Barns in Southeastern PA

[CenterStage123]

I apologize in advance if this has been done before, but I did a search and couldn't find anything.

Anyways, I am a hunter rider, but lately going to shows is becoming more of a chore than fun. Getting points has been stressing me out and I'm done with all of it. My horse has also lost his usual perk, and only really seems happy when out on trails jumping logs and such, which got me thinking that maybe we should give eventing a try. We have basic dressage down, and I don't think cross country and stadium should be a problem.

So I have decided to start looking at eventing barns in the chester county area. I live near Downingtown, and would be willing to travel up to 45 minutes.

So fellow COTHers, lend me your wisdom on barns in this area.

[ica7059]

Try Susie Beale at cairnomountstables.com/susiebeale@verizon.net. great barn in Valley Forge. Funrn, terrific care and trains riders at all levels. I believe she has a stall open.

[emilybemily]

HOpe you don't mind i join your inquiry....

I live in philadelphia and am also looking for an eventing barn. I sold my horse a few years back and we were at training level/prelim. Now that i am settled in the city, i am looking to get back into riding, taking lessons etc. I will likely not be owning/boarding for a while.

Any additional suggestions are great!

thanks, emily.bieber@gmail.com

[Cruise Control]

Jane Sleeper is in Coatesville. She is excellent. Oocated near Rte. 10. She has a website. Good luck!!!

[Calling Duck]

You may want to check out:

Chris Grant at Alliquippa Stables, Malvern PA 443.553.2501. Gorgeous facility. Has an indoor, tons of turn out. Farm is in the Radnor Hunt area.

Justine Dutton, also of Malvern. 484.798.5470. Younger rider/trainer. British gal, rides with Buck Davidson. She has two small barns, both in the Radnor Hunt area. She has competed through intermediate, done jumpers.

If you don't need a boarding barn, just a trainer: Cherie Gaebel 610.761.0918 in the Elverson, West Brandywine area. She's a graduate A pony clubber, does tons of pony club teaching, competes. Very calm instructor.

I disagree with the prior description of Ms. Beale. Ask why she has a stall open. Go see the horses and the facility. There is also no where to ride unless you trailer out.

[Regal Grace]

Blue Hill Farm in Unionville, PA (Chester County) PA. Not sure Blue Hill would be considered an eventing barn but the Ransehousen's are considered very good and have come highly recommended to me. Unfortunately, I live too far. Missy Ransehousen is an eventer and has competed in the last three Rolex 3 Day events (very good in dressage too and coaches the USA Para-Equestrian team) and her mom Jessica Ransehousen is currently the intermim Chef d'Equipe for the U.S. Team, FEI Dressage Judge and has competed in the Olympics as well.

http://www.bluehillfarmpa.com/index.php

[mbj]

tooting our own horn www.laurelsforge.com
We have Allison Chubb and Alexandra King in residence and riding here and both event and could coach. Maisy Grassie comes out regularly from vet school at Penn. Have a vet who boards here and is an active ammie event/dressage competitor. Other boarders hunt or hack and we get the occasional H/J person. No indoor but just next door to where Jim Wofford offers regular clinics.There is even an apartment to rent if you want to live where your horse lives. Fabulous hacking and very happy horses and horse owners.

[mbj]

Also agree that Cherie and Missy are terrific choices.

[CookiePony]

My info on some of the above names is old (think 15 years or more), but hopefully still good ;):

When I was a student at Bryn Mawr, I took some lessons with Chris Grant. I remember her as a constructive and fun teacher, and she ran her barn well.

Cherie Gaebel was an instructor/ examiner when I was in Pony Club in MA. I agree, she was calm and very positive. I quite liked her.

[UNCeventer]

You may want to check out:

Chris Grant at Alliquippa Stables, Malvern PA 443.553.2501. Gorgeous facility. Has an indoor, tons of turn out. Farm is in the Radnor Hunt area.

Justine Dutton, also of Malvern. 484.798.5470. Younger rider/trainer. British gal, rides with Buck Davidson. She has two small barns, both in the Radnor Hunt area. She has competed through intermediate, done jumpers.

