This woman takes advantage of you. Stealing your time, money, and possessions so watch out she will…read morehold your child back. TIME: First off she rarely holds a lesson on time and does not value your time at all. She will allow lessons to bleed into each other ranging from children just learning to ride and adults on young, dangerous horses. If you ride with her expect to be at the barn for hours either helping her out for free (because she won't spend money to hire help and instead relies on free parental help) or being stuck in a lesson riding around in circles while she occasionally shouts things like "close your hand" or "put her on the bit" without ever instructing you how to do so. You will see little progression when riding with Jaimi and it will likely take your child years to learn even basic skills. MONEY: Never buy a horse with Jaimi. First, she will find a horse in a location convenient to her and her travel wishes! Whether that be Florida or Europe, wherever she can go on your wallet suits her and she will bring you back an average horse at best. Once the horse is at the barn she will sell you a "training" package. On days you cannot come to the barn your paying for her to ride your horse and school it. When in actuality, when you don't come to the barn she sells lessons to other children on your horse and considers this training, gaining herself a 2 for 1 deal, your money and this other parents money. Eventually after about a year you will realize your horse has developed a few bad habits, this is due to the horse never being taught what to do. These bad habits will continue to grow and will never be addressed. You and your horse will loose many skills when riding with Jaimi. POSSESSIONS: Like with the horse, Jaimi is using things without your knowledge. Do not leave your tack at her barn. She will use it with her lesson kids. whether it be your girth, bridle, that nice Antares saddle you just bought, or even your horse, don't be surprised when you come back to it dirtier than when you left it. Point is, only ride with Jaimi if you're a lesson child without a horse, that way you reap all the benefits the other horse owners pay for. If you would like to get serious, progress, and own a horse ... look for a different barn.

We have been with Skye Valley Training for 2+ years, through ups and downs, with good clients and…read morenot-so-great clients. Through all of that, I've seen the hardships they've endured (COVID, those tricky clients, lifelong horse pass of old age, etc.) Yet, they've handled it all with grace and professionalism. I've spent the last few minutes reading through the reviews below. There cannot be a more false representation of the business and ethics of Jaimi and Skye Valley overall - conjecture at best. Those who have given the retaliatory reviews below are doing so based on their inability to handle situations like adults through conversation. As a result, the reviews are based on a. childish retaliation, b. a hunger for drama c. to feel better about themselves by harming others. Jaimi and Ainsley (now Dr. Faraday) are some of the most selfless and loving people I have ever met. Do they run late sometimes, yes? Does your pediatrician run an hour late when you have a sick kid? Also, yes. Under Jaimi and Ainsley's care and coaching, we saw our daughter go from anxious, stressed, and sometimes sad to the confident, capable, and frankly excellent rider she is today (placed at Nationals - woot!). She has flourished in life, and I attribute a huge chunk of that to these women at the barn. She has ADHD and can be perceived as a LOT by some people. But, Jaimi and Ainsley always met her with grace, patience, and understanding. Most importantly, when she was off track, they would refocus her without shame and in a positive way - that's more than I can say for myself, and I'm her mom. Do you know what you want from trainers? Someone who is so safety conscious will reject a horse you have on trial because they don't trust it. No matter what. No, it didn't do anything awful during the trial, but she knew, and even I did. Jaimi and Ainsley had the care to tell a little girl that the pony she thought she was in love with wasn't the safest option and that she had to say goodbye. We now have what I consider one of the safest horses money could buy. As for the stealing accusation, bogus, stealing is willingly taking dozens of additional lessons from your "friend" and never paying for them. Everyone has terrible reviews sometimes. Everyone has bad days. But sometimes, you have to consider the source. Ask yourself, what kind of review would you leave if you were kicked out of a barn for bullying a tween, attempting to steal clients, and talking poorly about your 'best friend/trainer'? And then sign yourself up at Skye Valley, where you know you will be SAFE and cared for. Yes, you might even progress a little slower, but ONLY because it's the absolute fundamentals that will save your life when you move to the next step. Enough said.

