Highly recommend VDE. Torie is great! Torie can come across as very strict but she is super helpful as a trainer ( per my daughter). Torie focuses on how the rider and the horse can tune in to each other instead of helping the rider advance with an experienced horse, she helps how the rider can grow with the horse to become a skilled rider. read more

First, Torie and the team have been phenomenal about implementing safety policies and practices during Covid. But I also just want to update my review to reiterate what fantastic community Torie has built for riders of all levels. Every person I've met in my lessons has been supportive and kind. Theresa, who handles a lot of admin now, is phenomenal -- responsive, organized, warm. Torie now has two other trainers, Molly and Claire, who occasionally fill in for her so she can actually have a day off, and both of them are wonderful as well -- knowledgeable, fun, friendly. Torie continues to make thoughtful decisions about the horses in her lesson program and how students are matched to horses. I really respect her philosophy toward training horses and riders. And as a new(ish) mom, I have been so grateful for Torie's willingness to flex her expectations to accommodate riding as self-care...and then to tell me when she thinks I'm ready to push harder. Highly recommend. read more

This is an overdue review. I had my horse boarded here for a few months last year, and it was probably the worst boarding experience I've had so far. The good? The facilities were nice, and the price was fair for pasture boarding in the area. The whole barn was clean and well-maintained. Now for the bad. Head trainer Torie was notoriously difficult to get a hold of, from the time I asked to get on the waitlist for boarding and even when I was actively boarding my horse at her barn. I kept my horse in pasture and had some issues because my horse was constantly getting new injuries from the other horses. I texted her a lengthy but cordial paragraph about this, and rather than trying to accommodate or offer a solution, she texted me a simple "ok." Clearly she didn't care enough to want to help, and within a few days, I left to a different barn (with a much more accommodating manager!). Also, while I initially had a good impression of the other staff at Victoria Dye Equestrian, I tried texting one of the other trainers to find out about riding lessons for a friend. I never got a response from her either. This was a while after I had left this barn. Needless to say, if you want a barn with responsive and helpful management, I would absolutely not recommend Victoria Dye Equestrian. read more

I saw the negative review below and would like to address it. I am a boarder at Westwind who has taken many lessons on my horse with Torie, and I lease my horse to a young woman who also takes lessons with Torie. My horse loves his lessons with Torie so much, he almost runs her over to get his pat at the end of the lesson. She is really tuned in to the abilities and needs of the horse. I began as an experienced rider, and progressed significantly while taking her lessons. The young woman who is leasing my horse has also progressed in a short time from being a beginner-intermediate rider to a rider who last year won a Jumping Grand Championship at a Woodside training show on my horse. I've seen riders from young beginners to adults who are interested in showing really leap forward in their riding skills after regular lessons with her. Under Torie, the barn has become a thriving barn. It used to be a dying barn. Now it's full of horses and happy riders. It is an excellent place to ride (and board) and I've watched many riders of all ages progress under Torie in both group and private lessons. She is responsible, caring and kind to horses, boarders and riders. She is extremely trustworthy and responsible. I would be very upset if I had the experience this rider had, but I've never seen Torie give a bad lesson through all the lessons I've had or witnessed, and I don't think this was a normal experience at all. I love being and riding at Westwind, and so does my horse. If you are considering lessons with Torie, you should give her a try. I truly don't believe the negative review accurately reflects Torie's ability, kindness, effectiveness and talent as a trainer. I've trained with many trainers throughout my horse career, and I rate Torie very highly. read more

Westwind barn, managed by Torie, is a great barn to be at. Torie always makes sure the facility is safe and clean, the arenas are maintained, and that boarders are happy. I know that my horse is in good hands, as Torie is always watching out for the horses to make sure they are healthy and happy. Westwind barn is available to all levels of riders, from beginners who have never ridden before to people showing on the "A"- circuit. This makes it a low-stress, low-competition environment. Torie also keeps the facility beautiful without making prices outrageous. The footing in the arenas is amazing and well maintained. The availability of paddocks, stalls, and pastures is great. Torie is a very knowledgeable trainer. Her lessons are educational while still being fun. She also does training rides on her student's horses, which is very useful and helpful. Overall, VDE is a great training program and Westwind is a lovely facility to ride or board your horse at. read more

