St Leonards Toton, Nottingham Reviews
Latest Reviews
★☆☆☆☆
“Completely unprofessional!!!!”
Written on: 25/02/2013
I have had a number of lessons at St Leonards in Toton, Nottingham. Both on a Thursday evening and at a week end. I find it very hard to believe anyone at this school is actually qualified to teach, there's certainly no consistency in the teaching, one person teaches you one method, when you apply it in another lesson, you're told you're doing it wrong. The staff seem to be too busy sniping about one another to bother with the customers. They are rude, arrogant, unprofessional, loud,... (read more)
★★★☆☆
“st.Leonards riding school”
Written on: 22/02/2013
My lesson at Leonards riding school was very interesting and although the class was quite large I felt like I received quite a lot of help and made good progress through the lesson. The horses were a bit mucky but they seemed well looked after and were matched up with appropriate riders so everyone had a good time. The younger members of staff were all friendly and helpful and the instructors were very patient with me. It's probably not the smartest stables around but it has a very... (read more)
★☆☆☆☆
“Please dont waste your money&time.”
Written on: 14/01/2013 by Aroojforlife
I used to ride at these stables not so long ago: used to think they were amazing but i obviously didnt know any better, reason being they were the first place ive ridden. I know attend a different stable which are fun , friendly & the instructor has the patience of a saint! As for slrs ; they shout, dont listen, focous on about 200 other people at the same time. I did achieve a D badge their & they do have a good concept of awards but please do not waste your money and time? I feel for the... (read more)
★★★☆☆
“Good riding school, could be improved.”
Written on: 28/10/2012
St Leonards Riding School is a clean, neat riding school which offers Liverying. They give lessons to all ages and abillties and have very well trained instructers that can help have a fun safe lesson. St Leonards offers a chance for teenagers 13+ to help and work down the stables. The staff lead ponies in beginner classes, tack ponies up, inbetween lessons, fetch them from the field, Grooming ponies, and muck out stables and places where the ponies are kept during lessons. St Leonards... (read more)
★☆☆☆☆
“HORRIBLE!”
Written on: 19/08/2012
I used to work at St.Leanords a long time ago and they treat you like your worth nothing you see if you do something wrong you get a stike. And you can get a strike for the stupidest things i got one for sweeping in the wrong place!Anyway if you were staff that worked there you would constantly get shouted at. Plus when you took your lesson you'd be lucky to even start it on time normally 30 mins late if you are staff and i remember one time i fell off on pony rides and they didn't even help... (read more)
★☆☆☆☆
“No Idea What They're Doing”
Written on: 06/07/2012
I began riding here when I was 7 and lasted 7 months before I fell off. For my first lesson I was not on the lead rein but was put on a 14.2 hh horse and left to it. However, I loved it and continued. Pretty soon I was riding in the larger school with about 15 other children of varying abilities. We were asked to jump and canted without being shown what to do and the majority of ponies plodded round the school nose to tail. Because I was so insecure riding in the first place when I fell off... (read more)
★★★★★
“Great! Why Is It So Terrible To Some Ppl? Find Out On...”
Written on: 08/10/2011 by Muncha11
Its amazing here! I am going to be a livery in a few weeks. Btw, a livery means you own a horse there. And everyone is dead nice there! When I started I wasnt sure I wanted to but then I rode this dead sweeeet horsey called willis! He was 'mazing. So, Whats So Bad?? Ermmm, Nowt. Its Realleh Fun. Its not the instuctors fault if you or your child falls off, its practically yours or your childrens. I fell off and I completely blamed myself. I dont realleh like where the school ponies are kept... (read more)
★★★★★
“Worth the money!”
Written on: 12/09/2011 by kat1923
St. Leonards Riding School is a very good riding stables and it is definately worth the money. The lessons are 1 hour, outrides a little longer. In the lessons, you are told what to do, and they tell you if you've not done it correctly, and tell you to do it again. I recently did a lesson with an instructor called Karl, and he is brilliant. He shows you how it should be done, and always does 5-10 minutes of work without stirrups, which can really help to improve your seat. Outrides are... (read more)
★★★★☆
“Brilliant riding school!”
Written on: 05/08/2011 by horselover2000 (1 review written)
St lenords is a wonderful riding school! I first walked in the lady at the desk greeted me warmly, she asked me if i have ever ridden a horse before she put me on a horse called Tiny Tim. Unfortunately he had a pain full cut on his head therefore when he would be ridden the bridle would rub. So they cared very much about the horse and asked us to pick a different horse for his own good i rode a horse called Muffin he was lovely St lenords is a Fantastic riding school please consider going... (read more)
★★★★☆
“I have read the most recent reviews and have to...”
