written by ImiKenda on 26/02/2017
Bank Farm is a lovely yard with very friendly and highly qualified staff! The trips and shows are great and the horses and ponies are well fed, well behaved and well cared for. The lessons are great for anyone from beginners learning to ride to experienced riders needing a challenge. Overall I would recommend this fantastic riding school to anyone of any ability!!!
written by Cannon307 on 02/11/2015
Bank farm is one of the best riding schools ever if u disagree then ur a whitch and a moody cw how could u ever disagree with them they brought up my confidence up to a whole new level and I am thankful thank you soo much bank farm xx
written by on 26/10/2015
I have been writing at Bank farm for almost 4/5 years now and it's amazing. I write there for about 3 years and then one lesson the owner (who was teaching me) suggested that I started loaning a horse. I did and have had many amazing opportunitys there such as, xc fields, clinics and shows. This is a great place to ride and you can carry on improving. Many people say they only get put on lazy horses, that is not true. You need to go on slower ones before you can be put in more advanced ones. I had made many friends and enjoy going there. They only things I would say is loaners should not have to lead except in major curcomstances and we also loaners should have to have certain times to ride so we can actually move. Great and friendly place and I would recommend this to anyone!
written by Samirc77 on 23/06/2015
Last year I finally got round to fulfilling a lifelong dream of learning to ride properly. I asked around and Bank Farm's name came up - thus I visited them first. Firstly, the place seems to be run by kids. When I was asked the fill in forms, there were several sections which were not relevant to me, but the little girl behind the desk would not accept the form if those sections were not filled in. The yard was untidy, with dirty brushes perched on strange places and hay tossed on a heap on the dirty concrete next to the office where children were stuffing it into ratty hay nets. Having never been to a yard before, I didn't think much of it. The private lessons started off ok - my young instructor was very professional and really pushed me, but I could sometimes feel her frustration with ponies which did not want to trot or turn no matter how much leg I gave. I could only come to the conclusion that they were either bored of going in circles or tired. I booked earlier lessons but it made no difference. What irritated me was the hordes of kids running around, snickering at me behind my back, nearly dragging me off my mount as soon as the lesson finished as it was needed at the next class. It became clear that there was definitely a clique and I was made to feel most unwelcome. On the odd occasion that I did see an adult other than my instructor, they were extremely short with me for no real reason. It got considerably worse when I developed a medical condition - my GP encouraged me to continue riding as it was much better than sitting at home. I dutifully notified my instructor and she had no problem with it. But when the other "instructors" were told about this things got nasty. Suddenly I was not able to have the pony I always rode and neither was my instructor allowed to continue teaching me - I was suddenly told that ponies and instructors were provided at their discretion. I wanted to leave and go to another yard, but I really liked my original instructor and hoped that she would be allowed to continue teaching me. We were never friends, but I respected her and knew that she thought me capable and was proud of how I was improving. It was at this time that I noticed that a lot of ponies suddenly sported hogged manes - sweet itch were spreading through the ponies and two of the ponies I rode had it. After my last lesson I was called into the office and two of them ganged up on me in front of all these children about my medical condition. Telling me that the "owners" didn't think that their insurance would cover me - even after I pointed out that I had signed their paperwork which stated that I accepted the risks of riding. I was told to leave and that they would contact me during the week to let me know if the "owners" would allow me to continue. As no call came, I returned to the yard the following week as I had a lesson booked. Upon arrival I was told the child behind the desk that I was not allowed to ride. Whilst I was taking this in, a woman who stabled her horse there, but who did not work there, entered the office and ranted and raved at me about how inconsiderate and reckless I was continuing to ride with my medical condition. I realised that the "owners"/"instructors" had divulged the details of my condition to a 3rd party without my consent which was both unprofessional and inexcusable. When I asked to speak to the person on charge, this woman went off in search of the women who had spoken to me a week before. Surprise, surprise, they did not even bother to come and speak to me face to face and told this third party to tell me that I was not longer welcome at the school, before stomping out. I was really upset at this and the kid behind the desk was really embarrassed. As I left the office I saw my old instructor and tried to speak to her, but she turned around wordlessly and walked away - from the look on her face I believe that she was told that I had made a complaint about her or something in that line. I was completely heartbroken and felt beyond betrayed. After a stint in hospital, my GP has again cleared me to continue riding - but I will not be returning to Bank Farm.
written by on 02/02/2015
I absolutely love bank farm it's lovely the staff are very. Friendly and I help on Sunday's and rent a amazing pony called Trigger who is fantastic he has brought my confidence up loads and I can't wait to do cross country with him which is one of the amazing opt unities they give its amazing value for money I also enjoy going on hacks and doing showjumping and xc country clincs I love the ponies up there as well all of them are very friendly recommend to anyone
written by 227Putnam on 26/10/2014
I rode there for 4 years and in that time i did bot improve as I was put on Chaniey one if there oldest horses but also the slowest or as people say in the horse world a plodder and I was in her every week. We also never did any jumping so I now 4 years after leaving Bank Farm I sill have a large fear of jumps. Since I have left Bank Farm and have started riding at Glen Jakes Riding School I am in top leval and have done many shows, so if you want the best horse riding experience posable I do not sugest riding at Bank Farm.
