Sam Houston Equestrian Center4513

for someone who has never ridden that wants a summer camp to go to for a week it can be okay. if you are looking for commitment DON'T GO HERE. If you become a serious rider here you have to deal with getting yelled at to do chores all day by a crazy women that doesn't care about anything but her money. Once I hopped on a horse for 10 minutes after working all day and she still made me pay her 60 dollars, which is what you would typically pay for a lesson. All of the instructors are teenagers and the only thing I was ever told to do was put my shoulders back and get off my right rein, basically just look pretty. After a year and a half of basically paying them so I could work there,

SHEC is a great riding barn. There is no other place like it in Houston that isn't a girl scout camp(see Misty Meadows). You learn everything you need to succeed in the world of horses and taking care of these beautiful animals. There is nothing wrong with the semi-security because any student that is at SHEC has learned how to take care of themselves. I was so sad when i wasnt able to continue riding there.

I am currently a rider at SHEC and I love it. I have grown up at Sam Houston Equestrian Center. I started riding at age 5 and still passionately pursue this sport as a 16 year old. When I was 5 and 6 I would take pony rides around the barn always begging Ms. Helen to hold the reins. Finally, at age 7 I moved to Houston and started taking consistent lessons once a week at the old location near Downtown. I looked forward to my time at the barn. As I got older I stayed at the barn longer earning free rides and more ride time. By the time I was 9, I was staying at the barn all day taking care of the horses, helping with campers and students, training ponies, and riding all the ponies I could. Now, as a sixteen year old I go to the barn three times a week and anytime I don't have school. I show on the GHHJA circuit. I show in Limit Hunters and Equitation on a five year old horse I trained (with the help of my trainer) and my trainer's huge nine year old horse in Schooling and Open Jumpers. The owner and trainer, Larry Smith, has taught me not only a lot about training horses, caring for horses, and anything else horse-related, but he has taught me many life lessons.

I could go on about how much I love this barn and how it is a second home to me.From taking pony rides to learning how to train horses to getting Grand Champion at horse shows, SHEC has made a big impact on my life.

We are SO HAPPY at here! Helen is an excellent trainer and truley has the heart of a teacher! She gives very clear instructions and focuses on safety first. She makes her lessons fun for the kids. It has been the best change for my daughter who smiled throughout her entire lesson! That did not happen before. She loves horses and riding, but nearly lost interest along with her confidence. Sam Houston Equestrian centers provided that and she has regained her interest, love and confidence! The facility is very clean and the horses are happy and healthy! THANKS AGAIN to Helen! You are truly a blessing!

I took my daughter to a riding lesson at this stable. The lesson was good. It was taught by a teenage girl who was certainly capable of teaching an eight year old who had never ridden. She had a good time and wants to continue. However, it was the behaviour of the other teenage girls that has me looking for another stable. These girls rudely interupted a lesson to ride their horses. One was very rough almost to the point of being abusive to her poor horse. The language this girl used was not the kind a child of mine will be permitted to use. There was no adult supervision of these girls. The only adult present was assisting smaller children and was not paying any attention to these rude teens. I would prefer my daughter to be in a more structured environment, not one where rude teenager girls appear to be permitted to do as they will.

Though not a parent, I rode at SHEC for a good 4-5 years at the higher levels. I took a year off after I finally got fed up with the place/was injured palying basketball, then moved out of the country. WHAT a difference it has made! After moving back into a slightly smaller program, I've realized how backwards and disorganized everything is at SHEC [probably mostly due to it's HUGE size].

I think Herman Park Stables is an awesome place to learn about horses and ride them. It's a great place to meet new friends and have great birthday parties.

This is one of the best programs of its type I have seen. The animals are well cared for by people who obviously care about animals. The program itself focuses not only on proper riding technique but also emphasizes safety and animal care. Also, the other students are there because they want to be, not because their parents are living vicariously through them. This helps make for a positive attitude all around.

My daughter has been taking lessons at this stable since September. There is nothing more in the world that she looks forward to, then going to her lessons on Saturday and to the horse camps. The instructors, Miss Helen and Sarah are both patient and very kind to the children, the parents and the horses. The facilities are very well kept, and they believe in safety first. My daughter has learned many things at this stable, including but not limited to...taking care of horses, proper riding techniques, safety around horses, working as a team with other children, and confidence. The experience of getting to ride and compete in their shows has helped her self esteem and she absolutely beams when talking about riding. I would recommend these stables to anyone whose children have any interest in learning how to ride through lessons and camp, or just the experience to ride during a one day session. Their prices are very reasonable on all levels.

My daughters and I ride at Hermann Park Stables at the Sam Houston Equestrian Center. Our riding skills continue to improve with weekly lessons under the direction of the excellent instructors. The horses are well cared for, the instructors very knowledgable and the stable very well kept. Day camps and week camps have also been alot of fun for the girls and a good opportunity to increase their knowledge and skills. They have also learned responsibility and good teamwork. Overall, I am a very satisfied customer and a proud mom - this is a great and safe place to learn about horses.

My daughter takes weekly lessons. She loves the riding and is getting exellent instruction. I love that they teach the safety, care and upkeep of horsemanship. They learn to groom and tack. They also get to benifit from the wisdom of an experienced horsewoman. They learn that it is a labor of love and takes everyone to pitch in to care for these fine animals.

These stables are very good for all ages and experience levels. They have great instructors and gentle horses for the youngest riders - ask for Miss Helen and Nemo !!! It's also a great place for a child's birthday party.

My child participated in the summer camp, and we felt that the enviornment was unsafe. I will never send my child to Sam Houston Equestrian Center ever again. The prices are extremely outrageous, and many other barns in the Houston area provide better instruction and better quality all the way around.