Valley Farm Equestrian Centre - Banbury

Mandy R.

I started riding at Valley Farm Equestrian after a 25 year gap. I chose Valley Farm for two reasons. Firstly, their horses and ponies are extremely well behaved, well schooled and immaculately turned out. Secondly, their yard is always spotless, their staff work incredibly hard to keep it that way. It’s a working riding / livery yard and is the most clean I’ve ever seen a yard.

Both Kay and Steph have given me back my self confidence and self belief through their encouraging and supportive training methods. I appreciate their feedback, I have progressed massively with their help. I could not rate them, their staff, their horses and their yard highly enough.

No idea why there is a negative comment, I can only imagine the writer has written about the wrong school or they were having an off day. Please don’t be put off by that. See for yourself.

Andrew C.

This is a most excellent riding school, and I have been to several schools in the UK and overseas. I have had over 500 lessons here over many years. Steph and her team are exceptional. I always receive insightful and encouraging comments to help me improve my riding, across a range of horses and disciplines. The whole team are courteous and friendly. The yard and equipment are spotless and very well kept; both the schools are large and maintained to the highest standards. Steph has always been extremely efficient, responsive and flexible. I cannot recommend Valley Farm highly enough.

Tiffany R.

My daughter has been riding at Valley Farm for a year now and I have been so pleased. The teaching from Kay is brilliant. The ponies and horses are gorgeous, very well behaved and always look beautifully looked after. The stables and school are in great condition and Steph who runs it, is organised and passionate.

My daughter also had a pony party there which was brilliantly organised by Steph and Kay, and done so well. They all loved it. Highly recommend valley farm!!

Best U.

Sadly, a very disappointing experience. Unapologetically rude owner Steph not willing to meet customers needs either provide decent customer service. Dirty stables and dusty school. After paying 48£ for 30 minutes of riding under Kay's mean "guidance", I was shouted at multiple times and overall treated like an idiot. What a shame to exhibit such a poor attitude towards riders. Best to stay away from them.

Charlene B.

My daughter has been riding at Valley Farm Equestrian Centre for 3years and thoroughly enjoys every lesson, pony club and half term activities she attends. Both her instructors Steph and Kay always give clear instructions and explainations in every lesson so that my daughter knows the reason she is being taught that particular part in horse riding. Throughout her time at Valley Farm my daughters confidence has grown no end and she has made lots of friends from the pony club and half term activities. Fully recommend Valley Farm Equestrian Centre.

Paul P.

Disappointed, lovely location but the facility itself is falling apart. Dusty and tired visitor viewing area. Roof looks to be asbestos. Rude owner shouts when you smoke in the car park. Instructor seems to be angry and entitled. For the price you pay, people should be kind and courteous, the facility should be pristine and immaculate but the reality is far from it.

Shania E.

My sister and I rode here for half a decade and I had to stop due to a moving disk in my back. A decade later I decided to contact Steph (my old instructor) who originally taught me how to ride/ trot/ hack/ canter/galop/ jump and everything in between. I am a confident rider and have been thanks to her!
Now that I’m no longer a child, I have set some money aside so that I can take this as seriously as possible, and financially planned to have 2 private lessons a week with Shotswell. I contacted Steph, the owners daughter, and asked her if I could book a 1 hour private lesson at Shotswell. Our conversation went on for 5 days because of her slow replies. I was told that a 1hr lesson is not possible so I then asked for a 45min private lesson and it was booked after I sent the money. After the transfer, I was told it would only be a 30min lesson even though we had just clarified I wanted a 45min lesson. I was disappointed and felt as if I was not being taken seriously and was being misled/scammed in a way. My communication skills are pretty good and I always make sure my texts are clear and straightforward. Steph’s replies were confusing and didn’t make much sense at all. Many spelling mistakes along with her grammar and punctuation being all over the place, so it was really hard to understand what she was saying. When I pointed this out and said I specified a 45min lesson and thought that’s what I paid for, she switched up her attitude abruptly telling me i should have called up to book a lesson. I said that I would have done so if I knew this was a necessity. I then proceeded to call her as that was her request. She did not answer the call and was wanting to refund me my money for the lesson and be done with it.
I would say this isn’t a legitimate business considering the customer service was shy of terrible. It was extremely hard to communicate with the staff. Such a shame considering I would have loved to have had a future in being an adult rider at Shotswell seeing as I grew up and spent a lot of my childhood there! I would suggest radway or turpins ridding school. The communication is great and also the standards they set for their business are much higher and I think considering horse riding is not a cheap hobby that companies should speak to their customers with respect and understanding.

Claire B.

My daughter has been riding here several months now and absolutely loves it. The staff are excellent, extremely professional and welcoming. I highly recommend this riding school.