Student Reviews

“My daughter has been riding at Highland for a year now and I could not recommend Highland enough. When my daughter started at Highland she was very shy and lacked confidence, but a year later she has grown in confidence and is now showing at schooling shows. This is something I would never have thought my daughter would do, and I credit Lucy for that. Lucy is an excellent trainer and encourages her students by providing constant feedback throughout the lessons, and instills good horsemanship in her students at all times. At the beginning of the year Lucy asks her students what their riding goals are for the year. She takes note of this and helps her students to reach their goals throughout the year. At the end of the year Lucy revisits the goals that were set, and I love this because it makes the riders proud of what they have achieved throughout the year.

Not only has my daughter made many friends at Highland, but she is in the working student program and loves helping out around the barn and learning how to care for horses. Highland offer many programs like the working student program, holiday camps, movie nights, and outings.

Sarah, the owner of Highland is lovely and someone you will always see around the property chatting with students and parents. I love that Sarah personally rides the schooling horses to make sure they are the right fit for Highland and the students. She is very supportive of the riders and you will often see Sarah at the schooling shows to support the riders.

Highland is a wonderful riding school and I would not hesitate to recommend highland to anyone thinking of joining. ”

“I’ve been riding at Highland since September 2012. Highland has amazing instructors (Jen, Lucy and Sarah) who can teach using a number of styles, techniques and disciplines within the English style of riding. I started out riding their sweetest school horse (Star) and now riding an Advanced level Selle Francais Warmblood (Leya, who was on track to go to the eventing Olympics, and is owned by the barn owner, Sarah), competing consecutively is meter classes at A-rated shows this past summer. I even now own a German Riding Pony that I’ve been training, and he has the best cute and quirky little personality. Highland has a great atmosphere and some of my closest friends have been made there. Everyone I’ve ever met at Highland has been kind and friendly, and (something very helpful when you first start out riding or at a new barn) always ready to help. There is always someone around, whether it be an instructor or another student, who is willing to help with whatever you need help with. The instructors also listen to your goals and try to put you on horses and doing exercises that will bring you closer to your goals. Highland’s horses are also amazing, usually a little older but who have had competition experience in the past, so they know what they’re doing. All of these horses have great, friendly personalities that make riding even more fun, anywhere from sweet and shy to funny and friendly. Highland also has some goats on property, and when the babies are born (usually every spring or every other spring) they are just so cute to watch grow up, and to play with.
I would not be the rider I am today without Highland.”

“My 5 1/2 yr old horse obsessed daughter has been taking lessons here for the past 2 months and is absolutely in her element!! She has trained with both Lucy and Jen who are great with her. They not only teach riding technique, but expect the riders to help with grooming and tacking the horse. My daughter is thriving here and practices “posting” at home. They’re also very good about safety- the helmet I bought my daughter didn’t fit right and they took the time to adjust and fit it, and finally ended up letting her borrow one they had until I can get to the store and get a proper fitting helmet. As a momma who knows nothing about horses, I am more than appreciative.

I bring along my 1 yr old to the lessons, and everyone at the ranch is very kind and welcoming.

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“Simply the best. My daughter has been riding with Highland for over 6 years and has learned how to ride, but more importantly, she learned the proper care, respect, safety and responsibility that accompanies the sport. Sarah and Lucy and have become family and we’ll be forever grateful for everything they’ve taught us.”

“Highland Riding is amazing! I have been there for 61/2 years and I love it so much. Not only do they have awesome and fun lessons, but they also do summer camps. The trainers are very nice and encouraging, and when you ride there you feel like you’re part of the Highland family! You can also make many great friends there. They do a variety of events such as dressage, hunter/jumper, and eventing outings each year and go to at least 3 schooling shows a year. The horses are amazing there: they are schooling horses appropriate to many levels of riding, from slow and steady beginner horses to eventing champions. The horses have been carefully chosen so they all have a great disposition too! The barn owner and Manager Sarah Vernlund also is a USEA Certified instructor. They have a great facility: they have 3 barns, a covered arena, and outdoor riding areas. Highland is a great place for riders of all levels who don’t own yet; if I were you I would stop on by!”

“My daughter has been riding at Highland for about 5 years now, and I highly recommend the trainers and the program at this facility. The trainers are knowledgeable and very positive in their approach, they have a variety of horses to choose from for every level rider, and the barn owner has a high commitment to safety and program quality. It is a small, intimate environment that feels like an extended family, and is a little “gem” located our East Bay Valley!”