Bristol Show Stable
4305 E. Pinnacle Vista Dr.
Cave Creek, AZ 85331
Bristol Show Stable
4305 E. Pinnacle Vista Dr.
Cave Creek, AZ 85331
About Us
BRISTOL SHOW STABLE FACILITY
Bristol Show Stable is a top notch full service hunter/jumper facility sitting on 10 beautiful acres. Bristol's arenas include a very spacious jumping field and a lovely lit arena. Both areas are
surfaced with the Nike footing making them the best footing in town!! This facility focuses on the happiness of the horses. Bristol prides itself on having ample turnout for the horses to be out of their stalls as much as possible. We go by the philosophy that horses are meant to free feed on hay as they are grazers by nature. The horses are fed what they need, not what a barn manager feels the facility should pay for. Hay is fed three times a day. Pellets and supplements are fed mid day. Both barns have fly control systems for the summer. The barn is never closed. You are free to come visit or ride your horse any time you like.
Full Service Hunter/Jumper Training
Gretchen Lof owner/trainer of Bristol Show Stable trains riders of all levels. She has competed successfully on the national level in the hunters and shown the jumpers up to the FEI grand prix level. Gretchen loves to teach and enjoys developing young horses Gretchen's assistant Spencer McKee is an excellent teacher as well and enjoys helping people expand their knowledge both in and out of the saddle. Our program will be tailored to your needs and goals. It is a low-pressure atmosphere while still having the structure necessary to get you to were you want to be.
About Owner/Trainer Gretchen Lof
Gretchen Lof started Bristol Show Stable when she came out of the junior ranks in 1994. Bristol originated in Tucson where she grew up. Gretchen had a very successful junior career growing up in an equestrian family with her step mother/trainer, Lynne Lof. Growing up in that environment she had the opportunity to ride and train many many horses that most juniors wouldn't have gotten the opportunity to ride. Essentially she has been training since her younger teens as her step mother didn't ride. Lynne did her best to have Gretchen ride and train with as many other professionals as possible growing up. She spent summers as a working student with different trainers making it possible to pull different philosophies from a broad group of equestrian professionals. She relocated to Phoenix in 2006 to work privately for a family in the valley. In 2015 she bought the facility and opened the business back up to the public. Gretchen has developed many successful junior riders taking them to national finals. She really loves to teach and feels strongly about teaching not just a frozen ineffective position but how to feel what is happening underneath you and how to move naturally with the horse. She feels that balance of your own body and controlling the balance of the horse is key to being an effective and successful rider.
About Assistant Trainer Spencer McKee
Born and raised in Phoenix, Spencer rode and showed locally in the medium ponies as a child. As a junior rider, she climbed the ranks in the jumper ring. After spending many summers working locally, she made a leap at the age of 16, moving permanently to Wellington, Florida, to work on the WEF circuit as a full-time working student. As a working student on the circuit, Spencer was able to see and learn about all different aspects of horsemanship, training, teaching, and competing. She later returned to Arizona and found a home at Bristol Show Stable. She believes one of the most important things a rider can have is a strong education in horsemanship. Having worked as a groom and rider, she is able to help people of all ages expand their horsemanship and riding skills. She prides herself on creating a positive learning environment in lessons and in the barn. At Bristol, she continues to create a fun and safe environment for both horse and rider.
The Farm
Bristol Show Stable is set on 10 beautiful acres. It has a very open spacious feel.
Upcoming Shows 2023
Blenheim- Sept 13-17
Temecula Valley Horse Show- Oct 11-15
West World- Oct 25-29 & Nov 16-19
Desert International Sunshine Series- Nov 1-5
Team Bristol
Team Bristol
Team Bristol
Bristol Show Stable prides itself on having a fun, relaxed, kind atmosphere where you are free to be yourself.
Arenas
Team Bristol
Team Bristol
Bristol Show Stable has 2 beautiful spacious rings with fabulous footing!
Open space
Team Bristol
Open space
Bristol Show Stable is located in a horse neighborhood, surrounded by other ranches and acres and acres of trail riding just a couple blocks away down the street.