Our daughter and the most amazing birthday party here! Bryce, Rio, Amina, and Maddy were truly…read moreabove and beyond. we had kids ranging in age from 7-11 and they all learned so much and had the best time with the horses and instructors. We are so grateful to you :)

As both a beginner rider and someone a bit older coming into this experience, I couldn't have…read moreasked for a better place to learn than Chapparral Ranch. The staff is extremely well qualified, patient, and thorough in their teaching. They take the time to explain things clearly and make sure you feel comfortable every step of the way, which made a huge difference for me. The horses are wonderful-well-trained, calm, and clearly well cared for. That alone made learning feel much less intimidating and much more enjoyable. Another big plus is affordability. Compared to other stables, Chaparral Ranch offers very reasonable pricing, along with discounts for 5- and 10-lesson packages, which makes it easier to stay committed and keep progressing. Overall, I highly recommend Chaparral Ranch to anyone interested in learning how to ride. whether you're brand new or just getting back into it, this is a supportive and welcoming place to start.

My 2 daughters have been with Horizons East for over 3 years. They had gone from riding academy to…read morecompetitive training riders, and each of them has grown beautifully as a rider as well as a person. Here is why.. First, the coaches are skillful and caring. Not only their priority is always safety, but also encouraging riders to properly care for the horses. They pay attention to each individual rider's skill and help them progress. This sport is physically and mentally challenging. My girls have had their struggles, but the coaches have been patient, guiding them through, and gone above and beyond to help them succeed. My girls have grown their confidence and learned their ways to cope and push through their challenges. I truly appreciate and respect them. Thanks to Sam, Barbara, Dacota, Nikki, Shannon, Tiffany, Heather, Rena, and Terri! Second, HZE has different levels of horses that fit the riders' skill, from a beginner to advanced rider who want to lease or own a horse. The horses are in good care and Sam is very knowledgeable and attentive when it comes to horses' well being. They also have IEA team, and are very experience at horse shows. Last, but not least, HZE has a very friendly and relaxed environment. My girls enjoy spending time with their friends at the barn and help out with what they can. Advanced riders are always willing to help, so are their parents. They have flexible schedule, no weekly fixed schedule required, and very accommodating to reasonable changes.

I had some plans for my daughter's 11th birthday that got cancelled last minute so I was looking…read morefor the next best thing that my daughter would enjoy, riding a horse. It was Saturday and I needed the plans for Sunday. I was really praying for someone to make her birthday memorable. I called over 20 places with no luck. I received a callback from Horizons and she gave me hope. She really wanted to do something to make it happen and she did! We were able to visit the Ranch, learn so much from an Amazing team. Tiffany is very knowledgeable and friendly. She was able to help us feel comfortable around the horses as this was our first time. Her ability to involve us in caring for the horses so we feel more confident allowed my kids to enjoy their joy ride on them. This was very memorable for all of us, especially my daughter who loves horses. Thank you to the Horizon team! You guys do such great work !

I've been meaning to write this review for a long time but life has a way of getting away from you…read more I took two blocks of lessons with All Seasons Horse Riding and their team is phenomenal. I had and rode horses as a kid but it had been a good 20 years since my last ride and I'd lost all the skills and confidence I once had. All Seasons helped me build that confidence right back up. The instructors are extremely knowledgeable, patient and approachable. Every lesson there seriously felt like therapy. Just being around the horses, the kind folks and learning without a ton of pressure was always so nice. They make it a point to end each session on a high note - it's good for the horses and for you as a rider. During extra hot or rainy days, sometimes the riding lessons would be canceled but more often than not, the lesson would just be horsemanship and/or groundwork. I know some people only want the riding parts of the lessons but having instructors that can teach you the horsemanship and groundwork techniques is invaluable. You build so much more skill and appreciation for the horses that way. It allows you to actually foster relationships with the horses too. I enjoyed that aspect so much that sometimes I'd request those lessons even if the weather was good to ride. I had to take a break due to my own budget constraints but i will be back! The lessons are absolutely fairly priced and worth every dollar.

All Seasons Horse Riding is an incredible place to practice and learn horse riding skills! The…read moreteachers are unbelievably kind and friendly and they'll help your kid learn and grow from their experiences! The owner Julie is incredibly responsive. All seasons takes riders of all ages -- my child takes classes regularly, but I took just one class, and it was amazing. It's a great vibe: about learning, building skills, & challenging riders without being uber competitive. There is an emphasis on fun and building self-confidence that I see pay off for my kiddo in life, beyond horse classes.

My 4 1/2 yr old horse obsessed daughter has been taking lessons here for the past 2 months and is…read moreabsolutely in her element!! She has trained with both Lucy and Jen who are great with her. They not only teach riding technique, but expect the riders to help with grooming and tacking the horse. My daughter is thriving here and practices "posting" at home. They're also very good about safety- the helmet I bought my daughter didn't fit right and they took the time to adjust and fit it, and finally ended up letting her borrow one they had until I can get to the store and get a proper fitting helmet. As a momma who knows nothing about horses, I am more than appreciative. I bring along my 1 yr old to the lessons, and everyone at the ranch is very kind and welcoming.

