I have been riding at AVSS since October 2022. I began leasing my mare in January 2024, and then purchased her in August 2024. The trainers and staff at AVSS have helped me grow as a rider and helped me develop my mare as she recovered from an injury. My mare has some specific requirements for living conditions to stay sound and happy. She must live outside 24/7 so that she is able to move constantly. She does not do well in a stall. Although AVSS does not publicly offer pasture board, Emer was extremely willing to work with me to put my mare first. My mare is "fat and happy" outside. She has 24/7 access to water, plenty of hay, a bedded shed, and her shed is cleaned extremely frequently. It is a rare occasion for me to find more than one pile of poop in her shavings. As far as communication, I am informed when I am running low on supplements or lesson packages in a timely manner. This allows me to plan ahead to make sure my mare never goes without. I can call or text staff at the barn and I receive prompt responses. Additionally, lessons are high quality, professional, and informative. I have received formal HJ education for over 10 years, however I still leave every lesson feeling as though I am working towards my goals. My trainer, Sarah, is kind, encouraging, supportive, and knows when to push me to do better. I also appreciate how flexible she is due to my work schedule. The facilities at AVSS lack for nothing. It boasts an indoor arena, two outdoor sand arenas, a grass jump course (during the summer months), large stalls, a huge amount of turnout, several wash stalls, fantastic footing, good lighting and several hill jump courses. I find that the barn is clean, organized, and well run. Personally, I am extremely grateful to have stumbled upon this gem of a facility. read more

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The worst stable experience we ever had. Filthy and the workers are treated poorly. The owner's priority is money and not much else. When our daughter returned to her previous coach, they discussed why she regressed in skill level despite having 2 private lessons and a group lesson. After purchasing a horse, the owner promised that there would be a jumper program. They charged us for my daughter to compete in a jumper class with no other rider. The team coach responsible for my daughter didn't have the skill level to ride my daughter's horse. The biggest red flag was when we went away for a week and I requested our horse to be ridden, the owner never got back to me and when I asked to meet with her, she never responded. I no longer trusted her with the safely of my daughter or the safety of her horse. When we decided to leave, she refused to come talk to us and had someone else manage the departure. We went to this barn because it partners with Miss Porter's School. I entrusted the school to vet the barn. However, after spending a week at the barn, it was unhealthy. After our incident, we have met many families whose horses were constantly going lame at Avon Valley Show Stables and the adults are poor role models for young women. The best thing we did was to leave this stable and Emer Coyne's erratic behavior. Do your due diligence! read more

Wonderful atmosphere and learning place for equestrians of all ages and education levels! read more

Avon Valley Show Stables - Horseback Riding Near Me - Avon, Connecticut

This is my opinion and experience with this place. This barn is not worth your time and money. The staff is drama-filled and sneaky. They've lost clients because of their bs. My horse was used without my permission, overworked and nutritionally neglected to the point of unhealthy weight loss. That's a fact. And then they had the audacity to call Avon PD on me because I came and took MY horse. Sarah B. even made a comment once to a rider when asked why Porters is riding my horse, "because Jackie technically doesn't own him" I have news for you, I own him. I owned him then and I own him now...it's called a contract & bill of sale. Thanks to a close friend,he's now at a barn where he's safe, thriving, and well taken care of. So, Victoria, we all know you're just fictitious....at least they've smartened up a little and didn't use the same IP address like they have in the past to combat all their negative reviews. read more

My daughter and I spent 6 days a week here for years. We have owned two horses here and taken countless lessons. We know this barn very well. This barn has some very unsafe practices. They have too many riders of all different levels in the ring at the same time. They have riders jumping big jumps next to novice children just learning to ride. They have had up to 10 riders in the indoor ring taking lessons from 3 different trainers all at the same time. This practice has led to preventable collisions, and unnecessary falls. I have seen many young lesson riders being told to take the ponies up to their upper barn after a lesson. It is poorly lit, covered with ice and they have to walk them through a busy parking lot with no lights. I voiced my concern about this ountless times and it was never addressed. The building is falling apart with no capitol improvement plan in place. There have been multiple pipe bursts with flooding, a leaky roof, and no rodent or insect prevention. The driveway and the parking lot have no lights, but loads of potholes. It oscillates between being nothing but mud to nothing but ice. The owner is physically there most days but spends a lot of time on her phone or in her office. If I asked any questions about my daughter's riding or our horse, I was either ignored or I was made to feel like I was bothering them. You are made to feel like you are a nuisance rather than a paying customer. Over the past few years, I have noticed a big shift in the culture at AVSS. A lot of over the top drama goes on there. Ironically it is more adults than it is the kids, and the trainers are no exception. I didn't realize how much better other barns are until I left this one. read more

