Bay Area Ridge Riders, Trail Rides for Experienced Riders

I’ve ridden with Magda several times over the last few months — doing both lessons and trail rides. As an experienced (but out of practice) rider, she has been helping me regain my riding seat and legs. She has several fantastic horses (mostly a mix of Arabians and Quarter Horses) — all very experienced and well-​cared-​for. She knows the network of trails like the back of her hand, and is a walking encyclopedia when it comes to the local flora and fauna! It’s clear that Magda has an incredible passion for what she does — she adores her horses and her clients, and it makes ALL the difference. I highly recommend BARR for anyone looking for a top-​notch riding experience.

I recently moved to San Jose and have gone on several rides with Magda and Sigrid. I am a very experienced horse person and have gone on several week long international riding vacations with Equitours. I would definitely recommend BARR as the best option for trail riding in the Bay Area. Magda is wonderful and her horses are fabulous — very fun to ride and, importantly, very experienced and safe.

I found Magda to be very professional, keeping in mind the safety of both the horses and riders alike. Never pushing either past their comfort level. This is key because conditions change quickly and adjustments need to be made. I had a very nice ride today and had a great time. It was a little on the warm side so we went at a pace best for the horses. Both were well trained and ready for anything. We encountered waves on the beach, dogs and debris. Both horses navigated with ease. I look forward to my next outing with Bay Area Ridge Riders!

I went riding with Magda yesterday and it was another awesome experience. She is the best trail lead you could find. Her horses are well groomed, safe, well shod, and just wonderful. I have ridden for 45 years and i would recommend her to anyone. SO WORTH IT.

Here’s the deal… Magda is the greatest and her horses are the best! If you love horseback riding and outdoor adventure with an experienced guide you will love Bay Area Ridge Riders. Magda knows the parks and open space preserves incredibly well and has a knack for balancing safety with plenty of fun. You gotta try it!

For our mom’s birthday, my sister and I took her horseback riding. (She’s a former equestrian.) We were extremely impressed with Bay Area Ridge Riders. Magda and Sigrid are wonderful, kind, patient, funny and very knowledgeable. Magda is also a certified Trail Guide. Most important: They absolutely love their horses, and the horses love them!
We did a 3-​hour ride at Skyline Ridge on March 8^th, and we couldn’t have asked for better weather. My mom rode Kaley, my sister ride Jacob and I rode Teeny (she’s not that tiny at all). Magda rode Bodie, and Sigrid rode Mimi. All of the horses are beautiful, attentive, responsive, well trained, and none got spooked by the many hikers, bicyclists, etc.
We switched between waling, trotting and cantering. Magda and Sigrid were very attentive and always made certain everyone was doing okay. They know the area and told us little stories along the way — very cool. As treats for the horses, my mom brought carrots and apples, and Magda was happy to let us feed the horses. (Just ask first, make sure it’s OK.)
If you’re looking to go horseback riding, Bay Area Ridge Riders should definitely be your #1 (and only) choice unless you’re a first-​time rider. Please take the time to read Magda’s website. Magda’s rides are in the open nature, not in a fenced-​in area, so you need to know what you’re doing, for your sake and those with you. (The horses will appreciate it, too!)
We would love to do another ride, and I know I’ll ask forTeeny again — we both love to go fast! Many thanks to Magda, Sigrid, Bodie, Mimi, Kaley, Jacob & Teeny!

I’ve done two rides with Magda, and already put a 3^rd on the calendar for the end of September. She’s great, and so are her horses. She knows her stuff, cares for her ponies, and wants everyone to have a good time.
1^st Ride — Purisima Creek Redwoods. I rode Kayley, who was a gem. On the ride with us was Teeny and Mimi, and all behaved wonderfully. We even ran into a family of 5 with a double-​wide jogging stroller and had to do some careful maneuvering around them, but no problems. This was a Beautiful trail with great views. We happened to be out on a VERY hot day, so the horses got tired a little faster than usual, but totally understandable. Loved that Magda lets us experienced riders trot and canter on the trails! What fun!
2^nd Ride — Half Moon Bay Bluff and Beach. I rode Brody and Jacob! Both were great, but I decided ½ though the ride I needed shorter stirrups and Brody’s saddle wouldn’t allow, so my friend and I traded horses. Magda didnt complain at all and was very accommodating. We didn’t get a pink sunset, but we did see seals and dolphins, and we got to do a few short canter stretches on the sand — SO FUN!

Long overdue review of this business!!!
Last summer I took a 4 hour ride with Magda. I wanted to explore the trails in this area on horseback and I was so excited!
She pays great attention to detail and safety, which I really like. Her rides are great because they really aren’t for the inexperienced rider and she actually lets you move your horse out! Not just walking nose to tail on a boring ride-​we trotted and loped, went through creeks, down switchbacks, through meadows! It was awesome! Her horses are obviously well cared for and in great shape. The horse I rode had a great mind, attentive but not spooky and very responsive. I highly recommend Bay Area Ridge Riders to those fairly experienced riders that want a totally exhilarating experience on horseback!

