This review is for the Costa Mesa Z Equestrian location at the OC Fairgrounds off Arlington Dr. Same owner at both San Juan Capistrano (SJC) and Costa Mesa. We couldn't be happier with our experience at Z Equestrian in Costa Mesa! My 6-year-old daughter takes English riding lessons with Miss Emily, who is incredibly patient, thoughtful, and truly amazing with young riders. Both Miss Lexi and Miss Emily are wealths of knowledge and handle their students with such care. They don't just teach you how to sit on a horse; they focus on building strong foundations and fostering a genuine love for the animals. The communication is seamless, and the pricing is very fair. In a hobby that can get expensive quickly, we find this so much more fulfilling (and affordable!) than a Magic Key to Disneyland. My daughter is already dreaming of riding every single horse in the stable! read more

I'm a 59 year old woman with leukemia looking forward to my fifth lesson next week. I rode, briefly, as a teenager and decided...now or never. How absolutely blessed I was to find Zequestrian! Everything, absolutely everything, is perfect. Zara, my instructor, is patient and reassuring. I'm 100% comfortable in everything we do. She's intuitive and positive, gently correcting my mistakes in a way that makes me feel good about trying and really complimenting my successes. So much encouragement! She's knowledgeable and astute, I learn so much in the hour I'm there. I'm exactly where I want to be and feel inspired to keep going. The stable is always clean and organized. It's a joy to walk on the property. If you're looking to take lessons or have a child you want to get started, look no further...go to Zequestrian. Sara made it very easy to get started and has made me feel so, so welcome. Love, love, love this place- everything about it. read more

Zequestrian - Cake Pop, the gentle mare, who puts up with this beginner so patiently. - Horseback Riding Near Me - San Juan Capistrano, California

Don't be fooled. They will gladly take your money, but don't expect to learn anything. Disorganized, poor communication. There are lots of better trainers; go with any of them. read more

My kids attend lessons with Lexi at the Costa Mesa stable and they just LOVE Miss Lexi! They are a couple months in and doing so well. Very knowledgeable and caring team at Zequestrian. So happy to have found this gem! read more

I booked a lesson for my three year old niece, and she had the time of her life. Sara and Avalon were so patient with her, and guided her very carefully throughout the process. She absolutely loved riding and is excited to keep taking lessons. Thank you, Zequestrian!! read more

My daughter had one lesson here and she loved it. She was so excited to go back--we even bought her new gear (helmet and boots) and purchased a package of lessons. I was even considering signing my son up. Unfortunately, on the day of her second lesson we had an emergency. My 17-year-old son was being stalked and harassed by a woman who had been texting him since 2 a.m. The police were at our home and we had to file a restraining order. It was a situation no parent should ever have to go through. I contacted the owner, Sarah, to explain the emergency and request a makeup lesson. I made it clear this was not a normal cancellation--it was an urgent safety issue. Her only response was that we had signed a waiver and there is a 48-hour cancellation policy. I've worked with many child-focused organizations and sports programs, and they typically show compassion during emergencies. This was the opposite; it felt money-driven rather than child-centered. Worse, after my daughter's first lesson I discovered her helmet had not been fitted correctly--the staff at Dover Saddlery later showed me how to secure it properly. Basic safety procedures were overlooked. We have decided not to continue with the prepaid package. I cannot recommend this program to other families. We would have been long-term clients, but the lack of empathy, care, and attention to safety made it clear we dodged a bullet. read more

I recently had my first lesson at Zequestrian. Almost immediately, I was impressed by the owner, Sara. She was prompt to respond to my request for more information regarding lessons, she was very professional and very friendly. When I arrived to my lesson, she could not have been more welcoming and caring. You could tell safety is her top concern, along with making sure the horses are treated well. I have ridden for most of my life so am not a beginner, but have not ridden in a while so I would call myself a "rusty stirrup" at best. She took that all into consideration. It was a great lesson and I will be back with my daughter. I am excited to be riding again! read more

Zequestrian - Horseback Riding Near Me - San Juan Capistrano, California

Sara is amazing, from day one I trusted her with her my daughter who was 5 at the time, and now a year later she's confident and Sara always pushes her to do her best! She takes her time, and does everything to ensure safety while riding! Highly recommend!!! read more