My child has grown up at AVSS where the animals are always given the best care and equestrians of all ages bustle in and out. We went to all the riding centers in the area, and AVSS always had happy kids and adults caring for and riding their horses. Moreover, safety protocols were clearly established so that, plus the excellent care of all the horses made AVSS the clear choice for our family. It speaks volumes when you have everyone from private schools, the IEA (Interscholastic Equestrian Association), local colleges to adult riders coming to one barn year half after year!! read more

Yelp is a terrible source for reviews. I see a lot of out-dated complaints from people who didn't appreciate their drama being ignored so they brought it online. This stable has never left my family disappointed. Each visit has brought us fun and a great distraction from the stresses of everyday life. This barn is well organized with patient, understanding employees, always professional, putting safety first. The top priority at this stable is the care of the horses, and they receive excellent care and attention. The atmosphere at this equestrian center is wonderful, whether you're riding to relax or training to compete. When I lease one of their horses or take a lesson, I *always* feel safe in the ring even though it can get busy riding indoors during the winter; I see smiles on children's faces and I see loving horse owners who are always happy to lend a hand even if they're not employees. I see a lot of large stalls with clean bedding and happy horses who feel comfortable and relaxed enough to lay down even during busy business hours. If you're able to ride earlier in the day, you'll notice that all of the horses get to spend several hours outside in secure paddocks. When they're brought back in for feeding, excited whinnies echo through the barn. The horses are not only happy but very friendly. It's obvious these animals have been well socialized and I've witnessed their training sessions, full of positive reinforcement. Some of the staff live on the property, so there's always somebody there watching over the animals. I've met the owner a number of times, and she is always friendly despite how busy she must be running such a large establishment. I can't imagine how overwhelming it is to be in charge of any equestrian property - this place in particular deserves my five stars. I've ridden at plenty of other barns in CT as well as across the country and Europe, but there's truly something special about Avon Valley Show Stables. read more

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DO NOT RIDE HERE. They drug and abuse their horses, sometimes the trainers don't show up for lessons, the horses are always lame, and the trainers rarely know what they're doing. I've seen the trainers walk around with needles and inject the horses every time their lame instead of calling the vet. If you look on USEF, half of the horses are "dead" so they don't have to pay insurance. Each horses have about 3-5 lessons per day(they should only have 6 PER WEEK). They work the horses up until the day they die. All of the horses are extremely underfed and unfit and the barn is gross and dirty. Most of the horses also have sway back(indication that they're extremely overworked). Most people don't know what to look for in abused horses. I attached two pictures(swayback and skinny) of horses at AVSS. Before you get on a horse, look for signs like multiple half pads, breast plate, weird movement, ribs, or bumps. They also feed the horse Blue Seal grain(very cheap and causes sickness). The bedding is also dirt when most barns have shavings. If I could put negative stars I would. read more

Avon Valley Show Stables - Horseback Riding Near Me - Avon, Connecticut

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WARNING!!! Very unpleasant experience. SHORT Lessons (ONLY 15 min riding time/lesson!) Very inconsistent and unreliable people (SARAH STEVENSON). First couple trips were ok, SARAH STEVENSON wanted to be our BFF. Then for health reason I stopped riding and changed my son to a different schedule, suddenly she turned into a total stranger and gave my son's lessons to a minor helper without consulting us, nor did she communicate new schedule to anybody despite multiple imessages (confirmed delivery) and phone calls for confirmation, then COUPLE MONTHS later she hackled us claiming we owed her money, arguing the new schedule that we agreed upon was (retro-actively) not valid because "the new trainer did not know". Go at your own risk!!! NOTED: the owner Sarah B. (different person) was totally reasonable, she did help to clear everything up read more

