Somehow this place manages to be both an elite training facility and a friendly, community barn. I know for a fact that there are world-class teachers and national champions riding there, but for seven years it's just felt like pure love. I am NOT world-class, nor elite, but I've been guided forward at my own pace with support and joy. It's hard to start something like riding as an adult, but they made safe, easy and fun. So fun. And I'm deeply in love with the horse I get to ride. There's a bit of a waiting list to get in, but it's totally worth it! read more

San Pascual Stables - Horse Boarding Near Me - South Pasadena, California

I want to leave a really bad review here. Every time I made a one-day course reservation, it was canceled the day before, so the email didn't even come, and when I arrived that day, all I said was that the email was not confirmed. What are all these cases? This is not once, the whole family with a my son has experienced the same thing more than once. And then I had to come back a long way without solving it more then twice. Really worst customer services ever. read more

San Pascual Stables is a great facility for horseback riding and training. Their horses are well groomed, fit and well taken cared off. They have huge stables and training ground. The facility is a 5.4-acre grounds in the Lower Arroyo seco section of Highland Park. It is well organized and clean. Parking is available. Overall, it is a great place for training and lesson. read more

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Beautiful, well cared for horses. Lovely grounds. Sophie St. Clair is an excellent trainer. My granddaughter is happy here.

My daughter had her birthday party here recently. 5 kids total, 2 hours for $250. They were divided into 2 groups - 1 group will get 35-40 minutes of riding time while the other group groomed and learned how to saddle a horse. We opted not to use the complimentary table to set up food/drinks and cake cutting so we were able to utilize the entire 2 hours for riding and learning about the horses. This staple is very very clean. The horses are all very well behaved and extremely well groomed/taken care of. We even got to meet one of the mini horse! read more

San Pascual Stables - Horse Boarding Near Me - South Pasadena, California

I've walked through here a number of times and watched a friend's daughter take lessons. The barn is really nice and people are friendly. But a couple of the lesson horses are a little skinny and could use some love. The show horses are clearly well cared for and well fed though so they know how to take care of horses well here. read more

I grew up going to this place and know I take my daughter here. A little gem in the city that always takes me back. read more

San Pascual Stables - Just like I remember it - Horse Boarding Near Me - South Pasadena, California

They were incredibly rude. Incredibly. I don't know what was going on on but we were a group of people spread out. Not being loud or running or doing anything other than looking at horses from a distance. Every time someone came close they would say something to us in a very rude manner. We visit stables frequently and had never had this experience. It's not that we came across with a rude person or there was an incident. Everyone was hostile. Of course we left which I understand wad their goal. It was just such an unpleasant experience I've never experienced in a stable before. read more

When my daughter was young she always dreamt of being on top of a horse and riding in the wind. She will die to get a chance to ride on a horse. So my wife and I wanted to make our little girl's dream come true. That's when we found San Pascual Stables. We took our first lessons and to see if the stables were good. It was. To see our little girl so happy make us smile. We've never seen her so happy before. Sofie is a amazing trainer. Thank you San Pascual you made our little girl happy. read more

My daughter started with horse camp and fell in love with these trainers, horses and this stable community. She now has a pony and is continuing her training at what she would call her second home. read more

San Pascual Stables - Horse Boarding Near Me - South Pasadena, California

I had a hard time initially getting someone on the phone, but after my third or fourth try, I was successful. This is my first venture into riding lessons. The lessons include brushing the horses, cleaning their hooves, gearing them up, etc. They are pretty dusty, so I usually end up covered in dirt. This is not something I anticipated beforehand, having never before done this sort of thing. Also, when it's dry outside, watch out for static shock! I don't think either of us (neither the horse nor myself) were pleased with getting constantly shocked during the grooming process. Naomi was my instructor. She is very nice and easy when it comes to scheduling. I found her extremely accommodating. I had three lessons before I had to temporarily quit, but I plan to return to take some more lessons when I can. read more

