written by Salma213 on 07/12/2019
A disappointing first lesson. Staff in cafe and saddlery shop were lovely and welcoming and helpful however the instructor was abrupt and rude. No positive praise and encouragement just a lot of shouting and criticism to a child. Chased round ménage by instructor with a whip, unhappy pony bucking And kicking out which instructor found hilarious. Came away confidence knocked, only got 20 minutes of a half hour private lesson on a pony who clearly was unhappy. won’t be returning.
written by Equestriananimal on 31/10/2016
Wirral Riding Centre has some brilliant Instructors and some not depending who you request, with my time at the Wirral Riding Centre I was quite concerned about the safety conditions on & around the yard as this didn't seem to match up with The BHS/APRS Standard ( NOT The LESSONS ) as the apprenticeships need to set a better example of how to maintain a nice clean yard ready to welcome Clients who help to pay their wages, If it wasn't for the Clients then the riding school wouldn't Exist & people would be out of employment. Personally I've seen good and bad things on this yard & I would like to give a more positive review and recommend more and more people to this yard & every Client should be greeted with a welcoming smile no matter who they are as your Clients are the ones who are keeping your business running..as for the apprenticeships, buck up your Idea's and there won't be no problem! I think there's lots of room for improvement at these Stables & as for The Wirral Riding Centre being too far out and not easy to get too Is not totally correct because It's easy to get to buy car, bus stops right outside of Of the Stables or 20 mins walk to Train Station depending where your traveling from!!
written by Alissav360 on 13/02/2016
Wirral riding Center is an absolute disgrace to riding schools across the country I loaned my beloved mare to them as I was doing my GCSES and couldn't afford her at the time well, I was not alowed to go down and ride her as much as they said the feed they gave her was very poor quality and very little amount (for a big horse in a lot of work) the Haynet they gave her wasn't even big enough for a 11hh pony let alone a 16'2 in full work when I told them I just got ignored, They never mucked her out probably when I went to work there for some extra money I learnt all they do is poo pick it BUT most of the staff don't even do that they leave the week in and just cover it in clean straw so it looks like they have a big bed! Then it got worse I was told by the yard manager to not take her rugs off when I do I find infected sweat glands due to her being ridden with a revoltingly dirty saddle cloth and she hadn't been groomed after every lesson come on it's not that hard to brush a horse???..... Then it got worse she got severe conjunctivitis and nearly lost her eye but would the owner of the riding school (who was ment to be incharge of her but would get a vet out or even pay a vet bill) it got that bad she would kick out every time she went in the stable with her so they decided to TIE her up while the lessons were going on and as she was tied that tight and spooked one day the head collar cut into her face and cut down to bone but would the owner of the yard get the vet out NO yet again my self who is skint had to ring and pay the £££ vet bill for sedation antibiotics having it corrected and I'm beond broke (the reason she was there) I'm only just getting started DO NOT GO TO WIRRAL RIDING CENTER OR LOAN OR PUT ANY HORSE ON THE RIDING SCHOOL No value for money as you can't put - 10 stars I highly suggest larton riding Center very well cared for horses and amazing lessons
written by Jerryz1969 on 11/08/2014
I'm completely shocked after reading through the reviews, I have ridden and learnt almost everything I know about horses from Wirral. I started there almost 7 years ago and it's the best riding school I have been too, the lessons were always great and I learnt a lot, the staff are friendly and the horses are all great, anyone would find there match there. I have loaned a horse of the school and was up most weekends helping out and looking after my pony, all the horses are equally loved and looked after, all off the horses are always within reach of water. The beds are mucked out everyday and skipped out later on. It's a very well run school and all horses are treated equally. Every place has there off day but Wirral always manages too pull through with what they have got. Now after 7 years I have my own horse, without Wirral I would never be here. Would reccomend to anyone of any riding ability.