Written on: 07/11/2014
I acknowledge this is your experience. My daughter and I however have had the completely different experience over the 3 years we have been riding at Bank Farm....
It is a well run, welcoming yard. There is a variety of horses and all levels of riders are catered for. The horses are all well looked after and the staff are friendly. Please don't be put off by this review
Written on: 27/06/2015
Isn't that what these reviews are about; writing about your own experience? If someone has experienced it differently, you cannot tell users of this page that they should ignore what others have experienced because your experience is different.
If you had a great time there - then good for you. Others have not. In the end it will all balance out.
Whilst I was riding there I was either ignored, or made to feel most unwelcome. The horses were always very dirty as were the tack. Some ponies were kept 2-3 to a stable. The yard is overcrowded both in terms of horses and of feral children who "work" there.
That was my experience.
Written on: 07/07/2015
I feel a balanced view is very important.
Having read this and your other comment you seem to be very keen to express your own opinion... Odd that you feel other people should not do the same?! Hidden agenda?
Written on: 15/08/2015
Hidden agenda? Balanced view? Really - you think that its I have a "hidden agenda" because I told you off because you told readers to basically ignore this review! Methinks you are the one who has the hidden agenda.
There are plenty other reviews here which are favourable or downright sycophantic, I would think that this review would be one which would provide more balance in the greater scheme of things.
written by on 06/09/2014
Bank farm is a lovely place to ride & you often get a lot of things done in the lessons, the horses&ponies are absolutely amazing and always give their all&the staff and leaders are lovely and are always happy to help you out when you need them....however it often feels like the instructors would rather be on their phones than teach & they tell you to do things without actually explaining how to do it. Although, when they aren't engaged in their phones, they push you and give you constructive critisism. I've noticed that the horses aren't always given water and are clearly ridden for too long without breaks, they also need a good groom as many of them have mud or dust all over them and finally the stables can be very mucky and need a good jet wash. Other than that I think bank farm is a nice place to learn to ride or to improve your riding!
written by on 03/08/2014
My daughter has been riding here for a few years now and really enjoys the lessons and hacks that she has done. The horses appear to be well look after considering they have a difficult task of looking after so many. The staff are always polite and considerate towards customers such as myself however, some staff members can be bitchy and demanding towards the young girls which help out. Additionally, the instructors are friendly and the majority provide interesting lessons to watch and for the children to develop their abilities. Finally, I would recommend this well run family business, but for the future would suggest that they don't over work the horses as much.
written by on 26/02/2014
polite and friendly staff who put there heart and soul in to the horses and lessons. yes there are a few changes and improvements which are taking place all the time. my lessons are always interesting and i feel like i always improve and have something to work on the horses are changing all the time so you never get bored or end up on the same horse all the time . thanks to bank farm my confidence has really improved and im loving riding again.
written by on 17/02/2014
I have owned ponies for 30 years & at present have a youngster I am breaking/schooling for my young son's. Just started sending my 4 yo to Bank Farm for lessons since our old pony was pts & so he has no one to learn on at home anymore. After only a couple of lessons I can say I will continue to send him to bank farm, ponies are so well behaved (unlike mine!) & my boy loves going! After every lesson asks when his next one is. The girls that lead the kids seem to be enjoying what they are doing & encourage the riders throughout their lesson. Once he has mastered the basics & ours is child safe he will have lessons on his own at home but until then he enjoys going & I love watching. Fair price too... No grumbles from us :)
written by on 29/10/2013
I was looking for a riding school in my local area so I looked online to find bank farm reviews are good.. but when I got there I realised that was not the case staff were very rude it's Ok maybe if u know everyone but theres a lot of two faced people there.. If u haven't been I wouldn't recommend it as they aren't good at accepting New people onto the yard. SHOP AROUND IF I WAS YOU I now go to a new farm in addlington and it's amazing and a lot cheaper.. ,
written by on 22/05/2013
I started riding at bank farm and found that my riding improved considerably and then I got to a point where there was no improvement and no other class to advance to. Although the classes at the start tested me when I became a better rider I felt I was doing the same thing week in week out and had no improvement. After a year of riding there I moved on to another school where they focused on your riding as an individual and how to improve your technique, not just teaching you how to sit on a horse. I mainly had one instructor at Bank Farm, although for the times when I didn't have my usual instructor I found some of the staff where highly under qualified for teaching at that level. However I think Bank Farm in a good place for children to learn to ride as most of the staff our lovely and there is a nice family atmosphere to the yard. I would say some improvements did need to be made to the management of the yard as many a time I was told to tack up the horse, or turn it out for them.
