Bay Area Equestrian Center — Local services in Pearland

I saw this camp offered a few months ago and wanted to sign up my two children who love horses. It was a memorable and unique experience in that it has been the most directly my child has been discriminated against, and directly to my face. One of my children has autism, so I called ahead several times to discuss with the front desk what would be the best option for participation. My child is verbal, and participates in many other activities (swim team for example), without issues. It is apparent that they have autism, as they will repeat phrases, have eye contact difficulty, and display other behaviors typical of autism.

I discussed with the staff at Bay Area Equestrian Center that I would stay with them to ensure there weren't any communication issues, and they said that was fine. I registered and paid. I called ahead again the day prior to make sure this was also passed on to staff. I have myself previously worked as staff on summers in between college for Girl Scout Horse Camps. We made many accommodations for various disabilities, and also had parents stay in the periphery in similar situations. Our management helped us to understand and support various special needs. I don't expect teens and young adults working the camp program directly to have any experience with development disabilities and other special needs, but I do 100% expect the owners and management who decide to run a youth camp for children at their business, advertise to the community, and accept payment for these services to provide an ADA compliant facility, and training and support to their staff that interacts with children so that all children can have a positive and inclusive experience.

Around noon of the first day, I see the general manager Helene talking to members of the camp staff. She calls me over and informs me this "isn't working out" because the staff feel like my child is "hard to keep track of". I am stunned because I have been onsite the entire time, keeping track of my child. No staff has said anything to me regarding a concern. I say this and she acknowledges that yes she did see me. She then suggests we instead come back for an individual lesson with another instructor they have that also has autism, because they could maybe better be "on their level". Insert any other disability into this scenario and hear how offensive this sounds.

I am still so surprised by this and again remind them that I called multiple times to discuss. She replies that “you didn't talk to me” (undermining all her admin staff I previously talked to on the phone). She then says "well, you said they were high-functioning". I said no I didn't. Verbal and being high-functioning are not the same. My takeaway here is that the staff then is ok with a child's disabilities as long as they can't tell your child has one. She says we can finish the camp day. I ask for a refund for both kids for the following camp day. Incredibly, she seems genuinely surprised that I would also pull my other child out of a function where their sibling isn't welcome. She says she "feels really bad" and walks away.

My kids finish the camp day, and enjoy it because they are oblivious to this conversation, and like horses. The next children's activity is that they are taken to an incredibly unsafe and dilapidated playground for about an hour while the staff talk among themselves separately. I am posting a picture of these facilities. It's representative of the entire camp program run here that when hosting a summer camp for children, at an organization with extensive assets, not a single member of the staff could be bothered beforehand to lift the play equipment to dump out gallons of mosquito...

EDIT: In their response they stated I did talk to a manager about putting myself in a group lesson. This is not true. I believe they may have mixed me up with another student, however, I have never spoken to the manager. I really wish I could write a good review about Bay Area. Their instruction was top-notch, all of my instructors were thorough and engaging and I enjoyed my time taking lessons here. I purchased the foundation lesson package, and had no plans on progressing out of foundation lessons, as I ride/own horses elsewhere and was only riding here for fun with a friend. I got through a handful of my foundation lessons before I received a receipt for a missed lesson. I scheduled my lessons on a case-by-case schedule as I am busy with school, work, and my personal horses, so I was sure there was no way I missed a lesson. I called and the charge was promptly refunded. About two weeks later I called the barn asking to schedule a lesson with my friend and was told that would not be possible, since we had not yet graduated foundation lessons (which I understand, although we had received lessons together in the past). I also noted on the phone I received a second charge for a missed lesson and asked for an explanation. Not even 10 minutes after being told I was not able to take a group lesson due to not completing the foundation program, I was told that I HAD graduated from the foundation program and was being charged for routine lessons. During this phone call I asked to speak to the manager, but was told I couldn't. Later that afternoon I had my father call. During this phone call, we were informed that I had spoken to the manager previously about graduating from the foundation lessons and being placed in a more advanced lesson schedule. This conversation never happened. I had never spoken to the manager. The lady on the phone became very defensive and began to accuse me of lying. There was never a resolve to our situation, as we were both not allowed to speak to a manager. I wish this could've been resolved in a better manner, but unfortunately, it was out of our control. Take this review as a caution- the lessons here are amazing, instructors are well-informed, and the horses are well taken care of, but the management definitely needs some help and I would keep an eye out for unwarranted charges if you began...

I've been riding in the foundation lesson program for the past 4 months and just recently graduated to private and group lessons. BAEC is a well-kept facility with a lot of talented equestrians and instructors. Their horses are very well taken care of and healthy. I've dabbled in horseback riding here and there for trail rides, but wanted to get more involved and start taking lessons at BAEC to eventually own my own horse. Upon taking my first lesson as an adult beginner this summer, I was completely intimidated to take lessons at an Arabian show barn! However, the instructors and friendly equestrians have put me at ease and made me feel welcome. I look forward to every lesson and can't wait to continue honing my riding skills as I take them to the next step. I am riding western but they have plenty of options to choose from. For my lessons, I've been taking all of them with Leo as he has been incredibly helpful in setting up my foundation skills. I specifically request Leo for his expertise as he is very patient, kind, and meticulous in his instructions. He provides real feedback, explains the "why we do this", doesn't cut corners, and has increased my confidence as a rider. I always walk away from my lesson with the next steps on what to improve for the next one because he is so clear on what I need to work on. It is clear that Leo has a real passion for horseback riding and improving his student's skills to be better riders. He is easy to work with and I'm glad I've found him at this barn. I will continue to take lessons with Leo and hope to do so for many more...