I've been riding at Highland since September 2012. Highland has amazing instructors (Jen, Lucy and…read moreSarah) who can teach using a number of styles, techniques and disciplines within the English style of riding. I started out riding their sweetest school horse (Star) and now riding an Advanced level Selle Francais Warmblood (Leya, who was on track to go to the eventing Olympics, and is owned by the barn owner, Sarah), competing consecutively is meter classes at A-rated shows this past summer. I even now own a German Riding Pony that I've been training, and he has the best cute and quirky little personality. Highland has a great atmosphere and some of my closest friends have been made there. Everyone I've ever met at Highland has been kind and friendly, and (something very helpful when you first start out riding or at a new barn) always ready to help. There is always someone around, whether it be an instructor or another student, who is willing to help with whatever you need help with. The instructors also listen to your goals and try to put you on horses and doing exercises that will bring you closer to your goals. Highland's horses are also amazing, usually a little older but who have had competition experience in the past, so they know what they're doing. All of these horses have great, friendly personalities that make riding even more fun, anywhere from sweet and shy to funny and friendly. Highland also has some goats on property, and when the babies are born (usually every spring or every other spring) they are just so cute to watch grow up, and to play with. I would not be the rider I am today without Highland.

Brenda runs an amazing program out of Shiloh West. You can tell she truly cares about the success…read moreof her clients and health of her horses. She is a very talented dressage trainer and has great other talented trainers working for her. I have been leasing a horse through her program for a few months and highly recommend her and her facility.

We haven't rode with these guys yet but I have to give them 5 stars just for their demeanor and…read moreattitude from what I've seen so far. We popped in to see if we could ask about some of their horses for lease and were able to talk to Brenda as well as her trainer Kyana. They were so nice, informative and welcoming and that's a breath of fresh air from the reception we've been getting at other barns! We're searching for a new trainer since ours is moving and they are on the top of the list. We've been with the same horses and barn for a long time and switching to a new place can be intimidating, we didn't feel uncomfortable and they offered to let us watch a lesson. We will be circling back around to them when the time comes! The barn is also COVID conscious masks being worn which is appreciated.

I grew up riding. It has been a forever passion of mine that, after moving to SF, I quickly had to…read morerenounce. For the past 5 years I have been desperate to fill that gap but it just never seemed to work out for one reason or another.... As fate would have it, I ended up meeting one of my now dearest friends (on Yelp! no less) who also felt the huge hole left in her heart by lack of horse time. We embarked on a quest to find a stable that would get us back to where we used to be as riders and then some. We spent countless hours scouring the internet, making lists via Google docs and driving all over the Bay Area visiting potential stables. We rode at a few here and there, but none ever stuck. We were getting discouraged, especially after one of the trainers we had hoped to work with ended up moving to SoCal. It was actually through her recommendation that we found Sara...and well...the rest is history. Sara has been one of the best things to happen to me (and Kim). She is everything you could possibly want in a riding instructor, mentor and friend. Her horses are above and beyond what you would find in a typical schooling horse and she takes impeccable care of them. Kim and myself have grown tremendously as riders under Sara's care. She pushes us, is beyond patient, enthusiastic, honest and supportive. She herself is an expert horsewoman with years of riding and professional show experience under her belt. Riding with Sara is my therapy. Every week I'm like a giddy child eagerly awaiting my horse time. I don't know what I would do without her!

I have been riding with Sara Marchant for almost two years and I couldn't be happier. Sara is an…read moreamazing trainer and rider. She helps you reach your goals and always has a positive attitude. Even when you struggle she helps you improve and never lets you give up. Sara is supportive, understanding, caring, friendly, and easy to talk to. Everyone at the barn is so nice and helpful, and everyday at the barn is fun and exciting! Sara has taught me so much and I wouldn't be where I am now if it wasn't for her.

Wonderful facilities and excellent instruction, very close to Oakland and freeways but backing up…read moreonto magnificent trails

Great horses. Great lesson program. I commute from SF & it's worth every minute on the bridge.read more

The RDLA facility has many attractive features for a multitude of riders. I arrived in 2019 seeking…read moreout local boarding with trail access, turnouts, and a variety of arenas. I really enjoy being able to tack up and head out on the trails but sometimes I just want to ride around on the property. My horse loves the grass turnouts and the nice wide private trails. We can ride up the hills to connect to the EBMUD trails with beautiful views. It is a great place for any discipline with lots of amenities.

My husband and I have boarded our horses at RDLA for the past 3 1/2 years. We felt right at home…read moreand welcomed by everyone as soon as we moved in. We love that we don't need to load our horses and trailer out to be able to ride the trails which is what we love. Multiple trails are available where you can literally saddle up and ride out. RDLA has four round pens, one of which is covered. We have a huge covered, lighted arena, as well as a separate jumping arena (which even us non-jumpers use) and a dressage arena. I love knowing that even when I am out of town someone always has an eye on my horses and there are trainers available to exercise or turn out your horse when you aren't able to do so. RDLA has been wonderful to us and we love being a part of the RDLA family.