I stumbled upon the last review and wanted to post my experience ...we too were at Kismet with…read moreLaura and have stayed since Laura has left . Yes, they had to work out some kinks with taking on alot of students that were with Laura but they assembled the riders as best they could. They continue to hire and build their team there and my daughter as actually turned out to love the atmosphere even more now! My daughter is now in her tween years and this place is the place where her confidence grows and that means everything to me. I believe the lessons are a little more expensive now, yes, but the level of instruction is top knotch and the lessons are one hour as opposed to 30 minutes with Laura ( whom we really loved as well). I wanted there to be a good review on here because it matters. Im sure if the others would have hung in there to see how the place is adjusting to a huge loss with Laura leaving, they would find a great experience too:)

I went to this place and got the package of four lessons which is 350 dollars, but I had told…read moreMarguerite that I had barely started to even trot at the other place I went to, she ask is I was a beginner and I told her I was over the phone fast forward, when I got there everything was fine but she told me to go to the barn a talk to this lady who was going to give me a helmet and take walk the horse out my mom was with me so she had to sign and release form, but the lady wasn't that nice she wasn't rude but she wasn't very welcoming, the horse had hesitated when walking out of the barn, and the lady told me to look forward and walk but the horse still didn't move eventually he did. We got to the gate of the arena and the horse stopped again, and the lady who had helped me get a helmet in the barn yelled at the horse to move( this is where I started to feel nervous because I felt that I couldn't trust the horse.) Marguerite told me that she could tell I was nervous and that it was ok because she puts little kids on this horse.(I was riding in shoes because my boots that I had gotten didn't come into the mail yet, and I told her that but she said that it was ok) so we kept riding but I was confused because it wasn't Marguerite teaching me it was someone else that and I thought she would because that's what she told me over the phone, which is fine I was just confused...the lady who was walking with me around the arena was nice. The lesson ended and we left. Later that day I told my mom that I didn't want to go back because I felt to uncomfortable there and it didn't feel like a stable system...and the other horse place I went to you would learn to brush and tack up the horse, overall just learn horseman ship but here you don't unless to get there early (she didn't tell me till the second lesson) but we asked for a refund and she refused to give a a refund( she never mentioned that she didn't give refunds) she told me and my mom to take after lesson with the boots so we did but i felt pressured to take this lesson.but she said she would charge 120 for the next lesson and give 110 back is we didn't like it. The next lesson came around and I wasn't in the best mood I felt pressured to take this lesson and I just wasn't in the best mood, I got on the horse ( the same one from the first lesson) and he felt jittery to me and I felt uncomfortable I had a weird gut feeling, so I stopped the horse and told her and my mom that I was uncomfortable and she ask why I couldn't answer at the time because I don't know what to say but she just told me to kept going, I felt confused by her instructions because she never told me if I was doing it right, but we kept walking and I felt more and more uncomfortable the horse was stubborn and was focused on follow Marguerite more...we walking around for a bit more and we stopped and she was telling to to look where to want to go then walk so I did. I don't know what happed after that because it happened so fast but the horse had got spooked by a truck driving on the road a threw me off, I landed on my hip ( I was ok but I'm bruised really bad and can't really lay down or sit without it hurting) I got up and talk out of the arena and I was shaking I don't know what happened after that as my body was in shock from what happened. She proceeded to tell my mom that I'm not ready and it was like talking to a 8 year old ( I'm 17) and that riding probably wasn't for me and that I would have still been on the horse if I kept my back straight, and that I wasn't listening and was hesitant to listening to her( I was confused and she never told me if I was doing something right or wrong.) Please be careful when choosing this place ask a lot of questions, because she tends to leave stuff out.

Overall the experience was okay, I would not recommend using this place if you're looking for…read morequality riding lessons. From the very beginning it seemed like an unfit establishment for our family, but wanted to be optimistic. The trainer provided very poor communication on how to find her place and was late on day one. She immediately jumped into defensive communication any time I asked for clarification. She seems very well established and knowledgeable, unfortunately that doesn't translate into her training with first time riders. Trainings are rushed, but ironically she just sits in a chair disengaged from the trainees. I was shocked as a parent and as someone who has no experience with horses when I was asked to prep the horse for riding. Seems extremely unsafe. Once I communicated that we no longer needed the services she became combative and refused to reimburse for the advanced payment for lessons.

We had family friends visiting and wanted to give them a unique experience. It was hard to find a…read morehorseback riding company that would respond back or have a phone number to reach them. I texted EquiFabula and Beany responded right back. She was very nice and accommodating for our request of a private horseback riding lesson. The lesson was for our family friend that is a 10 year old girl who had never been on a horse before. Beany asked her height and weight and experience and let me know she had the perfect horse. We arranged a time and date. Before our appointment Beany confirmed and sent us some paperwork and waivers to sign. This was great so that we could spend more time with the animals when we arrived. When we arrived, we were greeted by a beautiful property nestled in the Castro valley hills. The property is big and well kept. Beany let us through the gate and we parked by the stables. Beany asked if we would like to see some of the animals on the property. We had a wonderful time meeting 2 week old bunnies, chickens, a baby possum, chinchilla, and guinea pigs. It was a wonderful surprise that we didn't expect. After we finished seeing the various animals for half an hour we met Mona the unicorn! Our family friend learned how to brush Mona and take care of her. She was then fitted with riding gear and started her lesson. Beany walked with them the entire way and was a wonderful teacher. She learned how to trot with the horse, steer, and all about the basics of riding a horse. This experience couldn't have been better and Beany was a 5 star teacher. You can tell she loves what she does, has an immense passion for animals, and is very good with kids. She is able to ignite a passion for horses within kids and it's a sight to behold. We would definitely go back!

