I started riding here when I was 10 years old and I am now about to be 20 and call this place my…read moresecond home. This barn and the people+animals here have helped me along every part of my journey from taking lessons as a timid young girl to competing at the World's Championship horse show in Louisville, Kentucky. It is an excellent place to begin your riding journey as there are people of all ages taking riding lessons for the very first time. Not only are the instructors amazing, but the barn family is made up of some of the best and kindest people I know who truly begin to feel like family. This is an excellent environment for you or your child to take lessons and makes moving up into the world of competition seamless if that is what you wish to do. Not to mention the barn and its surroundings are BEAUTIFUL! I would recommend Avalon a million times over.

I purchased a Living Social deal for a few horseback riding lessons for my daughter on a whim last…read moreAugust. She was just 4 at the time but loved horses and the website for Avalon said lessons start at age 5. I figured I would purchase the deal and use it after she turned 5, boy was I glad I purchased this deal! My daughter turned 5 in the first few weeks of December. We had our first lesson at Avalon just before Christmas. Lonna was my daughter's riding instructor for her first horseback riding lesson. Fun and engaging, Lonna made my daughter feel comfortable on top of the giant horse Evan she was riding. I might mention, my daughter is terrified of heights and Evan is impressively tall. Before riding Evan, my daughter was given the opportunity to groom a different horse with another riding instructor. She was shown how to brush, curry, and comb out the horses coat. She was also shown how to pick up and pick out the horses feet to get them ready to ride. After her first lesson she was hooked on horses and we signed up for a monthly lesson program. The staff, the facilities and the riding instruction is top notch. The Stables are always clean and the grounds are beautiful. The riding staff is trained in beginner to advanced riding techniques. They are welcoming, knowledgeable and friendly. We are happy to have found Avalon Stables for our daughter.

Clean-ish environment, well-trained horses, however the staff was mildly rude and unwelcoming.read more

My daughter attended a horse riding camp this summer at Suncoast Stables and had an incredible…read moretime. What did we love about it? -The themes. Each camp had a different theme and kids could sign up for the one they liked. -Covered riding area. Rain or shine, the kids could ride. -Kona Ice day. The truck came out and the kids could purchase a treat halfway thru the week. -End of the week presentation. Parents were invited to a Friday performance that showed off what their kids had learned. So why not five stars? Mainly because of the lack of communication. Leading up to the start of camp, the only information we had was from the sheet we filled out months before to reserve our spot. An introductory email would be incredible. Also, the paper handed out to parents about the presentation had the wrong time on. I was only able to confirm the actual time because we attended with a good friend who had the owner's phone number. Tightening up the communication would take Suncoast's Summer Camps from being amazing to perfect!

If you're looking for a great horseback riding experience, especially as a beginner, I recommend…read moreChoyce. We had Will as our guide and he was so kind and professional. He made sure we all understood what to do and guided us through the process without being overbearing. We were able to take in the gorgeous sites and just enjoy our time without having to worry about a thing! The only reason I'm giving 4 stars instead of 5 is that the communication leading up to this event was a little rough. We had to reschedule a few times, due to storms and a couple in our party getting sick, and texts/calls were not answered in a timely manner. There was also some confusion about where to meet and what time and such. However, that did not derail the actual experience, which was lovely. I would recommend, just be aware that your communication attempts may go unanswered for a while.

Communication was superior when setting up the reservations and the day as it progressed…read more A very friendly and knowledgeable staff. They chose horses according to your abilities and acquainted you with them before riding. It was a scenic ride thru Green Swamp Wilderness and was enjoyed by all riders. We definitely would go again!!