What a wonderful program for children to develop a love, for not only horses but horsemanship! My daughter had her first lesson this past week with Sara and the Zequestrian team in SJC, needless to say it was so enjoyable to watch her enjoy the amazing family centered down to earth environment Sara creates with her program. I grew up at the barn and on the backs of horses, side by side with Sara I may add. I can truly say she creates a lovely environment full of fun joy and true care for both horse and rider. It's was truly such a joy filled full circle moment to watch the young girl I grew up riding with teach my little girl how to love a pony just like we did as children. Thanks Zomo, we can't wait for our next pony adventure with you and the team! read more

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Our 3YO was determined to ride a pony for her birthday and multiple people online recommended Zequestrian to us. We are so glad they did! Sara and Kayla are both so friendly and professional and our kids felt comfortable right away and had a great time. We ended up signing our 3YO for weekly lessons and she's been having the best time. It's not just a glorified pony ride; Kayla is so patient and has been teaching our child so much, from standing to the names of the colors of the horses. I also feel I need to give kudos to Sara and her team for their communication. They respond so quickly and it's so easy to coordinate and schedule lessons. read more

My son who is on the spectrum was given the opportunity to experience horseback riding in a safe, supportive and understanding environment, the staff demonstrated patient, kindness and professionalism, they took the time to know my son and understand his needs. I highly recommend Zequestrian read more

Took my son to his first lesson with Sara and I have to say she is the absolutely AMAZING! She is so knowledgeable and so good with kids. She made my son feel so comfortable his first time on a horse. I would highly recommend!! read more

It wasn't until I was looking over some photos that my wife took when our daughter was riding Zequestrian's pony (Squishy) for the first time, when it hit me that we captured her absolute joy doing what she loves (at such a young age) in a photo. The rest is history. Thank you for letting my little girl's love of horses turn into weekly lessons. read more

Zequestrian - Horseback Riding Near Me - San Juan Capistrano, California

Sara and her team were amazing! I brought my daughters in for their first horse riding experience. Sara had her instructors take my daughters to the stable, introduce them to the horses and pet them. They then walked them through preparing (tacking) the horse for a ride. Safety is top notch here and they equipped both girls with gear and walked them through the basics. I felt very confident that these ladies were professionals and that my kids were in great hands. They had an amazing time. 10/10 would recommend ! read more

Zequestrian - Horseback Riding Near Me - San Juan Capistrano, California

We've finished 3 lessons so far and I am really happy with my child's progress. Sara and the team have done a wonderful job helping get their form correct so that they can ride with confidence. Horses are all really great, too - but Sara and her team are so wonderful! read more

Nice place where the focus is on the kids, not your pocketbook. They don't pressure you like other places to buy stuff and do expensive horse shows, but they do offer them. I like how the kids are expected to groom and ready the horses so they are taught to learn about the horses. Sara also makes things fun. She has the kids paint the horses to learn body parts. Again, my favorite part is she concentrates on the kids and the well being of her horses and ponies. read more

Ms. Sara and her team are amazing. We felt we were part of her family since day 1. From start to finish, everyone is friendly, professional and my daughter felt confortable right away. She is always given personalized attention which ensured that she made progress during each class. While safety is their top priority, they also make sure my daughter has fun and enjoy herself thoroughly. Overall, I highly recommend Zequestrian for anyone who wants to enjoy a rewarding and fun horse-riding lesson! read more

Zequestrian - Horseback Riding Near Me - San Juan Capistrano, California

Sara is an absolute angel. She has incredible patience and such a natural way with both the horses and children that everyone feels comfortable very quickly. We have seen a big increase in confidence for our son both with the horses and his riding, as well as outside of the lessons! He is always super excited to go to the stables, and I love that the lesson also involves looking after the horses as well as practical instruction. I couldn't recommend Sara and her lovely team highly enough, as Z Equestrian is a very special place. read more

While visiting family in California, my 8-year-old daughter was gifted two horse-back riding lessons. In her words, "This was better than Disneyland!" Sara (and her awesome assistant, Sabrina) could not have been sweeter! They made my daughter feel at home from the first second. It was clear to me that safety was always their top priority (ie.: when grooming the horse, she was consistently reminded of what to do & where to stand, she was never given the reins to ride alone, and she was constantly "quizzed" on horse facts & etiquette). We will definitely be visiting them again on our next California trip. read more

