Where to begin... Unfortunately, my time at this barn has been a frustrating and disappointing experience. First and foremost, the staff is incredibly rude, particularly Sophia and Emer. It's disheartening to witness them speak negatively about clients and riders behind their backs. The only exception is Sarah--she's the one kind, genuine person at the barn, and I truly appreciate her kindness. The only other trainer I trusted has since left for another barn, and I can't blame them. The barn clearly favors clients who spend more money, often disregarding others. They require payments to be made upfront in bulk and communicate everything orally, refusing to use email because this allows them to change the rules without any accountability, leaving clients with no proof of the original agreements. For instance, when I missed a lesson due to illness, they initially told me I'd be offered a makeup lesson. However, when the time came, they suddenly claimed a makeup wasn't possible and cited policies I had never been informed about. In my experience, they've also been dishonest about leases. I was made to pay for a lease on a horse I was not currently leasing, and was pressured into leasing a horse I didn't like. While I was leasing a horse, they rode him multiple times without my consent, sometimes before my jumping lessons, and even tried to enter him into IEA competitions without consulting me. On top of that, they used my personal tack without permission and lost parts of it. The transparency regarding payments is also questionable. Instead of directly communicating with riders, they often go through parents--who may not fully understand the costs involved--leading to families being overcharged by thousands of dollars. The quality of the lessons was another major letdown. I often found myself walking or trotting during lessons when I was supposed to be working on jumping. The trainers were almost always late, with no apology or explanation. A rider was denied the use of an airbag due to it being "too dangerous," even though air vests are generally accepted as a safety feature. In addition, other riders were allowed to use air vests at the same time. Scheduling is also a nightmare. Despite giving advanced notice of my unavailability for certain lessons, I was still forced to pay for them. Moreover, some of the horses are not properly cared for. Many of the lesson horses have poorly fitting saddles, and it's clear they are overworked and underfed. This mismanagement doesn't just put the horses at risk--it endangers riders as well. I witnessed a girl get thrown off a horse four times in one lesson. After the second fall, she complained of severe head pain and was crying. Despite her visible distress, the trainer insisted she continue riding. Following the lesson, her mother took her to a doctor, where she was diagnosed with a concussion that sidelined her for the rest of the year. Shockingly, the trainer showed no remorse and even spoke about the girl negatively behind her back, calling her a "rude, spoiled brat." Another major issue is the lack of a formal contract for leases. I was charged a lease fee at shows, and when I asked to schedule my regular lesson the day after, I was told that my lesson had been forfeited and used at the show instead--without my prior knowledge or consent. My experience at HITS Ocala, FL was also a disappointment. Despite being told I would mostly show and help out occasionally, I ended up being forced to work as a "working student" with no prior notice. I was responsible for grooming, feeding, and taking care of horses, yet I was still charged a grooming fee of $100 per day, even though I was already doing the work myself. To make matters worse, I was charged more than double the original amount they quoted me, and I wasn't informed of these additional costs until it was too late. The conditions at the barn itself are also subpar. The stables are dirty, the paddocks are fenced with flimsy electric wire, and there aren't enough stalls for all the horses. As a result, some horses are kept outside 24/7, and during floods (which happen regularly), these horses are placed in overcrowded stalls with other horses. It's clear that they are taking on more than they can handle, and this is putting both the horses and riders at risk. The physical layout of the barn is also problematic. To get from the middle barn to the upper and lower barns, riders must navigate steep hills, which can be extremely dangerous, especially in the winter when the paths freeze over with black ice. There's no lighting along these paths, and on more than one occasion, I had to use a flashlight to see where I was going in the dark. All in all, my experience at this barn has been one of frustration, disappointment, and a general lack of professionalism. The barn is in dire need of improvement in terms of both management and facilities, and I would strongly caution anyone considering it as a place to train. read more