Ask for the trainer Katie A. If they say she isn't excepting new students then ask for her number, or go there on a Sunday at 9 a.m. -12 p.m. She is the best and I mean the BEST trainer you will ever find! I have ridden will almost all the trainers there, and my friends have too. We all say go for Katie! She teaches the right way, and is the only one there who cares about the horses and ponies! One student said " I learn more with Katie in an hour then I did with 2 years with ..." (The dots is the persons name) that's a real and true quote from a rider there! She is great with little kids, she has a young son so she will treat them with care! Also she is amazing with middle age kids to adults! She is 100% the best trainer I have found, and I have ridden all over the world!!! read more

Avon Valley Show Stables - Here's a outside picture! - Horseback Riding Near Me - Avon, Connecticut

Love AVSS. I boarded my horse there for several years before moving him closer when I started a new job. The owner lives on site, which is a plus. Unlike some of the other area horse farms, AVSS is open 7 days a week. There is an indoor ring with artificial footing, and a heated viewing area for spectators. Out behind the barn is a lighted sand ring and fields to ride in. AVSS offers programs and services for all levels. I really enjoyed training with Cara and Emer. read more

I have been at Avon Valley Show Stables for 7 years and board my horse there. The facility includes a large indoor ring, 2 outdoor rings and a hunt course. The owner is continually working on the property, bettering it with each passing season. The instructors at AVSS are professional, kind, encouraging, and an asset in every way. There is no question that is too small to ask, and everyone is congenial. Because the owner lives on the property horses are carefully watched, and it's not uncommon to see her sleeping in front of a stall when a horse isn't feeling well. I've trusted her for years with my horse and his medical issues, and she is always right on top of things, communicating with me as soon as a problem is sensed. The farriers and veterinarians who service the facility are first rate and I've never had a reason to question their advice or work. We are a family at AVSS - we watch out for and support each other, building and maintaining a positive energy and friendships that are long- lasting and unsurpassed. From the smallest children to the oldest adults, there is no better place. If you are considering learning to ride, or returning to riding, this is the place in the area to be. I can't say enough good things about it. read more

I love AVSS. I board my horse here and love it. My horse loves it, and he basically grew up at AVSS. The trainers are well respective and are the best. Good for any level. A great family atmosphere. I never intend to leave. read more

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My favorite stable! I live out of town, but whenever I'm back in CT, I can't wait to return to Avon Valley Show Stables and see my instructor Paige. Paige is one of the best instructors I've ever encountered. She does a great job of accommodating the needs of different skilled riders and always ensures I feel safe. She very clearly articulates her suggestions, helping me learn the most from each lesson. In addition, the stable is beautiful and well organized and the community is incredibly welcoming and encouraging. All around, I can always expect an awesome day at AVSS. read more

Some of the staff are very unprofessional. Also very disorganized. I would recommend avss to some beginner riders but not people who want to move up in the equestrian world. read more

AVSS is my home away from home!! I've boarded my horse there for almost two years and am very happy with the level of care given, as well as the facility itself. The stalls are roomy and clean, and the horses enjoy everyday turnout in a number of fenced fields and paddocks. I'm constantly impressed with the staff's knowledge of equine behavior and health, and the way they monitor all of the horses to make sure their needs are met. The property is absolutely beautiful and offers many places to ride, including an indoor, two large outdoors, and acres of open fields. Lessons with the owner, Emer, and all of the instructors are not only fun but filled with positive reinforcement and effective teaching methods. The barn hosts many well-run shows throughout the year and travels to shows outside the barn as well, but pressure is not put on riders to participate. At shows, riders cheer each other on and all of the instructors step up to help every horse and rider team. AVSS has horses, ponies, and riders of all ages and abilities, in a laid-back, supportive environment. I highly recommend our barn to beginner through advanced riders-- you'll love it!! read more