Eventing Rider - considering relocation

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Anon#1

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My current employer has an office in London, and I'm in a place in life I could consider making a cross-continent move. (In my 30s, single, aspirational, when else could I do this?)
I currently compete at the 3*** level with my horse, aspirations to move up to the Advance level in the next two years. But, I am very much a corporate-worker balancing training and a full-time career.

I'd love to chat, receive insight from those who may balance working in London and training at a higher-level. With who? Where do you reside?

I currently live in the suburbs to be close to my horse and commute 90 minutes to work in a large city (90 there, 90 back) 3 days a week. I would be ok with this lifestyle in the UK as well. It would be dreamier to live in London, but I'd want to use this experience to really plug myself in a top training program. My biggest struggle where I am is that I am a competent rider training alone with a monthly lesson I trailer to, I've gotten the horse safely and successfully to this level with that cadence, but I could be better with consistent training. If I could base myself in a top yard and have weekly help.. the dream.

London is a draw, as we have an office I could transfer to.

Any, all comments appreciated. The logistics themself seem to be a nightmare. Reviewing the cost comparison, etc, but I think I should start of reviewing whether geographically it can work for a commuter.
 
Caroline Chew (GP rider working as a lawyer largely based in London) manages by spending one week living and working in London, and then one week WFH and living in the area where her horses are on livery (Gloucestershire I think). Horses get worked by her trainer when she's not there. That might be something worth considering?

I'm not a competition rider but I've lived in London all my life and do a lot of travelling, both for horse and non-horse-related reasons. I don't think it would be feasible to live in London and have a horse and instruction at the level you describe, unless you're doing what Caroline does. Much easier to do what you're currently doing and live outside the city. There's certainly no eventing yards of the calibre you're looking for within an easy commute of London, though there are some Guildford way that might suit (there you're looking at driving to the yard and then taking public transport to get into London, because there's no point trying to drive in the city, which is where I'm presuming your office would be).

If you do decide you want to make the move, you'd probably be better off posting in the Tack Room to get eventing yard recommendations as more people will see your post there.

ETA: Harry Dzenis' yard might suit?
 
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Thank you. I don't think having dual residences would be feasible from both a strict 3-day in office and financial means. The latter is another possibly enticing matter for the move. There really should be consultants to hire to ask these things. In looking at what I'm spending now. I likely spend 2,100 pounds a month between board, training, + competing (not including travel expenses). That's relatively where I'm maxed out on. (Seeing my conversion that looks so small, and for my wallet feels like so much 😅)

Part of me wishes I had done this at 24.

And his location, 35 minute train ride. Thank you for the name/contact.
 
It might be worth starting a new thread in competing and training as more people will see it :) I actually think you will find some good eventing yards within 90 mins of London if you're using trains. 90 minutes should get you to Berkshire/ Wiltshire and there are a lot of eventers there.

I am a bit out of touch with London now days so hopefully others will be able to help more.
 
Certainly doable but commuting into London comes with its challenges (old stock, old lines, regular delays, let alone the cost). Also factor in where said office is in relation to one of the main line terminals - commuting into Paddington for example when your office might be Canary Wharf will add another 30/45mins plus to your journey, on a good day.
 
As per @teapot above, a lot will depend on where the office would be. If it's in the London Bridge / City / Canary Wharf direction, then look east to Kent. For example the train journey from a station just around the M25 is about 30 mins into London Bridge. There are a lot of competition yards in Kent and several event riders / trainers.

If you need to be more north west of London, then the Chilterns are a good place to base. For example, trains (Metropolitan or Marylebone lines) are about 45 mins for the trip from Chorleywood (Herts/Bucks border) into Marylebone / Baker Street stations. In the Chorleywood area, there are a lot of good competition yards, and the hacking / training facilities are excellent.
 
Agree look where the nearest mainline to office takes you, when having meetings in central london it had offend taken us less time to get there than the people that worked there daily and live in london suburbs. - we were coming from Salisbury but the same very much applies to Cambridge now and I have friends doing similar from Birmingham etc.
 
Some of the ladies with horses on the yard that I have my mares on live and work in London, and come up on the train regularly. It's run by an eventing pro.

You're welcome to PM me because location within London makes a huge difference to how feasible it is to get somewhere quickly.
 
Someone like Kylie Roddy is within commuting distance of London & there will be others. Perfectly doable if you're prepared to pay for the right kind of livery service.
 
For ease of eventing and access to the majority of riders you will want to be west of London, and this will take you into Paddington. Getting into Paddington is pretty easy, but then getting across London depending on where your office is.

The 2 areas/links that spring to mind would be Swindon/Marlborough (excellent train service from Swindon) or Tetbury/Cirencester (train from Kemble).

If you do end up deciding on making the move I have a lot of contacts in the area and can point you towards an array of pro eventing yards.
 
Ely to Kings Cross, Peterborough to KingsX ? My husband commuted for years because it was one of the cheaper places to buy houses with land, and there are some good equestrian facilities to hire.
 
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