Where to begin... Unfortunately, my time at this barn has been a frustrating and disappointing experience. First and foremost, the staff is incredibly rude, particularly Sophia and Emer. It's disheartening to witness them speak negatively about clients and riders behind their backs. The only exception is Sarah--she's the one kind, genuine person at the barn, and I truly appreciate her kindness. The only other trainer I trusted has since left for another barn, and I can't blame them. The barn clearly favors clients who spend more money, often disregarding others. They require payments to be made upfront in bulk and communicate everything orally, refusing to use email because this allows them to change the rules without any accountability, leaving clients with no proof of the original agreements. For instance, when I missed a lesson due to illness, they initially told me I'd be offered a makeup lesson. However, when the time came, they suddenly claimed a makeup wasn't possible and cited policies I had never been informed about. In my experience, they've also been dishonest about leases. I was made to pay for a lease on a horse I was not currently leasing, and was pressured into leasing a horse I didn't like. While I was leasing a horse, they rode him multiple times without my consent, sometimes before my jumping lessons, and even tried to enter him into IEA competitions without consulting me. On top of that, they used my personal tack without permission and lost parts of it. The transparency regarding payments is also questionable. Instead of directly communicating with riders, they often go through parents--who may not fully understand the costs involved--leading to families being overcharged by thousands of dollars. The quality of the lessons was another major letdown. I often found myself walking or trotting during lessons when I was supposed to be working on jumping. The trainers were almost always late, with no apology or explanation. A rider was denied the use of an airbag due to it being "too dangerous," even though air vests are generally accepted as a safety feature. In addition, other riders were allowed to use air vests at the same time. Scheduling is also a nightmare. Despite giving advanced notice of my unavailability for certain lessons, I was still forced to pay for them. Moreover, some of the horses are not properly cared for. Many of the lesson horses have poorly fitting saddles, and it's clear they are overworked and underfed. This mismanagement doesn't just put the horses at risk--it endangers riders as well. I witnessed a girl get thrown off a horse four times in one lesson. After the second fall, she complained of severe head pain and was crying. Despite her visible distress, the trainer insisted she continue riding. Following the lesson, her mother took her to a doctor, where she was diagnosed with a concussion that sidelined her for the rest of the year. Shockingly, the trainer showed no remorse and even spoke about the girl negatively behind her back, calling her a "rude, spoiled brat." Another major issue is the lack of a formal contract for leases. I was charged a lease fee at shows, and when I asked to schedule my regular lesson the day after, I was told that my lesson had been forfeited and used at the show instead--without my prior knowledge or consent. My experience at HITS Ocala, FL was also a disappointment. Despite being told I would mostly show and help out occasionally, I ended up being forced to work as a "working student" with no prior notice. I was responsible for grooming, feeding, and taking care of horses, yet I was still charged a grooming fee of $100 per day, even though I was already doing the work myself. To make matters worse, I was charged more than double the original amount they quoted me, and I wasn't informed of these additional costs until it was too late. The conditions at the barn itself are also subpar. The stables are dirty, the paddocks are fenced with flimsy electric wire, and there aren't enough stalls for all the horses. As a result, some horses are kept outside 24/7, and during floods (which happen regularly), these horses are placed in overcrowded stalls with other horses. It's clear that they are taking on more than they can handle, and this is putting both the horses and riders at risk. The physical layout of the barn is also problematic. To get from the middle barn to the upper and lower barns, riders must navigate steep hills, which can be extremely dangerous, especially in the winter when the paths freeze over with black ice. There's no lighting along these paths, and on more than one occasion, I had to use a flashlight to see where I was going in the dark. All in all, my experience at this barn has been one of frustration, disappointment, and a general lack of professionalism. The barn is in dire need of improvement in terms of both management and facilities, and I would strongly caution anyone considering it as a place to train. read more