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As a horse person my entire life, I had some trepidation of moving my horse from the quiet security of home to what I worried could be very different atmosphere - busy and drama-filled. I could not have been more pleasantly surprised! Words can't really convey the gratitude I have for the 'home' my horse and I have found at Westwind. We've now been here at Westwind for 2 1/2 years and I hope for many more. Torie has constantly gone above and beyond to make a very, very hard job, look effortless. She handles the barn dynamics - both people and horses - in a thoughtful and considerate way. As a riding instructor, Torie has a brilliant way of communicating information and a very astute eye. Her lesson horses are extremely well taken care of and she firmly believes in the opportunity for her students to learn about all aspects of horse-keeping, in my view, one of the most important things an instructor can teach. Torie puts her heart into her job and looks out for each horse as her own. Westwind is lucky to have Torie and we are lucky to have Westwind! read more

They did a fantastic job hosting a birthday party for our 6-year old. The kids were split into two groups: One group learned how to groom a horse, and the other group went riding. Each kid had their own horse to ride and was directed by one teenager per horse. Super friendly staff, too! Thanks for a great party. read more

From a boarder's perspective, Torie is fantastic at barn management. I've never seen a horse facility so clean and well run on a day to day basis. Arenas are well maintained/safe and horse care is top notch. I take a couple lessons a week with Roxanne, who is awesome too! Lessons are well thought out and she is super patient regardless of level. read more

This review is about 4 private lessons I had with Victoria Dye, owner of VDE (Victoria Dye Equestrian). I am a complete novice and have neither had experience with horses nor horseback riding before. So everything is new to me: how horses behave in certain situations, what gear is needed, grooming the horse and then the riding part itself. Unfortunately I can give the whole experience only 1 star. And here is why: 1. lesson: I had a 10:30 lesson, showed up at 10 and Tori told me"she had not even done her 9:30 and if I can come back in 1 hour." I did not get a phone call or an email to be informed about the delay. When it was my turn Tori did not give any information about her approach or the structure of the lessons in general. Most of the time she was staring at the screen of her phone or making phone calls. Every now and then she yelled commands at me but gave no explanation why changing my position would help. At the end of the lesson I asked her about different things to be able to understand better and progress faster. Frankly she was surprised, tried to answer but was on the phone again before she finished explaining. 2. lesson: This time I was left alone in the arena on a nervous horse I met for the first time that day. Tori just took off, yelling she had to take care of something related to the horses on the pasture. She did not give any advice how to calm the nervous horse or how I could interpret the horse's behaviour. Lucky for me there was a very kind lady who helped me out. When Tori came back she did neither apologize nor was she aware of the situation she had put me in. I tried to talk to her about it but she was busy with something else on her phone so I was not able to get through to her. The rest of the lesson she was on the phone either texting or talking while yelling commands. Again without further explanation. 3. lesson: My 3. lesson started with Tori asking if I can take my lesson together with 2 very advanced riders. She said she can easily teach all of us together. As I had booked a private lesson I insisted on having a coach for myself which then happened. Again Tori was on the phone most of the time. When she yelled commands at me and I had some difficulties to carry them into execution right away (it was only the 3. time I had been on a horse) Tori got really impatient. 4. lesson: This time I quit before it was time to get on the horse. I had done the grooming to my best knowledge and tried to put the gear onto the horse. Tori had a very rude tone when she corrected my doings and when I asked her why I should do it differently she just yelled "if I want to learn or not?". To be able to learn it is crucial to me to understand how things are done. Unfortunately Tori does not see this approach necessary so I ended my relations with Victoria Dye Equestrians (VDE). The only positive experience was a lesson I had with Roxanne. She is the other coach working for VDE. That day Tori was on vacation and I happened to be matched with Roxanne. She is truly a gem. She wants you to understand what and why you are doing things. She also listens to your questions and answers them very thoroughly. Roxanne motivated me a lot and made me feel good about the things I had done right. Roxanne is also the reason why I will continue horseback riding but not with VDE. read more

