This was the best horseback riding experience we've ever had! Our guide, Aaron, was very nice and knowledgeable. The horses were very well behaved and sweet. The views were absolutely breathtaking and the trails were well maintained. We would definitely recommend Academy Riding Stables! read more

Jaden was wonderful! My kids and I loved the experience! Would highly recommend! The Garden of the Gods park was beautiful!

We were traveling to South Dakota and camped for 3 days in Colorado Springs, we booked our group for horseback riding, this place was literally walking distance from where we were and we loved it all, our guide Evan was very informative about the history of the mountains and we enjoyed having him guide us, hopefully he will get a taco bell meal, he really deserves it. We will definitely return again. read more

The ride was beautiful and the horses are amazing. As someone who has never ridden a horse before, I was surprised how easy and relaxing it was. The horses knew well where they were going and did all the work. Evan was an amazing wrangler and guide for the trip. read more

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We booked this last minute but it was a really nice time! Matthew was a great guide leading us through the trail and sharing about the area we were in. All the staff is in revolt friendly and helpful. They have many horses and will pair you up with an adequate horse based on your size. I liked that the group size was smaller. They walk you through everything you need to know beforehand to prepare you. We did the one hour tour I and the trail itself was nice- beautiful views and a fun time! I would recommend to anyone. read more

Highly recommend! Our wrangler, Maria was great! She was very knowledgeable, kind and helpful! The horses were friendly and matched perfectly! The Garden of Gods views were spectacular! My 8 year old son and I loved this adventure! read more

Academy Riding Stables gave us an unforgettable experience! Matthew was our tour guide and he was fantastic--friendly, knowledgeable, and made sure everyone felt comfortable and confident on their horses. Speaking of the horses, they were the perfect temperament: calm, gentle, and clearly very well cared for. The ride itself was absolutely stunning. Thanks to the fresh snow, the whole landscape looked magical, especially Garden of the Gods covered in a beautiful blanket of white. It was definitely chilly, but we were so grateful they didn't make us cancel--getting to see everything in fresh powder made the experience even more special. If you're looking for a scenic, peaceful, and well-run riding experience, this is the place. We'll be talking about this ride for a long time! read more

Academy Riding Stables - Drifter - Horseback Riding Near Me - Colorado Springs, Colorado

We had a group of 7 ranging from 8 years to 50. The staff was professional, the horses were gorgeous and wonderful and the views stunning. Our guide, Jayden, was knowledgeable of the area and the horses and very helpful! read more

Academy Riding Stables - Horseback Riding Near Me - Colorado Springs, Colorado

My grandson, son and myself went for a 1 hour ride, as this was something my grandson REALLY wanted to do this summer. Every part of this experience was great. I spoke to someone on the phone before I booked our experience, and they were so helpful, kind and patient - being unfamiliar with horses, I had a lot of questions! After that, booking our rides online easy, and being able to sign our waivers ahead of time, online, was really nice. When we arrived, everyone we interacted with was friendly and helpful. laid back and patient, while still being very professional. The safety of their guests was taken VERY seriously, so the the pre-ride training was thorough and easy to follow. Truly, everyone that worked with us was great. But I want to give a special thanks to our trail-guide, Brandon. He was so patient, as some of us needed to be reminded a the things we needed to be doing. While every employee contributed to us having a wonderful experience, Brandon made the actual ride really fun and memorable. read more

The one hour horse back riding tour was excellent Maria and Evan were very helpful when we come back to Colorado Springs in the future we will definitely come back to the Academy Riding Stables read more

Excellent riding experience with Academy Riding Stables to see the Garden of the Gods. we did the the 1 hr and that was perfect for kids 8 & 10 to enjoy. We have all ridden before but this ride was good for any level. The guide. Aaron, was wonderful keeping the group on track, communicating and making it fun. I felt very safe and comfortable. These horses know the drill and made it very stress free. The views are beautiful and you can see some wildlife. Really wonderful way to see the area for the whole family. I would recommend for anyone visiting the Garden of the Gods. read more

My husband and I had a fabulous 2 hour ride in Beth & Wilson through the Garden of the Gods! The scenery, the horses, the entire experience was fantastic! read more

