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I don't know if you are still looking for this information but here's
what I know.
The first thing you have to be aware of is the great number of
disciplines available in the US, most of which can be found in the
greater Boston area if not the greater Maynard area. They include
but are not limited to -
Jumpers - jumping for height and speed
Hunters - jumping for style
Horsemenship - jumping and flat with the emphasis on equitation
and control, very popular in New England for
junior riders
Dressage - fancy flat
Eventing - cross country
Western - quarterhorse, Morgan, Arab, Half-arab
English pleasure - for the above
Saddleseat - Saddlebreds and Morgans mostly, Arabs also
I am sure there are many others and variations on the ones mentioned.
I know of three horse show barns in the Maynard area that provide
lessons for Hunters and Horsemanship. They are Pegasus Farm located
on the Acton - Westford line. I think they still have school horses
and give lessons. Then there is Stepping Out Farm in Littleton,
they only give lessons to people you own or lease horses. They will
help you find leases. Also, Discovery Farm in Littleton gives lessons.
For the others, I only know of Kris Bobo in Groton who does Dressage
and there used to be a farm in Boxboro or Acton called Breaking
Away that specialized in Eventing.
Places that have lesson horses are getting rarer because of the
cost of liability insurance. The amount of money you spend will
depend alot on whether you (or in your case, whether your spouse
and daughter) want to compete and at what level. Qualifying for
Madison Square Gardens costs alot more than competing at SunnyBrook
Farm Horse Show. Both are lots of fun.
I think the best thing for you and your family to do is come over
here, get settled, look around, attend a few horses shows, read
a copy or two of Yankee Peddlar mag and maybe met with some of the
noters. Everybody is friendly (noters that is) and willing to show
off there babies.
Good luck on your move!
Nancy
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| Thanx Nancy, that is exactly the kind of information I was looking
for...that and any more available. I would also be interested in
similar information in the area of Bedford, Amherst, and Hollis
NH. Some idea with regard to costs of leasing, buying, boarding,
etc. would be interesting, uderstanding full well that these cost
can range all over the place.
Regards,
John
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There is a note entitled "Horse Services" which lists a bunch of
names of stables, some in the Bedford/Amherst/Hollis area.
the boards in that area range from $150 to $500, where $150 is
in someone's backyard and $500 is a top class show barn (and the
price often includes some training)
there are alot of stables within a 30 minute radius of the area.
It is hard to find stables with their own lesson horses though.
Lesson prices range from $15hr/private to $40hr/private depending
on if you own the horse and who the instructor is.
A few stables will lease some of their horses, and usually just
charge for the board of the horse.
It is relatively easy to find a really nice horse to lease for only
its board cost.
Some stables will take their students to show, and allow the student
to compete on the stable's horses.
If you have specific questions, feel free to contact me offline
- as I live in that area and have been "researching" the horse
situation for a couple years now.....
Sherry
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| John...
When you get over here, my husband and I would be more than willing
to have you out to the farm first of all to "show off our kids"
but more importantly to show you what is around our area.
Board can range anywhere from $150 to 500 depending on what you
are looking for...indoor arena, instruction, etc.
Leases can be expensive or free, depending on again what you are
looking for and where you look.
Give us a call when you arrive...508-422-7412 in the evenings.
GOOD LUCK
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