I spent several hundred dollars to buy a package of eight beginner lessons. I got passed around to five or six instructors, all of whom for various reasons, were never available to teach. After a few months of trying to contact instructors and getting very few results, the pandemic happened. I'd been contacting people for six months and gotten only two lessons. When I contacted Caroline, the director of the equestrian school about this, she ignored me. It just didn't seem to interest them that I'd paid for lessons I wasn't getting, and not for my lack of trying. After many unanswered calls and emails, I was finally able to find someone in the office. I had gone by the office several times too, but no one was ever there. It just seemed like every time I talked to someone they just passed me off to someone else. It was so disorganized. You can tell theses people are really not adept at running a professional business, but think they can run it like they are just hanging out at a barn with their friends. It has a very cliquey vibe and the girls who run it and teach lessons are all in their late teens or early twenties, so when you ask a question you generally get a teenage response-- an eye roll or a sigh or a passive aggressive comment. Not the most professional place. I was finally set up with a new pass of eight lessons, with an expiration date listed online of July of 2022, but when I tried to use the pass--first they ignored my two calls and email (not surprising) so I had to go into the office--they refused to honor it! They also refused to give me a refund, but said I could "use the remaining amount for credit". That meant I would get about 3 more lessons (5 total rather than the 8 I paid for). At the very least, I deserved an explanation for why they sell me lessons they didn't intend to honor. I tried to follow up with Caroline, but she ignored me and instead I got a nasty email from Rebecca, the teenage office manager, complaining about how she was doing such a great job and I was a horrible person because I didn't say "please" enough! And this was after I'd been stood up by an instructor for an arranged lesson the day before-- I'd waited for forty minutes at the stables and the instructor (Rebecca, probably) never showed. I pointed out that this was a good example of why it was taking so long for my lesson package to be used. No one apologized, no one seemed to think this was unprofessional or an inconvenience to me. And guess what I got when I brought it up--you guessed it, an eye roll!! I never got a refund for the $580 they owe me, and I elected to not do any more lessons because doing only three when I had six left on my pass seemed so unfair, plus I just couldn't take the verbal abuse and basic toxicity that's prevalent there anymore. I got so tired of being talked down to and ignored and being around unpleasant people when I was looking forward to doing something fun. In the end, I felt like I would pay more than $500, just to get such unpleasant people out of my life. Plus, I get sorry for them because they must need the money really badly if they would steal from people for it. And taking money for lessons you then refuse to teach is stealing. I paid for 8 lessons from San Pascual Stables, and here are the 8 lessons I got: 1. San Pascual Stables will sell you lessons with no intention of actually providing them 2. San Pascual stables instructors will be unavailable to set up lessons before your pass expires. 3.San Pascual stables is interested in making money off showing and boarding horses--they take very little pride in their school 4. San Pascual stables is run by a clique of immature and unprofessional girls headed by their leader Caroline, who does not care how they treat you. 5. Even if you do manage to have some lessons, you will be so verbally abused, ignored, put down, and harassed that it won't be an enjoyable experience 6. San Pascual stables is not available to return your calls or emails 7. San Pascual stables is run by people who think very highly of themselves but don't care about you 8. San Pascual stables has no ethics and will take your money and not deliver what they promised read more

This is such a beautiful place to ride. The staff are great and the trails around are scenic.

As of Oct. 2023 the stable's policies have changed. Instead of getting what you pay for, you now get to pay for lessons regardless of whether they cancel on you or your child is ill. We have been at this stable for about a year and a half. The facilities are lovely and our daughter was happy with her trainer. A few times we had to cancel due to illness, which we always did a day in advance, however most of the cancelled lessons we experieced were due to heat or rain. While our daughter missed having her lesson, we would either schedule a make up or just wait for the following week's lesson. We would not be charged. Now, they expect you to pay monthly, and will only make up a lesson if they cancel at least two lessons due to weather. So if your child is sick one week and they cancel due to weather another, expect to pay for four lessons and only receive two. Additionally, our daughter's trainer said she was ready to begin going twice a week, which is something we were interested in doing. Now they will not allow lessons twice a week. If you want to go more than once, then you're forced into leasing a horse with three rides a week. All this is done under the guise of needing more of a committment from their riders. Our daughter has been committed and has looked forward to her lesson every week. To say we aren't committed because we expect our daughter to receive the lesson time we pay for is extremely disappointing. When I emailed the management to express my disappointment, they didn't even bother to respond. We are moving on to one of the many other stables that ensure you receive the services you pay for. Beware their new money grabbing policies. read more