I met Torie three years ago when I was trying to find a place to board my horse. Not only did I end up boarding at Westwind because of her, I started having her use my horse for lessons. I've owned and ridden horses my whole life, and I can't speak highly enough of Westwind and Torie's care for her school horses and business. It's rare that I trust people with my horse, but I trust Torie and Roxanne completely. They care for every horse like it's their own and they pour their time into making sure all horses and humans are cared for. If you've spent time in the horse world, you will quickly realize what a gem this place is. Not many barns treat their horses this well and not many trainers are as qualified and as kind as Torie and Roxanne. read more

Torie was very patient with my 3.5 year old. She's a bit on the small side so she needed a semi catered lesson. Torie was very accommodating and my daughter responded very well to her. We unfortunately couldn't do anymore lessons since we moved but might try to work something out in the future when we're in town. read more

As a boarder of Westwind, and student of both Roxanne and Torie, I can not express enough how positive and beneficial the barn and VDE have been to me and my horses. Both trainers show incredible dedication to helping me bring along my young horse and approach lessons with diligence. Being able to ride with trainers who are able to teach you to whatever level the individual is willing to work for is an opportunity that I have not seen in the majority of trainers. In addition to her riding program, Torie has also successfully developed Westwind into a phenomenal boarding facility. From the attention given to each individual horse, to the maintenance and improvements on the arenas, and the overall quality of the barn there's not much more that you could ask for. read more

Wish I could give this place way more than 5 stars! I'm 25 and started taking lessons about eight months ago. I'd seen horses in movies, but that was about it regarding my prior experience. I was just looking for something fun to try once--I had no idea it would transform my wellbeing and happiness, or that I'd soon sign up for weekly lessons that would become my weekly highlight. I've taken most of my lessons with Tory and a few with Roxanne, and I've been amazed at how much they've helped me grow. From learning how to put on a saddle, steer a horse, walk, trot, canter, and so much more, I've felt supported the whole way. They know how to instruct at your level, whether you're a total beginner with truly unfortunate coordination skills (like me) or preparing for competitions. They also know when you're ready to advance (word on the street is maybe I'll be ready to start jumping soon!) and how to set you up for success as you move on to new skills. This is way more important than I thought it would be, because it makes you feel safe as you try something new. Tory and Roxanne are strict on safety, and that's a MUST for me. Tory and Roxanne are SO experienced, and so it's amazing to me that they're still in tune with the beginner's mind. I've seen and felt my own progress with each lesson, and I attribute that to their precise instruction. They know just what to say and do to help you with your corrections. At the barn, you aren't there to just hang out on a horse--you're there to learn. And grow. And connect with a horse. And be in one of nature's most beautiful spots. A few months ago, I moved from Palo Alto to SF--which means the barn went from a five-minute to one-hour drive away. As a testament to how amazing VDE is, I still make the drive down once a week to keep up with lessons here. There are closer places, but I'm staying with VDE because I believe in the quality here. I think it's important to stick to what makes you happy, and that's what I experience with every trip. I'd recommend lessons here to anyone of any age, experience level, physical ability, mental ability, etc. Wherever you're starting, you'll be welcomed and accommodated. Equestrian therapy is a real thing, and this is the place to try it. read more

I used to ride with Torie till i left town for college and i absolutely loved my time training with her! I learned so much over the years. She helped me find new horses to lease and helped me improve my confidence and position. I became a much better rider during my time with her program. She has a great group of school horses and and runs the program really well. Her summer camps are awesome and the barn has a wonderful family feel! The property at Westwind barn is beautiful and well maintained. Arena footing is fantastic and there are wonderful trails out the back of the property. I highly recommend Torie and her program whether you are looking to start riding or looking to continue in your training. Definitely go check out VDE!! read more

