Canyon Lake Farm – Training Center

Last 5 days summer camp from August 03 to August 07 was the excellent experience for my daughter. I came across Tracy’s 5 days summer camp program three months ago and confirmed attendance for my daughter and her classmate who were both 10 years old. The camp classes was proven to be very well organized, funny and educated. My daughter loved it so much and asked to extend the training courses after this. Thanks Tracy an another trainer Lauren.

I was perusing Unilocal deals and came across Canyon Lake Farms deal of $ 30 voucher for $ 50 one hour lesson. This was great, since moving back from Chicago I am looking for a barn to ride at.
The location is great for me, just being off Grand and Peyton Ave., English Rd. is a stone’s throw away! This might sound lazy of me, but I’m more motivated to ride when the barn is close to me instead of 30 minutes away (which it was like in Chicago, or an hour and 30 minutes if I was driving from work, yuck).
First and foremost, Tracy is awesome, awesome, awesome. I cannot sing her praise enough. She communicated very well via e-​mail (which was more convenient for me). It took a couple of days back and forth emailing to get a time scheduled, but only because I was asking a lot of questions. But cannot complain when I started communicating with her on Sunday evening and had a ride scheduled for Thursday afternoon! She was great at answering all my questions and putting my fears to ease.
Now, this was a couple firsts for me, first, I had NEVER ridden Arabian horses. On this experience, I was graced with the pleasure of riding Yankee (DUDE loves to eat anything and every plant in sight!), whom I LOVED. Secondly, I was looking for hunter jumper (which she does not offer). She did assure me that if I ever wanted to move on, she would not be offended and did say that when other riders have moved on, their trainers had complemented her training, saying they were well prepared. BUT at this moment in my riding journey, I am open to new adventures. Plus, I’d rather get the foundation laid before jumping anyway! I am excited to continue riding with Tracy and being able to build my riding skills, as well as, exploring new disciplines.
Tracy has an awesome personality, something I was looking for in a trainer. She does not make you feel silly for not knowing (all thought I did dismount the wrong side, in which she informed me of! HAHA) But I am one who likes to know when I am doing something wrong so I CAN CORRECT IT and do it right the next time after!
An interesting fact is that her bridles are all in separate pieces (COME AGAIN???) I’d NEVER seen that before, so it was both intimidating and interesting!
Also, on a side note, turn into the driveway that is open, right before the one that has the closed gate! I had to you turn because I missed it. You can either park inside or on the street if needed.
All in all, I am so happy to be back in California and starting my riding at Canyon Lake Farms! AND Riding in November in California IS NOTHING like riding in NOVEMBER Chicago weather! lol Next time I bring water! haha

A little background about me: The last riding experience I had was one summer when I was around 12, when my dad would take me for weekly riding lessons. I rode Western, and generally the format of my lessons were: show up to an already tacked horse, ride around on my own, dismount and go home. All for $ 25 an hour.
Now that I’m almost 21, I’ve decided to take a chance and get back into the hobby that I’ve just loved my whole life. I was a little hesitant on the price ($ 50 is pretty expensive, especially if I have no idea how good the lessons are) but with Unilocal’s deal it gave me a great opportunity to test the place out.
I showed up a little early (note: there is a private parking area inside, so you don’t have to park outside unless the lot is full). Tracy, the trainer, and someone else (I wish I remembered the name!) helped me lead out a wonderful lesson horse named Bint Dunesara. The hour of lessons includes around 15 minutes of learning how to groom/​tack up the horse, which I consider to be very valuable.
For the first lesson, Tracy lunged the horse and controlled the gait so that I was able to learn how to properly position myself and how to post. I loved the fact that she really paid attention to my body movements and really stressed learning the basics. I definitely learned more in that hour than I have learned in the two months I spent riding in the other ranch. Sometimes I felt frustrated when I couldn’t get the rhythm right, but Tracy was incredibly patient and gave me tips on how to handle it (ex. assuming the 2-​point position to help with knowing how to position my hips when posting).
When the lesson was over, I helped untack and was on my merry way.
I know this is a long review, but if you weren’t sure what you might be getting into, here is a somewhat detailed report :) But do it! My review does not do this place justice.
I will definitely be back! This place is awesome!
Small note, the sign outside doesn’t say «Canyon Lake Farm», so be on the lookout :)

I have always loved horses, just never really took the opportunity to ride. My husband purchased me a few lessons as a birthday gift. I fell in love with the place! Tracy is so intelligent, and knows so much about the sport. She’s very helpful and understanding towards new riders like me. The horses I have been around at the farm are extremely well mannered and so sweet. I’m glad I was introduced to this place. I see myself being a long time friend of the farm :)