Changing Barns- VA/MD?

[2Jumpers1Hunter]

I am a Hunter/Jumper rider that competes on the "A" circuit and am looking to change barns. I show in the hunters and the jumpers and am looking to better my riding with a great trainer. I need a trainer that would help with training a green horse, be able to ride, and is willing to put in 150% effort into making me a better a rider, and my horses better mounts (if that means selling them and getting new mounts- so be it).

I would be willing to travel for a great trainer, but that trainer would have to understand that me being based in the VA/MD area- I wouldn't be able to make it there every day.

I would like to spend no more than $1,200 a month per horse on training board if I do have to travel. I would be willing to travel as far as PA/NJ if the trainer is willing to accept clients at this time. Although I would prefer not to travel, because I do enjoy riding 6-7 days a week.

Does anyone have any experience with Peter Foley as a trainer? Any other suggestions on "A" show trainers for the jumpers and hunters in the VA/MD area that won't "break" my bank- having multiple horses to board and show is already tough enough- (I do enjoy showing them, and I wouldn't mind selling some and just having 1 great one to board and show- but would need the help of a trainer to do so).

[justdandy]

If you want to do VA, Peter Foley is AWESOME!!!! He's pretty much the only one I'd recommend in VA.

If you want to do MD, I recommend Rolling Acres. Great barn, great trainers.

Good luck!

[Heineken]

What Just Dandy said :) My horse and I LOVE Rolling Acres.

Although, there are a few others in VA that are good. But if you want the best, Peter, Dale and Libby are it.

[2Jumpers1Hunter]

Anyone know price estimates for Peter? PM if you'd like!

[frisbee32]

Rachel Kennedy/ESP Farm is around the corner from RA in MD. I have been with her since 2002 amd love it! PM me if you want more information.

[Va2Ga]

2jumpers I sent you a pm

[Ruby G. Weber]

www.DaisyFieldinc.com

[yellowbritches]

Peter is GREAT. I don't do hunters or jumpers but know him and have talked quite a bit with him and I think he is fabulous. If I DID do hunters or jumpers, I'd be with him in a heartbeat. I think he could totally meet your needs.

[mroades]

Love Peter Foley!

[alittlegray]

Sending a PM

[HunterRider992]

What about Pam Baker in VA?

[lauriep]

Paul and Wendy Mathews near Charlottesville. Superb training and the best horse care. Honest, too.

[Equinoxfox]

I ride with Peter. I live down the road. And spend alot of time there. IF you want the best . and You are going to be in VA . Then, you should contact Peter and discuss this. Better yet.. In Person. You can always get the best results with a "Face To Face" meeting. That way the trainer knows you're serious and not a tire kicker;)
That team at WOODHALL FARM are great . You would love it . Come' on over .

[2Jumpers1Hunter]

Thank you for all the suggestions. Picking a new trainer is so difficult- there are so many good ones in this area, and it's hard to figure which one would be the best fit.

[BABYGREENTB]

Rachel Kennedy/ESP Farm is around the corner from RA in MD. I have been with her since 2002 amd love it! PM me if you want more information.

I second RBK! She is really fabulous and won't break the bank. LOVE her. I moved there in July '08 and have been thrilled to death with the care, lessons, group of awesome clients, and the farm.

[buggs95]

Paul and Wendy Mathews (Daisy Field Inc.). I can't say enough good things about them!

[RumoursFollow]

Pam Baker does not do jumpers.

[HunterRider992]

Pam Baker does not do jumpers.

But she is the best hunter trainer. Perhaps the jumpers could go with someone else?

[horsekpr]

Michael Bertozzi @ Cavallo farm in Leesburg. he is in Mississippi right now ,but will be back in another week. he has clients showing pretty much every weekend. I think they go to Lexington when they come back from Miss.

[Mamare]

Do Peter and his group work with young horses?

[Heineken]

Yes, Peter does a great job bringing along young horses. I've brought both of my young prospects to him over the past couple of years. They are very patient and do it right, no gimmicks or tricks.

[Equinoxfox]

oh YES THEY DO .. AND THEY DO A GREAT JOB. REALLY GO OUT AND TALK TO HIM TO GET A BETTER UNDERSTANDING....;)

[Mamare]

Are they "home" now? I thought they went to FL?

[Heineken]

Peter is home this year.