As a Christmas gift for my daughter my wife and I invested in horseback riding lessons. After some…read moreresearch we found a nearby business, Licciardello Stables, that offers riding lessons. We got set up with an initial lesson. Forty dollars for thirty minutes. When we arrived early for our lesson, one of the volunteers took us on a tour of the stables and surrounding farm. We saw multiple horses, including a thoroughbred, rabbits, a goat, pigs and chickens. There were also a handful of dogs running around. The stables and training areas were decked in holiday decorations with lots of picture taking spaces. The vibe was very laid back and the kids loved it. After that first lesson we signed up for a package of three more. My daughter loves her time on the back of the horse and all the things she has learned about riding. Her trainer is very knowledgeable and has progressed her to short, controlled runs. So why only four stars? Remember the laid back vibe? It is almost too much at times. During the second lesson my wife wasn't around. I went to check in but there was some sort of holiday gathering. My kids and I wandered around for a bit trying to figure out where we were supposed to go. Finally I was able to find someone and she got the people (and horses) necessary to get started. Since we started late, we were cut off short of our half hour. One other time we started late, not because we were late, and also ended short of half an hour. My daughter loves riding at Licciardello Stables. She loves the horse and the trainers that have worked with her. Licciardello Stables offer different camps throughout the year and hopefully we can get her to do one of those when the time is right.

This family owned & operated equestrian center is a unique combination of Love for not just their…read moreHorses BUT their love for the many animals from dogs to the Petting Zoo called Morning Side. Pigs,goats, chickens. The Licciardello Stables offers a creative twist to most of their offerings,Horse camps,Birthday venues & Celebrations JUST BECAUSE parties There is genuine pride passion & dedication to caring for,instructing & enhancing sharing their LOVE & Joy for their Students,horses & ALL Licciardello Stable Venues.

Clair Kellner is an exceptional trainer! She really helped me improve my riding, and setting me up…read morewith the horse that meets my individual needs. Her style of training is very professional, encouraging, and kind to the horse, which is why I ride with Clair. Charlie Kellner and Clair run a great farm too! The horses are well cared for, watched over, and given the TLC they need. Sydney Eggleston, our assistant trainer, does a fine job too. We enjoy competing in the horse shows too! I highly recommend these folks if you are into hunter-jumpers :) They have lesson horses too, so do not shy away coming over even if you do not own your own horse.

This isn't just a beach ride--it's a beautiful, ethical experience with rescue horses who truly…read morelove what they do. We had an absolutely incredible experience with C Ponies, and I can't recommend them enough--especially if you're looking for something unique, meaningful, and truly unforgettable. What makes this experience so special goes far beyond just "riding horses on the beach." These are rescue horses--many of them coming from difficult or neglectful situations--and C Ponies has created something really beautiful by giving them a second chance at life. You can feel how deeply loved and well cared for these horses are. They are healthy, happy, and genuinely seem to enjoy their work. One of the most fascinating parts was learning that the water is actually healing for them. Being in the ocean supports their joints and overall wellness, so this experience isn't just fun for us--it's beneficial for them, too. That alignment made the entire experience feel even more special and ethical. Our guide, Raina, was fantastic. She had the perfect mix of humor (yes, some delightfully corny jokes), warmth, and knowledge. More importantly, you could tell she truly loves these horses and what she does. She made everyone feel comfortable, safe, and engaged the entire time. Walking the horses into the water--and even getting to experience them swimming--was surreal. Each horse had its own personality, which made it even more fun. You could tell they were relaxed, confident, and happy to be there. It didn't feel forced or transactional--it felt like a partnership between humans and animals. Living in Sarasota, it also meant a lot to support a business that is doing such meaningful work in our own SW Florida community. C Ponies is not only creating unforgettable experiences, but they are actively rescuing, rehabilitating, and giving these horses a life filled with purpose and care. If you're on the fence--book it. It's one of those rare experiences that stays with you long after it's over.

Absolutely exceeded our expectations! Raina was an amazing guide, full of tons of information…read moreabout the bay, history of the ponies and nuances of each pony to better assist each rider. Would highly recommend! This is an experience you'll never forget. Thanks to Raina, Coral, Dori and Snooki.