My daughter and I have been riding with Mimi since December 2014…read more I chose Mimi after actively searching for a new barn for a month and a half. I visited dozens of places in the East bay, visited many barns several times (watching lessons, getting a feel of the barn's atmosphere), and finally my daugher and I took trial lessons with a few trainers (I highly recommend trial lessons for anybody looking for a new barn, it is hard to judge a trainer just by looking at them teaching somebody else). In the end, the whole family agreed Mimi had the best teaching skills and we have not regretted our decision to bring our horses to her! I have been riding since I was a child, but Mimi is the only trainer who has been able to teach me to ride properly and thanks to whom I now feel I know how to ride. Mimi is extremely knowledgeable and has a passion for teaching which is so important because many trainers, while great riders, just can't explain how to ride. She is very methodical and helps her students develop the tools needed for any rider who wants to become an accomplished rider. I came to Mimi terrified of jumping. I had jumped 2'3-2'5 with my previous trainer but had many stops and painful falls, and finally been lectured that I couldn't be taught how to ride because I was afraid (I tell you, after falling dozens of times, I think any 45 year old woman has the right to be scared). Mimi was very patient, we started with flat lessons, then poles, counting strides between poles, then cross-rails. I now show at 2'11 successfully with a little arabian horse! I entrusted Mimi to teach my then 14 year old daughter who came to her knowing very little and ended up 2016 USHJA and PCHA champion for 3'3 jumper division! Mimi is not only an amazing trainer for my daughter but she is also a great role model, always working very hard while promoting a relaxed and fun atmosphere at the barn. There has been no drama, no tension in our 2 years with Mimi; just focus, learning, and fun! I know that after my daughter leaves for college she will always look back at her time with Mimi as one of the highlights of her life! I'm so happy we could offer that to my daughter! Mimi takes impeccable care of the horses who are very fit and mentally happy. They understand their work and love it! I know I can travel far away and I have no second thoughts about this as I know Mimi will take care of our horses in the best possible way. She will be there for any medical emergency, will openly communicate, will arrange vet visits, take care of any treatment. I don't have to worry about anything, she is there for the horses. And last but not least, Mimi's barn is located at Sunny Hill Farm in Walnut Creek. I had never seen a barn such as Sunny Hill before I visited it! It is beautiful, very clean, has 3 arenas (one indoor dressage, one outdoor jumping, one indoor jumping). Rain is never an issue. Footing is amazing in the 3 arenas. The jumps look new and Mimi changes the courses several times a week. Because Mimi is the only trainer, there is no schedule conflict to enjoy the rings. Have fun barn hunting! Take the time to do your homework. Make sure to check out Mimi!

I have been riding with Mimi Harwell (Clean Flight Equestrian) for several years and I can't say…read moreenough about how great the experience has been. Mimi is extremely knowledgeable, compassionate, and supportive...she has given me confidence to learn and grow as a rider. She, Carlee and Dan take fantastic care of the horses. They give the clients and horses an outstanding level of devotion and care - - highly recommended!

Excellent facilities and a great trainer on-site. Jill Tindall works hard to maintain a well run…read morebarn.

We board our horse here and it is a wonderful place. The owners are very nice and so are the…read moreclients. The property is stunningly gorgeous. There is a covered arena, an outdoor arena, and a gallop track among other amenities. I definitely recommend checking out Sunset Ridge Equestrian Center.

Nola was difficult to work with because she did not return phone calls or pay much attention to my…read moredaughter.

A few years ago I took my son here for horseback riding lessons and Nola was amazing. When I talked…read morewith her on the phone beforehand she was extremely warm, friendly, and accommodating. Meeting her for the first time she had that same energy in person. My son loved his first horseback riding lessons. Nola was supportive and respectful to my son and made sure that he was comfortable on the horse. She told me she'd never force a kid to do anything they weren't ready to do, and I saw that first hand. Thanks, Nola!

