Hunter/Jumper LESSONS in Kansas/Missouri?

[Memurphy10]

Hey, All,

I recently graduated high school, and I am going to K-State in the fall, and I am really interested in their equestrian team.

I've been in contact with the trainers at K-State, and I am familiar with the requirements by making the team as a walk-on during tryouts the first week of classes. I have been riding and showing hunter/jumper since I was tiny, only 9 or so, but about a year ago, I had to sell both of my horses due to financial reasons and I have been off riding since then.

I basically am looking for an experienced hunter/jumper trainer that can effectively kick my butt and get me back in shape by the time school starts, so I have a good chance of making the team this year. By the end of the summer, I'll have to be comfortable jumping 3'-3'3" courses again, and have a strong seat. My trainer would also have to have a relatively strong school horse program, because I don't have a horse of my own currently to take lessons on.

I'm willing to drive as much as an hour in any direction for lessons from my current location in Kansas City. I've done some preliminary research based on what I knew was always out there and the trainers I'm aware of, which is currently

White Fox Manor
Kirin Farms (working out of Southview)
Southview Stables.

I tried calling Kirin/Southview for lesson info today, but the number provided on their respective websites as well as the phone book is out of service. So, basically, my ramblings come down to this: does any one know of any reputable trainers in the area with good horses that could help me get to where I need to be in August? Also, If any of you know Southview/Kirin's current phone numbers and wanted to PM them to me, that would be AWESOME.

Thanks!

[Pirateer]

What were you showing at before you quit riding? Honestly its HARD to get a spot NCAA wise at big school if you aren't an Uber Big Eq Princess.

[Memurphy10]

I was showing with Jack Mosely out of Greenleigh Stables in Stilwell. It was an awesome experience, and I had the chance to ride some amazing horses I would never be able to afford:D Unfortunately, he's moved out of the area since then, so I'm pretty SOL :(

I know the chances aren't GREAT that i'd make the team, but it's something I'm interested in at least giving my best shot at, so we'll see!

[SaturdayNightLive]

You have a PM.

[Hunter Mom]

You might try some of the following. I'm not sure about lesson horses available that would go up to or over 3', but know Debbie has schoolies - she might be a good starting point. If these phone numbers aren't correct, you might check with the ladies at Horse Hardware for current ones.

Tom Davenport – Summer Hill Farm - 913-592-5525
Brandy Stock - Church Hill Farms – (913) 533-2300
Julie Pickering –Julie Pickering Equine Enterprises - ??
Jane Schweiger – White Fox Manor – 913-592-3650
Michelle Jones – Walnut Ridge Farm - 816-665-6848
Debbie Morrison - Cherokee Valley Farm – (913) 250-0423
Chris Cheyne(?) – Kirin Farms - (913) 533-2450

[HobbyHorse101]

Hmm I live in the midwest so lets see if I can be of any help. Ann White works with the KSU team or she used to she is out in Manhattan, High Horse is in manhattan but they are more into eventers. Tom is great with getting younger kids up the levels, I ride with Brandy and board at Churchill (Very nice place) but its more of a hunter barn, I don't know much about Julie or Jane, but Whitefox produces alot of winnning jumpers, a few others are Carlie Beisel of Settlers Acres, Marcella Egea at Iron Horse Hill, and Kendall Hart/Lacy out at Chaps Equestrian Center.

I would recomend Debbie for your best bet at getting on the team, since she has quiet a few winning Eq riders.

[FarnleyGarnet]

Sorry I can't help you with the names of trainers in the area... I am only familiar with one.

Just wanted to say to keep your chin up and work hard. You CAN walk on at an NCAA school if you put in the time... even if you aren't a Big Eq Princess. I know it's been done before. ;)

I know coaches must obey rules regarding recruiting... But are you allowed to ask the KSU coach for suggestions on trainers in your area? I'm sure she could recommend several. If that's not allowed could you speak with one of the current riders on the team?

Ride whatever you can sit on this summer... preferably without stirrups! Don't worry if you can't find a summer project or schoolie that jumps around over 3 ft. Just get time in the saddle. Worry less about the fence height and more about your flatwork. The coaches can and will recognize if you have what they're looking for during tryouts. And remember that attitude goes a long way too. :)

[jmjhp]

Sarah-Jane Franklin http://www.acadiafarms.net/

[stelmel]

Just a note - several of those trainers don't have schoolies or horses to lease, they're strictly BYOH. I know Carlie and Sarah-Jane don't, but Debbie definitely does, Tom definitely does, and Jane [I believe] does.

[Hunter Mom]

Just a note - several of those trainers don't have schoolies or horses to lease, they're strictly BYOH. I know Carlie and Sarah-Jane don't, but Debbie definitely does, Tom definitely does, and Jane [I believe] does.

Debbie has at least one rider doing Big Eq right now, too.

[HobbyHorse101]

Yes, she does I think she may have a few more but one for sure that does USEF Medal, and USEF Show Jumping Talent search. Debbie's very nice and shows at both the local and the big shows.

[windryder201]

Hey memurphy! I actually happen to be a KSU rider who is just leaving the KSU Equestrian Team (going to vet school).

As someone previously mentioned, Ann White is a semi-local trainer (she's about 45 mintues away) who, in my experience, is absolutely fantastic and has a well established and school horse-d program. She does indeed work with us on occasion and we have often borrowed her horses for our larger shows, so it certainly wouldn't hurt to ride them a bit in case you make the team! The only other hunter/jumper trainer I know of in the area (beyond High Horse which as mentioned focuses mostly on eventing) is Mary Ann something or other, but I have not heard good things about how she works with her boarders/students and I don't know about her schooling-horse status. Personally, I'd recommend Ann White if you can. She's fantastic.

In regards to the actual team, there's a ton of recruit information on the team's webpage: http://www.kstatesports.com/SportSelect.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=400&KEY=&SPID=216&SPSID=3131

I would get in touch ASAP with Casie Williamson and you'll also note that there's a mandatory meeting during the first few weeks of school you must attend if you plan to try out. Make sure you talk to Casie, even though she's the western coach. Unfortunately, our coach Ashley Duda--the hunt seat coach--has taken an opportunity in North Carolina and she'll be unavailable starting in July and would direct you to Casie anyways.

It IS possible to walk on to this team. You're going to have to ride very well and I don't know how many spots are left on the English squad (hey maybe you'll take mine ;) ). Furthermore, we'll have a new English coach and I don't know what she'll be looking for or how discriminating she'll be between "can show now" and "potential in a year or so".

I really hope you have the best of luck!! And even if you don't make the riding team, there are many opportunities to ride in and around Manhattan if you know where to look. Feel free to message me at some point if you have questions or anything :) I'm happy to help!

[Hunter Mom]

Do you know who the new coach is? I saw Ashley a week or so ago, and forgot to ask.

BTW - the other trainer is Mary Ann Funk, and she works a lot with ponies & small kids. She's good with them, though, and has quite a following in that arena. DD went to her horse camp last summer and just loved it.

[windryder201]

I'm not sure that's the same Mary Ann :/ the one the girl i know trained with worked mostly with horses and older riders. I could be wrong though :) Mary Ann does seem to be a common name for horse trainers though O.O I can think of about 3 off the top of my head that aren't even based in Kansas.

I don't think they've determined who the new coach is yet. I'm pretty sure they'd have let us know, but I may have already been removed from the mailing list. It wasn't on the website, anyways.