I went to this place and got the package of four lessons which is 350 dollars, but I had told Marguerite that I had barely started to even trot at the other place I went to, she ask is I was a beginner and I told her I was over the phone fast forward, when I got there everything was fine but she told me to go to the barn a talk to this lady who was going to give me a helmet and take walk the horse out my mom was with me so she had to sign and release form, but the lady wasn't that nice she wasn't rude but she wasn't very welcoming, the horse had hesitated when walking out of the barn, and the lady told me to look forward and walk but the horse still didn't move eventually he did. We got to the gate of the arena and the horse stopped again, and the lady who had helped me get a helmet in the barn yelled at the horse to move( this is where I started to feel nervous because I felt that I couldn't trust the horse.) Marguerite told me that she could tell I was nervous and that it was ok because she puts little kids on this horse.(I was riding in shoes because my boots that I had gotten didn't come into the mail yet, and I told her that but she said that it was ok) so we kept riding but I was confused because it wasn't Marguerite teaching me it was someone else that and I thought she would because that's what she told me over the phone, which is fine I was just confused...the lady who was walking with me around the arena was nice. The lesson ended and we left. Later that day I told my mom that I didn't want to go back because I felt to uncomfortable there and it didn't feel like a stable system...and the other horse place I went to you would learn to brush and tack up the horse, overall just learn horseman ship but here you don't unless to get there early (she didn't tell me till the second lesson) but we asked for a refund and she refused to give a a refund( she never mentioned that she didn't give refunds) she told me and my mom to take after lesson with the boots so we did but i felt pressured to take this lesson.but she said she would charge 120 for the next lesson and give 110 back is we didn't like it. The next lesson came around and I wasn't in the best mood I felt pressured to take this lesson and I just wasn't in the best mood, I got on the horse ( the same one from the first lesson) and he felt jittery to me and I felt uncomfortable I had a weird gut feeling, so I stopped the horse and told her and my mom that I was uncomfortable and she ask why I couldn't answer at the time because I don't know what to say but she just told me to kept going, I felt confused by her instructions because she never told me if I was doing it right, but we kept walking and I felt more and more uncomfortable the horse was stubborn and was focused on follow Marguerite more...we walking around for a bit more and we stopped and she was telling to to look where to want to go then walk so I did. I don't know what happed after that because it happened so fast but the horse had got spooked by a truck driving on the road a threw me off, I landed on my hip ( I was ok but I'm bruised really bad and can't really lay down or sit without it hurting) I got up and talk out of the arena and I was shaking I don't know what happened after that as my body was in shock from what happened. She proceeded to tell my mom that I'm not ready and it was like talking to a 8 year old ( I'm 17) and that riding probably wasn't for me and that I would have still been on the horse if I kept my back straight, and that I wasn't listening and was hesitant to listening to her( I was confused and she never told me if I was doing something right or wrong.) Please be careful when choosing this place ask a lot of questions, because she tends to leave stuff out. read more

Overall the experience was okay, I would not recommend using this place if you're looking for quality riding lessons. From the very beginning it seemed like an unfit establishment for our family, but wanted to be optimistic. The trainer provided very poor communication on how to find her place and was late on day one. She immediately jumped into defensive communication any time I asked for clarification. She seems very well established and knowledgeable, unfortunately that doesn't translate into her training with first time riders. Trainings are rushed, but ironically she just sits in a chair disengaged from the trainees. I was shocked as a parent and as someone who has no experience with horses when I was asked to prep the horse for riding. Seems extremely unsafe. Once I communicated that we no longer needed the services she became combative and refused to reimburse for the advanced payment for lessons. read more

Margarite is one of the most knowledgeable and experienced trainers I've ran into in the

My daughter has been taking weekly lessons with the owner Marguerite and has progressed above expectations in just over a year. From true beginner, she is now jumping small hurdles and is feeling so confident when cantering. Marguerite is an expert in her field and is so patient when teaching younger riders. We could not be more grateful for the opportunity to have our girl learn this sport from her! read more

Midnight Blue & Company - Jumping with coach Marguerite providing guidance! - Horseback Riding Near Me - Castro Valley, California

My daughters and I have been riding with Marguerite for a little over 3 years. I feel very fortunate that she happened to be the first trainer I called when we decided to try riding. She has decades of experience and has proven to me, time and time again, that she knows what she's talking about. I can get overwhelmed by trying to think of all the different things I need to be doing at once to ride well. Marguerite has a talent for zeroing in on the most important correction that I am actually capable of doing in a given moment to get the best results. She has done an excellent job of adapting her training to the very different needs that my daughters and I each have, while still allowing us to share the experience of learning riding and horsemanship as a family. She has created a wonderful community of friendly, unpretentious riders that we enjoy spending time with. But the best part of the barn is the horses. Marguerite truly loves her animals and riders who take the opportunity to spend time at the barn outside of their lessons will discover just how cool and interesting the horses are. Each one has a distinct personality and the variety of challenges they present allows riders to learn a lot of different skills. Recently, I bought my own horse and have been amazed at the amount of progress we are making both in the saddle and on the ground. I rode every one of the lesson horses for a long time before taking that step and I can attribute just about every positive action I do with my horse to a lesson that each of Marguerite's horses taught me at some point in my learning journey. I am very grateful to Marguerite for introducing my family to the wonderful world of horses and for her patient, expert guidance that has made these beautiful animals such an integral part of our lives. I highly recommend Midnight Blue to anyone who really wants to learn to ride well and to build a positive relationship with horses. It's not easy, but it is absolutely the best gift I have ever given myself. read more

Midnight Blue & Company - Horseback Riding Near Me - Castro Valley, California

See all

Marguerite is the best, very professional and has over 40 years of experience. Definitely recommend for riding lessons and good times.

