After seeing so many positive reviews, I was excited to book a lesson with Ashley Duke. I had taken…read morea pause from riding and was really looking forward to getting back in the saddle. We reconfirmed our appointment earlier in the day, and I even asked which payment method she preferred, so I truly thought everything was set. However, when I arrived and finally found the front gate I waited and, no one was there. I called Ashley and no answer. I left a voicemail and sent a few texts, but never heard back. I honestly hoped it was just a misunderstanding or that something serious had come up, but after several days, I still received no response at all. I don't typically write reviews, but I took time out of my workday for this lesson only to be completely stood up without explanation. What's worse is that a friend of mine saw Ashley at the IEC in Ramona just days after this happened, so it clearly wasn't an emergency. Unfortunately, I cannot recommend her services. If you value your time and reliability, I'd suggest looking elsewhere

Had a really amazing experience. Wanted to get back into the saddle after 4.5 years of not riding…read more Felt really comfortable around both Ashley and Sasha. I had my lesson specifically with Sasha, she was great! Ashley was giving a lesson at the same time and everyone was interacting with each other, had a really great time. Some barns can be really difficult to feel comfortable in but it was great I loved it. I rode count and he was AH-MAZING! So so so fun!! I'll be going back for sure, already scheduled my next lesson. Also, very reasonably priced! Can't wait to become a regular and build lasting relationships with both the people and horses at the barn. Can't wait to get my 2.5 yr old daughter involved too!!

Not only do I love the atmosphere here, the horses are well taken care of and a very nice and clean…read morefacility. My son has taken lessons with Sarah and responds really well to her. He has improved greatly with her instruction. The level of care and knowledge that Sarah has for her horses and riding students is beyond amazing.

My friend and I won 1 hour horseback riding lessons at a fundraiser and went to Babbling Brooks…read moreRanch. Sarah and her daughter could not have been more welcoming, helpful and instructive. Sarah was very engaging while keeping an eye on what I was doing and correcting how I was holding the reins and communicating with the horse. We had a really fun time and learned something too. I will be back!

Does not return deposits given up front for boarding. Refuses to finish paying for a horse Pepper…read moreCreek Equine Center partially bought, with the agreement from PCEC that facility would give remaining funds owed to seller, upon leaving premises, (06/28/2019,) and has used one of my horses for lessons without asking my permission prior to using said horse, which I never would have agreed to. In addition, Cheryl Pierce laughed as she told me she carried a whip to whip my mare in the neck to get her to walk through puddles during the rain, and had smacked my mare on the neck as my mare was afraid to go through puddles. Cheryl laughed as she told me this, and told me she would continue to carry said whip, anytime Cheryl Pierce would need to handle my mare in case she needed to whip my mare on the neck, again. Would be a stellar place if Cheryl Pierce were not involved, as she becomes verbally abusive (to me, and many other past boarders,) in any situation where she is confronted about being in the wrong. Edited to add: PCEC sent back a portion of the monies they owe me for my deposit. They still have NOT paid me back the money they owe me for the colt they bought named Shivar/Sivan. Have picture and video proof of the condition of the pen the day I sold the colt to Cheryl Pierce. I also have pictures and videos of the condition of PCEC prior to moving in, and the day I vacated the premises. Nowhere in any of these pictures is damage shown to the pen the colt lives in. PCEC added wood to the stall a month before I moved out of the facility. (Which I also have pictures of.) For a horse I have not owned for 6 mos, and a pen that did not need any repairments, I should not be fined for a new watering device, lumber, and 6.5 hours of labor.

I am posting about my negative experience with Cheryl Pierce of Pepper Creek Equine Center because…read moreI feel it is important for others to know what has happened during the past month. I moved my two horses to Pepper Creek on October 28th, but quickly realized the commute from work with traffic was just too much for me to handle daily. Since the contract I had signed required a 30-day written notice to vacate (in order to have the deposit refunded), I emailed and mailed my 30-day notice to Cheryl on November 5th. My friend, who had been a boarder there for a couple years, also gave her notice that day - we had both decided to find a place closer to our homes where our horses could all live together. On November 7th, I texted Cheryl and confirmed with her that she had received my notice. Less than 20 minutes later, all the boarders of Pepper Creek were informed that they will now be locking the gates at 8pm, so everyone needs to be off the property by then. This affected both my friend and I because we were the only two boarders there past 6pm every night. That same night my horses were out of water. When my friend had arrived, one of my horses was down. While my friend was filling the buckets, my other horse immediately started drinking. Later that evening, he had stopped eating hay and was also lying down. I was concerned about possible impaction colic due to dehydration, so at 7:45pm I called Cheryl. I was very surprised by how the conversation went because she told me that the horses were not out of water and that they had looked fine at the time of feeding. I was also told that I was not going to be able to stay past 8pm to make sure my down horse was alright. After some arguing, I was told that I could stay but that the gates would still be locked at 8pm and that I would need to text her what time I would need to be let out. I have never experienced a situation like this before, where I had to argue in order to be allowed to stay with my horse and assess what could have been a life-threatening situation. Moments later I encountered Cheryl at the office, where I was told that I had no reason to be in there, even though I was grabbing my friend's refrigerated Banamine. Then I was told that it did not belong in the refrigerator, despite that being where it had been located for months. I proceeded to give my horse the Banamine and left shortly after 8pm, hoping that my horse was going to be okay. The following day, November 8th, I received a 3-day eviction notice by email, stating that I had until 8pm on Sunday, November 11th to vacate the premises. My friend received the same eviction notice. It also stated that all refunds were going to be mailed. This is also the same day that several cameras were installed around the property. By Sunday, I had managed to find a place for my horses to temporarily be boarded. I moved out well before 8pm to avoid any further issues. Since then, I still have not received any refund. After my first email inquiring about when I would be receiving my $1143.33, which would be my $700 deposit and the remaining 19 days of November board, I was simply told that it had been "sent to the bookkeeper for processing." I received this response from her on November 15th. Since then, there has been no response from her after two more attempts. This has caused me great financial hardship. I haven't been able to pay bills, have no money for a vet or my deposit for the new barn, and had to move with no money for these unexpected moving expenses. Luckily, I was able to find someplace where I was allowed to pay my 3 weeks of board a week after moving in. This has also caused myself as well as my horses a lot of stress. Because my horses had to be moved again, so suddenly, to a temporary situation where they have been receiving completely different hay on a different feeding schedule, they both are now having loose stools. I have never left a barn on bad terms, and am truly shocked by what I have had to deal with this past month. I won't mention what my friend has had to deal with during all of this. I can only hope that I will be able to recover the money owed to me.