I was looking for a barn to refresh some (very) rusty skills. Not being a fan of the Equestrian Center, I wrote to San Pascual. A day later I received a call from a trainer named Sean, and we set up an intro lesson. I lucked out! Sean has a quite, calm way about him, and a clear love of horses. I quickly booked a series of private lessons. Sean's ability to articulate complicated physical concepts in a clear, concise way made every lesson end positively. His instruction and corrections make sense and are easy to incorporate as Sean always gives the "why" and not just the rule. Also - shout out to the barn itself, it's a beautiful place to be. read more

I have trained and worked at many barns in Southern California and I have never seen one so well managed as this barn under Caroline and David Sterckx. Together they provide a safe, clean and inspiring environment to learn how to ride horses, from the beginner level to Grand Prix. They treat the people and horses extremely well. Also horses stalls are cleaned daily, the arenas are dragged everyday, fresh hay and water, etc. the schools are not over worked like you see at some other barns. They do a max of two lessons per day, half the time less. Horses who do summer camp, do not do lessons that day. Their barn manager, Jette Davis, is also double checking all the school horses, and boarders' horses to make sure none are over worked or under cared for. I cannot say enough good things about this barn and the people who have turned it into the facility and family friendly environment it is today. read more

I really enjoyed my time here. I rode my bike past here one day and felt inclined to go inside. I went up to a woman and asked about how i could get into learning how to ride a horse bareback. I had prior experience riding, but not for a good 12-14 years. She said for me to come back that saturday and she will teach me. I did, and i am definitly going back for more! It was so much fun, and very liberating to learn how to ride without a saddle. Why not a review with full 5 stars? Well, I was not too pleased with the other instructors i saw around the stables. I saw one woman be very impatient with a 13 year old girl who was not fully understanding what she was being instructed to do. I do not think she handled her instructing very well. If someone is not getting what you are saying, that means you are saying it wrong and need to restate your words ina different way. That is what my instructor did when i wasn't understanding what she was saying. She gets full high marks in my book. So, if you want a patient instructor who will explain things to you without becoming short --- Ask for Kim. read more

I have been taking beginner (adult) lessons with Sophie Hannah since February and I love it. The stables are beautiful, well kept, and the lesson horses are all great. read more

It is an understatement to say the Sterckx's have changed my life. San Pascual stables is the epitome of quality in your equestrian experience. I have been training with Caroline and David Sterckx for many years and I have always experienced consistent, personalized, and quality care. The Sterckx's are revolutionizing what it means to train in America. They curate an ideal, well-kept, ethical, and safe environment to train in. They push students forwards towards their individual goals while always making sure that safety a top priority. The trainer's are dedicated to providing individualized training to all students regardless of experience. The trainers cultivate a welcoming and supportive environment for all students to learn in. They deeply care about the horses and are very diligent in maintaining the facilities. Caroline's assistant and billing manager, Rebecca Ring, is incredibly organized greatly contributes to the well run machine of San Pascual Stables. Communication is flawless and the very few concerns I have had were addressed seamlessly. At San Pascual Stables, you and your horses needs will always be a priority. If presented the opportunity, I highly recommend riding or boarding at San Pascual Stables. read more

I wish I could give more than a 5 star review! A large factor in my move to California was to come train with Caroline and David Sterckx. After two months of riding with them at San Pascual, I decided to ship my horse out here from NY (which was not the plan in the beginning of my move). The training, care, and management is beyond any other barn I have ridden at. My riding has improved a tremendous amount. Everybody is so knowledgeable and always around to help and answer any questions. My horses are in top shape and if I can't make it to the barn some days, I have a sense of comfort knowing that they are in good hands and being well taken care of. No amount of words or stars can express how much I love this place and the people and the training. read more

