Chelsea College

So many things went wrong with this place. I tried to organise casual lessons for my 2 girls and a couple of their friends. Every time I called I was given a different story. Yes they could do it, then no they couldn't book it until the week before the lesson, then no they couldn't book it until the week of the lesson. It was impossible to tie them down to a definite answer - even after taking my money. When we were scheduled to ride, one of our kids pulled out so we tried to substitute another child in their place since we had already paid for the lesson - we were told that we couldn't do it. Then my kids were not instructed properly on how to even trot with the horse and my daughter fell off the pony she was riding. To be honest she was lucky she was not trampled - but not to worry - they sat her on the side with a bag of frozen peas! You know - I wasn't expecting too much from a country horse-riding facility - but this place was so extremely unprofessional and unreliable. I would say to anyone that asked - travel the extra 20 minutes to Bellarine Horse Riding in Wallington. They have been very accommodating, much more helpful and safer! My girls are trotting now, love it when we go and get a much more complete experience. And I have had nothing but good experiences there. As opposed to Saddle On which only seemed to be one screw up after another.

Fantastic experience as an adult learning to ride with private lessons. Maddie is just wonderful, a great teacher. The horses are beautiful and so well mannered and patient with learners like me. Three lessons in and I can't stop smiling - given that I just turned fifty this is a wonderful thing. Thanks so much!

I love Saddle On. Very organized in lessons and day camps. Good amount of horses. Very friendly horses and ponies who rarely play up and also well educated horses.

This place has tremendous potential, beyond the original equestrian set up. However after attending a children's birthday party there this weekend, I have decided that businesses that employ to many teenagers cannot really interested in the party side of the business.From the car park, looking at the playground and bmx track full of weeds, which wouldn't take long to pull out and maybe set the scene of a business that is keen on self promotion. I did see someone walk past with a whipper sniper but, he went off towards a private residence.The young party hosts tried hard but with numerous parties going on, there was no set order for which party group did which activity, ie the zoo or pat the sheep, emus and pigs. The horse riding part was also worrying as young kids who looked frightened appeared to be placed in the biggest horses, because they were next in line. We all signed a waiver for our kids to ride the horses, but surely one would expect staff to be attuned to children's apprehensions. This place needs experienced competent staff if they are going to promote themselves as a party venue.

Such a shame this business is run so unprofessionally as it has real potential to be a great little riding school. Maddie and Gabbie were lovely teachers but the office & management staff are rude, unprofessional and have no regard for their students, all they seem to care about is getting your money and there is no interest in your child's progress, concerns or wellbeing. Certainly not a great way to run a business its a real shame.

There is no petting zoo. This was 1/2 the reason we went! When I asked about it, the lady shrugged and said it needed too many staff to run it! Well maybe you should take it off the advertising then! Just saying!Pony ride was ok, and the young lady who suggested my daughter brush the ponies aswell was lovely.

I went to a friends party there as an intermediate rider (been riding for 4 years). Not the best experience ever as the horse was slow, not responsive and I had to really ask for a more forward walk and trot. I asked to canter toward the end and the lady said no as “he will get too tired” when all I wanted was a small canter along the long side of the arena. The lesson was way too short, even the girls who had never ridden agreed with me.

Saddle On is the best place to host a kids party. My 10yr old daughter and her friends loved every mintue of it.Staff were friendly and helpful. Place was clean. Staff named Georgia, was friendly and made the kids feel comfortable.:)

This was definitely not the safest place that I have ridden at. When I went there for a few lessons I had already had some experience riding (about a year and a bit). The horses seemed lethargic (overworked) and didn't respond well. At times the lesson wasn't supervised properly. On one of the lessons I participated in my riding group witnessed a girl getting brutally bucked off a horse (I believe it was her own horse, not a school one) which ending up her falling and breaking her arm. From her screaming and her horse being agitated and scared the other groups horses also became a little agitated as a natural response. However, despite this being apparent the surrounding lessons continued despite many members of my group including myself asking to pause the lesson to calm our horses and debrief of what we just saw until the matter was sorted out.When I asked for help to stop the horse I was riding from spooking at a certain corner in the indoor arena and pig rooting whenever I asked for the horse to walk forward I was ignored.A few of my friends who didn't have any prior experience also went here for a 3 day clinic and ended up leaving after the first day because how stressful they found it as they were not taught the basics of horse handling safety and riding (they were asked to canter by themselves after just 30 mins of being on a horse for the first time). This place has potential, and the pricing is fairer than some other places however they need to get better at training their instructors to supervise the lessons properly and safely.

Saddle on offers training qualifications and successfully granted me my certificate III in sports coaching. i was able to complete the certificate with flexible training hours and in a constructive classroom atmosphere. Would definitely recommend anyone interested in working within the equine industry to gain their qualifications through Saddle On, good stuff!!! :)