[hunterhopeful1]

Hello,

I am looking for a trainer to send my coming 5 year old green warmblood gelding to for "finishing". He currently does w/t/c and grids from time to time. I think I have taken him as far as my skills allow, and need some professional assistance. He is stuck in the green broke phase. I am looking for someone in Alberta or BC Canada, I was thinking trademark stables (Lisa Carlsen), Jim Ifko or Jay Duke. His career is going to start in the hunter ring and maybe move into the equitation ring. Anyone have recommendations on experienced h/j trainers, who you would feel comfortable sending your horse to for training. As long as they are in BC or Alberta it doesn't matter how far North, South, East or West Thanks for any assistance!

[ElisLove]

Andrew More, Jim Ifko, Andrea Harris are all trainers I would feel comfortable sending my horse to (all from Calgary). I would NOT send my horse to Chris Star, Shannon Haney, Cody Peach.
Shauna Cook is also someone who seems to do well, she's from Edmonton I think.

Had to Edit my post. For hunters I would not probably lean away from Andrea. She's amazing for jumpers but never found her forte in hunters.

Rodney Tullock is generally considered THE hunter trainer around here.

[lauras106]

My daughter trains with Kate Perron and Chelsea McNeill in Vancouver area (Langley), BC. Chelsea is an amazing hunter and jumper rider - one of the few who can compete successfully in both rings. And Kate is a pro who grew up in the European circuit and has competed with the best. She is a great trainer. They are both experienced with equitation and jumper medals. I recommend them highly. They have worked wonders with our horse, hopefully making him a winner.

[tinydragon]

I'll give you a few trainers from BC. I haven't ever ridden or had much experience with Albertan trainers, so I can't recommend any in that regard.

Georgann Gregory has a great rep. An old friend of mine used to ride with her when she was in Southlands, I believe Georgann has since moved to Langley. You could take a peek at her website here.

Justine Annandale of Sperabo Stables trains and teaches out of a place called Imperial Stables in Delta. I haven't been in the show circuit for awhile, but she seems to have quite a few successful hunter/jumper riders and horses. Click here for her website.

I haven't seen the new Thunderbird Show Stables facility in person. Their training and boarding facility looks very nice, though, and you've got to have heard of the Baliskys. I don't imagine their services come cheap, but I'd imagine they'd be the people to get in touch with if you're looking to develop a Big EQ or Big Hunter. Their website is here.

Mark Laskin and Brian Morton of Equimark come to mind, but I don't know where Brian is training these days or if he's taking on clients. Lindsay Uyesugi is great with starting youngsters and rides both Hunters and Jumpers. She was training out of her own place, Aquarius Equestrian Centre, but I've heard it's sold and I'm not sure if she's staying on as a rider or moving elsewhere. I'm sure you could get in touch with either of these two riders, it'd just take a bit more searching to find their current info.

Hope some of this helps!

[hunterhopeful1]

thanks so much for the info everyone, will take more suggestions if people have them. Now to go research

[Dinah-do]

If you are looking for a hunter trainer look long, hard and carefully. Chelsea and Kate are great but none of the others ride hunters worth a toot or least have not for years. Hunters in BC are not a big deal any more. Keep you young horse close to home for his first years to keep your eye on him.

[Flypony]

How about Heather Archer in Edmonton.

[Bigbutt]

My coach is Craig Paynton - just started in Kelowna BC - so midway between the coast and Alberta. payntonequestrian.com - Can't say enough great things about him.

[ktm2007]

chelsea and Kate

[eclipse]

Do you want your horse to do hunters, jumpers or both? That may make your decision different. Lot's of good ideas on here, and I'd like to add one more. Lynn Macyk in Edmonton. She has some lovely hunter riders and shows hunters and jumpers herself and always has young ones in the show ring. Lisa Carlsen would be my first choice if you want Edmonton though. She's just fabulous and you'll see her on all sorts of rides in both rings.