Please be sure to read the other 5 star reviews in the "not recommended" heading below. They too tell the true story. The comments from ANN L and T.C. (not your real names I'm sure), couldn't be further from the truth. I speak from experience as a client, rider, boarder, and yes friend of Seabreeze Farms. I have been riding there since 1998. My son has been riding there for 6 years. I grew up riding and have had horses my whole life. You may want to check yourself before going online, even under an alias (a forensic download can be done to find your computer) to defame Margaret, Ms Thompson, or call the owners of Seabreeze stupid. Most people take defamation very seriously. Now as far as the ranch Manager Margaret is concerned: Margaret has been at Seabreeze over 20 years. You will not find a more knowledgeable, caring, animal loving and generous person on the ranch. Is she strict, yes. Will she hold ALL of you accountable for your actions, yes. Does she do numerous night checks of the horses especially if they are ill or under vet care, yes several times each night. Does she sit up all night with your horse until the vet arrives or use her own trailer to rush your horse to the hospital for emergency colic surgery in the middle of the night, absolutely. Managing a facility of this size has its daily challenges. Are each and every boarders requests or concerns handled and resolved immediately? No. Nor are they at any other facility of this size. If there is an emergency, those incidents are handled appropriately. Is everyone always going to be happy, absolutely not. Does she tolerate the back biting, fragile egos of some people, no. If you want a facility with a manger that doesn't care, lets everyone do whatever they want, doesn't hold people accountable, is never around, and could care less about you and your animals, then don't come to Seabreeaze. As far as trainer Wendy Thompson: If you want a trainer that doesn't care about client or horse, if you want a trainer that has to drug their horses just to get the client safely through each lesson, if you want a trainer that will run their horses into the ground for whatever the reason, if you want a trainer with no integrity, if you desire a trainer with a fragile ego, then you don't want Wendy Thompson. If, on the other hand, you wish to be in partnership with a trainer who puts the animals first, has honest sincere dialogue with her clients, treats everyone she encounters with respect, kindness, and a willingness to help you and your horse safely succeed together.....then you should most definitely sit down and talk with Wendy. Seabreeze has existed successfully on its own merits for decades. Under the leadership and management of Margaret, Seabreeze has been a safe, well run, friendly home to hundreds of happy horses, riders and owners. Stop by and see for yourself, you'll be glad you did. Margaret, Wendy, and the owners of Seabreeze do not need me to validate their efforts or sing their praises. But after reading the malicious, defaming, slanderous lies and comments posted by ANN L and T.C. (not their real names I'm sure) I could not sit by and fail to set the record straight. Now, ANN and T.C., please act like adults and feel free to meet at the barn so you can air your grievances face to face with Margaret and Wendy instead of trying to hide behind an alias on yelp. P.S. I gave Seabreeze 4 stars because ALL of us always have a little room for improvement. read more

I cannot say enough good things about this facility, and especially its barn manager, Margaret. The property is beautiful - and, more importantly, beautifully maintained - and the level of care is absolutely impeccable. If you board a horse here, you can rest assured that he/she will be treated with the utmost compassion and respect. If you know Margaret at all, you know that her dedication to the wellbeing of Seabreeze horses - in fact, to all animals - is her #1 priority. She knows each and every horse by name and location, and monitors the health and happiness of each one of them with a mother's vigilance. To this day I have never come across another barn manager with her level of dedication. Margaret has my loyalty (and that of every other true horse lover who is fortunate enough to know her) for life. To illustrate my point: I have loved horses my entire life but was never allowed to ride because my mom considered it unsafe. However, as soon as my mom met Margaret and saw the level of care and conscientiousness at Seabreeze, the ban was lifted... and within months I was a certified barn rat. Finally: Margaret is a passionate person, and passionate people are always going to rub certain individuals the wrong way, simply because passionate people do not easily compromise on what matters to them. But since the thing that matters most to Margaret is maintaining a safe, clean, nurturing environment for her horses, I find it hard to see why any horse owner (or horse lover) could possibly have a problem with her. As such, anonymous negative reviews by spoiled, disgruntled former clients should be taken with a grain - or a large heaping handful - of salt. read more

I don't disagree with anything that the anonymous commenter said having to do with the manager and client stealing. Common knowledge when it comes to Seabreeze Farms is that if you are a trainer there, and if you are not liked by Margaret that you will lose business and your life will be hell. I boarded and rode with a trainer at this facility for years, when I made the decision to move to Seabreeze Farms I was warned by numerous friends and acquaintances on the circuit to keep my distance. I befriended Margaret and as the tale is told, she was kind to me, gossiped with me, drove me around on her golf cart, she was a wonderful friend. I felt for my trainer because on multiple occasions she made suggestions to switch to the other trainer at the barn. I was new in this sport and thought this was the right thing to do. We made the decision to move from the trainer and it was not a good one. We are not happy at a new facility with a new trainer. The facility overall does offer supreme care to the horses. While Margaret is one that you should keep at a distance, her care for the horses is genuine and her care for the grounds is above standard. If you are a trainer looking to work at a facility, this is not the place to be. You will lose your clients and be stabbed in the back so many times that you will need reconstructive surgery. Just ask any of the former trainers who have been at this facility other than Annalee Bennett who is Margarets daughter. read more

