Barnfield Riding School

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Reviews

1. Gokcen Ataman ★☆☆☆☆

   I booked a horse ride for my husband’s birthday, as he’s a rider and I wanted to surprise him. The farm informed me he first needed an assessment, which I completely understood and appreciated — I truly value animal welfare and safety. He attended the simulator assessment and was later told his next session would be a proper riding lesson. However, when he returned, he was unexpectedly placed on the simulator again and given different information about the price (lower if it’s on the simulator). They later claimed they never said the second session would be on a real horse, but they did — they even told us it would cost £100 next time. Being accused of lying is unkind and unnecessary. We also booked a session for our child, which we had to cancel about 25 hours before. I fully accepted their 48-hour cancellation policy and paid immediately. But when I politely asked if that paid session could be transferred to my husband — who still hadn’t had a proper riding experience — I was met with an unnecessarily rude and arrogant response, including irrelevant comments about how long they have been in business. As someone who remained polite and understanding throughout, I found their attitude extremely disappointing. English is not my first language, which made the dismissive tone on the phone even harder to navigate. When my calls went unanswered, I emailed to clarify — and although they replied once in a very snobbish manner, they ignored my follow-up message completely. I initially admired their focus on animal welfare, but the lack of basic courtesy and consistency was unacceptable. I will not be going back.

   almost 3 months ago
2. Cherie Ade ★★★★★

   I have been struggling to find a good riding school that allows me to wear the safety gear I wanted. I almost gave up until I found Barnfield! Not only were they happy with it they encouraged saftey too! Another thing that blew me away about this riding school is that they really care about their clients enjoying their riding experience and I really appreciated this. Encouragement and a positive nature as well as constructive feedback is what makes a quality instructor and I felt this while riding at Barnfield. I'm always keen to learn from stables about the horse experience and Barnfield is one of the few places I went to that seemed invested in this so it is one of the things that will keep me coming back. The last thing I want to say is that they were very welcoming to me and treated me like a person, and I know this seems a very basic thing to say but good customer service goes a long way! Some places I've been to treated me like I wasn't worth the time of day because they are too busy. Barnfield is a busy school, but they still take time to smile and welcome you and let you know where you stand and where you need to go next/ what you need to do, and that is really important. Thank you everyone at Barnfield Riding school! Xxx

   almost 8 months ago
3. Sara Zarlas ★★★★★

   I have been riding at Barnfield for many years and would highly recommend this wonderful riding school. The standard of teaching is high, and the instructors are dedicated to both the welfare of the client, and the individual horses, and everyone’s enjoyment all round. The staff are friendly, the horses are loved and are well cared for, with their individual needs being met. Barnfield has the welcoming atmosphere and hands-on personable approach that many of the larger riding schools nowadays lack. Of course I keep coming back because I’ve still got so much more to learn, I love the friendly inclusive atmosphere, and my favourite wonderful horses!

   almost 2 years ago

1. Marie Millington ★★★★★

   I am a new retiree and have recently become a volunteer at Barnfield Riding for Disabled/Riding School. I didn’t know what to expect …but the kindness and expert care shown to the horses and clients is exactly what I hoped. At age 66..and having not ridden for many many years..I have been inspired by the staff here to soon start my own riding lessons and aim to get back in the saddle…something I never thought I would ever do. I unreservedly recommend. (maybe anyone reading this might consider volunteering too?)

   almost 2 years ago
2. Ed ★★★★★

   I have been to Barnfield riding school with my partner every week for the past two years. We have always had a great time and we want to thank Patsy and her staff for always being helpful and patient with us, not least special thanks to the horses and ponies that we ride including Ameera, Candy, Mr. T, Tessie, Jazz, Sienna, Star and others!

   almost 2 years ago
3. Catherine Dunham ★★★★★

   I love riding at Barnfield. Over the time I have been riding there, all my instructors have been friendly, knowledgeable and adapted lessons to what I needed at that time. Although it is small stables there is a horse or pony to suit everyone!

