Rio Vista Farm

Our 7 year old has blossomed by attending privates and groups at Rio Vista Farms. The kiddos are taught how to care, groom, tack, and be around horses safely. They’re given independence with boundaries and my kid has gained so much confidence from being there and learning how to independently catch and tack up a horse. It is a pricey sport but our kiddo has never taken to any activity (or toy for that matter) like they have with riding, so we feel it is worth it. The teachers are great but we love Lauri. She is so good with the kids. Our kid describes her as “strict and fun”, which seems to embody the sport itself (I realize these rules are also in place for a child’s safety). I highly recommend Rio Vista Farms for their chill animal lover vibe, amazing teachers, lesson horses with great temperaments who are humanely cared for, and thorough teaching on everything horse related.

Rio Vista Farms is an amazing facility run by a team of consummate professionals under the leadership of Bill and Susan McMorris. The horses are well taken care off and the training is very well-structured following a proven scale of riding and training principles. Rio has available several trainers and lesson horses for different levels of riding. If you ride at this barn, you will learn to safely handle and ride your horse, something that I don't see at many barns in Austin. If your child is starting out to ride: go to Rio! If you want to send your child to a safe camp: go to Rio! If you are an adult amateur getting back into riding: go to Rio! And lastly: if your child has been riding for a couple of years and is serious about growing as a rider: Most definitely go to Rio!

My daughter has been training with Susan McMorris, ...and training it is (unlike leisurely rides some folks might be looking for). Susan is fully invested in every one of her students and horses and the whole team at Rio reflects that spirit and commitment: She expects the same commitment to the sport and animal from her clients. The lessons are demanding and filled with constructive criticism that help students improve their abilities. One aspect I have long undervalued in this sport is the ability to grow as a rider and as person. The term: "Growth mindset" comes to mind and this is something I would put in the same bucket as Rio Vista Farms. Lessons at Rio are structured in a way that students inadvertently have to evaluate their personality type, triggers, overcome fear, conjure determination and grit - wonderful life lessons we all benefit from.

Amazing horses, amazing staff and amazing clients. It's always going to be around people who are honest, professional and extremely knowledgeable.

MUST READ. this is my first time at a horse camp in Texas. I have been riding for 10 years. I went to a camp with other people in it. AND ITS AMAZING. There are a lot of girls and boys here. Even on the first day you start riding right away. And what shocked me the most was some of the girls in he camp have never risen a horse before and they have learned how to jump in a week. Everyone is so nice and the horses are amazing. They pick the best horse for the best rider. And some days you can even go swimming. You can tell they treat there horses very nice here. One thing I do not like about the place is there is no indoor building. Everything is outside. The ridding area outside the barn is even outside to the open, which everywhere you go you are outside and it is very hot. The campers do have a place to put there stuff down and eat lunch in a cold room which is very nice