written by on 07/05/2013
I would defiantly recommend bankfarm:) very clean,friendly,amazing, they are some amazing teachers there, all the girls and boys that do voluntary work are very politeful, all the horses look well cleaned after, always working and there are some very fun things you can do there e.g.. own your own pony day, you can loan and everything is all very cheap to do :) bankfarm is the best farm ive been to and i would defiantly reccomend it!
written by on 23/04/2013
Bank Farm is such a friendly riding school where everyone appears to get on very well. the staff are all friendly except one or two who appear to be quite demanding to the children who help there. They give the children an opportinity to get work experience and when they lead the beginners they are always helpful and teach the children well. however, some seem too young to be taking money and teaching lessons but are all qualified. They deal well with the horses and have a varierty to suit every type of rider. However, they could be better looked after even though i agree it must be hard to look after over 50 horses. the facilities are excellent with an indoor,outdoor,middlewood way and a cross country field for more advanced riders to help riders improve their skills. Some of the child helpers can appear quite bitchy towards others and often sit in during lessons. Overall, i think this riding school is well run with lovely staff and wonderful horses and i hope it progresses well in the future.
written by Millfarmridingschool on 12/04/2013
We would like to say a big thank you the staff at bank farm riding school, for all your help and support Thank you again Mill farm riding school
written by Sooty147 on 10/04/2013
Bank farm is a top riding school the horses are lovely and and all the staff helpers are top iv been riding there for over 3 years now and would recommend it to anyone Friends of mine have took there kids and even my friends have been encouraged to start riding the horse/ ponies have a fab personaltys. So I again I think it's top and all the staff are friendly even when you don't feel like going riding you are happy you did when you come away and make you feel like you want to go back riding the day after.
written by on 26/03/2013
the reason why bank farm is the best is because you can make very good friends and the teachers are AMIZING like Lisa Emmer Alex Charl and Ez
written by Ilovehorses123 on 17/03/2013
Bank farm riding school is brilliant they have tought lots of people to ride over the years there lessons are fun because we jump, do non stirrup work ect. The people are so kind up there the lessons are fantastic and so are the hacks. But most of all they have some amazing ponies one of them that I have on loan called Tilly she is one of the best ponies that they have and some people say they are lazy but you just need to get them going and they will be fine I would highly recommend it you will have a great time! :)
written by on 15/03/2013
After a nasty accident 10 years ago at a different riding school, the instructors at Bank Farm helped me to get my confidence back. They made sure I had the same horse each time so that I could build my confidence, which was just what I needed. The staff are friendly, and it's good value for money. Very impressed.
written by on 11/03/2013
My daughter had quite a lot of riding lessons before she started to not enjoy it as much , the staff and child helpers are bitchy and rude , the horses and tack are uncared for and the yard is very messy. The days are unstructured and a rip off like we paid £40 for a own your own pony day and my daughter did ABSOLUTLEY nothing she got a 15 minute ride that was cut short and on a horse that was lazy and a complete waste of time. Them she swept up a load of horse manure off the yard because the staff are to lazy to do it. The day was meant to be learning about horses and owning your own horse it was more of a day where you pay to do jobs that others are to lazy to do, all of the child helpers a horrible to the girls who pay to have a day there taking the horses off them and intimidating them. If my daughter was unsure about something they don't teach, there just very lazy! Stay away complete waste of money!
Written on: 14/04/2013
I totally disagree, the staff And kids are very helpful and do teach the children but if they don't listen then they won't learn. And as for been lazy everytime I go to the yard the staff are doing the best to try and tidy up but it's a working yard what so you expect to be able to eat your tea off it
Written on: 24/06/2015
I agree - the kids that "work" there have formed a clique and they don't easily let others in. When I was there, the tack was always dirty, the outdoor school littered with manure, and the ponies looked tired. Better places to go.
Written on: 11/09/2013
i disagree i think u are just snotty nosed idoit who thinks every one should run round after u i have a horse there and i have one on full loan we still have to sweep out side our livery stables but i do think that some of the child helpers need sorting out , i have worked on another yard and we had only 10 miuntes to sweep the yards and there were 5 yards to do and we had to muck out 50 horses by 10am and we started at 9.30 and they had to be spotless or we would be out on our ears and the beds were huge with 2 metre size banks U try doing that so stop being an snotty idiot respect i have at bank farm for 15 years and they are brill so just stop saying bad things about it u snotty nosed idiot!!!
Written on: 15/08/2015
Who are you responding to? Can you please use some punctuation as your post is really hard to read and understand without it.
Written on: 21/04/2013
part of owning your own horse is to deal with sweeping up manure and doing all the jobs that te stable hand girls do all the time so dont complain if you have paid for that and been dreaming about what would happen !
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Onlyme2015's Comment
Written on: 05/11/2015
Bank farm provide for disabled riders but if you were pregnant we don't allow people to ride as if someone who's pregnant came off and the lost thier baby I'm pretty sure they would take to the cleaners but as for a disabilities people are welcomed