Written on: 24/05/2011 by Kimmykins (1 review written)
I have read the most recent reviews and have to disagree with the negagtive ones regarding rudeness. I have been riding at St Leonards since January 2011 and each and every time have found the stables, the staff and even the owner's of the horses kept at the stables to be friendly and helpful.
I enjoy riding both having lessons and going on hacks out. I find the teacher more than competent and I have the greatest of confidence in their assessment of my riding ability and matching me to a...
(read more)
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Showing 1 - 10 of 44 Reviews
★★★★★
“St Leonards is my riding school and its really good. I...”
Written on: 06/05/2011 by ILYChilli (1 review written)
St Leonards is my riding school and its really good. I am buying a horse from there :D. They even get new horses. I recently rode Chilli a lovely bay school pony. Please go and enjoy! :) (read more)
Guest's Response to ILYChilli's Review
Written on: 14/08/2011
Hi which horse ar4e you buying? :)
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★☆☆☆☆
“DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY!!I have never been so rudely...”
Written on: 09/04/2011
DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY!!I have never been so rudely spoken to in my life and to think I paid for it! Sally is one of the most arrogant women I have come across,I can't begin to imagine how much custom she has lost through her rude attitude and I'd like to say its a shame but unfortunately its all she deserves,I wish I had read reviews before attending as I may have thought twice but I will be spreading the word never the less at how awful my whole experience was at leonards!!! (read more)
Guest's Comment
Written on: 06/06/2011
wow iv never been there but i will bare that in mind thanks
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★☆☆☆☆
“Very rude staff!!.....I recently called to arrange...”
Written on: 28/02/2011
Very rude staff!!.....I recently called to arrange riding as I had bought a voucher for a "family riding experience". I have never been spoken to so rude as the woman that called me back. They would not provide me with what I had paid for. Insisted that I had to pay more for something that I didn't want. After reading the poor reviews below I'm now glad that I never have to visit there if it's run in the same manner that the staff speak to their customers. I certainly won't be paying them... (read more)
★★★★★
“I went to St Leonard s Riding School and I was...”
Written on: 24/02/2011
I went to St Leonard s Riding School and I was welcomed and they actually knew my name (even though I have never been there before). We where early and it was for a birthday gift they sat me down asked me some questions like have you been riding before? yes and how long have you been riding? and do you know this and that. They showed me some horses told me which ones were easier to handle and which ones needed some more attention and t.l.c (tender loving care). I chose flash. He was lovely... (read more)
★★★★★
“I think well I know that St Leonards is an amazing...”
Written on: 19/02/2011
I think well I know that St Leonards is an amazing riding school. The brilliant thing is that you can do own a pony and different badges. My friends go there and they inspired me. As it is such a good riding school I am going to have a party there. My friends had a party there and it was brilliant I already knew how to ride so I went at the front with them. A few of my other friends are going for a beginners ride and i an doing my first badge Called the D badge. I am already in the harder... (read more)
★★★★☆
“St. Leonards Riding School is a good place if you're...”
Written on: 10/02/2011
St. Leonards Riding School is a good place if you're looking for any type of lessons - beginners, intermediate or advanced. Horses are always fed and they have enough water. They have a shelter with a hey-net witch is always full of hey for them to eat during the day. Stables and the yard are very clean, and also horses are clean. I've been riding at SLRS for almost 3 years now, and from my own experience, I know there are horses and ponies with different 'personalities'. Some of them are... (read more)
★☆☆☆☆
“St Leonards well well well ive been to three riding...”
Written on: 07/02/2011
St Leonards well well well ive been to three riding schools in Nottingham and this one is the rudest one so far. The women behind the desk i cant even express how rude they are. Last time i went i was bitten twice by one of their ponies for no reason in one hour it bit three people. You ride nose to tail constantly and have to sit and wait the majority of the time whilst everyone takes it in turns to have their one minute canter or a jump. The amount of people that are in the lessons i just... (read more)
★★★☆☆
“I started my lessons at St. Leonard's some years ago....”
Written on: 24/01/2011
I started my lessons at St. Leonard's some years ago. I felt at the time that classes were too large. Nevertheless, I learned the basics and the ponies were generally healthy and well looked after. The level of schooling could have been improved and I think it is worthwhile for anyone concerned about such matters to write to DEFRA and their MP and ask that a minimum standard of schooling be introduced to all riding schools, such as FEI level II.