Zequestrian - Horseback Riding Near Me - San Juan Capistrano, California

TLDR: LOVE ZEQUESTRIAN 1.Teaches real riding skills, not just how to sit on a horse that does everything for the student 2.SAFETY 3.Amazing way to make friends/great community 4.Taught life lessons/important skills that help students on and off the horse 5.Helpful and student-goal oriented 6.Great price At 14 I had wanted to start lessons, Zequestrian's competitive pricing drew us in. Sara and her horses have kept me hooked for the last 8 years. Ive gotten so much out of Zequestrian, so here is why Ive stuck around for almost a decade: 1. Great training: So fun but real communication with the horses, not just kick and go. She taught me to actually guide the horse rather than use simple cues the horses are trained to respond to (like 99% of trainers). I got to ride multiple horses, each have their own lessons to teach students. 2. Safety: Safety on the ground and in the saddle are heavily emphasized. Makes sure riders have a rock solid foundation before pushing us to higher level things. 3. Great enviro: Sara really nurtures a great environment for students to interact; learn from each other and make great friends. (How I met one of best friends to this day) 4. Life lessons: Teaches responsibility, listening skills, perseverance, and confidence. As one of Sara's older students, I love seeing so many young students over the years learn these things and be able to apply them to other areas of their lives. Working with horses is amazing for my mental health. 5. Adaptable/student focused: Sara is focused on YOUR goals. She is very well connected in the equestrian community and has so much information to offer. When I was interested in competing she was involved throughout the process. When I was ready for my own horse Sara was great. Me and other students were lucky enough to get horses that Sara had trained herself. Would let me take my lesson to unwind with the horses or to really focus on progression, super adaptable. read more

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My daughter rode with Sara at Z Equestrian for 4 months. When you are part of her barn, meaning one of her clients, she is very sweet. She is also very young. The issues we had were mostly of safety. She is a risk taker and lets face it when you are 24 the world seems invincible. My daughter is an advanced rider and her horse is an advanced horse. I know riding is a dangerous sport but sara would have my daughter ride without reins and with her hands in the air. The final straw was when she had her ride without reins while bareback and the horse took off and really my daughter could have been killed !! Other times she would have our horse run thru mud that was deep and where she could have fallen and been hurt. When we said we were leaving her barn she initially seemed so nice about it but by the next day she told all the other kids and parents to avoid us. I could care less about me being shunned but my daughter ? Come on, that's not right. The one girl that was my daughters age and supposed friend called my daughter to say that if she talked to her she would be fired! She is Sara's assistant. So incredibly immature! Lastly, although she charges less for lesson packages, she charges more for full training. Most trainers do a lot for a horse/rider in full training. It usually includes a combination of lessons and pro rides as well as taking full care of the horse. This trainer will take the horse out, let the horse roll in mud and put them back filthy. read more

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We absolutely love riding with Sara at Zequestrian. Our daughter was born a micro-preemie and we were looking for something to help build core strength/balance. She is 5 now and Sara has really help to foster her love for horses. She is kind, caring and extremely patient with little kids. She also takes safety very seriously even though my daughter wants to be a risk taker. My daughter always looks forward to seeing Sara for her lesson. read more

My Daughter has been wanting to ride for years now. For us it was a matter of finding the right place and the right fit for her! We have found it here at Zequestrian! Sara has not only been her trainer on the horse but also a mentor in her life. My Daughter is 11 and life can be a bit confusing at that age. With Sara she feels she has someone to talk to, a person who has her back and cares for her. Zequestrian is more than just riding it's learning to ride the waves of life that the world throws at you. Since she has started her confidence and self esteem has grown and she has found her passion! As a parent we want our children to thrive in so many areas of life, I would have never thought she would find her purpose and unlock her passion and love for life with Sara's horses! I am more than thrilled I feel relieved I feel she has found her place!!! Thank you to all the friends she has made at Zequestrian staff. It's an amazing and beautiful place to let go of the days stress and unwind! I highly recommend Zequestrian to anyone looking for a great family of horse lovers and riders! read more

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Sara is by far the best trainer I have ever had. She has helped me and my young horse work well together and has helped me build an amazing riding foundation. Sara understands what is good for the horse and rider and explains everything amazingly. Even though I am a western rider and Sara teaches English, she has helped me so much with my riding techniques and my horse. I have learned so much from training with Sara and I'm so excited for the future with her!! read more

Zequestrian - Horseback Riding Near Me - San Juan Capistrano, California

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Not responsive at all, we bought the ticket and it is two days we are calling the phone number on their website, nobody answers.

