Never respond to my emails. Say they will book an introduction horseback riding session then go ghost lol. I've been so patient and been going back and forth for years as this is near home read more

I started riding lessons at Kenilworth in June 2023, and have had a great experience learning here. I had no prior equestrian lesson experience (beyond some ambiguous basics from horseback excursions on some vacations years ago), so I had to learn all of the basics of tack care, horse care, as well as learning to ride! I started with Nia as my intro/private trainer, riding once a week until I and the trainers had availability for me to start riding twice a week. Now I ride with both Nia and Clara each week (1x lesson per trainer), and I feel like I've recently made a breakthrough in my progress given the combination of more frequent riding lessons and input from both of my trainers. Both are firm but understanding, and encouraging even when I'm being hard on myself. I really enjoy riding with both of my trainers as they each have had unique equestrian journeys, and their experiences help me learn and improve in different ways. The lesson horses are also all lovely and well care for. I love that they have personalities, and you get to know each horse as you ride and work with them. I do have a favorite horse to have my lessons on, and that would be Ellie, but really every horse is a good teacher and really forces us as riders to learn how to work with their unique personalities. The trainers and the program are also very understanding and flexible, so getting makeup lessons for holidays, absences, etc. is fairly easy. (The "system" itself is not a sophisticated one and recently changed, but it's working smoothly now after the initial kinks got worked out) read more

Kenilworth Stables - Me with Ellie, my favorite lesson horse - Horseback Riding Near Me - Oakland, California

Great location. Nice facility. Beautiful animals. Just not at all welcoming to new faces. Attempted to learn more about their program tonight but made to felt like I should just leave by the staff in the ring. So we did. read more

I started riding at Kenilworth a year ago, and it's the best thing I've ever done for myself. Now I ride 2-3X a week and it brings me endless amounts of joy. I was intimidated at first -- it's a stunning, full-service barn with a committed staff and members who ride regularly. First I started training in private lessons with Nia who is a fantastic trainer. She's super smart, funny, and patient-- we'll revisit areas and exercises where I'm struggling until I feel confident. Sometimes she'll have exercises planned ahead, and other times she'll let me choose what I want to work on, which is flexibility I really appreciate. I've since also started training with Andrea in group lessons to further my learning and it's been incredible. Everyone who works here means business (with safety as the #1 priority) but they also keep it fun. The other members I ride with are kind and willing to help when I have questions. Staff is super attentive to our needs -- I've noticed they'll replace gear as it gets worn quite often. They have a great system in place for scheduling makeup lessons when we need it. The school horses are all lovely teachers and very patient with beginner riders like me. All in all it's been a lovely learning environment and I'm only sad I didn't start riding here sooner. read more

Kenilworth Stables - Horseback Riding Near Me - Oakland, California

I started riding at Kenilworth more than a year ago in April of 2023. When I started I already had some prior horseback riding experience but since joining Kenilworth my skills have grown a lot. I feel very safe and comfortable with my amazing trainer Nia. She's an amazing rider and is always so calm, nice and supportive. I ride two times a week and learn a lot in every single lesson, while still having fun. One of my favorite things about lessons is that there is often an exercise planned for me to do which keeps things fresh. The Kenilworth barn is absolutely beautiful and very nicely organized. All the horses are amazing but my favorites are Blaze and Jagger. read more

Went to check out the stables Saturday interested in lessons for my granddaughter and basically got run off. They told us to check out the website then told us it was private property and we really weren't supposed to be there? Now I wonder what they didn't want us to see? read more

I've been riding here as an intermediate adult returning to the sport after about 10 years, and it's a wonderful place to ride. There are students of all ability levels and ages, and horses are kept to the highest standard of care. Although the facility is small, they make the most of their space and group lessons don't feel crowded. It is also very well cleaned and maintained, and they firmly encourage riders to clean up after themselves every time. Safety of both horse and rider is paramount-- juniors (and some adults) wear vests, everyone wears helmets always, horses wear protective boots even for flat lessons. Everyone is friendly, and owner/manager Julia is great at replying to emails super quick and communicating the schedule in an organized way. Trainers Tori and Andrea are both kind and offer constructive feedback. If you're serious about riding and can commit to two lessons per week, Kenilworth is a great little barn in Oakland! read more

Went here when I was a kid 1990s. Maydo was the nicest hardest instructor you could work with. I returned in 2014/2015 where someone new took over, wasn't the same but still very welcoming to a return rider. 2020 theres another owner and it's completely changed. After 3/4 years you would think instructors got nicer. Not the case. Go elsewhere. read more