I have been boarding and training my horses here for 6 years, never had a problem. The trainers are amazing and always put you first. The horses here all get pampered by the grooms and always get the best treatment. The management is great and it's always easy to contact them for any needs. Everyone at the barn is friendly and look out for each other. The grounds are kept very clean and being at the barn is very relaxing. I love this barn so much and wouldn't want to go anywhere else. read more

My daughter and her Girls Scout troop went here to earn their badge. My daughter came home excited telling me how she learned to groom a horse, the troop rode a horse and they played games. She was so excited... we can't wait until horse camp is open. read more

The San Pascual Stables family, David and Caroline Sterckx's group in particular, have become my family away from home. I moved to LA from NY and visited almost every barn in the greater Los Angeles area looking for the right atmosphere. I found it here. Everyone is lovely to be around, the horses always come first and the level of education I've recieved both on horse and on the ground has always been eye opening and invaluable. I highly recommend reaching out or visiting the barn and consider joining our barn family! read more

While my daughter enjoyed this place, I was surprised that it cost so much to have 2 teenagers run such a huge operation. I think that with the cost they could hire additional help with kids summer camp. Not sure if it was the stress of dealing with a bunch of kids but my daughter did say an instructor was mean on occasion to some of the kids (all around age 7). I'd like to think they could be helped or better trained to deal with large groups of small children. They were excellent at instruction of horse riding. read more

The stables are always inviting, whether they are humming with activity and lessons or experiencing soothing moments of calm in the afternoons. The school horses are well-trained and behaved, and just wonderful! Each one has something amazing to share and I always feel so blessed to be around them! San Pascual Stables takes great care of them and the grounds and it shows. read more

San Pascual Stables is beautiful, spacious, and extremely professional! Caroline and Sarah are amazing trainers, and their students are fantastic. There is something for everyone at SPS; whether its a children's birthday party with mini horses, or full hunter/jumper training and boarding, San Pascual is the place to be! read more

This stables is horrible! My daughter was often offered a sick horse for her Horseback riding class. Some horse was peeing through out the whole class, some was too lazy or too sick to move. Some was even too crazy that it went crazy with no clue! That is why my daughter fell off the horse two times! The second time my daughter fell, her chest hurt for two months! I called them to try to get back the refunds for her left classes, they said they will respond to me later, but it never happened! I called them so many times to leave the voice message, but they totally ignored it! read more

A wonderful facility, very nice barns and riding/jumping areas are well maintained. The trainers are knowledgeable and the setting is amazing, you would think you were a thousand miles outside LA. Even if you don't ride, it is worth a trip to sit and watch the beautiful horses and trainers jump and ride in the ring. read more

i love this place although the facility is not as fancy as other equestrian center. Trainers there are very kind and professional

There are not enough positive words to describe San Pascual Stables! I've been riding here for well over a year now, but at other stables before this. The owners, instructors, and employees are professional beyond words. They care deeply about the riders and the horses. Without exception, all details are attended to and with class! The facility is attractive, substantial and well cared for, the business office is well organized, classes run like clockwork, the instructors are professionals and very invested in their riders' skill development, and the atmosphere is always fun and engaging. In all honesty, this stable feels like a family, riders are of all ages and skills level, people are exceptionally friendly, everyone is invested in everyone else. The horses are so well cared for, it is so nice to see how the instructors and employees care for them, and how they are respected as athletes. A special call out to my instructor Sarah Durrer who is an inspiring rider herself, and so encouraging and motivating. I've learned so much from her. Also a special call out to Jorge, you are so appreciated! It's not just lessons here! It's boarding, competition, camp, international travel and shows, and deep connections with equestrian pros! Such an awesome place!! read more

One of the nicest equestrian facilities I have seen; roomy stalls, large breeze ways, wonderful footing in the rings, choice alfalfa hay all nestled with a scenic mountain setting with easy access trails! read more

I miss riding at San Pascual Stables! The grounds are so beautiful and peaceful. Caroline was my trainer, and I really appreciate her teaching methods. She's very patient and encouraging, as I hadn't ridden in years. I'll be returning as soon as I can! read more