written by Bowers491 on 27/03/2014
I also used to ride at barnston riding centre when it closed i was looking for a new school. Even though im From liverpool, the schools by me were not up to scratch! I couldnt have been more welcomed at wirral riding centre all the horses are looked after beautifully how anyone can say they arent i have no idea!!! Instructor teaches me and a few friends on a tuesday night and i have only had 4 classes and have already progressed so much now jumping huge jumps as my confidence has grew so much! Walking round the yard the staff are friendly there is also a livery yard attached to the school which actually has nothing to do with the riding school so wether the bad experiences are aimed at the livery i dont know. I took my little cousin for her first lesson tehre yesterday the staff were amazing and took her round to meet all the ponies and horses and her instructor was amazing! I cant inderstand peoples attitude my experience has been great and i fond the school very professional. Lessons always on time, facilities great and great choice of ponies and horses. There are always people who arent happy no matter what so give it a go me and the 8 people i moved from barnston with all love it :)
written by ulBlackwell361 on 24/03/2014
After the closure of Barnston riding school my daughter and I have been looking for an alternative riding school on the wirral, safe to say it will not be this one. We had gone on a weekday so as to avoid the weekend crush and through the day as we thought people would have time to talk to us. On visiting the property we were ignored by various people wearing "staff" uniforms until another person enquired who we were looking for apparently this was an owner who just kept her horses on the yard and allowed them to be used by the school. We were directed to the office and passed on to a woman who described herself as the yard manger. We were given a tour of the facilities they had to offer and while the indoor and outdoor ménage looked ok they might as well have not been there the lack of detail that was forthcoming about hire, usage teaching whether you could use your own instructor After this we were shown the horses and I was shocked I've been to a few stables but these were disgusting, what she called the pony barn had three stables that were outstanding and the rest were simply filthy many with no water or food and the ponies looked like they hadn't been groomed for a year. The outside stables were little better with some having no water and the majority of the horses looking shabby. However again it was possible to tell which horses were owned as these stables had toys and the horses looked properly groomed. The whole tour took less than 5 minutes and we learned more by talking to non staff members than the staff had told us. People on the yard seemed warm and friendly but the staff were the complete opposite wouldn't use this school if it were the only school in England never mind the Wirral I was left with the overall impression that the staff couldn't be bothered about new business and in this economic situation I wish I could afford to turn paying clients away at the first point of can't act we will be having our 4 lessons a week elsewhere.
written by on 04/01/2014
i have only been to wirral a couple of times and have vowed never to return. the place was awful. horses were not cared for in any level and yard staff knew nothing about the horses. instructors did not seem to care about the riders or their progression. i was taken once as part of a school trip and the riding school had 20 people riding at once with only one instructor to watch over all of us. all we did was walk and trot for 25 mins. afterwards we were left to put away the horses with only a vague idea of where they were supposed to go, also we were expected to untack them. luckily at the time i had been riding for 6 years so knew how to do all this however most of us did not and started to panic as a few had never even been around a horse before! part of the trip was a 'tour' of the yard and surrounding fields. this consisted of being lead around by a very bored looking elderly man 'showing us how to make a hay net' by this i mean the staff had a sit down while we fed all the horses. one thing i found very shocking was the amount of ragwort in the fields. for those of you who dont know, ragwort is a plant that is extremely poisonous to horses! would not recommend this place to anybody ever! it was a disgrace!
written by on 09/11/2013
my time at Wirral was awful. some very bad instructors. Horses not cared for properly. Saw numerous accidents and staff just didn't care. Owner only interested in making money. Be advised.... go elsewhere!
written by on 08/11/2013
I would firmly not recommend this riding establishment to anyone. Prices are cheap but horses and ponies were not to my liking. Saddles were bad fitting and looked very worn too. Friendly staff but poor quality lessons, My friend recently fell off there recently and injured herself which could have been avoided :( :( :( however the facilities at wirral were quite good
written by on 19/08/2013
It's ok but it was a bit caiotick, but the horses are looked after well
written by on 27/03/2013
After trying a few riding schools on the wirral and feeling rather disappointed with my lesson I came to wirral riding centre and absolutely loved it, all the horses/ponies are well cared for and the staff are very helpful and friendly, the instructors are firm but fair and offer constructive criticism when necessary meaning I always leave my lesson having learnt something new and feeling very satisfied. Stable hands are very friendly and willing to help you and show you how to tack up and un-tack if you ask. There is a wide variety of horses and ponies for all ages and ability's that are well looked after and great at teaching you different techniques in riding. I'm very happy at wirral riding centre and would recommend it to anyone!