I was fortunate to meet Amy Flores several years ago, and even more fortunate to have had her come…read moreto my mini-ranch in Novato for private lessons. She's an extremely competent rider, is kind and patient with kids, teens, and great with the over the hill ladies like myself. It was a bit intimidating as a grown woman to get back into riding after not being on a horse for many decades, but Amy took her time and showed me all the ropes from A-to-Z. Literally everything from grooming to tacking to groundwork to lunging work to in the saddle work. She explained the proper way to warm up a horse and how to engage the different body parts to create balance and fluid movement, all with a nice bedside manner and lovely sense of humor, and ever so patient. Give her a call, you'll have an amazing experience and be so glad that you connected with her. There is no attitude or snooty behavior. She has a young child herself, and loves to teach. I also hired her when I was injured in a car wreck, to ride and train one of my horses a few times a week. It kept him going and I trusted her, and that's what is important. A+ in every aspect of what she does. I moved away after working with her a few years, and am happy to hear she's still teaching and growing her woman owned business.

I'm getting so much out of my lessons with Amy and learning it all from the ground up. She is a…read morekind, patient and reassuring teacher who emphasizes understanding horses behavior as well. She is truly helping me achieve my goals and dreams!

Great experience with Giant Steps!…read more Their session fees are very reasonable. We drive from San Francisco to Petaluma for our son to have the opportunity to ride. Well worth the effort!

We love Giant Steps!! My son has only been to one session, and I have already seen so much…read moreprogress. His anxiety often keeps him from trying new activities. I was worried that being with these huge animals might be too much. Over the weeks though, with the gentle guidance of the staff, his confidence has soared! He is so proud of his courage to take new risks and his newfound success. He adores his instructor and his sweet horse "therapist". I can't wait to see what develops next session.

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.

Emeri Kitchell of Ijula Equestrian has set up an outstanding riding program at Jaz Creek in…read morePetaluma, CA! Emeri is such a knowledgeable instructor who knows horses and how to get the most of your time riding them. She does this with a gifted understanding of how to feel your way through to communicating gently, but clearly, with your horse. She has an extensive set of tools that bring horse and rider enjoying their time together. The skills that Emeri brings to Ijula Equestrian combine with her wonderful eye in her horse and pony selection. Each of them is a good-natured, hard-working, and comfortable ride. The horses seem to really want to work with the rider. I credit this to the environment and training regimen that Emeri has created at Ijula Equestrian. Besides being an articulate instructor who explains recommendations well to her clients, she is so warm and friendly all while being a consummately caring professional with a great sense of humor. In addition to the wonderful combination of Emeri Kitchel and the horses she has selected for us to enjoy, Ijula Equestrian at Jaz Creek offers outstanding facilities. My favorites are these: 1. Enormous indoor arena with exceptional footing 2. Large outdoor arena with a great variety of ground poles and jumps to match all levels with a variety of patterns, routines, and courses that allow Emeri to offer a tremendous variety in our lessons' activities. 3. Tack-up area indoors right next to the tack room with full supplies for grooming your horse or pony. Combining the qualities of this instructor, her horses, and Jaz Creek's facilities all under Emeri Kitchell's leadership, I cannot recommend Ijula Equestrian highly enough. It is for all these reasons that I always leave there feeling happy and energized.

Beautiful location and comfortable weather here! Can't ask for a better set up for riding and…read moreevents. The staff, workers, and sponsors are always Top 10 in quality and attentiveness. I can't wait to come back here again. Nothing but good things to say about this park!

Very nice center. Lots of barns and selection of trainers. Great tack shop! Located close to world…read moreclass wineries for wine tasting after riding.

I like Sara Horse Trainer's methods with the horses. Her horses are so well cared for, well groomed…read moreand ready for the riders. I especially like the horse Julie. She is very elegant and very nice to ride in. I will highly recommend Sara but you do have to work. You have to groom the horse you ride. Also ask her to use the speaker horn so you can hear her instructions well. I love horses and getting to know them is really a precious adventure. Sara does provide that environment. Take all necessary precautions like wearing helmet, start slow and thorough, and be sensitive to the horse and yourself. You will have a lifetime enjoyment. Good luck.

I've been taking lessons here for about 6 months and absolutely love it! Carol is incredibly…read morepatient and has lovely horses that can suit any skill level. I love being able to go ride every week- and the group lessons help you to meet other riders as well. Highly recommend!

Apple Creek is a great place take horse lessons for all ages. Carol has infinite patience and is…read morealways supportive and positive. All levels of riders can find a lesson horse that suits them from beginners to advanced riders. It is also a great place to board a horse, the horses get great care and fed 3x per day and live in a very clean environment.