XC Schooling in AZ

[Late]

Hi everyone,

I know there's a few people on here from Area X so I thought I'd ask - where would you go to x-c school? I'd really like to stay around the N. Phoenix area as I'm coming from Tempe... the only place I really have thought to call is Carefree Farm, but do they have a water complex? It would be nice to have some show jumps to pop over as well but that's not something I'm as concerned about.

Any other ideas? I've got a nice little mare I'd like to hopefully get out to a horse trial this fall but we need to see some xc fences first!

Thanks!

[CristyC]

Maybe this will help you out. http://area-x.org/

[Risk-Averse Rider]

azeventer will be along sooner or later - she boards at Carefree Farms. I don't believe they have a water complex yet, but they might.

However, last I checked, you have to have a trainer with you and it's quite pricey to school there.

Five Star Farm, which is not too far from Carefree Farms, has a water complex. Call Terri Kemp (or Buzan - not sure which she is now) 623-465-7827

I don't know anything about their fees or restrictions.


All America (Cave Creek & Carefree Highway) has a water complex. Not sure if they would let you haul in to school or not.


Grass Ridge (Sonoita) is sometimes open for schooling. They definitely have water.


The x-c course in Flagstaff is only open a few times a year - there's a schooling fundraiser (already done for this year) and 3 HTs. There's usually schooling for an hour after the last ride is done.


I think St. John's might also be open for schooling under certain circumstances. But it's not exactly next door - nor are Grass Ridge or Flagstaff.


ETA: Frederic Bouland has some x-c at his place, off Tatum, SW of Dynamite, but I don't know about water. Or about restrictions.

[azeventer]

Yes, I board at Carefree Farms.....no water yet, that is still in the planning stages. New bank complex is finished, and we have a ditch, some "mounds" (what might be considered "hills" in Phoenix, LOL....)Various XC obstacles for all levels through prelim, including chevron, corners, benches roll tops,rock wall, etc. You do need to bring a trainer to school, or you could contact Alice or Laura, they could give a lesson.....I'm not sure what the cost is, it would be on the website.....but feel free to call Laura or Alice, their #'s are listed there as well. Yes, Five Star Farm has a nice little water complex, plus a small bank and a couple ditches, as well as a few little logs.....not much else in the way of actual cross country fences, last time I was there.(That I remember, anyway). Smaller in area than Carefree Farms, so harder to get a good gallop up.....same for All America (very similar to Five Star).....not sure about needing a trainer at either place, but I suspect you probably do.....Fredrick has the only other "real" XC schooling course, in that he has a bigger area, a large selection of real XC jumps for all levels. Not sure about the water, though. I know in the past, the owner there did not allow outside schooling, but I think that rule may have changed in the past year.....you would have to call him and find out about that. I'm sure you would need a trainer there as well. The REAL XC courses, Flagstaff, Sonoita, St. Johns, have various times when schooling is allowed, less so for Flagstaff, as the land is state owned, but they do have a couple of days a year. Sonoita and Grass Ridge, I think you just have to set it up with the various people there.....these are a little bit of a hike, though.

Anyway, good luck! If you want to know any more about Carefree Farm, feel free to PM me!

[Late]

Thanks everyone who replied, this is exactly the info I was looking for! I'm not so worried about having any upper level fences to school as I'm just looking to introduce x-c and the more unusual fences -- ie water, banks, ditches. everything else I think my greenie should pretty much take in stride.

I did think about going up to All American - I did the two combined test's up there (different horse) - but wasn't sure if there was any better options.

Hopefully I'll have the little mare ready to take out by Grass Ridge (unless anyone's heading over to Area VI in August/September and has an open trailer spot!)

[wsmoak]

ETA: Frederic Bouland has some x-c at his place, off Tatum, SW of Dynamite, but I don't know about water. Or about restrictions.

It's off Pinnacle Peak Rd in between Tatum and Cave Creek. There's no water jump, and I don't think schooling is allowed outside of a lesson, but his rates are reasonable and he's a great instructor.

--
Wendy