Hayfield Riding Centre, Aberdeen

Good evening everyone, it's been a while since my last review. So I guess it is time for another one....... John Crawford is a true gentleman and a professional leader. Sadie McLean is the most dedicated professional lady that I have ever met. There is no messing!!!!!!!!! Sadie is fearless with the horses and they definitely know who is boss!!!! take it from me... I am 5 foot 9" and believe me that messing with Starry!!!!1.......is no JOKE!!!!! with Sadie, he is putty in her hands! I admire you chum. Bare in mind that Starry is 17hh PLUS!!! no LIGHT WEIGHT, when it comes to Lunging at ya!!!! Karen Blair xxxx Hayfield is simply the best!!!!!

Hayfield is brilliant!!! I been riding for almost two years, John Crawford is a true professional and is a brilliant leader. The horses are very safe and sound to ride. My advice is, to get to know the horses, listen well and be considerate. John knows what he is talking about. Ride with caution and always take into consideration that the horses are pack animals. Anything is possible.

Prince, Erin and Roma are my favourites. Fluffy is a hoot, well worth riding and Puzzle loves carrots.

Karen Blair

After moving to Aberdeen to study, I was now lost for somewhere to continue my hobby of 15 years and began taking lessons at Hayfield as I could manage. Overall I feel the riding centre is a friendly, knowledgeable and great place to take your riding lessons at even for BHS qualified Instructors like myself. Over my time of lessons at Hayfield, I took part in all different spheres of the sport, therefore I have separated my reviews into disciplines.

Dressage/Flatwork - Took both private and group flatwork lessons, the instructor which I had was the same each time. She was very friendly, spent a good five minutes at the beginning of the lesson whilst you warmed up to discuss with you the areas you would like to look at in the lesson and always told you the history and nature of the horse you were on. For myself the instructor usually gave me a good 10 minutes to get a feel for the horse I was on and then you would get a good solid 30 minutes of work whilst stopping to get feedback on each movement and she was very encouraging for you to try again before you moved on. This meant you successfully completed everything to a high standard, which made me enjoy the lesson a lot more.

Jumping - Again I undertook both private and group lessons for show jumping, during these lessons the instructor found a great balance in providing both theory knowledge and showing us physically which made those less experienced more confident to try. Although encouraged by the instructor to try, at no point were those less confident pushed into doing something they weren't happy with. All of the horses well behaved even though there were 6 others cantering and jumping and none were strong or bad mannered.

Cross Country - I only ever had a group lesson on their cross country course, which is small but has a wide range of fences to teach you the basics and the ability to make them more challenging for those more experienced. Yet again the instructor was friendly and extremely helpful with feedback, I through roughly enjoyed my time out on their course.

Hacking - This was the last activity I hadn't done yet, It was a really relaxing atmosphere for a good 30 minutes out in Hazelhead park and in the woods. We came to a field which they also use for cross country to try some jumps and work in the field. The instructor allowed me and another lady to undertake our own work and pop over some jumps which is exactly what I was missing from at home allowing me to have a play on a horse on my own.

Overall I would highly recommend Hazelhead Riding Centre for both beginners and experienced riders, along with tourists who want to go on a quiet hack in the Aberdeen park.

Great job!

Very nice stables,horses well looked after but can be slow to get a lesson going.