My 9 year old daughter attended San Pascual's Summer Camp last week and absolutely loved it! She had very little riding experience previously, and enjoyed the opportunity to learn the basics of riding and also to help with grooming and care of the horses. She loved being able to ride different horses each day, and also really enjoyed the non-riding activities: crafts like lanyard making and good old fashioned games like red rover. Sidney who led the camp did an amazing job. We will definitely be back next summer! Thank you for a wonderful week. read more

San Pascual Stables is an incredible place. This is not some elitist riding barn but a place where people of all ages, socioeconomic status, riding skill level, or expertise in equine skills are welcome. I began riding here at the age of six and this place has become a home to me. The most friendly trainers and a wide variety of horses make this place one in a million. The riding school offers lessons at every level, from beginning mom and me lessons, to grand pre show jumping training. Caroline Sterckx and the trainers that work there are extremely professional and amazing friends/trainers to all of the students. The lessons are actually an hour long, begin on time, and each unique and personalized for the riders. They have an excellent working student program where students can volunteer in exchange for lessons. The staff is very friendly and it is very easy to schedule/change lesson times. The horse camp is extremely popular and most kids come back week after week, and return year after year. I cannot recommend this barn enough. If you want a place to either start riding or bring your horse, come to this stables and find a community of horse lovers and excellent trainers alike. This place is truly a family and very welcoming! read more

Caroline Sterckx has been my trainer at this barn for over 9 years. She and David Sterckx have elevated SPS to what it is today, and thanks to their management the level of training could not be any better! I truly enjoy my time at SPS, it's a fun place just to hang out and everyone is extremely pleasant. Unlike many barns, it is casual and welcoming. The lessons/summer camp are also really affordable. I have recommended it to many people and all of them have loved it! read more

Okay so basically this stable has affordable prices for a reason. you get what you pay for, not very good. I took lessons for two and a half years there and did not click with my first teacher after a year of lessons, but when i switched teacher's the new teacher made me learn over from scratch saying "you were taught wrong". I felt this was very wrong, I mean both teachers taught at same place. This made me think that all the instructors should be taught to instruct the same way. Another issue I had was with my second teacher, whom I was with a year and half. I had gone every saturday and been working hard, but she would not let me jump. She would not even give a reason. Many other riders who started riding way after me as beginners, were quickly advancing to jumping. I feel the teacher had favorites. I have also had friends who would NEVER recommend this. One teacher put a family friend (six year old) on a horse that went wild. The parents had to alert the teacher of what was happening since the instructor was not paying attention, and she fell off, another wouldn't let a little girl off the lead rope. Also another a family friend who took lessons was also not allowed to advance. I wouldn't recommend this stable at all. read more

I love SPS. Everyone is so nice and our horses are well taken care of by amazing grooms and assistants. The rings are well maintained and the people who run the stables have been making nice improvements. There are excellent trainers here for all levels of riding. I think some of the best trainers are here at these local So Pas. stables. The Sterckx brother and sister team are the dynamic duo, guiding their riders and making sure at all times that the horse's best interest is at heart. I feel like they take a great deal of care to make sure the horses are safe and managed very, very well. They always err on the side of caution for the horse and rider. That is important to me! Sarah D. Is another amazing trainer who pays lots of attention to detail and does lots of flat work for the riders. I have seen all her riders make huge strides in their abilities with Sarah's help. The balance they put into the training of flat work and jumping is top notch. SPS would not be the same without all of them. What a great group! read more

This barn is wildly unprofessional and treats everyone who doesn't have money like absolute dirt. I had high expectations but they were not met. The training is below par, and there is no flat work taught AT ALL. (WHICH HAPPENS TO BE MORE IMPORTANT THAN ANYTHING!) Jumping is the top priority for all clients, no groundwork or equitation is taught by anyone but the handful of beginner trainers they have. All in all, it's just a money pit full of undertrained riders, if you don't want that go somewhere else. read more

The best barn in LA - Family friendly & affordable - a wonderful community for kids and adults. Great for beginners all the way to Grand Prix - the safest and most experienced jumper training in town. read more

Best barn I've ever been to! Such a great community and love for horses :) everyone is like family and loves their horses like family !!