McIntosh Stables USA

I am a 16 year old rider who has competed from western pleasure to cross country to hunters and I was looking for a barn in which I could compete at higher level shows, and have great hunter/​jumper lessons on well trained horses. I found that barn at McIntosh! Having some good and not so good barns and lessons in my past I was looking for a place where I felt safe on the horses, and where as well as improving my position I could start moving up and jumping higher. I have had a few lessons so far and am loving the lessons and the atmosphere (the people and grooms I have met are super friendly!). I live in SF and this barn is worth the drive! I can’t wait to keep improving!

McIntosh Stables is an exceptional barn. I moved my Thoroughbred Hunter to McIntosh Stables in August of 2013, and only wish I had done it sooner. I am thrilled with the top notch level of care and thought that has gone into his training. The McIntosh Team is just phenomenal at caring for and training horses (and riders, too)! In addition, it is just a pleasure to be at the barn. The trainers and grooms are genuinely nice people who create a very friendly environment. The other horse owners and riders are also a great group of people. I highly recommend McIntosh Stables to any rider looking to take their riding to the next level, and to any owner looking for exceptional care for their horse.

Great horses and trainers. The lessons are very thorough and professional. My daughter has taken lessons at 4 other barns in the area over the years and this was definately the best.

I recently moved my daughter over to McIntosh from another show barn, and I can’t be happier with how things are going. Toni and Colin are true professionals, dedicated to both the best care and training of the horses, and the best support and coaching of their clients. Their no-​nonsense, no-​drama, and extremely fun attitude shines through to their team and clients. The kids in the program feel confident, and improve quickly. Their team is always communicating, so that everyone is on the same page, and knows exactly what’s going on with each client. At shows, there is truly a «team» attitude, with everyone supporting each other. I know it sounds kind of warm and fuzzy. but it really is nice to be surrounded by positive thinking people! I would highly recommend McIntosh to everyone from beginners just learning to ride, to show riders looking to move up to the next level of success.

Moving to the Bay Area two years ago I was looking for a place to start riding again, having ridden for years growing up in the Midwest. Being in a new city, I also thought the barn would be a great place to meet new people and find community. And I was so lucky to find McIntosh Stables!
McIntosh was the first barn I visited. Immediately upon meeting Toni and Colin and seeing the grounds, I was ready to sign up for the riding program. Their schooling program is really unique, and requires a steady committment from students. They have a few different levels of participation, including a half lease and six lessons a month. There’s also a lot of thought that goes into matching horse and rider, and it makes such a huge difference. The horses are very well cared for, and the nicest I’ve ever ridden. Each one, of course, with something different to teach you.
The quality of instruction is also unparalleled. All of the trainers know you and are consistent in working with you on your individual needs as a rider. The entire team is very passionate, enthusiastic and supportive.
Lastly McIntosh has created such a great community at the barn. Everyone is welcoming and friendly. In the lessons too, all of the students are supportive of each other. People go out to the shows to watch each other compete etc. I’ve really enjoyed gettnig to know everyone there, and only wish I could spend even more time around the stables.

I began riding with Toni and Colin when I was a freshman in high school when they first moved to PVTC, at that age most people quit horseback riding. And unfortunately I thought about it because I had been to so many barns in the area: Isola, Stanford, Portola Farms and Portola Pastures looking for a competitive lesson program with good horses and trainers. Then I found Toni and Colin, I began riding with them as a lesson client, where I learned the fundamentals, they gave me a reality check, which was what I needed. As a lesson client I rode amazing school horses and was taught by Toni and Colin not assistant trainers which made feel like they truly cared about my riding career. Soon after I began leasing a horse from the barn. I learned so much about horse care and showing, it was an amazing experience. And two years after riding with Toni and Colin I bought my first horse, she was the best horse anyone could ask for.
When looking for a horse I had high expectations because I was originally showing in the .90 and .95 on the horse I leased and asked them to find me a horse that I could show at the next Menlo Charity Horse Show in the children’s jumpers. Toni and Colin found my horse and made it happen. Not only did I get to show in the children’s at Menlo but I got to show in my first level 4 class, Toni and Colin made my riding experience because they really try and make dreams happen. They are great at finding new horses for clients, and have gotten horses from Canada, New Zealand, and all over the US.
Team McIntosh is like a family which I love. I am currently a senior in College in Pennsylvania. Even though I sold my horse I still come back and visit every vacation I come back to California, I know I am always welcome. I know I would never trust anyone else with any of my future horses, and I cant wait to graduate and start riding with them again. They are the best!