I have had the pleasure of riding at Seabreeze for the past 15 years. It is a beautiful training facility and a haven in the midst of the dense suburban sprawl that is Carmel Valley. Barn manager Margaret Bennett runs an absolutely first class operation 24/7/365, especially in light of the wide array of personalities and ethics endemic to the horse business. Margaret has always put the health and welfare of the horses under her care first, while juggling the daily demands and vagaries of trainers, boarders, riders, staff and facilities. In addition, they have an amazing program for young riders, a team-driven, drama-free environment which teaches horsemanship, sportsmanship and friendship. I have had the pleasure of watching many of these girls (and a few boys!) grow up at this barn, go off to college, marry and start families of their own while still keeping in touch with their barn mates and with the farm. While there are several quality hunter/jumper trainers at the barn, I've been lucky enough to ride with Wendy Lee Thompson of Coastline Hunters and Jumpers for the past three months. Like my friend and former trainer Annalee Bennett, Wendy is a superb horseman with a focused and professional training business, not to mention a successful international show jumping career. I recommend this barn to riders of all ages and experience, they are sure to find a trainer and program that matches their goals. read more

I started riding at Seabreeze since I was 6 years old and started with the summer camps, I grew up at Seabreeze and Margaret the barn manager has been a very good influence in my life even outside of horse riding, she is like family. Today I am 17 years old and still have my first pony that I had at Seabreeze. Margaret goes out of her way and outside of her job to be sure all the horses and clients are happy. I have watched her many times find horses that nobody else noticed that were sick and she quickly alerts the trainers. These are usually in the late evening hours while doing her nightly checks, and this is vital to catch the problem early on to save the horses life. Many of the kids that have grown up at Seabreeze continue to be in contact with Margaret while in college or into adulthood, and this is to show the strong support we all share for her. Margaret also has to be the barn manager which means enforcing rules so that we can all share this beautiful barn with our horses. My family very much loves this property and we have been to other barns with different horses and Seabreeze is a very clean well run beautiful property and we can not say that for the others. I would highly recommend this property and it was a great place for me to grown up with all my horse friends. read more

My daughter has been riding at Seabreeze for 7 years. Margaret is the kind of person who can over see millions of dollars of horses, a clientele that is mostly teenage girls (and their mother's) and a huge facility with all of its workers and makes it look easy. My husband and I have spent many, many hours there and have the utmost confidence that everything that can be done to keep my daughter and her horse safe is being done! Yes, she is "firm" she HAS to be with all that responsibility! When we have been called into her office (yes, my daughter isn't perfect) she has been completely fair and used each incident as a learning experience! It is impossible to put into words everything that Margaret has done for my daughter and the others at the barn. but she goes off to college this fall being a responsible and conscientious adult, much of it learned from Margaret. Margaret is exactly who you want to manage the place where you and your horse can work, learn and play! read more

Seabreeze was my second home from the day I began riding there at age 10 until the day I left for college, and it continues to feel like home every time I visit--largely due to the extremely welcoming community Margaret has created. I learned so much about riding, horse care, and life in general from Margaret and the trainers I rode with during my time at Seabreeze. I've tried out a few other barns since moving out of state and have yet to find one where the quality of management is anywhere near the caliber of Seabreeze's. Margaret goes way above and beyond to make sure the horses and people are happy, safe, and healthy. I wish I still lived in the area--I'd be back at Seabreeze in a heartbeat. read more

Seabreeze Farms is a well maintained, beautiful facility. They offer a riding school, Bennridge Riding School, that teaches from the ground up. Bennridge has a variety of school horses. Seabreeze also has multiple trainers on site. Top-rated Wendy Lee Thompson, Coastline Hunters & Jumpers, is a phenomenal trainer and person. Wendy offers individualized training for the horse and rider. However big or small your goals are, Wendy will help you obtain them. She is extremely knowledgeable, calm and patient (with both horse and rider). I highly recommend Seabreeze for boarding and Wendy for training. read more

I was a boarder at Seabreeze Farms for over 7 years. I started with the kids summer camp program offered at the ranch, which is fantastic. The property is beautiful and the horses are very well cared for. The barn's staff and ranch manager, Margaret, care for the horses 24-7 and I always knew that my horses were well looked after and loved while boarded there. The barn was run like a well oiled machine. If you are looking for a quality barn that will ensure the safety and care of your horse and provide a loving atmosphere, I absolutely recommend Seabreeze. read more

I was a boarder and trained at Seabreeze for 5 years and I have never had a better boarding or training experience. They provided top quality care to my horse, the grounds were always perfectly maintained and the staff and ranch manager Margaret was always onsite providing round the clock watch of all the animals. I always felt safe knowing my most prized possession was in good hands. I could not recommend this facility more, no matter your riding level. read more

Been at Seabreeze for 9 years with 4 horses with various trainers, I would highly recommend this property to board your horse, very family oriented and a beautiful club house and amenities for clients and their horse. read more

Best horse riding place. My sister attends lessons and absolutely loves the teachers. The horses are well looked after and the stables are clean and tidy . read more

Margret is such an incredible woman and I was so lucky to ride with her. The barn is beautiful and a great place to spend time.

I am SO SO SO SORRY!!! I didn't realize it posted only 1 star!!!! You guys are 5 stars!!

Great facility. Great staff ! See 5 other 5 star reviews below!!