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Our group was only about 2 blocks away from the stables and my horse Bondo bucked me off and I hit the street on my bottom and right hand, I didn't break anything; however I week later I can hardly walk I am so sore. The people really didn't go out of their way to make sure I was OK. Wanted me to sign off that I did not require any medical attention. Looking back now that I am home, I should have went to the ER to make sure nothing seriously was wrong. If I don't get any better in a couple of days at home resting I will need to seek medical x-rays to make sure nothing is broken. I was really disappoint that they never did a follow-up to see how I was feeling. read more

Had a wonderful day riding horses through the Garden of the God's. Our guide Jaylin was excellent and shared the history of the park. I highly recommend this business! read more

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Shout out to our guide Danny! We really enjoyed our ride. We had Tot and Mooshoo, the horses. =) Be prepared to be sore if you've never ridden before 10/10 read more

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This place is amazing. We came for my son's birthday. We had a friend with us who has a seizure disorder. They were incredibly helpful and considerate and made us feel very comfortable. Our guide, Matthew was amazing and took great care of us. He checked in on us consistently and made sure we were comfortable. The views and the cool history were awesome. Amazing experience for beginners! Highly recommend read more

Just rode the 1 hour trail ride with Evan in command thru the Garden of the Gods. Enjoyed the slow speed views, a little history, and being on a horse. read more

Absolutely amazing experience, you can tell they take really great care of the stables. Matthew was a great guide, very funny and sweet. He even made sure to get pictures of our group for us. We only did the 1-hour so we're definitely going to go back to do the 2-hour next time! read more

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A beautiful experience! The horses are well-behaved and well taken care of. The scenery is jaw dropping, and horseback is the most perfect way to view it. Matthew was a great guide, very personable and shared some really interesting facts about the park. We will be back! read more

Academy Riding Stables - Horseback Riding Near Me - Colorado Springs, Colorado

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This is a must-do. Excellent, attentive, and knowledgeable staff. Calm, well-behaved, sure-footed horses. Garden of the Gods. What more could a person want? My 3rd time here over the space of 10 years or so. I truly enjoyed the ride. Could not have been better. Kaitlyn, Brandon and the support staff were fabulous, and "my" horse, Big John, was a total packer. Great horse. Thank you for another wonderful ride. Great place. Great people. Great horses. read more

BEWARE: BAIT and SWITCH!!! I booked a one-hour riding tour with ARS on May 29. I completed the online waiver, and arrived 30 minutes early per ARS policy. When it was time to mount up, they brought out a MULE for me to ride. I told them I paid for a HORSEback ride, and I want to ride a horse. They said there were no horses available at that time, that I would have to return later to ride a horse. However, the later times did not work for my schedule. When I asked for a refund, they refused. These are unethical, predatory business practices. NOWHERE on their website does it say that you may be required to ride a mule instead of a horse. I recommend riding at OLD STAGE RIDING STABLES- My daughter and I rode with them in 2024, and they don't take advantage of their clients. read more

Our 1-hour Garden of the Gods ride was led by Hayden (Jayden trailed). The ride was for me and my grandson as a transition into real-deal boyhood (he turned 8). The ride was authentically friendly and professional. The horse that they chose for my grandson was gentle, healthy and well-mannered. He knew it was a "girl horse" because she was blonde. It was a wonderful experience all around. read more

Brandon and Amelia were wonderful and so was my horse, Big John. They gave a nice history of the Garden of the Gods pointing out landmarks along the way. I really enjoyed the experience and recommendations from the guides for when I did some hiking afterward the ride. I'll definitely be back with my family when they visit from out east read more

Academy Riding Stables - Big John - Horseback Riding Near Me - Colorado Springs, Colorado

I accidentally left this review on the wrong account so I apologize for double posting (though this review is extended). This is my active account. REVIEW: I booked a ride for me and my boyfriend for the 11A ride over the weekend. I was on Skeeter and he was on Beth. Skeeter is a sassy mare and I enjoyed riding her, she gave me something to do lol He rode Beth, who was sweet and easy going. The ride itself was beautiful and we had a perfect sunny day to make a brief exploration of the park. I def preferred the ride to walking through as it was hot and we could see more with the bit of height on horseback. Our guide and the rest of the staff was kind, knowledgeable, and informative. I would def go back, extending to the 2 hour ride! I grew up riding horses and 1 hour is not enough time, but great for beginners or if you're short on time. read more