Had an incredible experience at Zequestrian today! The staff was so kind and friendly. Such a fun and educational introduction to horseback riding. read more

Zequestrian - Horseback riding lesson in San Juan Capistrano - Horseback Riding Near Me - San Juan Capistrano, California

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I took my friend's 12 yr old daughter for a horseback riding lesson and got the deal through Living Social. It was a wonderful experience for JoJo. I asked her to write a review of her experience and this is what she said: "I went to the Zequestrian Horses Stable and had the most fun time in my life! The place looks like what I imagined - everywhere I looked, there were horses either eating, being ridden on, or just chilling in their stables and the beautiful scenery just sums it all up. It surprised me to see not only horses, but cats and dogs! I never knew cats, horses, and dogs had a friendly relationship. Sara, the instructor and owner of Zequestrian, makes me feel as if I've been taking lessons there my whole life. She's a friendly & excellent instructor who is very clear on what to do and what not to do when getting ready to ride a horse. In one hour, I learned how to get on and off a horse with the correct feet positions, groom the horses so that they'd look fresh and clean, and recognize what they're feeling by their facial expressions. Overall, I recommend going to the Zequestrian Horses Stable. I might take lessons there next Spring!" Thanks again Sara! You have stolen JoJo's heart and she absolutely LOVED every single minute with you during her lesson! read more

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Miss Sarah and her team are amazing. Our daughter just started riding here and we are thrilled with what she is learning and achieving during her one hour lesson. Each of the young ladies that help are so wonderful. They even allow lil sissy to not only be involved but nurtured as well. If you are new to riding as we are this is a fun welcoming group to take lessons from. The attention to safety is a top priority as is the responsibility of caring for a horse. We love ZEQUESTRIAN! read more

Zequestrian - Miss Clair expertly training our daughter on the fundamentals of riding while including our youngest daughter. - Horseback Riding Near Me - San Juan Capistrano, California

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Sara is an AMAZING trainer. She has taught my 7 year old sister how to ride and gives her the best experience every lesson. Not only is she good with kids but gives great training to more older advanced riders as well. Many people I know train with Sara and I really admire her training techniques as I can see everyone who trains with her develops into a stronger more confident rider wether its on one of her horses or their own. read more

I have been with Sara and Zequestrain for a few months now and I can say with confidence that my experiences and time spent have been an absolute pleasure. Sara cares a lot about the clients she works with and invests time to create a warm and loving environment for each student. She works incredibly well with the kids she has and you can tell she has a lot of care for everyone she meets. As a trainer, Sara is very knowledgeable and my experience with her has been nothing short of superb as she takes the time to work with you to help you progress to the next level (wether it be through work during lessons or work directly with the horses outside of lessons). In my experience as a rider I have not met anyone quite like Sara that cares for her clients in the way that she does. Bottom line, I give high praise and highly recommend Zequestrain. read more

We just love Sara ! Koorosh enjoys his Ridding lessons And she has a great personality , kind and a great instructor ! And we are happy for going there !beside Cori and other ladies who help her are also great and very helpful ! read more

Zequestrian - Always fun ! - Horseback Riding Near Me - San Juan Capistrano, California

Received a Groupon for a one-hour class for Christmas. It expires in April. The Groupon states a reservation is required and nobody calls me back when I call. I've left messages. No return. I like horses but will admit, I was on the fence about the whole horseback workout thing to begin with. Still, I would've tried it once. But apparently that is not going to happen. How can they sell Groupons and have no accountability to provide the service? (uggh... that's a whole other thing... please don't ever give a Groupon as a gift) I am going to see if Groupon will at the very least refund the money to the purchaser's account so Zequestrian doesn't end up profiting from this scam. read more

Sarah is an awesome instructor! Patient and really accesses the rider and their experience, or in my case, lack of. She knows her horses and makes you feel at ease. From 4 year olds through seniors, she is the best! read more

Just like what the other reviews say about Sarah, she makes you feel comfortable. Considering I am a super beginner, Sarah was patient and she took the time to teach the basics, starting with getting to know the horse, Coco. It was a very pleasant experience. I definitely learned a lot. read more

