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Who has moved to a new state?; And to a circuit or atmosphere....
Topic Started: Jan 24 2007, 11:26 AM (296 Views)
AC & Ty
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Shunnnnn the unbeliever. Shunnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn.
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I am in the process of putting out TONS of resumes searching for the elusive, perfect BM/instructor/etc. position. I am more than willing to move out of state, but occasionally I find myself a little worried...:unsure:

I have lived in this area most of my life and have not horse showed anywhere else. I am worried that anywhere else I go won't live up to the standards that I'm used to around here...(Orange, Keswick, Warrenton, Middleburg...etc...)

Does anyone have some words of encouragement or happy-ending stories about moving and riding in a new circuit or area? Were you disappointed or glad to have moved? Were you more or less successful after moving?

Thanks for any advice!
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War Admiral
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"Sure doesn't LOOK like an ASB."
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It depends on where you move TO, most likely. If you moved to New England the standard would be about comparable (though the shows not quite so civilized). If you moved somewhere in the Midwest, probably not so much...

My personal experience is that sometimes it's better to be a big fish in a small pond. I got to GA right before the H/J boom so it was a goldmine to me, coming from NE. Then I had my accident and that ended that. By the time I was able to put a toe in the water again 10 years later, everyone else had gotten the memo, so there was no real point in hanging out a shingle then.

I'd look for someplace the market isn't crowded. I'm told H/J trainers are at a premium in TN right now, for example.
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DairyQueen2049
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DRAGON BREATH. DRAGGIN' BUTT
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Not to new state but work sends me often to new citys in the same state.

#1 is make contacts for that farrier, vet, hay supplier, grain, etc.

Scope out the net for info, use BBs, find out all you can b.f you get there.

#2 put out ads if you are having difficulty - find tack stores, trailer sales. Talk it up and ask questions

#3 use drive bys to your advantage and stop in some of those places.

# 4 the local Horse Council can have great info.

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OnyxThePony
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You're BANNED!
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This will be all too controversial with locals, but when I moved (in Canada), I found the standards where I moved to were much much.. as in MUUUUUCH lower.
There's a great reason- just no real history of the sport here vs where I was from.. more isolated community, less population, etc.
OTOH, you can find incredible quality in the oddest and most otherwise forlorn places! I think it's a matter of 'do it' and see, unfortunatley.
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Lucassb
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Shunnnnn the unbeliever. Shunnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn.
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I moved to CT a few years ago. It has been a challenging transition (I hate the cold) but I have to say that as far as riding goes, the standards here are somewhat higher in general. Where I lived before, there were a handful of barns that were truly competitive at the A level. Around here, BNTs are a dime a dozen. I love that I can show on any given weekend against great competition... (although last year it got kind of old to show against the BNTs even in the friggin' low hunters!) I don't love the fact that board is $2k or that *shipping* to FL to show now costs me more than SHOWING in FL used to... but I do love that I can run over to Beval on a whim any afternoon, and I love that I have access to some really great trainers - even if I feel like just hanging out at the schooling ring prior to a local grand prix.

I think it depends a lot on where you move, what your support system is when you get there, and how diligently you go about making new friends, joining your local professional associations etc. You can make just about anything work... but some places for sure are easier than others.
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