Anonymous
Post 07/19/2025 09:04     Subject: Riding Lessons/Stable for Adults
I’m less familiar with lesson barns in Virginia, but just keep in mind that there are very few places any more with a string of lesson horses for advanced riders.

What worked best for me as an adult re-rider was taking lessons in a bunch of places with no expectation of jumping or asking too much of the school horses, communicating a lot about my goals and budget, and then as people figure out you can ride well you can often find a half lease or situationship where you can at ride and/or take lessons on nicer horses if you’re not ready to buy one.
Anonymous
Post 07/19/2025 08:55     Subject: Re:Riding Lessons/Stable for Adults
Red Gate is absolutely gorgeous - worth a few days all by itself (e.g. if you were to attend the adult camp noted above). They have a very cute airbnb cottage on the property with great views (and a gorgeous swimming pool); lots of nearby wineries and breweries (Dirt Farm has an astonishing vista over the valley - you feel like you are in Provence/Tuscany!). We have stayed many times at the airbnb so my daughter could attend camp/take lessons at Red Gate. Virginia horse country at its finest

https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/33652094?adults=1&children=0&infants=0&pets=0&wishlist_item_id=11000048165920&check_in=2025-10-11&check_out=2025-10-13&source_impression_id=p3_1752929637_P3UuWYX4g2i0FcqH&previous_page_section_name=1000
Anonymous
Post 07/19/2025 08:46     Subject: Riding Lessons/Stable for Adults
If you are willing to go North, try Feelgood Farm in Frederick (just over the bridge off 15). Morgan Baugher is really good for adult re-riders and she has a bunch of lease options available.
Anonymous
Post 07/19/2025 00:10     Subject: Riding Lessons/Stable for Adults
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Welcome to the area!

For dressage, reach out to Ampara Visser at A Training Vision in Haymarket. She has a good eye, a calm and positive demeanor, and a solid approach to biomechanics. My horse and I have worked with her at our place, but I know she has (good) schoolies at her farm.

Red Gate is good if you want to dabble in eventing, but it is a haul and a half from McLean. I think they have one more adult camp (three consecutive weekday evenings) in August if you want to try them out.

I would emphatically NOT recommend Wulf Crest and its sister property River Chase Farm, both between Aldie and Leesburg. Both are closely connected to Tom Navarro, who has a lifetime SafeSport ban due to a conviction for sodomy of a minor: https://www.usef.org/safe-sport/sanction-list

There are a handful of horsey people on here, but you may have better luck posing your question on the COTH message boards to get additional recommendations: https://forum.chronofhorse.com/


Thank you. I was an eventer when younger, but suspect I am much more breakable at 55 than I was from 15-25, so hard pass on that. Hence the dressage part.
Anonymous
Post 07/18/2025 13:40     Subject: Riding Lessons/Stable for Adults
Anonymous wrote:MoCo is having its county farm tour on the 26th, so you can go visit the horse farms listed. I didn't search them all but at least one says they have riding for adults:

https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/agservices/farm-to-table/farm-tour.html



These are pick your own farms and wineries. Not riding stables.
Anonymous
Post 07/18/2025 13:38     Subject: Riding Lessons/Stable for Adults
Anonymous wrote:Welcome to the area!

For dressage, reach out to Ampara Visser at A Training Vision in Haymarket. She has a good eye, a calm and positive demeanor, and a solid approach to biomechanics. My horse and I have worked with her at our place, but I know she has (good) schoolies at her farm.

Red Gate is good if you want to dabble in eventing, but it is a haul and a half from McLean. I think they have one more adult camp (three consecutive weekday evenings) in August if you want to try them out.

I would emphatically NOT recommend Wulf Crest and its sister property River Chase Farm, both between Aldie and Leesburg. Both are closely connected to Tom Navarro, who has a lifetime SafeSport ban due to a conviction for sodomy of a minor: https://www.usef.org/safe-sport/sanction-list

There are a handful of horsey people on here, but you may have better luck posing your question on the COTH message boards to get additional recommendations: https://forum.chronofhorse.com/


Thank you. I was an eventer when younger, but suspect I am much more breakable at 55 than I was from 15-25, so hard pass on that. Hence the dressage part.
Anonymous
Post 07/17/2025 23:26     Subject: Riding Lessons/Stable for Adults
Welcome to the area!

For dressage, reach out to Ampara Visser at A Training Vision in Haymarket. She has a good eye, a calm and positive demeanor, and a solid approach to biomechanics. My horse and I have worked with her at our place, but I know she has (good) schoolies at her farm.

Red Gate is good if you want to dabble in eventing, but it is a haul and a half from McLean. I think they have one more adult camp (three consecutive weekday evenings) in August if you want to try them out.

I would emphatically NOT recommend Wulf Crest and its sister property River Chase Farm, both between Aldie and Leesburg. Both are closely connected to Tom Navarro, who has a lifetime SafeSport ban due to a conviction for sodomy of a minor: https://www.usef.org/safe-sport/sanction-list

There are a handful of horsey people on here, but you may have better luck posing your question on the COTH message boards to get additional recommendations: https://forum.chronofhorse.com/
Anonymous
Post 07/17/2025 22:36     Subject: Riding Lessons/Stable for Adults
MoCo is having its county farm tour on the 26th, so you can go visit the horse farms listed. I didn't search them all but at least one says they have riding for adults:

https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/agservices/farm-to-table/farm-tour.html

Anonymous
Post 07/17/2025 22:25     Subject: Riding Lessons/Stable for Adults
I believe there are many out towards Middleburg VA that rent or lease horses, as well.
Anonymous
Post 07/17/2025 13:43     Subject: Riding Lessons/Stable for Adults
I know a ton. Are you looking for a weekly lesson? Try Wulfcrest or Redgate out near Leesburg. Closer in Great Falls there are locations that offer lessons but typically only to boarders and their lessors. You could try Great Falls Equestrian.
Anonymous
Post 07/17/2025 13:43     Subject: Riding Lessons/Stable for Adults
https://nicolesridinglessons.com/
Anonymous
Post 07/17/2025 13:41     Subject: Re:Riding Lessons/Stable for Adults
Nobody knows any?
Anonymous
Post 07/17/2025 09:19     Subject: Riding Lessons/Stable for Adults
Hi, I'm new(ish) to the area and am looking for a place to ride. I am not a beginner, but also don't currently have my own horse. Would prefer something in the English/Dressage realm, but am open to other things. I'm in McLean, so probably out towards Leesburg or possibly MD although I'd really like to avoid the crapshow that currently happens daily on the bridge.

Thanks!