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What an incredible experience!! I grew up riding, but hadn't ridden in about 20 years. My husband had been on a horse one time in the past. He suggested we look for a good trail ride here in the Springs. After doing a little research, the ratings for Academy Riding Stable & the tour of Garden of the Gods were the winning factors & we booked a 1 hour tour. ARS was super easy to get to & they had a decent sized parking area. We walked up to the check in window & provided our names. A very polite lady grabbed us helmets & advised us to have a seat around the corner. They have you step on the scale to confirm weight when you're headed into that area. What a view!!! As you're waiting for everyone to arrive, you cannot only soak in the sight of Pike's Peak, but you can also watch the wranglers feeding & prepping the horses for the day. We were introduced to one gentleman who was going to be assigning our horse for the day & another who would be leading our ride. We were advised of the process, the safety measures that needed to be taken & asked if there were any questions. Once the safety portion was finished, we were told our horse's name. My horse was Clyde, my husband got Martini. Each wrangler brought a horse out, called out the name & you met them at the mounting block. The wrangler who helped me was very friendly & helpful. She ensured my stirrups were long enough as well as even, advised me that Clyde was a "headbanger" & told me to have a great ride. There were 5 of us in the group & our leader was spectacular. He gave us historical points & explanations of different rock formations. It was also nice when he would give a heads up of an incline, decline, steps etc. in addition to how to comfortably navigate. The entire ride was scenic, peaceful & a great way to spend a spring morning. I was very pleased with Clyde. He was the perfect fit for me & this ride. My husband was also very happy with Martini & stated he felt at home on her. All in all, we were bummed it was over when the tour came to an end. I couldn't have hoped for a better experience & felt as though it was a very fluid operation. I would recommend ARS to anyone regardless of age & experience. We're already planning our next ride!!! Thank you ARS for making this one of the best days ever!!! read more

Matthew was a great trail guide! My 12-year-old son and I felt confident on our horses and had a great time. We loved seeing the Garden of the Gods from a different point of view. Even as locals that have been to the GOTG multiple times, we learned a lot and enjoyed the one hour trail ride. read more

Morgan was the best guide! The trip the Garden of the Gods was amazing and I highly recommend!

My husband and I planned a trip to Colorado Springs. Staying at the Cheyenne Hyatt Resort. I knew I wanted to book a horseback ride one day while my husband played golf. I had no clue where to go near the resort. I found Academy Riding Stables on line. From the moment I called with questions about the distance and such, the customer service was so nice. I arrived for my 2 hour ride thru the Garden of The Gods. I loved every second . Our group was briefed by our trail leader Liz. She was amazing and welcoming. A tiny thing herself, was able to handle our horses and squad. I had the pleasure of riding Cosmo. He was such a great horse. The ride is very majestic. The views are breathtaking and at one point it's like I can't believe I am here on horseback. The horses know where they are going and make sure we are all comfortable. Liz was so inviting and personable. We all loved her and the wonderful history she gave about the Garden of The Gods. If you are a first timer or an experienced rider, you will 100 percent love this place. Book a 2 hour. it's worth it. Our group wanted to go two more hours with Liz. She made sure everyone was feeling good and engaged with every single rider in the group. You can tell she loves her job and that just flows out to the horses and all of her riders. Stop reading my review and go book a ride. You will love it too. read more

So enjoyable! Emma was great and we loved getting to learn the history of the park while enjoying the scenery. read more

Academy Riding Stables - Horseback Riding Near Me - Colorado Springs, Colorado

Beautiful scenery led by a great guide, Matthew who was friendly and helped me be comfortable riding for the first time. The horse was well trained and took little direction to have an enjoyable ride. Loved the experienc. read more

Major shoutout to this Gentleman of a Cowboy Ben, who treated our friends like family & handled us beginners with such ease, grace always remaining calm. Our views were amazing & the horses were super sweet & patient with us. Totally recommend much love read more

Academy Riding Stables - 1hr Riding Tour - Horseback Riding Near Me - Colorado Springs, Colorado

We had the absolute best time on this tour! Our wrangler, Jayden, was amazing--so knowledgeable about the area and able to answer all of our questions. She clearly knew the horses well and handled our friend's anxiety with such calm and care. Her patience and confidence made the entire experience so enjoyable for everyone. It was truly unforgettable to see the stunning rock formations up close while riding the horses. We couldn't recommend this tour more--it was the best experience! read more

Such a great experience! The staff made this so wonderful! The trails had just enough ups and downs, but nothing harder than what a beginner could easily manage! And to be riding in the beautiful Garden of the Gods... Epic! read more