I would like to point out to those reviewing...
(read more)
★★★☆☆
“My daughter first went to this riding school a year ago. ”
Written on: 04/01/2011
My daughter first went to this riding school a year ago.
At just 8 it was a Birthday gift.
Having no experence at all of riding i took it that my daughter was in the best capable hands.
She took to it like a duck to water.Only having one private lesson she then joined a very full yard with all differant capabilities From livery owners to the very novice.
All went well plenty of money had been spent and she really enjoyed it untill she started falling off.
She wasnt the only one falling off...
(read more)
★★☆☆☆
“Having had a couple of riding lessons at a military...”
Written on: 05/11/2010
Having had a couple of riding lessons at a military training school, I was used to having a bomb proof horse, well cared (spoiled in fact) for and well disciplined. I explained I was still very inexperienced and then to be introduced to a horse whom all further staff (aged about 8 years old and upwards) that he didnt like humans and liked to bite other horses. Great. The saying 'if its too good to be true...' sums it up for £17p/h. Id noticed the horse had a very muddy mane. I felt... (read more)
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Showing 11 - 20 of 44 Reviews
★☆☆☆☆
“Dont waste your money; or gamble your safety on...”
Written on: 06/09/2010
Dont waste your money; or gamble your safety on unqualified staff. Horses and tack dirty, and lesson so packed I couldnt even get a trot out of the poor horse I was given. Horses tired and 'bored. Walked round in a tight group and then watched in horror as my friend( who had never ridden before) was told to 'get on and jump a pole across the track.Her horse was 'encouraged' to trot faster and faster by being chased by an 'instructor' with a lunge whip....I couldnt believe what I was... (read more)
★☆☆☆☆
“If you are honestly considering going here then PLEASE...”
Written on: 11/06/2010 by amy94 (2 reviews written)
If you are honestly considering going here then PLEASE read this. The riding school is NOT approved by the birtish horse society and the majority of the staff are NOT qualifed. If you would like to go to a riding school that IS ACTUALLY approved and with qualifed teaching staff then do use the British horse society website to find one. Also, if you are a parent looking for a place for you child to learn surely you would want it in qualified and approved hands? - and if you are and adult... (read more)
★★★★☆
“My daughter went for her first private lesson for her...”
Written on: 26/03/2010 by sixkids (1 review written)
My daughter went for her first private lesson for her 8th Bithday at St Leonards riding school on the 28th Dec 09 and we really got value for money.
Now she goes every weekend and attends most of the activaties that are arranged through the holidays.
The lesson at 9.30 on a Saturday and is a well attended lesson with a teacher of good knowledge and understanding.
The school ponies are all well cared for with many differant abilities and various ponies to suite the childs need.
The only...
(read more)
★★★★☆
“I'm sick and tired of people writing horrible reviews...”
Written on: 03/02/2010
I'm sick and tired of people writing horrible reviews about SLRS on here. I'm 21 and started learning to ride at SLRS when I was 8. I now have my BHS stage 3 and still choose to keep my horse at livery there.
The school ponies are turned out all year round (with rugs if neccesary) so they are sometimes muddy, but they are always well fed and happy. The ponies are seen to by the farrier regularly, wormed regularly and get anual vet checks. Liveries are stabled in the winter to preserve the...
(read more)
★★★★★
“St Leonords is a great place to learn to ride, I've...”
Written on: 24/01/2010
St Leonords is a great place to learn to ride, I've been doing it for years now and only 10 years of age. I have no regret with choosing St Lenords. Although I reccomend going in a the lessons away from the weekend because they focus on you and you learn a lot more, Some of the staff may seem a bit strict at first but they are probbaly the nicest staff you could ever have! Take it from me and no one else: GO TO ST LEONORDS! It is quiet a bit of money but all my family say it is so worth it!... (read more)
★★★★★
“St Leonards is a great place to learn to ride, I've...”
Written on: 17/01/2010
St Leonards is a great place to learn to ride, I've just had my first lesson there, the staff where friendly and made me feel welcome. I got a full hour on the horse and all the horses are kept in a huge field or in their own stable. Its great value for money and they also lend out hats! (read more)
★☆☆☆☆
“Avoid at all costs! I went for a lesson at St...”
