Seven Oaks Farm

This review will be based upon my single intro lesson to horse riding. Think of it as Horse Riding 101.
I met with Pamela the owner and she was very easy going and explained to me exactly what we’d be doing on this first lesson. I’d learn how to mount/​dis-​mount from the horse and a couple of other basics.
Before getting me on the horse she got me fitted for helmet and shoes. Sadly, with my big old honking feet, the riding shoes did not fit me but the helmet did. She worked with me to show me how to properly mount and dismount from the horse. Thankfully, having an easy natural presence around animals helped me so that I was calm while atop my horse.
She worked with me to understand normal stopping procedures and emergency stopping procedures as well. All very straightforward.
Pamela was very honest and straightforward in helping me to understand what would be required to get myself ready for being an «intermediate» level rider for a trip to Iceland that myself and my other half had planned on taking next August: After reviewing what would be involved and considering Pamela’s candor, we chose not to take the trip and cease taking lessons. I will say that should we choose this vacation option again and/​or taking lessons, I would definitely return to Seven Oaks Farms.
I could not give a five star rating since I have not gone through an entire series of lessons. But based upon my first lesson can safely give it four stars.

After riding hunter/​jumper for over 20 years I wanted to try something new and started taking Dressage lessons from Pamela, Caitlin and Mary at Seven Oaks. I cannot say enough great things about riding here with the highlights being their customer service, professionalism, horses and trainers. I have never felt safer on a horse or a better rider. I would recommend them for all levels and HIGHLY recommend them as a place to learn how to ride well and build (or rebuild as is my case) a great foundation. While they have limited early morning lessons they have great lighting and offer evening lessons for those of us who work. Their horses are happy and well trained, their equipment is great and they are technologically saavy (especially for the equestrian world). Seriously 10 stars for Pam and Seven Oaks if I could, definitely as good as it gets.

My daughter has been showing at the Seven Oaks Dressage Extravaganza for the last three years, and we could not ask for a better schooling show. The staff and management are friendly, knowledgeable, and extremely supportive of riders. The atmosphere is one of contagious joy and support. Everyone treats each other with respect – respect for humans and respect for horses. We love going here. The mission is safety and education about dressage. I say, mission accomplished over and over again.

My daughter has been taking lessons from Pamela at the San Juan Bautista barn for 6 months now and just loves it! She feels comfortable and confident while in the saddle and is learning more and more each week. It’s great to see her so happy and loving each horse she has ridden.
Pamela takes the time to educate my daughter in all aspects of riding and horses —. which is great, because are we new to horses so it’s good to know all attributes of the horses and not than just riding. Not only is my daughter learning a ton about horses, she is also learning about safety, which I think is so important. It’s a powerful animal and they are taught to respect and cherish the work they do :)
The facilities are tidy, clean and beautiful! The view sucks me in every time and I am sad when the lesson is over because it’s time to head back to the city…
Everybody is friendly and helpful and welcoming! It’s like a big family! It really is a fun time for all of us when we come out to the barn!

I’ve been taking lessons with Pamela for about 8 months and am thrilled with what I’m learning, the vibe of the barn and the fabulousness of the horses I’ve been riding. (I alternate between two horses depending on my lesson that day.) Not only is Pamela and the other trainers focused on teaching you solid dressage, but they also want to ensure you know how to care for a horse and that you stay safe every time you’re with a horse. I can’t imagine taking lessons anywhere else!

I started taking my then 6 year old daughter to Seven Oaks Farm, 1 hr drive from my home to their ranch. I took an instant liking to all the staff and the place from the very first moment. My daughter can be pretty wild with little focus and just looking out for fun than concentrating on task at hand despite her high unusually high intelligence. So it was important for me to find someone who had the highest regard for safety and patience with such kids. I thank my lucky stars to have found this place.
My daughter is crazy about animals and Pam’s staff is no different. They rescued a calf and a piglet and take great care of their horses. The calf was bottle fed and is now a full grown cow and an interesting contrast in the barn full of horses! For my daughter it is a paradise as she often gets to feed all these animals and play with the cat. That kind of attitude towards animals has been a very rewarding influence on my daughter who always has a ton of questions about every aspect about them and the folks over there are never tired to patiently answer to her satisfaction.
For many months, I had to keep a tight watch over my daughter during her lessons as she just would not focus or listen to the instructions. Pam observed her carefully and determined it was her high intellect that was keeping her from focusing on the task as he mind raced in 10 different directions simultaneously. I was not sure if this situation was addressable without me shouting from the fences at her to focus. Pam came up with an novel approach — she gave her simple things to focus upon such as earn points, try to give various object stable that were tucked in all around here. As a result, she has made dramatic progress in last several months although we visit only 2 – 4 times a month. Very innovative technique. My daughter’s behavior and focus in general has improved as well. People might give all credit to the horses but I will credit Pam, Sonya and others in her staff for that.
This place is not focused on money as much as others but rather people and animal focused. We are never charged for no show as long as we give a notice several days in advance. The lesson just rolls over. This flexibility makes it affordable and worth my 2 hour back and worth drive, financially. Of course, the experience once there is invaluable. The ranch is located in a serene environment with rolling lush green hills on all sides. It is always a disappointment when the lesson is over and we have to head back.
Anurag