I started riding at AVSS the very day it opened its doors a few decades ago, and to say that no other barn compares is an understatement. I rode with Emer as a junior and from the day I met her, she threw herself fully into helping me learn and grow not only as an equestrian, but as a person as well. I stepped away from the sport when I went off to college, and didn't really look back. Still, Emer took the time to reach out to check in on me and even to let me know the day my horse passed away (when he was no longer mine and she had no obligation to update me). That small gesture is just one example of how she runs her business - always putting the people she cares about and the horses she loves before everything else. When my daughter started asking to ride a pony as soon as she could talk, I reached out to Emer and asked her for suggestions on where to take her closer to me for lessons. While she could have pushed me to come back to her, she didn't - she knew I needed a shorter commute and was STILL there was guidance and support when it didn't benefit her in any way. Shortly after getting my daughter involved in horses, I got sucked back in as well and soon owned a pony and a horse and ended up needing a safe place for them to land on a moment's notice. Emer and her team jumped into action, not only providing transport and stalls for my two, but for my close friends and their horses as well. AVSS welcomed us all with open arms - both the clients and the staff. I immediately felt like I was back home. Being somewhere other than AVSS gave me a new appreciation for the barn and trainer that raised me. This is a barn that prioritizes teaching over everything else. Need help? Instead of doing it for you, Emer and her staff are going to do it WITH you and empower you to be a more prepared, better educated horseman every step of the way. The sheer amount of knowledge Emer possesses about horses and the mechanics of riding make her uniquely capable of teaching riders of all skill levels with a variety of different goals in mind. She will just as eagerly teach my 8 year old and her friends to count strides as she will teach a seasoned rider looking to be competitive on the A circuit. This barn is FILLED with employees who are truly there because they love these animals. Everyone is always quick to go the extra mile to make sure every single horse is as healthy and happy as possible. They are well fed, live in beautifully maintained and comfy stalls and have acres and acres of turnout options - both grass and dirt. All three arenas are well maintained with good footing. This doesn't even include the hunt course with tons of fun jumps and the cross country elements also offered to boarders and riders. There is nothing like taking a walk out in the back fields after a great ride to remind you why you got into this sport. I may loathe my commute, but truthfully, I would drive to the ends of the Earth to be a part of the AVSS family. I know every night when I go to sleep that my horses are tucked in tight with full bellies and a warm place to sleep and that means so much. I'm thankful every day that I met Emer nearly 30 years ago and for the impact she and AVSS have had on me, and now my daughter. We love our home away from home. read more

AVSS is truly a standout facility! It's beautifully maintained, with clean stalls, well-kept arenas, and a welcoming, serene environment perfect for riders of all levels. The training here is exceptional, fostering incredible growth in both my child and our horse. The lessons focus on developing strong fundamentals, such as balance, posture, and effective communication with the horse, while also encouraging growth in advanced techniques like jumping, lead changes, and course strategy. The trainers emphasize confidence-building and attention to detail, creating a supportive learning environment that brings out the best in both rider and horse.The trainers are knowledgeable, patient, and deeply committed to the success of each rider and horse. The care provided is unparalleled, with staff going above and beyond to accommodate horses with specific needs. It's clear that the well-being of the horses is always a top priority. One of the highlights of AVSS is their IEA (Interscholastic Equestrian Association) team. Being part of the IEA team has provided my child with invaluable opportunities to compete in a supportive, team-focused environment. The team promotes camaraderie, sportsmanship, and a sense of belonging, while also allowing riders to hone their skills and gain experience in the show ring without the need to own a horse. Add to all of this the positive and enthusiastic atmosphere, and AVSS becomes a place where riders and horses can truly thrive. Highly recommend for anyone looking for exceptional training, care, and opportunities! Rating: read more

I purchased my granddaughter a gift certificate for her fourth birthday and four years later, Avon Valley Show Stables is her favorite place. I have watched her blossom into an accomplished equestrian and confident young lady. She has learned how to care for horses, the essentials of riding and how to be a good sport in competition. I have witnessed her trainers' compassion with her fears and gentle nudging to challenge her to the next level. I have watched the staff make a 95 year old lady's dream of riding a pony come true and help a man with disabilities feel invincible on top of one of their many amazing horses. My husband I attend many horse shows across the state to cheer on my daughter and granddaughter, but AVSS will always be their home, and I am so grateful for that. I couldn't be happier that I encouraged her to ride 5 years ago when I bought a simple gift certificate. Thank you to Emer and her entire team! read more

Best barn in New England ! Horses come first ! 5 beautiful rings , 30 acres of lush turnout . Hosting and attending shows local to international shows ! read more