The team at McIntosh Stables is unique among world-​class equestrian trainers. Colin and Toni McIntosh are dedicated to providing all riders, at all levels, with the instruction and support they need as they strive for mastery of the equestrian sport. In the nearly 10 years I have been with McIntosh Stables, I have experienced far more improvement in my riding as compared to the prior 10 years of training I had received from other top trainers. Colin and Toni McIntosh, as well as their training staff, are positive and encouraging while at the same time insightful and challenging. I absolutely would not have been able to achieve my current level of confidence and competence with any other trainers; at McIntosh Stables, they give 100% of their focus and caring to every horse and rider, every time. I am extremely grateful to Toni, Colin, and their amazing assistants for taking my riding to a whole new level. I also appreciate the groom staff for the great job they do in caring for my horse. Thank you!

I just wanted to submit another comment — recently our primary horse had been having some trouble during shows (only 2) which could have resulted in a potentially dangerous situation for both my daughter’s horse and my daughter. I am so relieved that Toni & Colin were there tracking his behavior and thinking of alternatives in case the present scenario did not improve. While we were certainly aware that he had a sore back and they were doing everything possible to help him — it was clear to them at the last show that the problem wasn’t going away. Not only did they tell us directly right there at the show, they went through extraordinary lengths to bring in a horse for our daughter to trial so that she would not be left «horseless». Upon our return from the show — they already had a solution for Silver — he will be heading to a wonderful facility in Lodi to pack on some weight for the next 3 months. In the meantime, they have secured a horse for our daughter to ride/​show until we decide our next steps and have begun training our 4 yo Thoroughbred.
I can not tell you how refreshing it is not to have to «drive» a situation — it is all under control and they are constantly one step ahead of us (which is a rarity). We are forever grateful for their professionalism and humanity.

When you’ve had horses of your own, the prospect of going back to an ordinary riding school is disheartening, to say the least. Luckily for me, the boutique riding program at McIntosh Stables is anything but an ordinary riding school. The school horses go out only once or twice a day. They are ridden to the same standards, and kept to the same level, as the private horses in training at the barn, and it shows. They are sound, their coats gleam and they are educated and athletic. Horses come into the school program and improve. I’ve never seen that happen before. It’s a thing of beauty.
The instruction is excellent. Class sizes are small, all the trainers are helpful and attentive and my equitation has improved out of sight. Everyone else rides way better than I do but they’re all super nice about it, too! McIntosh seems to attract clients who are serious about their riding, with positive attitudes and low tolerance for drama: maybe because that’s exactly what Toni and Colin are like. I feel happy and lucky every time I set foot in the barn.

Last year we were in the throws of helping our 15 yr old transition from a lower schooling barn to a more competitive training situation. We spent time watching other trainers and riders during shows at the Woodside Horse Park, talked to trainers. When we sat and talked with Toni, she got us. She understood our concerns and interests in regards to our horse and daughter. We were immediately put at ease. Colin and Toni have such a wonderful presence and truly enjoy what they do. Their passion for riding and horses is infectious to the riders at their barn. They go so far as to our horses eating habits, which turned out to be certain items in certain places or he wouldnt eat! really?! yes, we enjoy and trust them so much that we are entrusting our 4 yr old OTTB to their training program.

After moving back to the Bay Area, a couple of years ago, I found myself in the market for a barn. This search was almost more important than finding an apartment to live in, and just as daunting. I looked at a number of barns throughout the Bay Area and in the Portola Valley area. After talking to many people, I made an appointment to come in and talk with Toni and Colin at McIntosh Stables. Why I didnt come here first I dont know. Toni, Colin, and their team provide an outstanding training program and a fantastic and fun environment for all. For those who do not own a horse, they have a great lesson program with horses for all levels of riders. The teaching is superb and I walk away from every lesson having learned something new and helpful. The team is a joy to be around, they are enthusiastic, energetic, and dedicated to the horses and the sport. Not only is this an amazing learning environment, it is fun. The team spirit is alive and well at McIntosh Stables! At horse shows everyone comes out to support one another, whether they are showing or not. There are also frequent social events which provide a wonderful opportunity to meet people at the barn and socialize. I cant say enough about this great group of people and the tremendous riding program that McIntosh stables has cultivated. If you are looking for a place to learn and a place to have fun, McIntosh stables is the place for you!