[technopony]

I also highly recommend Rolling Acres - can't say enough good things about them! You can check out their website at http://www.rollacresshowstables.com/.

[Fairview Horse Center]

Jenny Graham - Cedar Creek Farm
Her husband Mike trains Jumpers.
(703) 421-2133
19866 Youngs Cliff Rd, Sterling, VA

Don't know if they do jumpers:

Meg Graham - Deer Meadow Farm
http://deermeadowfarm.net/index.html
Catlett, VA

New Blessing Farm
Mt Airy, MD
http://www.newblessingfarm.com/

[FindTheRhythm]

New Blessing Farm
Mt Airy, MD

:lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol: :lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol:

You're kidding, right? The "trainer" there is an absolute JOKE. Just ask any of the "real" trainers in the area. And yes, I know it's nasty, but it's oh so true. Pretty much the only people who have anything good to say are the ones he's convinced he's God's gift to horses.

[Fairview Horse Center]

I personally have never met him, but I have spoken to people in the area that don't ride with him, and they have had good things to say. I do know the owner of the farm, and she is a wonderful person to deal with. Her horses have been very successful in the IHF (National Champion, Reserve National Champion), both In-hand, and over fences, so I am quite sure she knows what good is.

[FindTheRhythm]

Lucky you that you've never met him. Seriously.

I totally agree that Karen, the farm's owner, is a great person. You must note, though, that their website makes NO mention of who trains there. Makes one wonder why, huh? And Karen specifically mentions WHO does her in-hand work and it's NOT the "trainer" there. And the "trainer" doesn't ride, because he can't. And I don't mean because he's no good, he PHYSICALLY can't. He tools around horse shows (including IN THE RING) in a freakin' wheelchair scooter (scaring horses half to death, I might add).

[galwaybay]

Lucky you that you've never met him. Seriously.

I totally agree that Karen, the farm's owner, is a great person. You must note, though, that their website makes NO mention of who trains there. Makes one wonder why, huh? And Karen specifically mentions WHO does her in-hand work and it's NOT the "trainer" there. And the "trainer" doesn't ride, because he can't. And I don't mean because he's no good, he PHYSICALLY can't. He tools around horse shows (including IN THE RING) in a freakin' wheelchair scooter (scaring horses half to death, I might add).

Did it ever occur to you that maybe the "trainer" there has a medical/physical problem?? While I agree that he is not the most gifted trainer (pony rider, turned lawyer, turned Idon'twannabe lawyer, turned trainer?) but what you have said about him physically is beyond mean spirited . There are plenty of trainers who are excellent trainers who because of age and/or physical limitation do not ride anymore. Attacking a person's physical and health problems is a low blow. I'm sure he would much rather be able to walk normally and look more normal; his "wheelchair" scooter is no more scary that the parade of golf carts, scooters, bikes ATVs etc you see at horse shows. You should be ashamed of yourself - keep the attacks where it might be deserved - ability and knowledge as a trainer...

[QueenMother]

I thought Michael had his own farm in Damascus -- Finer Point.

[Heineken]

Michael has his own farm in Damascus but trains out of Karen's farm in Mt. Airy. The Damascus farm is just his parents and his private horses.

[horsecrazy]

Did it ever occur to you that maybe the "trainer" there has a medical/physical problem?? While I agree that he is not the most gifted trainer (pony rider, turned lawyer, turned Idon'twannabe lawyer, turned trainer?) but what you have said about him physically is beyond mean spirited . There are plenty of trainers who are excellent trainers who because of age and/or physical limitation do not ride anymore. Attacking a person's physical and health problems is a low blow. I'm sure he would much rather be able to walk normally and look more normal; his "wheelchair" scooter is no more scary that the parade of golf carts, scooters, bikes ATVs etc you see at horse shows. You should be ashamed of yourself - keep the attacks where it might be deserved - ability and knowledge as a trainer...

Very well said. In fact, this trainer DOES have medical issues. I don't think anyone would "tool around" in a wheelchair at shows for the hell of it.

I've never been to New Blessing, but I heard Winn Alden travels there to teach? If so, there's always that option. Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

[pinkroyal]

Joe Fargis in Middleburg! He is so helpful. If you are willing to put in effort, he is willing to make it affordable. He is the nicest man!

[Heineken]

Winn does training rides, but does not teach.