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March 2024 by Brina Hartman
Our 18 year old son has been riding at Freedom Riders Academy since he was 6 years old, and we absolutely recommend this barn!Because it’s a rescue, they need volunteers to help with the barn chores, so my son has been volunteering there, earning several 100s of hours for school. In addition to his riding lessons and volunteering, we partial lease one of the horses, and my son rides on days Miss Allison, the owner, has given him.I really can’t praise Freedom Riders enough for all of the beautiful memories it has given my son. This rescue barn has taught my son responsibility, the value of volunteering to help those in need, and the meaningfulness of hard work.Over the years we’ve had small issues (of course we would since we’ve been there so long), but Allison, the owner, has always made things right! She has ALWAYS allowed make-ups when our son has been sick or when something came up. She has always worked with us on pricing for lessons or leasing, and has always had great communication with us and our son,Miss Allison has gone out of her way to make my child’s experience at Freedom Riders one that will stick with him throughout his whole life. She gave him experiences at the barn that he will never forget, and that goes for me as well since I’ve volunteered there too!! We love Freedom Riders Academy!!!
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February 2024 by Maryann Dauria
The woman who runs this place is sick in the head . She steals from her instructors and students and gets into fights with everyone. Most people who wrote the positive reviews are gone. She rips off her customers and expects people to pay when they dont ride. She overworks her horses and is always crying for money. Do not do buisness with her .She is total trash
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February 2024 by Kathryn Alleman
My child is currently taking lessons with Allison and we are beyond pleased with the experience. Allison has a very systematic and thorough way of teaching and she is clearly knowledgeable on all things horses. She and my child have made a wonderful connection and we couldn't be happier.
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February 2024 by Beth Mitchell
My daughter is a beginner, and we have had several lessons with Alison. The instruction that she’s getting is very thorough and aimed at her riding capability. It’s a very warm and easy-going training session. Alison is all about education and not just riding. It’s also about taking care of the horses. I am thrilled that we have found Alison and Freedom riders academy. A lot of the riding lessons in and around Wellington are very strict and geared towards professional riders who will want to show. While Alison does that as well, this facility suits us extremely well in how it is run. Alison is extremely down to earth, family oriented, and just want what’s best for my daughter and theses rescued horses.
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February 2024 by kat b
I find it’s hard to go to a place where trainers are stolen from, underpaid, and mistreated. It’s easy to lure people in with your nice and caring but also very false attitude. It’s also easy to post pictures on facebook and make anything look good when in reality it’snot. The horses are overworked and Allison, an instructor has a “my way or the highway attitude.” I recommend not wasting time your time here.
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February 2024 by Ian McEnaney
I love this place the horses look great based of the pictures on facebook I don’t personally ride there but I have a few friends that do and they say the place is excellent from the instructor to the horses definitely a place i would consider to start riding
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February 2024 by karina C
This place is amazing! I see the horses on Facebook, and they look so beautiful and so healthy and it’s a great place to do lessons. I don't personally ride here but I know a few people that do and have only heard positive things about this place. Alison seems like a wonderful teacher and the horses are gorgeous. Great place for all riders! Highly recommend it. It’s amazing!
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February 2024 by Kaylie Paredes
By far the best riding facilityI have ever been to. I've been tomany barns in the area and FRA isunmatched. I've been riding atFreedom Riders since 2019 and Iwould like to thank Alison formaking me the rider I am today.Most places in the area tend tofocus on competition and a lot ofthe horses are just push button.Alison takes a completely differentapproach with her lessons. Not onlydo you get proper riding instruction,but you learn how to interact withthe horses from the ground, and whythings are done in a specificmanner. She is extremelycompassionate with her studentsand takes pride in teaching andmaking sure that the horses are welltreated. All of the horses arerescues and I have been a rider andvolunteer here long enough to seesome of their transformations fromwhen they first arrived. The negative reviews are absolutely hilarious, especially since these people are writing about things THEY have done, not Alison. I myself have witnessed first hand the mistreatment that occured and have had these same people begging me and many others not to report back to Alison. Of course, these people are no longer with us and they have nothing better to do other than to try and blame everyone but themselves ?. Don't listen to these clowns, Alison will make sure you have a wonderful experience at Freedom Riders, all while making it fun for both riders and horses.