Kenilworth Stables camps are not safe for kids. The camp is run by "junior counselors" who are mainly 13 years old and have little adult oversight. The 13yos gossip and look at their phones instead of engaging the younger campers. The junior counselors forget to provide snack breaks and get the schedule mixed up -- they aren't ready for basic babysitting responsibilities, let alone overseeing children around large animals. There are zero COVID precautions and obviously insufficient precautions around horses. This place is irresponsible and dangerous. read more

This barn is absolutely wonderful! The barn went under new owners a couple of months ago and the new family who own the barn are true horse lovers who know what it takes to run a high quality horse training program. The trainers are outstanding and also know what it takes to have a well run training program. The barn is clean, horses are happy and the people who ride here are happy. I board my horse here and know she is well taken care of even if I am traveling or not able to get up to care for her. I highly recommend this facility for anyone who enjoys riding horses in the Oakland area. read more

The horses and property itself seem well taken care of. The administrative aspect was very disorganized and the staff (instructors) were not very helpful or pleasant. read more

I can't say enough good things about Kenilworth. I've been in the horse world for a long time - even worked in it for a time. I've seen the good, the bad, and the very ugly. I've owned four horses, competed in shows, and tried out all kinds of different horse sports over the last 15+ years. In all that time, I can confidently say that Kenilworth has the best horses, the best trainers, and the best clientele of any lesson program I've ever seen. And while the rule in the horse world is usually "you get what you pay for," the pricing at Kenilworth is a bargain considering the quality. Kelsey, Emma, and Julia are great trainers and great people who really care about the development, happiness, and safety of their students. Omar and the rest of the barn staff are hardworking, knowledgeable, and just generally great people. The horses are talented and forgiving teachers with wonderful personalities and receive the highest quality care. The community also can't be beat. I've made lifelong friends, attended fun events and field trips, and cheered on other riders at shows. The adult riders are so supportive of each other (in life, not just in riding), and the kids are the most welcoming group of pre-teens and teenagers I've met in a long time. No matter where you go, serious horseback riding is an expensive sport with an element of risk - but that can be said for many other activities a person can do. Kenilworth does a great job of minimizing both without sacrificing quality, and I will always be grateful for the memories, knowledge, friends, and muscle I've gained in my almost two years riding there so far. I look forward to adding many more! read more

We had high hopes for lessons here, but the staff are not very friendly or welcoming (we hardly ever got a hello, staff mainly on cell phones when not busy) and the minimum of two lessons per week at $85/lesson ensures that only affluent kids are able to attend lessons here. It's too bad the owners and instructors aren't interested in once a week lessons and really being welcoming, because they could have a huge, diverse clientele. As it is, it is an unwelcoming environment and way too expensive! We may have stayed and dealt with the cost if we got a smile from the instructors once in a while, but why pay big bucks for such a lonely, cold experience? read more

This is regarding especially the summer camp for ages 7-10. My daughter had a great week there both learning to ride and learning about horses- anatomy, care, feeding, characteristics, etc. Every night she came home and quizzed me about horses. It's a 5 day camp with a little horse riding show at the end; my daughter learned all about English saddle and was able to trot by the weeks end. Also, the stable is well run by caring people, clean and organized. Wonderful horses- beautiful and well cared for. I could've spent all day there and it made me want to ride again myself. They offer lessons also. This is not an inexpensive spot for sure but what a great stable and camp. read more

Kenilworth is a wonderful, horse-first barn that teaches equestrians of all ages and abilities in the English hunter/jumper discipline. The lesson horses are quality creatures, well-loved and cared for. The instructors are very, very good at tailoring the lessons to meet the riders' needs, interests and abilities. Kelsey Reinhart is a wonderful instructor of both kids and adults. I highly recommend Kenilworth to anyone who wants to get in or back in the saddle. read more

I can only vouch for their horse camp. My 7 year old daughter did the horse camp this summer and it was fantastic. Yes it's a little more expensive than the rest. But once you get there you see why. The stables and other facilities are very clean and well maintained. The ratio of teacher and CIT to student was excellent. And I felt every individual I encountered was not only deeply committed to the horses but also terrific with kids. My daughter was a true beginner yet felt very comfortable. They also learned a whole lot of detailed knowledge of horses and horsemanship and presented it in such a way the kids enjoyed learning. Totally awesome experience. read more

My daughter just started back at Kenilworth (we are old Redwood Stables patrons) and Julia, the new owner, has been great with my daughter, who is riding one of Julia's personal horses, once was a grand prix jumper - fabulous quality of lesson horses and small group lessons. Julia makes the cost of riding for non-horse owners affordable. Great barn! read more

I have been taking adult beginner riding lessons at Kenilworth for the past six months, and I have had an excellent experience. The instructors are professional, kind and supportive, and the horses are healthy, happy and gorgeous. I would reccommend Kenilworth to anyone who wants to give riding a try. I have had lessons at a few other barns and Kenilworth is really a cut above. read more