Showgrounds Riding School

Highly recommend. Caitlin was super helpful on email. Had my first lesson with Izzy today and had a tonne of fun learning new skills. Thanks guys and looking forward to more lessons.

To be honest, it was a sad experience for me. It was my first time at this school. We had agreed on 3PM but I waited until about 3:15, which had put me off a bit. And during the ride I fell off my horse, I'm not a skilled rider but I'm not a novice by any means either. My partner was Ned and he was a bit negative and didn't want to trot, but didn't lose control. At this point my coach started clapping his hands behind Ned's back to try and get him to work, but it backfired and Ned got restless and lost control a bit, I tugged on the reins to get him under control and by now I felt Ned was very upset. Eventually the whip in the coach's hand made Ned start to lose control completely, the trainer threw the whip behind him, Ned was clearly frightened and he started to jump and run like crazy, I lost my balance and was thrown off. I felt that the school should perhaps make a good impression on first time arrivals.And this coach, I don't know her name but from my past experience of horse riding lessons, did behave in an unprofessional and dangerous manner. I had hoped to find a suitable riding club and start a long term study, but now I may be sceptical about studying at this school. Objectively speaking, the barn is neat and tidy and the horses are in good condition.

After researching the riding schools available at Centennial Park I settled on Showgrounds. From the first interaction Caitlin was responsive, easy to talk to, accommodating and made sure all my questions were answered. I have been having lessons with Leith and have noticed consistent improvements in my riding and confidence each week. His lessons and instruction are so enjoyable, rewarding and encouraging. I’ve been riding Ned and Slinky who have also both taught me so much with their own quirks and personalities. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Showgrounds to anyone that’s looking to get back in the saddle after a few years like me, or who is just starting out.

Showgrounds is a really great riding school that I would recommend to everyone. They have amazing staff and incredible horses and teach you so much.

Do not go there and no recommended at all!My child always arrived 10-15mins earlier before their lesson but school never get their horse ready, usually 10-15 late to start the lesson and always finished on time.There are many horses untrained, too old or had injured and many times I saw coach need to riding them during student's lesson and try to calm the horse down. but, in this situation, they tried to say it was my child's responsible to learn how to control the horse. But, we already had 10 weeks lessons in this school and my child had minimum 2 years riding experienced.There were quite often I saw the young coach and school owner just sat at the corner of an arena and using their mobile during my child's lesson.Everything I said here are not just what I say! As I have recorded every my child's lesson and I had chat with other parents from the different schools and they all gave me the same common that Safety is the most important thing & their horse are untrained"!If your want your child to learn horse riding or just for fun

Appalling customer service. First 2 lessons started 15-20 minutes late, third lesson after requesting the same instructor specifically, they scheduled me with someone else without telling me. When I asked to reschedule the instructor told me it would be fine, then when I emailed, Caitlyn accused me of lying about what the staff had told me and about the delays the previous weeks, and refused to reschedule or refund me as I’d ‘refused to ride’! They require that you pre-pay so that when they don’t deliver on the service promised they can refuse to refund you or compensate you. Caitlhn will refuse to take any ownership of their mistakes or treat you with any professional courtesy. See below review who had the same issue as me regarding late starting lessons due to horse not being ready and was also told they were wrong/lied.

This is an amazing riding school. Highly recommend. I have been riding here for almost a year and have had nothing but a great experience.

These are great horses in excellent condition. You can tell they are well looked after. Staff are all experienced and super friendly. Definitely a great place to ride. I will be back.

Lovely people who know what they’re doing and a great range capable of different horses with something to suit all needs including more advanced adult riders. Great with dressage and jumping; working on skills and towards competitions.

Unfortunately we had a very disappointing experience.  My children and I were looking forward to riding the horses however the staff member was unhelpful and rude.  Once we arrived and were ready to ride they took a long time to organise the horses, and we only spent a very short time with them.  Would not return or recommend to others.