Marguerite is the best trainer!! My first lesson with her as an experienced rider I was jumping verticals. Other barns have to assess your riding abilities for weeks before you can jump! She is also excellent with beginners. Children advance so quickly with her and are jumping in no time because they have a solid seat! My daughter also rides with Marguerite and can't wait to go to the barn! read more

See all

Best for kids. Seriously amazing horse training and my daughter who was frightened is getting so much braver with horses and in life. Part horse training part therapy and part life coach for kids. I can't say enough good things! read more

I had to leave the stables due to time, but i had nothing but an amazing experience at this facility, the horses were beautiful (my personal favorites were king louie and luge) I wish i could go back, but it wouldn't work out read more

So happy to find Midnight Blue for horseback riding lessons for our son. Marguerite and Eva are great with our little one. We just switched from another place and feel this was the right move. Our son has been taking lessons off an on for about a year now. And on our 2nd lesson here Eva managed to get our son to feel comfortable trotting already. Great staff and experience. Would highly recommend for kids interested in horseback riding lessons. Very happy! read more

After 15 years of trying to find a riding instructor for my daughter in the Bay Area, we FINALLY met, and have started to work with Marguerite. We have been to 6 barns in the East Bay, and 7 in Marin and the North Bay. Some better than others, of course, but none were able to teach beyond very basic, fairly obvious horsemanship for beginners, even at the apparently higher end, more expensive and sophisticated looking barns. I grew up riding in England, with a very different level of instruction and baseline expectation for teaching true horsemanship: we were TRAINED to understand the relationship between horse and rider, to gain command, to care deeply and learn a level of expertise that kept us both happy and safe. As a result, I am an experienced and competent rider, but have not - until now - found anyone here who could help my daughter develop anything close to that. Marguerite IS THAT INSTRUCTOR! She has a level of attunement to both horse and rider that goes far beyond others; she brings decades of experience to inspire and train a level of competence, ability and genuine confidence in her students, and she really knows what she's doing. I cannot recommend her highly enough for anyone who is looking to master the art of horsemanship, and to train in the skills that actually accomplish that. THANK YOU, Marguerite, for staying true to your roots and making real riding accessible to us here! read more

My daughter has been riding for nearly two years now, but has only recently been training under Marguerite Barrier. While my other daughter's trainer was fantastic, Marguerite has quickly found the best way to work with and approach my daughter. Within her first few lessons, Marguerite knew how to prompt and push Cameron. Cameron has made incredible progress and has gained an abundance of confidence in just the few months that she has been working with Marguerite. Marguerite is professional, yet approachable. She is kind yet demanding of her riders. I feel so incredibly lucky to have her working with my daughter. We have found a wonderful "home" at Marguerite's barn. read more

I am a mom, who has been riding and jumping off and on for over 30 years. When I started lessons with Marguerite Barrier after recommendation from a friend, I was extremely impressed with her breath of knowledge, experience and professionalism. After a month of riding at Midnight Blue Training Stables, my 13 yr old son started riding too. The two of us are having so much fun being taught by Marguerite, who can adjust her instructional style to any age or gender. She has 30 years of teaching riding and jumping and training horses. She is able to adjust her communication style to fit the rider. She has talked me through my fears of riding without irons and jumping. My son adores her and is always excited to take lessons. She has made an incredible bonding experience possible for me and my son. Marguerite has built a thriving community of riders and well-trained horses (by her). She specializes in matching the correct horse to the rider, and with this talent, she creates wonderful teams. And, on top of all of the above, her fees are extraordinarily affordable. She also offers her horses for lease to riders in her program. She provides an all-around enjoyable, supportive experience for her riders. She is a treasure I feel lucky to have found. read more

After years of casual western riding, I decided I wanted to make a switch and learn to jump. I found Marguerite the first week I moved to California and immediately felt at home at her barn. Marguerite is an outstanding teacher as shown by all her students who become fantastic riders. I've been riding with her for almost two years now and my skills and confidence have grown immensely. She really understands how to teach riding, knows my abilities, and pushes me when I need it. Marguerite herself is an amazing rider with some absolutely lovely horses. I cannot recommend Marguerite enough! She has truly given me a home away from home and created a wonderful place for people to learn and ride. read more

I lost my nerve after a bad fall. I tried several different trainers, who only made it worse. I was on the verge of giving up on riding when I found Marguerite. She is a miracle worker! She is a knowledgeable trainer with years of proven experience in and outside of the show ring. She has a barn full of well trained safe lesson horses, and the kindest students on the planet of all ages, goals and abilities. The barn is more like a family than a barn. But most of all she knows and understands people and how to coach them to succeed in pursuing their goals. Within a gear she had me jumping 2.6 confidently and loving it!!!! read more