If you don't need a boarding barn, just a trainer: Cherie Gaebel 610.761.0918 in the Elverson, West Brandywine area. She's a graduate A pony clubber, does tons of pony club teaching, competes. Very calm instructor.

I disagree with the prior description of Ms. Beale. Ask why she has a stall open. Go see the horses and the facility. There is also no where to ride unless you trailer out.

HAHA- I agree with the above. Go see Cherie! She is fabulous!

[fatorangehorse]

if you go to Sleeper. She's a tough cookie and will expect you to be too.

[Meredith Clark]

if you go to Sleeper. She's a tough cookie and will expect you to be too.

I heard the same from a former working student (who left on good terms.. not talking smack). I knew I'd be too much of a whimp! :lol:

[emilybemily]

Thanks!

[justasmidge]

I'm going to agree with all of the suggestions for Chris Grant. I rode with her for almost five years before I moved out of the area, and I think she's an extremely honest and grounded person. She is also an excellent instructor and trainer who can really get the best out of horses and riders. She's competed through CCI**, and has a gorgeous facility with excellent care. Also a perk as a hunter rider, her assistant trainer Katie Rinda is a H/J person. www.alliquippastables.com

[pasodqueen]

Any other barns located between Downington and Phoenixville that cater to or are open to eventers? I've called some other barns in the area but most are hunter/jumper barns and require you to be "in the program."

[scubed]

Other than those mentioned (and I would disagree that Blue Hill is not an eventing barn. I love it as an eventer), in the general vicinity are also www.csquarefarm.com (Courtney Cooper), Pam Wiedemann is in Christiana.

[not again]

Try www.sallycousins.com.

[eks]

I used to live in Downingtown! I kept my horse in Unionville. I could get there in 30 minutes using all back roads. Since you event, it is nice to be in the country where there is a ton of hacking. If you didn't care about having a lot of hacking space, you could try
Jeanne McDonald..she is a dressage judge. Here is a link to her farm:

http://www.turningpointfarm.net/

[bogie78]

I highly recommend Flying Horse Farm in Sanatoga, PA. It's a small farm, not at all intimidating, and would be a great, friendly place to learn all about eventing. It is owned by Rebecca Diesinger and is extremely convenient to the Phoenixville, PA and Pottstown areas. Becca has trained primarily with Bruce Davidson and Jane Cory, and has competed through Advanced (***). She is a blast and you will never leave a lesson without a good laugh. Check out her website if you'd like more details.

http://flyinghorsefarm.wordpress.com/

[Flying Hippotamus]

emily bemily sent you an email.

[bornfreenowexpensive]

Any other barns located between Downington and Phoenixville that cater to or are open to eventers? I've called some other barns in the area but most are hunter/jumper barns and require you to be "in the program."


There is not a ton in that exact area....most are in Unionville/West Grove/Coatesville area...so southwest of you....and most event riders travel to this area.


Honestly...there are really a ton of very good trainers....without trying hard I can come up 10-15 who have brought horses and riders up to the ** level and most of them have competed at the *** level or higher themselves.

This is an area with a ton of very good people (and a few not quiet as good). But of all those, I only know of one or two that have "lesson" horses available. Most are geared toward training people with their own horse.

[confusedTB]

I highly recommend Erika Nesler in Marshalton area. She has a very successful business running out of Broad Run Farm, right on the brandywine river.

There are all levels of riders, from just starting out kids, some upper-level eventers, some re-riding moms, college students who compete during the summer, etc. Super, super fun and laid back atmosphere. She goes to lots of fun jumper shows, dressage shows and events as well as recognized stuff all over area 2. A nice lit ring with jumps and access to trails all over the area. A short trailer ride away is the laurels land preserve and Plantation field. She caters to a wide variety of riders and always has a horse for someone to ride.

Its about 5 minutes from West Chester, 5 from Unionville, and about 40 from Phonexville (depending on traffic and if you take 113 or 202)

PM me if you want more info.

edited to add - she frequently trailers out for lessons with missy and boyd and I know some other people seek outside help as well. She is fantastic and will help you, but you never feel 'tied down' in a program.

[mac942]

Check out www.equestrianlist.com. Also, Sally Cousins comes up to Journey's End Farm once a month for lessons. Contact me for more information.