I stumbled upon the last review and wanted to post my experience ...we too were at Kismet with…read moreLaura and have stayed since Laura has left . Yes, they had to work out some kinks with taking on alot of students that were with Laura but they assembled the riders as best they could. They continue to hire and build their team there and my daughter as actually turned out to love the atmosphere even more now! My daughter is now in her tween years and this place is the place where her confidence grows and that means everything to me. I believe the lessons are a little more expensive now, yes, but the level of instruction is top knotch and the lessons are one hour as opposed to 30 minutes with Laura ( whom we really loved as well). I wanted there to be a good review on here because it matters. Im sure if the others would have hung in there to see how the place is adjusting to a huge loss with Laura leaving, they would find a great experience too:)

We signed our boys up for riding lessons about 6 - 8 months ago…read more I wasn't sure how things were going to go (meaning if my boys were going to be in it for the long haul or get 'tired' after the shine wore off of a new adventure). Kimmie and the other folks at the stables are extremely helpful - answered all my questions - we were invited to book a day (for our family) to "try it out" and get a feel for the lessons, the facilities, the people. It was really awesome and gave us all a very good idea of what to expect and what was expected of us as learners. Fast forward - my kid is getting ready to go to his lesson today. He is so excited! His confidence has improved. He has a deep desire to really learn and further his horsemanship abilities. He shares what he has learned, what he was able to do (after lots of practice), and how that made him feel really great! If you are looking for a stable whose owner has impeccable integrity, a desire to really work with people and horses (together). Look no further.

Yeah, don't go here…read more Your instructions will be teenagers (not even 18-19, like 16-17 year olds). You can pay less than $100 for 3 hours... but about 45 minuted of that is riding. The other ~2 hours? Free manual labour. You pay to turn out and lunge other peoples horses for 2+ hours. The teenagers teach, train, and do barn chores and care for all the horses. Honestly if these lessons were discounted it would be better, but they're $100+ for lessons. For the teenage instructors. It is honestly ridiculous. These horses aren't abused, this is a pretty ethical riding facility other than the kids continuously instructing other kids and getting paid to do manual labour. Turnout and pasture during summer. The stalls can get pretty filthy and according to my daughter, the only "scheduled" cleaning of stalls was the 2 hours of labour the teenagers did. Again, she was only there on Saturdays, so she didn't see everything. I would NOT take training or lessons here.

I boarded here for a few years. Right next to the trails, which is wonderful. The only reason I…read moreleft was because my horse only got out of his stall when I took him out. I moved him to a facility where the horses are put into herds and put out together everyday except Sundays. Although I don't have direct access to the trails, my horse is a lot happier. If I have to move again, for whatever reason. I would probably go back to Briones Horse Center.

Very beautiful facility, large arena. Horses seem happy and well trained. Everyone is very friendly.read more

Jessica is one of the best trainers I have ever had. She is not only willing to train you, but also…read moreget on the horse and get it going correctly so that you can feel how the horse is supposed to feel. Her ability to explain and demonstrate complex dressage concepts I am able to grow much faster in the sport than in previously times. Thanks Jessica!

Jessica is an amazing English riding instructor. Flexible, personable, communicative-- and also has…read morethe chops to bring your child to the next level of riding. I've seen her excel with beginners through experienced horsewomen (and men.) Compared to other barns, Rancho del Lago is relaxed and welcoming - just what we were looking for. Jessica has spring and summer camps for kids just getting into riding, too -- check them out for an awesome intro into your eventual horse addiction!

Steve and Laura are both great instructors. You can be given a challenge if you're up for it or do…read moremore relaxed riding if its that kind of day. The horses are also wonderful, friendly and can all help teach you more about riding.

My nine year old daughter loves her riding lessons at Rancho Sagauro! She has had lessons with…read moreSteve, one of the owners, and Ally. They are both so kind, patient, and encouraging. We are very pleased.

had a great experience at Ocean View Stables. There were many beautiful horses, and everything felt…read morewell-organized. We went there for horseback riding, and it was really enjoyable. The price was very reasonable--about $20 per person for three rounds, which I think is quite fair. Overall, it was a fun and pleasant experience, and I would definitely recommend it to others!

Went horseback riding here recently and overall had a great experience…read more The location is beautiful and not overly built up, which makes it feel really peaceful. It was the get away I was looking for. There are a lot of trails, and while we didn't spend a ton of time right along the ocean, the hillside views were still really nice. We had a great guide. The setup is cute, and I loved that they let you interact with the horses beforehand -- they seem to take good care of them while still making it enjoyable for guests. On our ride, we were paired with a couple who has been taking lessons there and they had nothing but great things to say, which was really reassuring. Only downsides: the website is pretty confusing and pricing for certain things wasn't very clear. It is a bit pricey, though. That said, I'd definitely go back -- and if I lived closer, I'd even consider lessons. But it is just too far for me to make the commitment.