Guilford Riding School - Guilford, Connecticut

Danielle W.

After 30 years I got back in the saddle for the summer session. Jill was a fantastic instructor who taught so much more about horses than just riding. She taught the mechanics of the horse, and how we as riders can train them to be better athletes while training ourselves. The horses were lovely as were the grounds and riding rings. Just a great experience!

lawrence F.

My daughter rode here for 4 years until we moved out of state. This place is the real deal, Jill is awesome, the kids are kind, and the horses are full of character 😊. Thanks you GRS and all of the volunteers and staff to help make my daughter Sages riding experience fun and exciting, and for all of her growth as a young rider.

Amanda E.

For young and old(er) alike! Everyone on the staff is friendly, helpful and caring. The horses are very, very well cared for and happy. Jill is a wonderful instructor and has so much knowledge not only on proper riding techniques, but horsemanship in general. The entire staff know each horse and pony personally and the love for these amazing animals is evident. Both my 9 year old daughter and I take lessons and from beginner to advanced rider the GRS staff teach in a caring manner that builds confidence and provide constrictive advice on how to become a better rider. I would HIGHLY recommend GRS for anyone from a first time rider (regardless of age!) to more advanced riders seeking to enhance their skills.

Thomas H.

This is a very special place for young riders. Our daughter has started riding at GRS eight years ago and found her big passion, many good friends, and dedicated teachers. She has learned much more than riding: taking care of horses, training and preparing for shows, helping with younger students, working at the barn etc. It is a whole community and Jill is not just a gifted teacher but also a patient mentor. Safety goes first; nobody gets pushed beyond their level. Summer programs are a lot of fun.

Eleanor L.

The Guilford Riding school is a wonderful place, the workers are all really nice and the owner is a great teacher, as well as the other teachers. The horses are so sweet and each one has a different personality and you get used to riding each one. I have improved so much at GRS and I recommend it to anyone interested in horse riding!! 🙂

Ellie G.

I first brought my daughter to GRS when she was 8, she is now 22. We have both been involved in every aspect of their programs. There was no better place for my daughter to learn respect for herself, animals and people than the Guilford Riding School. There is nowhere else on the shoreline offering the kind of life-lessons that GRS does every day. My daughter and I treasure the time we spent there.

Jill is an incredibly generous person, a gifted teacher and horsewoman. She provides a unique experience and opportunity for young riders to not only learn to ride, but how to understand and care for a horse.

When you ride horses, sometimes bad things happen. Whenever you do anything involving large animals, especially getting on them and jumping over fences, unfortunate things can happen! If you are riding horses and are not keeping this at the forefront of your thinking, you are being unwise. Safety is a vital concern at GRS every day.

Lisa H.

Guilford Riding School is the perfect place to learn to ride. Jill, the owner and primary instructor, has a wonderful manner of teaching. She explains the why as well as the how and is patient, animated and encouraging with all riding level students. The atmosphere is casual, safe and friendly.

Lisa M.

I had been riding for about 10 years when I moved to Guilford in high school. Jill and Dale warmly accepted me into the working student program. I couldn't have asked for a better instructor to help me with the transition from hunters to eventing!

There is some inherent risk in horseback riding, but Jill and Dale are very safety-conscious. It's impossible to promise a rider will never fall, but they do a great job of minimizing that risk by giving students a solid foundation and matching riders with the right horses for their skill level.