BOARDING AND TRAINING

     Windchase is a Boarding barn and Eventing Stable near Purcellville, VA, owned and operated by Olympic Event rider Phyllis Dawson. Our event stable specializes in horse boarding, training event horses, teaching riders, ICP instructors, event horses for sale, and breeding event horses.  Windchase offers first-rate boarding facilities, and top level training for both the horse and the rider.  It is situated on 247 acres in the beautiful western Loudoun County countryside, beside the Blue Ridge Mountains.   
     Windchase is located in Hillsboro, VA, about 15 minutes from Purcellville.  We are about 20 minutes northwest of Leesburg, VA, convenient to Northern Virginia and the Washington, DC area, less than an hour from downtown.  We are approximately 15 minutes from Charles Town, WV, and about a half-hour from Dulles Airport, Middleburg, VA, or Frederick, MD.  Centrally located in USEA Area II, Windchase is convenient to the mid-Atlantic area.   
     We offer boarding, lessons, and training both short and long term.  We also have an excellent Consignment Program to help you sell your horse.

The facilities at Windchase include:

A 70 x 200 foot Indoor Arena , with lights, windows and a dust control sprinkling system.

A large outdoor sand jumping arena, 200 x 210 feet, with a large assortment of show jumps.

A large sand outdoor dressage arena, and a grass dressage arena as well.

(Both the indoor and both outdoor arenas have state of the art footing with a rubber and sand mixture.)

Quality Stabling for 46 horses.

Spacious double-fenced turn-out pastures, with separate fields for mares and geldings.  Individual turnout paddocks are available as well.

Over 100 acres of cross-country schooling courses here on the farm, from
Pre-novice through Intermediate levels, with over 250 XC fences, including a water complex, accuracy questions, ditches, mounds and banks, on fabulous turf footing.  

A galloping hill with excellent turf footing.

Good hacking and trail riding on over 267 acres in the beautiful western Loudoun County countryside.

Close proximity to dozens of excellent Events and Shows, as well as to several Foxhunts.

Outstanding standard of care for all horses, by knowledgeable experienced horse people.

A friendly and relaxed environment where everyone has a good time.

To see photographs of the farm, visit our Windchase Photos page.


The Windchase Jumping Clinics are here!
Join us for fun and instructive jumping throughout the year.
Click here for more information.



BOARDING

     Windchase is a full care Boarding Facility.  We offer complete care for boarders; feeding, stall cleaning, daily turnout and blanket changes when needed are included.  Whether you are a serious competitor or a weekend pleasure rider, you will be welcome at Windchase.  We pride ourselves on the excellent care provided; your horse will be taken care of only by experienced, capable horsepeople.
     Horses are turned out in the pastures all day (accept in occasional severe weather) for most of the year, and in the summer they are out at night instead.  If you would prefer your horse to go out in a small individual turnout paddock, this is available for a nominal fee.  We have excellent barn farriers and vets available, but you are welcome to use your own if you prefer.
     Schooling, lessons, exercise riding and training on either a regular or occasional basis are available to boarders, but not required.  Arrangements can be made for such extras as clipping, mane pulling, braiding, etc.  Boarders have full use of the facilities, and there are no days when the barn is closed.

     Windchase has a relaxed and peaceful atmosphere, and is a really beautiful place to ride. Although many of our boarders are Eventers, we welcome pleasure riders and competitors from all disciplines.  Time and time again we have had owners tell us how much happier and more relaxed their horses are at Windchase than anywhere else they have ever boarded.  Come and join us; you and your horse will both love it here!

Horses boarded at Windchase, enjoying their turn-out.

TRAINING AND SCHOOLING

     Windchase offers top quality training for both the horse and the rider.  We specialize in schooling horses and riders of all levels.  Horses are accepted for training, on either a long-term or short-term basis.  All horses are carefully matched to the riders that suit their needs the best.  We can set up your horse's training program according to the horse's needs and your budget.   

      We are very flexible as far as what type of training arrangements you want.  Boarders may have their horses schooled, either regularly or occasionally.  Owners send horses for long-term training or for short tune-ups.  Following up your horse's training period with some lessons with us is usually very beneficial.  We accept everything from green-broke youngsters to upper level competitors. Clients often keep their horse in training at Windchase and let us prepare them for competitions.  
    
We are also willing to offer horses in training for sale, as long as we feel they are appropriate horses that we are willing to represent. 

       Phyllis competed at the highest levels of Three-day Eventing for over thirty years, including representing the USA in the Olympics.  She has had success on many different horses, most all of whom she trained herself.  Learn more about Phyllis's competitive career on the Eventing with Phyllis page, and about the horses she rode on the Competition Horses page. 

     Phyllis is certified at Level V (the highest level) by the United States Eventing Association's  Eventing Coaches Program, and she is an ECP faculty member.  Phyllis is assisted by her staff of excellent trainers and working students.

     At Windchase, each horse is treated as an individual, and brought along at the pace that is appropriate for him.  We believe in giving all of the horses the right basics and correct training before beginning competition.  The young horses are carefully brought along so they are never over-faced or pushed beyond what they are ready for.  But with the correct basics, most horses can progress quickly, depending on their personality.  We try to do everything with the horses in the correct way so they never lose confidence or develop bad habits.  I find this makes an enormous difference in helping each horse reach its full potential.

     We invite you to base your horse at Windchase and let us help you prepare for competition.  There are excellent Events within about an hours drive most weekends from the end of March through mid November.  Windchase has everything you need in order to have you and your horse ready to do your best at the Events.  We offer everything from occasional schooling on request to complete preparation for the competitions, where you show up for the event and we have your horse ready to go.  Come and join the Windchase Team.

 

LESSONS

     We offer top quality instruction for riders with their own horses.  Phyllis and the other Windchase trainers are available for lessons, either for boarders or for those who wish to trailer in.  We do not keep school horses, so lessons are not generally available unless you have your own mount.  
     During the winter and early spring (and sometimes at other times of the year), Phyllis conducts weekly jumping clinics - contact her if you want information about joining them.

     Windchase also has an excellent working student program, for dedicated students who are serious about riding, Eventing, and learning all aspects of the horse business.  You can bring your own horse and compete.  For more info, visit our Working Student page.

     Phyllis also teaches riding clinics all over the country; contact her for information on organizing one in your area.

    Windchase always offers an excellent selection of horses for sale, both experienced Eventers and young prospects with excellent talent and potential.  Our horses are honestly represented, and we make every effort to match the rider to the horse that suits them best.   We will also accept quality horses on consignment for sale.

Click here for info about coming to school on our excellent XC course
 

     

 

 

Contact Phyllis Dawson, at Windchase
Hillsboro, VA
E-mail: PWindchase73@gmail.com
Phone: (540) 454-3834 cell