Written on: 21/11/2009
Avoid at all costs! I went for a lesson at St Leonard's for the first time today and couldn't believe what I experienced. There were 23 other riders in the group and in the entire hour long lesson I rode my horse for approximately 5 minutes, the rest of the time I was waiting in the queue. The instructor's teaching methods left a lot to be desired! She bellowed instructions at the young members of staff and became exasperated and shouted at staff and riders when these were not followed. ... (read more)
★★★★★
“st.lenords riding school is the best place ever to go....”
Written on: 18/10/2009
st.lenords riding school is the best place ever to go. every one is nice and friendly. iv been going for 3 years now and iv aldery done great comps. in the begginer ring there is lots of hay + tins and jumping poles to grt you into the imtimdet ring. the imtiment ring is soronded rond the eage for if its wet and lots of helping stuff arond it. ilove love love it st.leonards staff are wonderful i think every 1 who wants a good riding school goes there (read more)
★☆☆☆☆
“St Leonards Toton staff very rude here,one in...”
Written on: 27/09/2009
St Leonards Toton staff very rude here,one in particular.the horses are either like donkeys so you cant advance or need more schooling and unruley,crammed in the lesson with liverys and spent most of the time stood still waiting whilst individuals went round the track,99 percent whom were liverys.big thumbs down,found an excellent place to go now. (read more)
★☆☆☆☆
“Overall St Leonards Toton is an O.K place, the...”
Written on: 17/04/2009
Overall St Leonards Toton is an O.K place, the liveries are dealt with well but most of the riding school horses are cared for well. Most are kept in a barn all together. I did learn to ride her and the horses are good, but they no no better (read more)
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Showing 21 - 30 of 44 Reviews
☆☆☆☆☆
“Riding round in a track, nose to tail with about 15...”
Written on: 31/03/2009
Riding round in a track, nose to tail with about 15 other horses, is by no means learning to ride.
I have seen better oganisation at the zoo than St Leonards Toton!
Horses are like riding machines, no quirks!! No focus on individual riders, more focus on liveries.
(read more)
★★★★☆
“St Leonards Toton is VERY good, I have only been there...”
Written on: 22/03/2009
St Leonards Toton is VERY good, I have only been there about 1 year and I am soon to do Competitions. It is pretty cheap and the staff and Horses/Ponies are nice! In some lessons the liveries go in the lessons and it is kinda annoying as the other people who are learning don't learn as much as they should do. Apart from that it is a nice place! Very good and friendly place to go. I recommend anyone who likes horses to go there. (read more)
★★★★★
“I think St Leonards Toton, Nottingham, is the best...”
Written on: 17/02/2009 by girlf
I think St Leonards Toton, Nottingham, is the best place to ride at in the universe and the stafd don't shout, They haven't even shouted once and plus if the lesson is crammed its not there fault the people from the littlie track had to join because it was raining or snowing and plus if you say I want a lesson next sunday and they say we can't its too crammed that wouldn't sound nice and plus people might turn there backs on s.l.r.s and I find the staff helpful funny cheerful happy and the... (read more)
★★★★★
“The riding school is very friendly and you feel well...”
Written on: 16/07/2008
The riding school is very friendly and you feel well at home (read more)
★★★★★
“Great value for money for children or adults lots of fun!”
Written on: 04/06/2008 by Cristine S (1 review written)
Great value for money for children or adults lots of fun! (read more)
☆☆☆☆☆
“Never learn to ride here! May be cheap but cheap isn't...”
Written on: 30/05/2008 by Kayec
Never learn to ride here! May be cheap but cheap isn't always the safest option! (read more)
441031_Jan73's Response to 370215_Kayec's Review
Written on: 15/02/2009
There is a covered track, stables and hacking in Attenborough Nature Reserve. Not sure what you mean by "facilities." Do you have proof that the horses are bought from cattle markets? I'd be interested to know as I am learning to ride there.
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★★★★★
“This is THE best place for learning to ride ive had...”
Written on: 22/05/2008 by xxlilacxx (2 reviews written)
This is THE best place for learning to ride ive had three lessons and already im jumping and bearing in mind ide never ridden a horse in my entire life they really encourage YOU TO RIDE and made me feel so confident in the saddle. the staff are lovely the horses are really sweet. they like to give a variety of who you ride and yes most of the school horses live out but its how horses live in the wild and they all seem very happy and extremely healthy as for value for money i phoned about 20... (read more)
★★★★★
“Very friendly and they like to give you a variety of...”
Written on: 22/05/2008 by xxlilacxx (2 reviews written)
Very friendly and they like to give you a variety of who you ride thumbs up all around made me feel really comfortable. Brill place highly recomend it (read more)
★★★★★
“I am not going to lie St Leonards has got a few bad...”