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We booked a ride for 2 adults and 2 kids. We received a call that we were late (10 minutes because the freeway was very backed up). I explained why we were late but also said that we were literally 2 minutes away (still 18 minutes before our ride was supposed to start). I was informed that we would no longer be able to take our ride and would have to reschedule. Now we're only 1 minute away, but told no because they have rules. Ok I do understand rules. So, we rearranged our whole day and showed up for our rescheduled ride at 3:00. NOW HERE'S THE RUB... we showed up 30 minutes early for our ride as instructed. We did not receive any safety talk or instructions... just given helmets, a horse, an off we went... we were on the trail 10 minutes before our ride was scheduled to start. No problem with that, but we were told that we were not allowed to take our early morning ride because we wouldn't have time for the safety talk etc... The safety talk that we (even with 2 kids) never received later in the day. If you have rules, you'd better stick to those rules throughout the whole day. Don't just skip out because you want to get the last ride of the day done so that you can go home. And our ride was a huge disappointment. We did not stop once for pictures (last year we stopped twice and got some wonderful photos). No talking throughout the ride except for a few rocks pointed out and Pikes Peak. HUGE DISAPPOINTMENT read more

Everyone was pleasant. Beautiful horses. I felt like there wasn't enough part of the garden of the Gods to look at. Barley seen any of the park on the horses. read more

Academy Riding Stables - Horseback Riding Near Me - Colorado Springs, Colorado

My wife and family were scheduled for a two-hour trail ride. Approximately ten minutes into the ride, four of the horses became spooked during the final safety check and bolted. As a result, two riders--my niece and sister-in-law--were thrown from their horses. Fortunately, neither sustained serious injuries. The other two riders stayed on their horses although both suffered bruising and soreness. My wife (who is an experienced rider) lost the diamond in her engagement ring as a result of trying to stop the horse by pulling on the reins. She estimates the horse ran for about a 1/4 mile before she gained control. This all occurred while the guide was performing a final safety check which left no one in the front of the tour to stop the incident. Although they did refund our money, I tried to work with the company on a few things but they did not respond to any of my emails OR posts to their "contact us" portion of the website. Finally, their "check-in person was more interested in getting us out of the receiving area (so the next tour didn't see them) than dealing with the incident. Very disappointing. At this point, I can't recommend this tour to anyone. read more

Our wrangler (Trail guide) Sydney was amazing! She was incredibly knowledgeable about the park and its history. Highly recommend this stable for beginners and skilled riders -- it's a fantastic way to experience the park. read more

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Everyone was super friendly and very professional! They assign you to a horse based on weight and experience. I got a lovely mare named 'Bo-Peep'. We did the 2hr trail ride, and even though you do only walk it was still challenging in some ways as the horses go up and down VERY steep hills/steps. Would definitely recommend. They even keep a saddle bag on the horses so you can stash your phone, wallet, keys, water etc. read more

The entire experience was excellent. From booking, to check-in, safety talk and all the staff that helped get us ready to ride everyone was great! Matthew was our guide and did so well interacting with the kids and adults in our party. He gave us all the information clearly and calmly so we could all navigate terrain changes with confidence. There was a horse that decided he didn't want to go on the trail that day, and Matthew handled the situation with skill and care. He made sure my friend was safe, and had a wrangler run a replacement horse to the group. What could have been a scary or negative situation was made to be just a funny, memorable moment at the beginning of our ride. He was knowledgeable about the landmarks we saw during our trail ride, and made the experience so enjoyable. Thanks to Matthew and all the staff at Academy Riding Stables, my son's 11th birthday celebration with his 2 friends was a total success! I highly recommend this business for your horseback riding adventure! read more

My sister and I came to the Broadmoor for my 65th birthday on Sept 6th, and I couldn't have asked for a better horseback experience at Academy riding stables. My sister is a jumper and I'm a beginner. I had a great horse by the name of Bonnie. She was gentle, and she knew exactly where to walk, and I really enjoyed our ride. This is the first time I experienced going up steps on a horse and going down ravines and thankfully I followed instructions from our guide as well as my sister, so this was the best experience of my life. I can't thank my sister enough for sharing this opportunity with me. The whole staff was extremely courteous, considerate, helpful, and grateful. They are a great group of kids and they work very well together as a team I was impressed of them. I felt they were all mature young adults!! read more