I'd give Victoria Dye Equestrian 4.5 stars if I could -- and in this review I'm referring just to the education portion of VDE. My daughter has been riding with and taught by Victoria Dye since she was 6 years old, and is still learning so much from her (along with Roxanne and sometimes Heather) 7 years later! Torie really stresses safety and responsibility to her students, so kids start by learning how to properly groom, tack up and untack, and behave around horses. When it comes to riding, she starts them slowly, but with proper technique, and they quickly learn to post the trot and get on the right lead. She is equally good at building them up with proper jumping technique -- making sure they have a strong two-point before allowing them to jump. Students are expected to ride lots of different horses as well. My daughter would be happy to ride Jasper forever, but has ridden most of the school horses at the barn at least once. She has a genuine love for the horses and kids that train with her, and while she may occasionally start class a bit late or critique a bit loudly, they know it's because she cares about them and wants them to do their best. Torie and crew continue to attract new students and students from nearby schools -- a testament to the quality of the teaching and care students get here. Five stars go to the turnaround at Westwind Barn that Torie and crew have achieved...it truly has become a community barn for residents of LAH and all nearby horse lovers. read more

My kids started out riding with Victoria Dye Equestrian (VDE) at ages 7 & 8. They started with a Beginner Camp during Spring break and then they transitioned to private lessons- and here we are 2 years later. The instructors are fabulous, the horses are great, well mannered and healthy. The kids learn about grooming, anatomy, horsemanship and riding of course. I can only say great things about VDE, the employees, the horses and Westwind Barn. If the instructors are barking out commands, it's only because my kid isn't listening and doing what's asked. (this is in direct reference to the 1 star, bad review) My now 11 year old is participating in the Interscholastic Equestrian Association through Westwind Barn and VDE. It's a great way for my 6th grader to compete WITHOUT the expense of owning our own horse. We are so grateful to have this amazing horse community and the opportunities they offer in our neighborhood. read more

For a great barn community, outstanding care in boarding and a wonderful learning environment for riding, you can't beat Westwind. I board my horse at Westwind, and take Lessons with Torie. As someone who bought her own horse later in life, Torie has been so supportive in helping me learn what being a horse owner is all about. I couldn't have done this transition without her! I feel comfortable that she, Roxanne and the stellar team she has at Westwind are always looking out for my horse's well being. The whole barn community there reflects that care - everyone looks out for one another. Torie is also great with the adult lesson group, always tailoring lessons to each person's goals, comfort level and skills. I highly recommend Westwind for boarding, riding, or both - come join the fun! read more

As a boarder at Westwind, I have the highest praise for VDE's management of the barn. Torie has really been a positive influence at Westwind. The horses are well cared for and she knows every one of them. Torie organizes regular dental clinics for the horses which helps keep them healthy. The grounds are kept clean and well maintained. There are two arenas and a round pen available to boarders as well as lessons if desired. Torie's students seem to love her. Everyone is made to feel welcome at Westwind no matter what their level of riding. A love of horses is shared by all. Torie has a wealth of knowledge and always has a smile to share. read more

I've been boarding at Westwind, which is managed by Victoria Dye Equestrian, for the last year. I've been riding for nearly 30 years and have been a member of tens of barn communities as a lesson client, boarder, and instructor. Victoria Dye Equestrian has impressed me for many reasons. Here are my top three: 1. The horsemanship standards are very high, as reflected in the condition of all of the horses on the property as well as the education of the students who have been riding at VDE for a long time. 2. The lessons are straightforward and fun but always built around helping the students progress in some specific targeted skills to make them become better riders. 3. The community at the barn is supportive, friendly, and inclusive of everyone from kids and adults taking their first lessons to horse owners who've owned the same trail horse for 20 years or who are working toward their goals in a competitive sport. read more