I was very impressed with Sarah. She is sweet, patient and knows how to make you feel comfortable and confident especially when trying a new riding style like myself. I've only had one lesson so far and I loved it! She walked me through everything and let me go at my own pace. I would defiantly recommend this trainer and will be going back very soon! read more

I've been riding at Zequestrian for a little over eight months now and my experience with Sara has been wonderful. When I first started I was shopping around for a trainer that fit my budget and my needs as a beginner. I feel really lucky that I found this barn right away and Sara was very accommodating with all of my questions and even let me shadow one of her lessons before signing up so I could see her teaching style. I've had the opportunity to ride 3 of the lesson horses Sara currently has in her barn and I've enjoyed working with every one of them. In the short 8 months under Sara's instruction I feel I've come much farther in my abilities than I would have expected when I first began. My lessons are always enjoyable and informative, if I'm having an issue with what is being asked of me Sara will take the time to explain it to me in a way that I understand and she is extremely patient while I try to correct whatever problem I'm currently working through at the time. I did notice a previous yelper seemed to question the safety of this barn? I have never felt unsafe here or that anyone at this barn was being negligent in regards to the safety of rider or horse. Sara always takes the time to make sure the tack is fitted properly, my helmet is on correctly and my body placement is correct before we begin or continue the lesson. If I ever am out of the correct position she will immediately tell me what I need to fix to be seated properly and how a correct and incorrect position will affect the riding experience and animal. These are roughly 1,200 lb. animals that allow us to direct their movement from the most vulnerable part of their bodies, they are living breathing animals that have a mind of their own and accidents can happen, especially if you're not paying attention or are being careless. That's something you accept as a rider but I feel that Sara takes every precaution necessary to ensure that your experience is safe as well as enjoyable. I have never felt that my safety was being compromised while under Sara's Supervision. When working with Sara you really get a sense of having someone on your team that shares, understands, and empathizes with your frustrations as well as your accomplishments, the experience that Sara provides at Zequestrian really is much more than just an hour at the barn with an English riding instructor. I am extremely pleased with my experience here and highly recommend if you're looking to start lessons or switch barns to give Sara a call. read more

Hands down the best English trainer at Sycamore Stables. She trains both the horse and the rider, a detail other trainers seem to forget. Truly cares about her students. read more

My 6- and 9-year old daughters have taken lessons with Sara. Sara loves what she does; she has great respect for the horses and for her clients. She is about developing understanding and relationship between the horse and the rider. She is aware of the aims of the rider as they invest in her lessons. She is systematic and knowledgeable about what the riders are capable of. On a philanthropic note, Sara has been generous with her time and willingness to come and share about her experiences and her profession with a group of girl scouts who have may want to work with horses in their futures. I feel fortunate to know Sara in both professional and personal contexts. read more

Super sweet and took her time with our daughter. She absolutely loved it!!! She wishes she could volunteer! My husband had a great time watching her learn and experience new things. What a great day!! read more

Zequestrian - Horseback Riding Near Me - San Juan Capistrano, California

I would like to weigh in on Sara's knowledge, maturity and professionalism. As a 51 year old woman who has worked in the executive corporate world I have seen it all great and below mediocre. I have ridden with Sara exclusively now for almost a year 3 times a week. After 35 years not riding due to a terrible horse accident. I can and DO vouch for Sara's ability and uncanny knowledge of training, teaching and the synergy between both horse and rider. SAFETY is her first concern and that is just a plain and simple fact. I have witnessed so many horrible trainers and been trained by those that have lost their passion for both horse and student; Sara is the epitome of passion and true dedication, can you say that about many? Does she have the ability to push your skills, yes, that's her knowledge of what she sees and knows you are capable of; that's called a trainer/teacher. Anyone who mounts a horse has to acknowledge the risk that you will be bruised, fall or possibly get injured (this can happen in every sport or just walking across the street) it's a chance WE all take when learning to ride. Sara takes extreme precautions to teach you to not be injured. Sara has proven beyond patient, has a work ethic I have yet to witness in many adults and CARES about her responsibility to you the rider and her horses. I have watched her train very small children to over age 60 at all levels of capabilities and not once been disappointed by her professionalism or maturity. Let's wrap it up, everyone would be lucky to join this trainers Academy and learn from a smart, knowledgeable horse trainer and riding teacher such as Sara. read more