I've been consistently impressed by Beany's knowledge of horsemanship and the thoughtful…read moreinstruction she gives to students. I highly recommend her for anyone wanting to grow as a horse-person.

Lisa DeVito is a wonderful horsewoman who has a beautiful facility with great care for the horses…read moreand people who board their horses or lease a horse. It's comfortable for horses and people. I've known Lisa for the past 25 years and you could not find a more generous and giving person. She really loves horses and is especially great with children and people who are learning how to care for a horse or pony. The property is lovely and Lisa makes it special. She's the best.

This is a nice barn that is very conveniently situated in walnut creek close to treat and ygnacio…read moreboulevard. it has great trail access and has a nice almost all year round outside riding arena, also a nice sand round pen and a turnout pasture. It has one main barn and then pasture boarding (pasture is more like dirt enclosures for 2 or multiple horses) It is mainly a jumping barn that offers group and private lessons to young people. there are a few adults but is mainly for the younger school crowd as they have lessons. Think of this as the saddle club. 3 large german shephards are the staple of the barn as well as a beautiful duck pond. if you like to jump do hunters and trail ride this is the place for you. here is pricing info: Pricing is as followed: Stalls, 10'x12' $ 440.00 Stalls with attached paddocks 12'x50' $ 485.00 Pastures with shelter (groups of three horses) $ 380.00 Extra large stalls for broodmares in foal 10'x24' $ 550.00

Never respond to my emails. Say they will book an introduction horseback riding session then go…read moreghost lol. I've been so patient and been going back and forth for years as this is near home

I started riding lessons at Kenilworth in June 2023, and have had a great experience learning here…read more I had no prior equestrian lesson experience (beyond some ambiguous basics from horseback excursions on some vacations years ago), so I had to learn all of the basics of tack care, horse care, as well as learning to ride! I started with Nia as my intro/private trainer, riding once a week until I and the trainers had availability for me to start riding twice a week. Now I ride with both Nia and Clara each week (1x lesson per trainer), and I feel like I've recently made a breakthrough in my progress given the combination of more frequent riding lessons and input from both of my trainers. Both are firm but understanding, and encouraging even when I'm being hard on myself. I really enjoy riding with both of my trainers as they each have had unique equestrian journeys, and their experiences help me learn and improve in different ways. The lesson horses are also all lovely and well care for. I love that they have personalities, and you get to know each horse as you ride and work with them. I do have a favorite horse to have my lessons on, and that would be Ellie, but really every horse is a good teacher and really forces us as riders to learn how to work with their unique personalities. The trainers and the program are also very understanding and flexible, so getting makeup lessons for holidays, absences, etc. is fairly easy. (The "system" itself is not a sophisticated one and recently changed, but it's working smoothly now after the initial kinks got worked out)

We signed our boys up for riding lessons about 6 - 8 months ago…read more I wasn't sure how things were going to go (meaning if my boys were going to be in it for the long haul or get 'tired' after the shine wore off of a new adventure). Kimmie and the other folks at the stables are extremely helpful - answered all my questions - we were invited to book a day (for our family) to "try it out" and get a feel for the lessons, the facilities, the people. It was really awesome and gave us all a very good idea of what to expect and what was expected of us as learners. Fast forward - my kid is getting ready to go to his lesson today. He is so excited! His confidence has improved. He has a deep desire to really learn and further his horsemanship abilities. He shares what he has learned, what he was able to do (after lots of practice), and how that made him feel really great! If you are looking for a stable whose owner has impeccable integrity, a desire to really work with people and horses (together). Look no further.

Yeah, don't go here…read more Your instructions will be teenagers (not even 18-19, like 16-17 year olds). You can pay less than $100 for 3 hours... but about 45 minuted of that is riding. The other ~2 hours? Free manual labour. You pay to turn out and lunge other peoples horses for 2+ hours. The teenagers teach, train, and do barn chores and care for all the horses. Honestly if these lessons were discounted it would be better, but they're $100+ for lessons. For the teenage instructors. It is honestly ridiculous. These horses aren't abused, this is a pretty ethical riding facility other than the kids continuously instructing other kids and getting paid to do manual labour. Turnout and pasture during summer. The stalls can get pretty filthy and according to my daughter, the only "scheduled" cleaning of stalls was the 2 hours of labour the teenagers did. Again, she was only there on Saturdays, so she didn't see everything. I would NOT take training or lessons here.

This place is awesome! The farm is beautifull and well cared for and looks loved. The staff from my…read morefirst email and phone call was very attentive. Our first visit was a tour of the training center and we asked many questions that were answered in a candid and open manner. The horses here are meticulously cared for and show it. One of my daughters leases a horse and one takes lessons and they were both accomodated. We have been to many ridding schools and this is by far the best. Signed, Very Happy Customer

Niara you have horse racing today and I can do it for youread more

best place ever, the apprenticeship is amazing and so are the lessons ive learned so much from…read morecastle rock arabians.

They are so weird, don't reply messages, can't make an appointment. I reached out to them…read moreyesterday, and just text me one message and then disappeared.