Heather Hill Riding Center
Serving Bay Area Novice Riders with Exceptional Horsemanship Since 1997
About Heather Hill
It all starts here. Heather Hill Riding Center is dedicated to putting novice students on the right path for a lifetime of enjoyable, fulfilling riding.
Since 1997, Laura Stevens’ exceptional riding center has been the Bay Area’s premier destination for new riders. Heather Hill Riding Center is committed to excellence in horsemanship, a close-knit community, and personalized care for both horse and rider.
Our philosophy centers on respect for the individual nature of each horse and student. Our highly personalized approach draws on a variety of teaching practices, and students work across disciplines to build confidence and skill.
Riders join as part of a consistent weekly program, developing their skills over time through regular riding, horsemanship, and time spent at the barn.
Excellence Personalization Community
Excellence Personalization Community
What We Do
Heather Hill Riding Center is a small, community-oriented barn in Atherton, known for its kind, steady Welsh ponies and Cobs. Our private pastures, all-weather indoor and outdoor arenas, and nearby trails create a peaceful, supportive environment for riders who want to build a real relationship with our horses.
Our program is highly individualized. We focus on well-rounded horsemanship, thoughtful riding, and understanding a horse’s body language. We are the right fit for young riders, beginners, and adults returning to the saddle. We teach English and Western riding as well as carriage driving. We also take pride in thoughtful horse management, including layups and senior horse care.
Our Approach
Heather Hill is a small, boutique riding program. No two riders follow exactly the same path.
Most of our riders begin with little or no experience and grow into confident, capable horse people over time.
We work within a consistent weekly program, where riders come to the barn, ride, and spend time with their horse or pony as part of a small group. Skills develop through regular riding, grooming, and care, and learning continues beyond a single lesson.
This approach allows students to build a real relationship with their horse and develop a deeper understanding of horsemanship in a way that is hard to replicate in a more traditional program.
Many of our riders choose to participate in Welsh Pony and schooling shows as part of their development.
Enrollment is limited, and new riders begin with an introductory evaluation to determine fit.
“There are horse trainers, horse traders and horse whisperers. There are show men, show boaters and show offs. [...] But then there are true Horsemen and Horsewomen, and these are harder to find and sometimes even harder to recognize because they are often tucked away in quiet hidden places, working slowly and silently without national recognition or appreciation. ”
— Becky Hanson
Contact Us
We’re always happy to connect and hear about new riders.
Our program is built around a consistent weekly schedule, so new riders begin with an introductory evaluation to see if it feels like a good fit. From there, we’ll guide you through the program and next steps.
email: heatherhillridingcenter@gmail.com
call: 650.465.4083