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February 2024 by Ed Sal
Firstly, please allow me to inform you that I rarely write a review for anything negative, and repeatedly give the benefit of the doubt to everyone. At a restaurant food came out late, mistaken order etc, I write off as just a busy or off night. Basically I look for the positive in all situations. With that being said, I honestly can not find anything positive to say about Freedom Riders Academy or the owner Allison.I have been indirectly involved with Freedom Riders Academy (Allison) for the past five (5) years via someone who initially volunteered there and eventually worked there. She did everything from mucking the stables to teaching riding lessons. With the risk of sounding biased, I feel the trainers and staff with the exception of Allison are all top notch, they love what they do and it shows.Freedom Riders Academy and especially Alison are very good at promoting themselves. Most of the positive reviews are from former clients before she changed her method of operating. I have no idea where the rest of the positive comments are from? Probably from within their own operation or they hire people to write exceptional comments to lure people to come. However their real services are terrible. I honestly believe that Allison is either bipolar or an excellent actress. She initially comes off as a caring, nurturing person, a sharp contrast to her true self. Allison repeatedly steals from her instructors and clients claiming it was a misunderstanding or adamantly stating she does not care.She has praised and gifted items to trainers due to their work ethic, but the moment they correct or question her she takes the gifts back and has even sold them to unknowing clients. When questioned about the missing items, she will deny ever gifting the item (s), she will block you from her social media and threaten police involvement if the employee returns to the property. The property she is working out of is not hers and she has no authority to trespass anyone.Check out Google for more accurate reviews.
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February 2024 by Saeeda M
FRA has been a dream come true for me.I was a bit nervous when i started my classes and ALISON was the best instructor i could have asked for.We set out at the pace that would keep me comfortable and relaxed.I have come to love my classes so much that i increased the number of classes.Alison is such a great teacher and she explains everything so well.She also teaches you to groom and tack so when i have my own horse one day i can be independent.Thank you so much ALISON i truly appreciate your patience in teaching me and your are such kind hearted person.The barn is so peaceful...i call it my happy place.So peaceful,relaxing and calm with the birds and nature.I always come out happy and refreshed.
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February 2024 by Jacks
Don’t go to this barn. Not only does Alison put a false image of a caring and compassionate person, but she lies and steals from both her clients and her employees/volunteers. Talking bad about everyone behind their back and overworking horses & staff for very little pay. Would not recommend riding or working at this establishment.
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December 2023 by Melissa Moree
My daughter has been riding at FRA for just over 2 years. Alison is an excellent instructor. She is very engaged with her students. My daughter has grown as a rider in such a short time and loves riding all the horses. She also likes learning how to take care of them and groom them. She is getting such a good experience at FRA.
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October 2023 by Shelby Moise
Alison is an exceptional instructor, highly skilled, and compassionate. I began my lessons at Freedom Riders Academy with zero experience, and under her guidance, I've gained invaluable knowledge. Alison's genuine passion for teaching is evident, not only in riding techniques but also in proper horse care. The knowledge I've gained will stay with me until I'm ready to own a horse. Freedom Riders Academy is pleasant and supportive learning atmosphere. I feel secure and completely trust Alison and her horses. Alison is also so welcoming to my children as I’ll bring them by every now and then to the barn to say hi to the horses and feed them carrots. I highly recommend to all riders.
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August 2023 by Jennifer Bowman
I hate to give this a one star rating because I love Marianne she’s a tremendous coach. And a wonderful person, Iove the horses. However, Allison requires a first and last deposit for lessons. Ok. I paid this. Due to health and financial issues surrounding medical bills I have to relocate. I asked for the deposit back and she refused to give it back. Because it’s spent. She sent me a message that I must understand that it was dissolved and that she would offer me two lessons in exchange. We have two past lessons separate from the full month deposit to be made up so she is offering in exchange to STEAL my deposit to give me two lessons that I already paid for separately from that deposit. She then blocked me, I messaged her on Facebook that i would file a report so she quickly unblocked my texts and changed her tone to be super nice and accommodating. I said if you don’t have the money we can create a solution just to be honest but she simply won’t return it. I was really happy to find this barn and have fond memories but this Woman, who is completely fake just to keep you signed on, ruined it. I will be filing a police report. Unfortunately this is not the first time she’s done this. Don’t sign on with this woman!
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February 2023 by Jessica Giffin
As an adult coming back to riding after many years, it was important for me to find a barn atmosphere where I felt safe to ask questions and learn. This is exactly what I’ve found at Freedom Riders. Allison has so much knowledge to share and the love and care she puts into her horses is inspiring. My lesson is the highlight of my week!
