As a student who came to Stanford wanting to balance academics with my lifelong passion of horses, I could not have asked for a better setting than the Stanford Red Barn. Throughout my three years at Stanford, I have experienced the barn both as a member of the Stanford Equestrian Team and as a student boarder. Not only is the barn itself stunning - in my opinion, one of the most beautiful places on the Stanford campus and one of the most striking barns I have visited - but it also possesses a unique sense of community. The team is a vibrant presence in the barn as well as on campus, with many wonderful student riders and horse people who succeed both in and out of the saddle and show arena. Always friendly and helpful, they do their best to integrate themselves into the surrounding community of the Red Barn and into the Bay Area equestrian lifestyle. Even from a non-team perspective, I have been very much impressed by the ease of having my own horse at Stanford. The barn's staff do a wonderful job of caring for all the horses on the property. Hay is high-quality and automatic waterers are always clean (despite my mare's determined efforts to make it otherwise!). Stalls are continually cleaned, staff are always there monitoring the horses, turnout schedules run around the clock, and continual investments are made into keeping the barn and the riding arenas maintained at a high standard. I also appreciate the fact that different boarding options exist, from stalls in the main barns to a more open outdoors "pasture" board setting. Barn management is always responsive to my requests and needs regarding my horse, and frequently sends out barn updates by email. Finally, I would like to emphasize that for me the greatest benefit of riding and keeping my horse at the Red Barn has been the people. Boarders come from a variety of riding levels, backgrounds, and disciplines, but share a common love of horses. The variety of top-notch training programs based in the Red Barn not only provide a wonderful base of support to the team, but also succeed in offering boarders stellar options for lesson and/or showing opportunities. Some of the most enjoyable moments I have had at Stanford have been in the barn aisle, with fellow team members, coaches and trainers, and boarders. And horses, of course. read more

I have been riding on and off for about eight years. Unfortunately, I do not have the money to own a horse. Stanford is a wonderful program because it offers the opportunity to community members to take lessons and show without having the responsibility of owning a horse. I have found that several of the A circuit barns pressure you to lease a horse, and then eventually buy one. To that end, Stanford is unique because it has a lesson program that is completely separate from A circuit trainers who are have their businesses there. If you want to ride in a pressure free, fun environment, Stanford is the place. Trainers: Colin teaches the majority of the community lessons. Colin is able to meet the riders where they are and help them meet their goals (from beginner to advanced). He does an excellent job of assessing a rider's capability, and figuring out the extent to which he/she wants to be pushed. When I first started riding at Stanford, I took a year hiatus from riding. I was out of shape, but Colin was kind and encouraging. As I became more comfortable, he expected more of me in my lessons. His attention to detail helps me get the most out of the horse that I'm riding. I am a visual learner, and rather than explain what I should do, he shows me. I love my lessons with Vanessa Bartch. She is able to focus on two components of my riding (for example my hands and my shoulders), so that I'm not worrying about 10 things that I need to fix. In addition, when I hack, I have two or three things to work on for my next lesson. She has an uncanny ability to figure out the way in which a person learns, and tailor the lesson accordingly. Lessons/horses: There is something for everyone from beginners to advanced. Although I no longer want to show, I know that I can because there are A circuit trainers with whom I could work. There are also Stanford schooling shows that are well run, and give an opportunity for riders to get show miles. I love the fact that I can ride a plethora of horses (from former grand prix horses to medal finals horses) and I can learn something from every one. I think that most lesson programs don't have the variety and depth of horses. read more

I cannot imagine a better place than the Stanford Red Barn to board my horse and ride on a college equestrian team. The facilities are beautifully maintained by the caring, responsive management team. Stalls are clean, turnouts are long - at least 5 hours per day - and the horses are always under supervision. I love riding in the four arenas, all of which boast great footing. My horse loves walking around the property and the accessible back trail loop. The Stanford Red Barn is home to the Stanford Equestrian Team as well as fantastic hunter/jumper and dressage trainers and community boarders. I have enjoyed learning from the great equestrians that train at the barn and getting to know and becoming a part of the passionate and diverse Red Barn community. The overwhelming community support for the Stanford Red Barn is evident in the Red Barn Festival, an annual fundraiser for the Stanford Equestrian Team. Hundreds of horse-enthusiasts, Stanford affiliates, and A-circuit riders come to the wonderful show jumping event and silent auction to support the student riders every year. Nothing stands as a better testament to the success of the Red Barn than the generosity of its boarders, privately trained riders, and the public towards the student team. I am incredibly lucky to get to ride for my school in the welcoming community of horse lovers that you find at the Stanford Red Barn. read more

