Riverdale Stables — Attraction in New York

I've given this place two chances. Unfortunately, they failed me twice.

My 7 years old who loves animals would like to learn how to ride horses. I chose this place because it's relatively easier (less transfer) to get there from our place in public transportation. Still, it took us one hour to get there. Below is our story.

First time, we were 15min late for our lesson due to the subway train delay on weekend. I bought an one hour lesson, and paid $100 for it . We were told that my daughter couldn't ride the pony, because it's too late to do so, but she could learn how to groom that pony. Even it's a little surprise and upset to me, but I took it as our responsibility since we're late. I just wished the woman and the young lady coach could be more friendly and considerate during our conversation.

Second time, We're 30min early for my daughter's one hour lesson (another $100). We waited patiently and happily by watching other kids and grownups having their lessons. When the same coach (as last time) came to collect my daughter, she told us that my daughter couldn't get on the pony because her rain boots didn't qualified to ride the pony. I patiently explained to her that I was told on the phone that for the first time rider, it's ok to wear rain boots. That coach said that the heels of my daughter's rain boots wasn't high enough. I was shocked. Another parent past by, and suggested me to rent one of their boots, that coach immediately replied that those were not for renting. At that moment, I asked my daughter she had choice of leaving or learning to take care of the pony again for one hour (maybe 50min left). My daughter thought about it, and told me that she would like to take care of the pony again. So, I let that coach brought my daughter to the back.

I was little concerned since the attitude of that coach wasn't friendly, so I followed them. After we walked to the back where they kept all the ponies, I saw several teenage girls were walking around without helmets and boots, but one of their friend was dressed up properly. I said hi to the girls. That coach saw me and asked me to leave. I told her that I just wanted to make sure to where my daughter was taken, and whether or not that place was safe to her. She told me that I should leave now because it's not safe for me to stand there. I asked her why. She told me because I didn't have helmet and boots on. I asked how about the other teenage girls who were dressed like me. She said they were experienced riders. I had to say goodbye to my daughter, and left.

I walked back to the office to ask the lady who's behind the desk why I couldn't rent the boots in the counter. She told me those were not for renting. They were for selling for $10 a pair. I told her I would like to buy them so that my daughter could ride the pony. She looked at her watch, and said it's too late because they normally let kids to ride the pony in the first 30min of their lesson, and use the rest 30min to groom the pony. The most important thing was she wasn't even sorry, or showed any emotions while she talked with me.

I don't normally loose my temper, but this place's staffs really got on my nerve. I DO NOT recommend this place for beginners. I DO NOT recommend this place for any people with colored skins. For those of you who have had good experiences here, well, luck you. I with you the best. Anyone else, your time and money would be well spent somewhere else.

Thanks for reading.

An extremely...

I've been riding at Riverdale Equestrian Center for several years and, yes, there were definitely some problems at this barn (bad attitudes, unsafe tack, problems with horses that went unaddressed for long periods of time). But, they are under new management now! I think things have changed in the last few months and the majority of the changes have definitely been for the better as far as the experience for the riders is concerned. I'm an advanced rider (adult) who has been riding for 10+ years who takes a weekly jumping (beginner) class, so I can't speak to the experience for kids or for boarders. I also dabble in dressage a little and those experiences have been all been really good (this barn has some of the top dressage instructors in the state, maybe even the country), but I don't know a ton about dressage.

For jumping I've taken classes with Lauren and Kara. Both were good, so it depends on your style. Lauren is a lot more hands on, Kara will give you an instruction and a bit or space to practice, so it depends what you like. I would absolutely always suggest going to watch an instructor before signing up to take a class with them so you can choose which instructor best meets your needs as a student and make sure you are comfortable before you commit to a lesson. Where horses are concerned you can't be too careful, especially when jumping. You need to ride with someone you trust. There are always instructors at any barn I wouldn't be comfortable taking lessons from, so observation is really the best way to go, they have seating areas where you can sit and watch.

They now offer group classes for adult (and kids/teens) in dressage or jumping at pretty convenient times on the nights and weekends. You have to buy a package to guarantee your spot, but that is fairly standard and the price for group classes is really reasonable ($60 per class, less with a package), especially for the NYC area. If not it's subject to availability, but right now the classes often have space. The schools horses are really good and very safe and there is a horse for every rider through intermediate jumping. After that point you would really need to look into leasing a horse anyways at almost any barn you could possibly take lessons at in the NYC area (believe me, I've looked).

Every barn has it's problems and I'm sure there will be some here, but overall, for the things horse people care about Riverdale is far above the rest of the barns in the area that are easily accessible by public transportation. The horses are fed well, their feet are properly cared for, their medical needs are looked after, they are properly groomed and are treated well. They've really fixed a lot of the problems and are working on more improvements and updates to the facility so I would encourage people who tried it in the past and had a less than stellar experience to give it another try now that the program is being run differently. Only time will tell for sure, but I think most horse lovers will be pleased with the changes that have been made and the programming that is now...

The only two things going for this barn is that it is in New York City and reasonably priced. After that, it's a waste of time and money UNLESS you just want to pay to sit on a horse.

One trainer, Ana, is uninspiring. She has no actual critiques or recommendations; and is extremely fake to students. She will literally flash a smile at you that snaps off her face the moment you look away. Another trainer actually asked if jumps set at 18” (their max for “advanced” lesson riders on lesson horses) made anyone uncomfortable for them being “too big.”

Riding is a “must” since by 7th year of life, and if I am between barns and desperate to go somewhere close, I have gone here. But I am shocked that every time I’ve gone, I’ve wanted the lesson to end almost right away. These are “jump” classes, and even though I’m a jumping bean, I don’t even find them enjoyable. This is not just because of the young young instructors, but the lesson horses that are serviceable sound (e.g., wouldn’t pass a vet check), uncomfortable to ride and to be ridden, and you almost feel badly having them move.

Though these are elderly or otherwise limited horses that just do WTC and 18” jumps, they are all wrapped up (polos) to try to show people that they really care and that the horses need and benefit from polo wraps (they don’t).

One of the jumps horses stops suddenly during a ride and sticks his leg straight out behind him in pain. He also stops and bucks from soreness or pain. Other students tell me all the horses have some major issue.

The "jumping" classes are actually trotting and cantering over the tiniest, tiniest, tiniest poles. I've seen bigger "X"s at Level D Pony Club Meets. If you look at them as a "rent a horse for 40 minutes just to say you rode something," then I guess the lessons are worth it.

This is just not a nice or friendly place where customers are treated well. Just know why you’re going, and what you can...