then Waredaca at the end of the month, but I'm not sure if I'm going to do the recognized or unrecognized HT yet. I also think Plantation has a XC schooling day that I'm going to try to go to. I was thinking about the HT at Bucks, but I think I'm going to volunteer instead. And this winter I'm doing harrrdcore dressage work (hopefully I'll get out of the 40s next season!) and a few jumper shows. I wanted to do clinics, but I'm too busy and lazy ha to find any this season.

[takethestage]

Michelle McBride is in the Lehigh Valley area - Northampton I believe. She has a wonderful farm for XC schooling and even ran her 1st recognized event there this summer. Name of farm is Burgundy Hollow. Think that's also the name of her website. I think she's open to trainers bringing students for XC schooling and I would imagine she would also coach you.

I was at the event, and I've actually looked into her, but I don't know that it would work. Thanks for the suggestion though!

[takethestage]

Nick Cwick, who was Dayna Lynn-Pugh at flying tail farms left to go some place near the PA NJ border, I believe to work with buck.. . Anyways he is a wonderful trainer and I would try to track him down, the whole barn is super bummed he left.

Thanks! I'll keep the name in mind.

[hey101]

I would recommend Jane Cory. She teaches out of Travelda Farm in Quakertown, but does travel to people for lessons as well. I know she's gone up towards Allentown before to teach lessons. She is fantastic with green horses and definitely knows the current eventing world; she has organized Jersey Fresh for the past two years and has lots of contacts in the industry.

PM me if you would like her number!


~Stephanie

Another strong recommendation for Jane! I trained with her for years before I left PA, and I still miss her more than a year later. She helped me with all my VERRRRYYY different horses, from a training/prelim mare to a string of greenies I found at the track, to my rash purchase of an unbroken 2yr old I found in a field in upstate New York (said two year old (pic in my profile) is now 5, learning the ropes at Novice and hopefully going to be a Training horse by next year)- and Jane helped me get her started in real work and learning how to jump etc once she was successfully broken as a three year old.
If you are in Allentown you could trailer down to the Bucks COunty Horse Park for cross-country lessons with Jane, I am pretty sure she's on the approved trainer's list. Great facility, great trainer, how can you go wrong! Good luck. :)

[bornfreenowexpensive]

I also think Plantation has a XC schooling day that I'm going to try to go to.


Not a xc schooling but a starter HT....on Nov. 1. There is almost never just xc schooling at Plantation....they don't want to beat up the footing. Usually good starter trials though...xc is done on the honor code but they do have people watching for safety issues (you can basically see the whole course from the start box so it is good for spectators).

[2869]

I was going to say Jane Cory as well. And also Maureen Ferris who is at a barn in Bethlehem.

[Caroline Weber]

I would second the recommendation of Doug or Holly Payne. I work for their mother and gallop some horses for Doug on the side, so I know both of them fairly well - they are both knowledgeable, insightful, resourceful trainers who are both honest and encouraging - something you don't come across too often!

If you need any contact info for either, please feel free to PM me.


Thennnn, We go to the Schooling HT at Bucks and then to Equine Affaire in MA to ride with Jan Byyny, Lendon Gray, and Linda Allen!

If you are actually having a lesson with Lendon, I should warn you that she is a big yeller - come prepared with a thick skin. Her biggest issue is riders who aren't getting it but change nothing - she cares less if you change to another method that doesn't work than if you just sit there going "oh no, what do I do?" or "oh, I guess this is the best we can do".

[dignified]

I am a young rider near Allentown. I have trained with Jane Cory at Pleasant Hollow and I definitley recomend her! She has taught me so much and has helped me with my confidence. Her lessons are very fun and she makes sure you understand everything. And Nick Cwick is currently at my barn and he is headed to Fl for the winter. But, definitley go with Jane!

[TheHunterKid90]

I would second the recommendation of Doug or Holly Payne. I work for their mother and gallop some horses for Doug on the side, so I know both of them fairly well - they are both knowledgeable, insightful, resourceful trainers who are both honest and encouraging - something you don't come across too often!

If you need any contact info for either, please feel free to PM me.



If you are actually having a lesson with Lendon, I should warn you that she is a big yeller - come prepared with a thick skin. Her biggest issue is riders who aren't getting it but change nothing - she cares less if you change to another method that doesn't work than if you just sit there going "oh no, what do I do?" or "oh, I guess this is the best we can do".


Hehe, then I'm sure we will get along AMAZING!
My previous trainer of 6 years (time I was 5 y/o-11y/o) was nothing but a yeller...critical beyond belief and always wanted a little bit more. I have developed very thick skin over the past 14 years of riding and I am definately going prepared to get ripped apart! :lol:

[JessandLoki]

I would recommend Jane Cory. She teaches out of Travelda Farm in Quakertown, but does travel to people for lessons as well. I know she's gone up towards Allentown before to teach lessons. She is fantastic with green horses and definitely knows the current eventing world; she has organized Jersey Fresh for the past two years and has lots of contacts in the industry.

PM me if you would like her number!


~Stephanie


This. I'm a hunter/jumper, but I was a working student at Pleasant Hollow when she owned it and we're currently trying to arrange a potential lesson/training schedule for my green bean :).

Travelda is BEAUTIFUL, btw ;). When/if you have access to a trailer quakertown is really not too far(I'm in Bethlehem).