I enrolled in the unmounted Horsemanship class here at the Red Barn. I have not been around horses for 20 years and found this class to be a great refresher in horsemanship. The instructor is very approachable and will answer any question you pose to her. She is obviously highly knowledgeable. The class covers basic care such as grooming, tacking up, feed choice, through to equine disease. There is plenty of flexibility in materials covered and the instructor caters the classes to the skill level of the participants. One of the great sessions is where the Stable's vet comes in and teaches the class how to take vitals on a horse as well as covering vaccinations. Every week we were able to interact with Stanford's wonderful horses, all of which are well-mannered to the extent that everyone is comfortable being around them. The class size is small so everyone gets plenty of one-on-one time with the horses. This is a great refresher class and should be a requirement before getting in the saddle for the mounted classes. After taking this class, everyone is more than capable of handling a horse for grooming and tacking up for riding, as is necessary for taking lessons at nearly every riding facility in the area. Classes last for 10 weeks and are typically 2 hours in length. Discounted for Stanford students and faculty but welcomes all community members as well. read more

I remember the Stanford Riding Stables from fifty years ago. They offered English riding lessons to children in the community at a reasonable cost and my parents enrolled us. Our instructor, Miss Burns, was at us from beginning to end. "You look like a bunch a wet noodles sitting on those horses!" "Don't let those horses eat the grass, its poison!" "You all give me a headache! I have to go home and take a whole bottle of aspirin!" I was scared of her but I listened and went from a total beginner to a somewhat confident intermediate rider with a good seat and good hands, never depending on the reins for balance. This basic training carried over to Western riding in later years and added to my enjoyment of horses and horseback riding throughout my life. I am sure things have changed over time. From what I read, the riding is more competitive and goal oriented now, there are some complaints about the service to boarders and riders, but the Red Barn never looked better. I am so impressed with the renovation! I just thought I'd throw in this little bit of history. Time spent at the Stables created some of my fondest childhood memories. Miss Burns, if you're still out there, thank-you for being such a good teacher! read more

I have been a member of with the Stanford Red Barn community since 2004 both as a student and member of the Stanford Equestrian Team and now as a recent alum and community rider. The Stanford Red Barn is a world class equestrian facility that supports multiple disciplines (hunters, show jumpers, equitation, dressage, eventing) and caters to students, stanford faculty and staff, community members and professional show stables. The Stanford Red Barn staff are extremely diligent and run an efficient, clean and safe facility. With managers on-call 24 hours a day and grooms on-duty around the clock, going above-and-beyond for the horses and boarders is more the rule than the exception for the Red Barn staff. Amenities such as international-quality arenas, historical architecture, gorgeous palm tree-studded landscape, individual turnouts and a european hot walker speak for themselves. It is the more intangible benefits--riding the amazing horses generously donated to the Stanford Equestrian Team, learning from the varied and talented Red Barn boarders, and feeling a part of a fun and friendly community of horse lovers--that make the Stanford Red Barn a truly special and unique place to board and ride. read more

I enrolled in the beginning western riding class at the Red Barn with only a very small amount of horsemanship experience and it was absolutely awesome. The facilities are wonderful, extensive and very nicely maintained. The lesson horses are behaved, well-trained and have lovable individual personalities. The trainers are spectacular. They take the time to work with you no matter what level you are and build up your confidence and skills at a pace that's suitable for you. They are incredibly patient and knowledgeable and sincerely care about making the sport fun for you while at the same time making sure that you progress in a way where you are never out of your comfort zone. Additionally, the prices are very reasonable compared to similar facilities in the area. Overall, it was a great experience that everyone should try at least once. read more

The Stanford Red Barn is beautifully maintained and it's full of great people and horses. I've been riding there since I joined the Stanford Equestrian Team last year, and the barn is the perfect place for me to get away from my schoolwork and exercise. The grounds are gorgeous. My family and I visited the barn when I got to Stanford, and we were blown away. I still can't believe the barn's beauty when I go out to ride, and after having ridden at several barns in high school, I know how lucky I am to have access to this facility! The team is run amazingly well by student officers and professional coaches. Some of the coaches run their own training businesses out of the Red Barn, so there's always a healthy mix of students, community members, and professionals around. read more

We have kept our two horses at Stanford for about a year now and love the place. The barns are calm and airy, and the horses obviously content. One of our horses has special care needs and Stanford suits him perfectly. There are many rings including a covered ring, and everyone is friendly and shares well. There are also great training options for all levels and intensity. Barn management is always around and available to try to help with any question or issue. We've experienced several other barns in the area and are lucky to call the Red Barn home! read more

The Stanford Equestrian Center offered a 10 week course on unmounted horsemanship skills. This was a great introduction to all aspects of horse care, including hands on grooming, leading, grazing, bathing, as well as sessons on vet care, shoeing, and barn management. The instructor, Sarah Malles, was invaluable in her vast personal and professional experience . The classes were held in the student barn, a unique venue in itself. If you want the basics of horses in a beautiful setting, this is the class to invest in. read more

I have been riding at the Stanford Red Barn for five months. It is a gorgeous, historic facility. The horses are cared for and trained with great care. Every person that works at the facility has been very professional, welcoming, and kind. It is a special community where high schoolers, university students, faculty, alumni, and community members of all ages gather together to learn from and with their horses. read more

I recently completed the 10 week Horsemanship class at the Stanford Equestrian Center, taught by Sara Mallas. INCREDIBLE!! I highly recommend this unique experience. Small group, interactive, hands on experience. Sara shares a wealth of personal and professional experience -invaluable! read more