I have been at CJ Ranches for over a year now and can't imagine being anywhere else. I have been…read moreriding for most of my life and Jen Willson is by far the best trainer I have had the pleasure of working with. She has a natural talent with horses and has elevated my riding beyond what I thought possible. I started off taking lessons with a lease horse most of the past year. The experience was so educational and really helped get my confidence back. Recently with Jen's help I purchased a 3 year old thoroughbred and have him currently in training with Jen. The experience has been so rewarding and he is progressing so nicely, I couldn't be happier! My two horses (20 year old and 3 year old thoroughbreds) are so happy at CJ Ranch. They enjoy the activity around the barn and all the familiar faces that stop by and say hi. I travel often for work and its so nice to not have to worry about my horses while I am gone because I know that Jen and the rest of the CJ Ranches team are taking good care of them. The barn has a wonderful family environment and great people who truly love their horses. I can't say enough good things about CJ Ranches, Jen or the rest of the CJ Ranches family.

Cj ranches is the best riding facility I have had the privilege to ride and train with. Jen and…read moreChris are amazing trainers who have continued to grow my confidence and knowledge. Amazing horses, great clients, and a family atmosphere. Took me from not having jumped before to competing in the 3' jumpers in less than 2 years. English, western, or both, CJ ranches can help you. Casual lessons to serious competitors. Can not recommend enough.

Candy is an amazing trainer and person. I just started riding lessons at age 52 and it's quite…read morechallenging. I had some bad experiences with trainers in Rancho Santafe and my disappointment led me to find Candy and her beautiful Arabian horse Suga. The drive out to Ramona is beautiful and driving from Del Sur, happily I don't have to get on any freeways. Candy is a very kind and sweet lady who teaches more then just riding, she gives you her positive insight along the way and offers her wisdom through her many years of riding and being around horses. The horse I'm training on is a dream, Suga is very responsive and has a gently trot which really helps me learn and practice my posting trot. She is a sweet, safe and a very gentle horse which is perfect for a beginner like myself. Suga is a beautiful grey Arabian, I adore her. Candy charges a very reasonable rate for her hourly training, and is wonderful to be around. I look forward to my weekly lessons with this dynamic duo! Candy and Suga thank you so much for helping my dream of riding horses come true!

I board my horses in the same center as Candy Regal does and see her almost every day working her…read morebeautiful horses. I haven't taken lessons yet but see others taking their lessons. Would highly recommend Candy for an instructor based on her calm professional attitude.

If you are looking for riding lessons or horse training, I highly recommend Christina Fuller at…read moreEastern Starr Farm. Christina is a very encouraging trainer that really helps to build confidence through positive feedback and instruction. She does a wonderful job at challenging you to bring out the best in your abilities. I've taken lessons from multiple trainers throughout my lifetime and I can't say enough good things about Christina. She is always prompt and professional, she genuinely cares about her students. The barn atmosphere is very family friendly and you immediately feel like part of the barn family. The lesson horses are great and Christina is very knowledgable with different disciplines. Whether it be hunters, dressage, western, I definitely would recommend her and this farm.

Christina Fuller is amazing! My daughter has been taking lessons with her for about a year and I…read morehad seen such a drastic improvement in her riding that I have also started taking lessons with her. She is so encouraging with the kids and gives them clear direction that really connects with them. I cannot recommend her enough!

Rocovich Equestrain is a first rate facility. It is immaculate and the horses are VERY well…read moreattended. Terri is a world class trainer with the patience and experience to teach everyone from beginning riders through upper level competitors. A jewel off the beaten track!

From the owner: Elite care and training for performance horses. FEI Dressage trainer. Specialized retirement…read moreprogram and services. Grass turn-out year round. Instruction for riders in dressage, horse management and jumping.