I think most of it has been covered in the posts below — Pam and co have a fantastic thing going here.
All of the trainers are wonderful, and balance encouragement, safety, and «do it right!» butt-​kicking. I’ve been through plenty of trainers and clinicians with super fancy FEI credentials, and the Seven Oaks way is consistent, correct, honest dressage. No shortcuts here (other than your lesson horse definitely knows his job).
The one thing that I think isn’t pointed out yet on their Unilocal review — and definitely should be — is that their horses are some of the happiest, healthiest and safest lesson horses I’ve come across. They all have their own well-​fit equipment, big comfy stalls overflowing with fresh shavings, and are in fantastic shape.

I took a package of 5 or 6 lessons with Seven Oaks and I’m very pleased with things that I learned from this barn.
When I ride at other barn someone asked me whether I have learned dressage before. I think my posture on horseback improves at least a bit as an adult beginner.
Things that I learned from this barn: (I’m a slow learner)
A very specific way to post
Emergency dismount — saves my life once
How to choose a fitted helmet
How to think like a horse
Introduce me to the dressage saddle and the small girth
I definitely got better at picking the hooves
The Portola Valley location only offers lessons in the afternoon and I prefer to ride in the morning before work so there is a schedule conflicts. I wish they start offering lesson in the morning.
Need to keep riding so I can go to the Olympics someday!

I just started taking lesson here and have to say I’m very impressed. All of the trainers have a great way of explaining them selves. I Definitely recommend them to anyone looking to take dressage lessons

As a long time (10+years) once-​a-​week rider who always wished she could do more, finding Seven Oaks has been the best thing that’s happened to me this year. All of the four trainers are great and I genuinely look forward to lessons with each of them (versus many other places where you have the ones you like and the ones you don’t). All of the school horses are fantastic, happy and healthy, each offering a different set of challenges (that said, I haven’t felt unsafe on any of them).
They encourage riding more than once a week and offer lessons in the evenings after work to make that possible for those of us with full time jobs. On that note, the majority of riders are adults, which is a nice change from other places where the average age seems to range anywhere from 10 to 15. They teach in a positive manner — even when you’re being pushed and critiqued, it’s with an encouraging spirit, and never mean or belittling. Further, they respect your feel as the person on the horse’s back, never telling you to «cowboy-​up» if you feel something is wrong or unsafe.
There’s also a wonderful community feeling, as the program tends to be mostly regulars.
In the last year, I’ve easily made more progress in my riding than I had in the 5 before that combined. I only wish I had found Seven Oaks sooner!

I have been riding with Pam and Carrie for close to 20 yrs now. While their style may not suit everyone, it certainly works for me. Their focus is on safety and fun, while consistently improving your riding and your horse. They train all levels– beginners to FEI riders, and all types of horses. They are especially good with older riders and have many clients over 60. The horses all seem to be happy, and stay sound. I would recommend Seven Oaks to anyone (and often do).

Seven Oaks was recommended to me when we moved to the bay area. I have been riding for over 20 years and have found that these ladies really know their stuff! I’ve been riding with them for the past 4 years. All of the instructors teach Carrie Coe’s and Pamela Miller’s carefully thought out training program, so you never need to worry about who is teaching you because they all follow the same methodology. Also, they have been working with my horse and have helped us go from training level to third level while keeping my horse happy all along our dressage journey.
I would recommend Seven Oaks for anyone interested in dressage. Not only is it a fun, friendly environment, but if you are interested in competing, they can help you reach any goal you set for yourself.

So, I have started riding again and I decided to go with Seven Oaks. It’s on Rancho Viejo, next to the Portola Valley Training Center (snobs). I’m getting all the instruction I need and they are nice and patient with me since I had a horrible riding accident about 2 years ago.
Carrie talked my ear off about what I should do to prepare. She was very nice. My instructor is Sarah, who is awesome.