I recently re-located back to Massachusetts after spending a couple years in Virginia. Since I finally had a paying job after getting my Master's degree, I decided I wanted to take back up riding lessons, something I had done all through high school, but hadn't continued in college or grad school, except for exercising some of my friends horses in Virginia.
Working in Needham, I decided to start looking in the surrounding towns, and stumble up Woodridge. I'm so glad I did! What a great facility. They have a large, well-maintained barn with beautiful horses. They have a large indoor ring (which can get a little crowded sometimes) (also it has a heated viewing area) and an ENORMOUS outdoor ring with at least 20+ jumps.
There are riders of every level here - from adorable five-year-olds riding little ponies, to intermediate riders like myself, to majorly advanced riders that compete USEF. While many people at the barn compete and show, the atmosphere isn't very competitive - I have no interest in showing, but have never felt left out because of it.
The fees associated with just taking lessons are slightly expensive - but for the quality of horses available, instructors, and care, it feels worth it. A half-hour private lesson will run you around $65. If you're in a rush and don't have time to groom and tack up your horse yourself, they have incredible grooms that will happily do it for you - and help you untack and cool down / groom the horse after your ride, while you are cleaning your tack.
The outdoor paddocks are a little small, but the horses here are so pampered and well-bred that they probably don't even want to be outside.
Overall, I would definitely recommend this place for riders of any level. read more