written by on 07/11/2012
Had a riding lesson here, as an experienced rider and fancied a change. After riding for over 10 years, I'm well aware of my abilities and explained these when I booked my lesson. When I arrived, I was put on a horse (after about 15 mins into my lesson) that was suited to my ability, however, the lesson was not! The lady I was on my lesson with, couldn't even canter. So the majority of a rather expensive lesson was spent me trotting round on my own whilst the instructor concentrated fully on this other rider. Was not impressed and will not return. On the otherhand, being a keen horsewoman, I was pleased with the quality of the care of the horses and all were kept clean.
written by missphoeebe222 on 30/05/2012
After trying out many different riding schools, I must say Wirral is by far the best! Everywhere in always very clean, everyone is very helpful and considerate. They have two big arenas, a indoor with gallery, and a outdoor- perfect for sunny days! Instructors are firm but far, and very friendly. Stable hands have no problem helping you with the horse/pony or having a chat. plenty of space for parents coming to watch, with cafe(with WiFi) and most importantly horses are incredibly well looked after! They have a massive range from a quite, safe cob to beautiful show jumpers, something perfect for everyone. The general feel to the place is warm and loving, prices are respectable, with lots of fun activities for the children- pony club, pony management, own a horse day and so on..
written by on 25/04/2011
This is one of the best riding schools I've ever been to! All the horses are very well cared for and all the staff are really friendly. The yard looks clean and tidy and all the stable hands plus people who keep there horses there seem to be friendly. They will always seem to smile or have a chat to you when you go. The instructers can be hard but fair on you sometimes and my favourite instructer is Kate. There are horses for all ages and abilities, and they match you up for the perfect pony for you. Also they do pony managment days which helps you understand more about horses and what its like to own one. All in all, I would recommend going here as its a great!
written by on 06/10/2009
I LOVE the wirral riding centre I ride poppy a 13hh grey pony who is a bomb
proof horse that would't hurt a fly my instructer Aileen is very hard on you when you have a lesson but very very very kind before or after a lesson or any other time there is also a cafe,a shop,43 horses,hacks and lots of fun activties to do (On my birthday I went to own a pony and groomed tacked up and went on a hack.)Im going to go now but if you want riding lessons GO TO THE WIRRAL RIDING CENTRE!!!!!! GO GO GOOOO
written by on 19/09/2009
I go to the wirral riding centre, haddon, ness on a saturday and sunday and it is VERY cheap and all the instructor are BHS qualified! I WOULD STRONGLY RECOMEND IT!
it rock rock rocks and duoble triple ROCKS!
written by ponyclubber on 12/05/2009
I go to Wirral Riding Centre every week on a saturday for a lesson or pony club, all the horses are amazing and 2 exellent schools to ride in. The lessons are completely amazing and you learn something new each lesson.I love the hacks and pony club is great.
written by on 12/11/2008
I had a lesson today, first one in a long time! pip was a super instructor, My 12 year old daughter was impressed too. Horses all look super very well cared for. We cant wait till the weekend to go again.
written by on 12/06/2008
The horses are well kept, and are always happy to see people. I progressed well and learned something new each lesson. Also they have enjoyable 'own a pony' days, to teach kids stable management, and improve their riding technique!
written by becki2 on 03/10/2007
I recommend it 100%. This riding school was good is my four year old daughter really enjoys it and it is somewhere you can take them. All the horses are clean and the staff are friendly. There really isn't any bad points.
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Tryihard's Response to Equestriananimal's Review
Written on: 07/12/2019
I quite agree, first lesson there wasn’t as welcoming as we’d have expected.
Whilst the staff in saddle shop and cafe were lovely the instructor we had was abrupt and rude.
I’d like to see positive praise and encouragement Rather than negative criticism for the duration of the lesson. Came away feeling deflated.
We won’t be returning.
.