Good Dressage lessons near NYC?

[polkadotedpony]

I recently moved to Manhattan for school and have been rather unsatisfied with the riding situation. I'm predominantly a dressage rider working on 2nd level and looking to keep moving up. I don't have time to own a horse now, so I need a trainer who has horses available for use in lessons. So far I have been taking lessons at Riverdale Equestrian Center, but the school horses are generally poor quality and overworked and the trainer I'm riding with, although I'm sure she rides well, is not very professional and not that helpful (seems to spend more time texting and chatting during my lesson than actually teaching me).

I have access to a car, but am also open to public transportation. Looking for a place with quality horses and instruction, preferably dressage but I'm open to jumping too (I'm confident over 2'6" courses), that's a realistic commute from the upper east side.

Thanks for your help in advance

[atr]

Lendon Gray is up in Bedford, easy drive from the upper east side.

[Phaxxton]

There are definitely some trainers on LI that would be appropriate and are a reasonable distance from NYC. Finding a lesson horse to move up to 3rd on, though, could prove challenging. Would you be looking to lease a horse one or two days a week, or only ride lesson horses?

[YankeeLawyer]

Lendon Gray is up in Bedford, easy drive from the upper east side.

I recommend Lendon also. I grew up riding at another farm in Bedford. Very easy drive from NYC. The area is pretty and there are a lot of cool people there also.

[paintlady]

I grew-up in Long Island - about 60 miles outside of NYC. I used to take lessons at Knoll Farm in Brentwood which is now a big dressage barn -

http://www.knollfarm.com/

[EASY RIDER STABLE]

LENDON IS WONDERFUL BUT YOU HAVE AN OLYMPIAN RIGHT AT A STABLE IN THE CITY "ASHLEY HOLZER" !

[Fixerupper]

:yes:

[narcisco]

I thought Ashley Holzer was at Riverdale, but maybe she has moved on or doesn't teach those on lesson horses.

[YankeeLawyer]

I thought Ashley Holzer was at Riverdale, but maybe she has moved on or doesn't teach those on lesson horses.

I believe the OP already rides at Riverdale and is looking for a change.

[polkadotedpony]

Yeah I already ride at Riverdale. I think Ashley Holzer still owns/runs Riverdale, but I've heard Ashley spends most months in Florida. There is another upper level trainer that gives lessons at Riverdale who seems alright but you need to own a horse to train with her. As far as the lesson program goes, I don't think Ashley is involved with that at all, given the state of the lesson horses and how it's run. For instance the managers get irate if you point out that the horse you are put on in completely lame, and I don't mean stiff, I mean three legged crow hopping lame. It seems like the no jumping rule isn't philosophical, it's because none or the horses are young enough or sound enough to work over fences.

[joiedevie99]

Ditto- Lendons is an easy ride from the city. There are a few boarders who take the train up on the weekends and take a cab from white plains, others drive. PM me if you have questions.

[Eventer55]

Yeah I already ride at Riverdale. I think Ashley Holzer still owns/runs Riverdale, but I've heard Ashley spends most months in Florida. There is another upper level trainer that gives lessons at Riverdale who seems alright but you need to own a horse to train with her. As far as the lesson program goes, I don't think Ashley is involved with that at all, given the state of the lesson horses and how it's run. For instance the managers get irate if you point out that the horse you are put on in completely lame, and I don't mean stiff, I mean three legged crow hopping lame. It seems like the no jumping rule isn't philosophical, it's because none or the horses are young enough or sound enough to work over fences.

I have to say if I were one of the Holzers, I would want to know what went on when I wasn't there. . . just sayin'. I can't think of any olympic rider that would want their name attached to this kind of a place.

A polite email might fix things, I might be wrong. I don't think I would let it slide. If you go on the web site you will see they apparently do own the place and just put up an indoor.

[Ren28]

polkadotedpony, check your PMs! :)

[Janet]

Ditto- Lendons is an easy ride from the city. There are a few boarders who take the train up on the weekends and take a cab from white plains, others drive. PM me if you have questions.
Cab from Mt Kisco station would be cheaper.

[ToN Farm]

Yeah I already ride at Riverdale. I think Ashley Holzer still owns/runs Riverdale, but I've heard Ashley spends most months in Florida. There is another upper level trainer that gives lessons at Riverdale who seems alright but you need to own a horse to train with her. As far as the lesson program goes, I don't think Ashley is involved with that at all, given the state of the lesson horses and how it's run. For instance the managers get irate if you point out that the horse you are put on in completely lame, and I don't mean stiff, I mean three legged crow hopping lame. It seems like the no jumping rule isn't philosophical, it's because none or the horses are young enough or sound enough to work over fences. I'd be reporting that to somebody, including Ashley, who I'd bet is aware of it. It's like that with most lesson horses, imo, which is why you are unlikely to find a place with a suitable horse to move you from 2nd to 3rd+. I mean....really......why would anyone allow a sound 3rd level horse to become a school horse.

This is the kind of thing that gets my dander up, not RK.