   almost 3 years ago

1. Giovanna Utzeri ★☆☆☆☆

   Our experience was very unpleasant and disappointing. Our lesson was at 3:30, I was told to come by 3 for the preparation and we arrived at 2:50, however they started at 3:40 and the blond lady told me that was my fault because I arrived at 3:15. However when I complain she told me she was the only one running around and couldn’t do any further, she told me that she could only “bend over”, I though she was very rude, however she managed to keep the kids on for the ten minutes lost in the beginning. As I was asking why they didn’t provide the kind of lesson that I paid for, the same rude lady was making excuses up, pretending that what she offered was better, that what I was asking was more expensive.. etc..I wasn’t given what I did pay for, I was not happy, in fact not even my girls. She went inside and ask to the owner ( by the way, he was previously complaining that he didn’t want to do that job anymore) if he wanted to make things right with me and he says “NO”. I booked for one teacher only ( wishing to be in the arena, as they mentioned in the Mail ) so the kids could be free with horses, instead they have done exactly what my girls didn’t want to, go out with one person ( each) holding the horses, just like two years old child, my teen come back so bored. There were a young girl was waiting for a wile to talk to someone and at the end she left in tears as nobody could be bother to talk to her, ( she just wanted to help with horses, that what she said ) I will make sure I will never come back there, simply because I have try to explain I wasn’t happy and they couldn’t be bother to listen, she was just talking about her frustration. Now I understand why they are not busy as much as the others, because they are unprofessional.

   almost 3 years ago
2. Maria Harries ★★★★★

   Lovely riding school. Friendly staff. My granddaughter loves it there. She has ADHD and becomes distracted but the staff are so patient with her. Would highly recommend.

   almost 3 years ago
3. Georgina Thomas-Watson ★☆☆☆☆

   My autistic and ADHD son just had a really horrid experience here. He was booked in for a trial by a lovely lady last week but when I called this morning to confirm I was barked at by a rude lady saying he needed gloves for Covid reasons. Anyone with experience of autism would know that it comes with sensory issues and I explained that on a 26 degree afternoon gloves would be tricky. She effectively brushed me off and we agreed to try the lesson but told me to be 30 minutes early. My son arrived (at the time requested), and was just repeatedly barked at by the ‘teacher’, we were told he was too early and she kept raising her voice at him to the point where he said he didn’t want to ride with ‘this rude lady’ (his words). His carer wasn’t allowed to walk with them (again incredibly unorthodox for an RDA approved school as again anyone with some understanding of ASD and ADHD would know that separating him so quickly having built less than zero rapport would likely cause massive anxiety). It’s such a shame because it seems like there are lots of lovely individuals there just not the woman we got stuck with.

   almost 3 years ago

1. Sonia El Kahal MacLean ★☆☆☆☆

   I booked for my two grandchildren two separate ride and groom sessions. (8 years and 13 years old) with OUTSIDE ride. When I arrived they were put in the same GROUP lesson with 5 other young riders, even though I booked for them to receive each one PRIVATE session. They still charged me the full amount of £50 each (excluding hire of hats and boots ). Also I thought they would be grooming each one their own horse instead of a shared lesson again. Still charged as if they were given private session. I am so very disappointed and feel very mislead. I specifically asked for a ride outdoors not inside stable. Not only they were put in a group lesson inside the stables. I was hoping for them to get an exciting ride out NOT A GROUP lesson to encourage them to enjoy a ride in nature then join club for lessons. They were utterly bored by the group lesson , indoor … spending g too much time standing still … waiting for others. It was not what I booked for and definitely what I was charged for. Only reply I got : we are short of staff and horses. So why did they book them in and confirmed the booking and still charge me full price for two separate private rides outside , and two separate grooming session? Wouldn’t even consider a refund., or offer alternative riding session ….. we were seriously considering their share a pony scheme. Not anymore !

   almost 3 years ago

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