Written on: 10/03/2008 by Ingin12
I am not going to lie St Leonards has got a few bad points but only a very little bad points i have rode there since i was able to and for learning there is no better place i have been all over the stables there and there is not one bit of cruelty i have seen and yes the instructors shout sometimes but i have seen people go from ok to amazing in that time i completely recommend it to everyone old young beginner or experienced (read more)
★★★★★
“Overall, I find the staff and horses compliment each...”
Written on: 29/12/2007 by lisa meakin (1 review written)
Overall, I find the staff and horses compliment each other. The choice of horses is immense, each one having their own character! and yes, some riders get thrown off but this is part of learning how to ride a horse, the most important thing is to get back on immediately if possible. All horses should be treated with respect just like human beings. The class teachers are exceptional! Together, these teachers are second to none and I wouldn't take my 9 year old daughter anywhere else!! (read more)
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Showing 31 - 40 of 44 Reviews
★★★★☆
“The staff have a very forward approach to riding - if...”
Written on: 01/10/2007 by outrider (1 review written)
The staff have a very forward approach to riding - if you want to learn then they will bring you on. They will stretch you and instill confidence but never push you beyond your capabilities
Twelve months ago I'd never sat on a horse. An hour a week at St Leonards has seen me galloping on beaches in the Lake District and cantering across moorland in Ireland - very satisfying for me and a testament to the staff and horses.
(read more)
☆☆☆☆☆
“I rode here for 2 and a half years (didn't know any...”
Written on: 22/09/2007 by WelshieGal (2 reviews written)
I rode here for 2 and a half years (didn't know any better) and well...here goes:
The school horses didn't have their own stalls, were tied up in mud all day then turned out. Often go lame, many put down. Some of the instructors just shout, shout, shout! I've gone home in tears many times and fallen off a LOT!
They were cruel. Don't recommend going there. Ever. Unless it is to take pictures for a cruelty case. End of. Period.
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Bollicks's Response to WelshieGal's Review
Written on: 17/10/2007
I found this review helpful because...i have had the same experience, so nothing has changed, its the horses i feel sorry for. Don't recommend
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369961_Candygurlxx's Response to WelshieGal's Review
Written on: 29/05/2008
The lessons were packed when I went
<br/>And one time the horse I was riding didn't have the correct girth and no body thought to check so as i was cantering round the saddle slipped and i ended up under the horse and i could have been seriously hurt if one of the staff hadn't ran out and caught me.
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370215_Kayec's Response to WelshieGal's Review
Written on: 30/05/2008
I agree with this review because...I rode there for a year (again didn't know any better) and I feel that the conditions are appalling! Never learn to ride here!
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441031_Jan73's Response to WelshieGal's Review
Written on: 15/02/2009
I'm a beginner and I ride at St Leonards. They check my girth every lesson. I've not found the horses lame or uncared for. They can be a bit muddy sometimes as they are kept in fields, with some in stables. I've certainly never seen them tied up and have walked the horse to the field myself, where shelter is provided. I wouldn't go there if I thought it was dodgy! Are you sure we're talking about the same place?
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★☆☆☆☆
“Rode there for 2 months, didn't learn much, waste of...”
Written on: 15/09/2007 by bollicks (3 reviews written)
Rode there for 2 months, didn't learn much, waste of money, but will try somewhere else...any suggestions were to go would help, as new to the area. (read more)
★★★★★
“This is a very good stables and riding school. I've...”
Written on: 03/07/2007 by reblady (2 reviews written)
This is a very good stables and riding school. I've been riding there for over 4 years now and am very impressed. My previous yard was nothing like this. They look after their ponies well. They live out in humongous fields! They are well fed... Also most of the school ponies are up for sale (with exception of a few) which is good as it keeps fresh blood coming in the riding school which one ensures that the horses don't get bored and have the opportunity to go to a private home or kept their... (read more)
386182_Elliep35's Response to reblady's Review
Written on: 26/07/2008
I have been at St Leonards for 4 years and have enjoyed all the times i have been there. Once you get to know all the staff you realise how friendly it is there and how much of a laugh it is. The ponies are all fully cared for and fairly treated and the lessons are fab. They do events there in the school holidays like gymkhana's and own a pony days. The horses are all different sizes and speeds so you can find the right one for you and the staff make sure none of them are unsafe. I would recommend to you to come here because you really will have a great time and will enjoy it.
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Munchiee's Comment
Written on: 05/11/2012
They dont sell the horses, they go into retirement and they staff do as much in the short time they have.