I went riding with Magda last week and it was just perfect! Finally a fun trailride, on a horse that doesn’t just function on autopilot :). I loved Buddha, a beautiful, calm and stable quarterhorse that was also very willing to communicate and forward on the right moments. I immensely enjoyed the beautiful surroundings, and a great extra was that Magda was able to tell me all about the plants and flowers that grew in Purisima Creek Redwoods, the preserve we rode in. Magda is very friendly, patient and easy to talk to. Loved the fact that she brought water, snacks and sunscreen, even though we only went on a two hour ride. The horses also had the chance to graze halfway on the trail. Afterward I met the other horses and was very pleased to see that Magda’s horses are in great condition. They seem very happy and are very well trained and behaved. If you are an experienced horserider and are in the Bay Area, definitely go here!

I spent 4 hours walking/​trotting/​cantering the Pescadero Country Creek trails today. It was fantastic.
I rode Jacob. He’s a morgan who used to be an old cart horse for an Amish family in Iowa. Now he’s a super steady trail horse. He had a really smooth gait, especially considering the uneven terrain. He spent the first ¾ of the trip being a bit lazy. Then spent the last bit wanting to run. It made the ride more fun being on a real horse with personality and not a nose-​to-​tail slow walk.
The scenery was gorgeous. This park is fantastic. Lovely redwoods and meadows. We saw turkeys, deer, banana slugs, lilies, and «fairy lanterns». And a number of other flowers I can’t name. Thanks to the weather we had a few minor obstacles to go around, and a full creek. (which Jacob just wanted to play in!) Even if you don’t ride I recommend checking out Pescadero Creek County Park. And if you do ride, this is the woman to ride with.
Magda was lovely. It was clear she not only cares alot about her horses, and her guests, but also the parks. We got a good bit of the history of the parks, tips on a few trails being worked on, and the horses that were out today. I’ve ridden in arenas for the past 18 months and Magda was great at giving trail guidance ie: 1-​rein stop, how to ride switchbacks, 2 point at the canter, alternating your posting rhythm etc.
We did get to walk, trot, and canter today. She said other trails are more suitable for cantering so if that’s what you’re looking for I recommend asking her for ride suggestions. As I said though, this park was gorgeous so I’m really quite happy with the frolicking through the woods that we go to do.
I can’t wait to go out again.
PS: For the curious lunch was ham&cheese (made better by really good rolls & pesto), water, a granola bar, and an apple.

I just had a wonderful day with Magda, Jacob and Teeny.
Magda is a real gem! She is extremely kind, helpful, and genuinely wants to make sure you have a good and safe time. She gave me some excellent information and tips that I will keep in my bag of tricks! She also knows the trails and area inside and out!
The horse I rode, Jacob, was perfect for me! Calm but forward when it was the right time! The trails seemed safe, not too busy, even on a Saturday, and had stunning views. I was particularly pleased with the absence of dogs on the trails. It made me much calmer, though I don’t know if the horses would have cared either way. They were pretty brave.
I am so glad Bay Area Ridge Riders exists for the riders out there that want to get on the trail but don’t want to go out by themselves. I do suggest that you take Magda at her word when she says that you should come with some experience. Horses are horses for goodness sake and you are on open land on athletic horses.
Thanks Magda for a wonderful experience!

I went on a 4 hour ride in Pescadero County Park. I rode with Magda (business owner) and Sigrid, who works with Magda. After the safety talk, we headed out onto a old logging road that meandered through 2^nd growth redwood forest. It was relatively flat allowing for trots and canters.
The 2^nd half of the ride proved a little more challenging. We rode on narrow single track trails to loop back to the starting point. The trail switchbacked down to the creek and back up again. There were still a few places to trot however.
The one thing to remember about trail riding is to expect the unexpected. On the single track, I was behind Bodie, the lead horse, who suddenly kicked out sideways. Then I saw the bees. Then Bodie bolted suddenly down the trail. Jacob, my horse, galloped forward without warning and stopped just as suddenly behind Bodie, well away from the bees. It was a scary and tense moment, briefly out of control (me as the rider). As Magda pointed out, calm, experienced trail horses are key to a good ride. Sure enough, all the horses were calm as if nothing happened. A less experienced trail horse and/​or rider would have potentially exacerbated the situation thereby creating more chaos and danger.
All in all, it was wonderful ride. I am not accustomed to trail riding, but Magda’s knowledge and expertise make it all the more enjoyable. I look forward to my next ride.

I had a full day ride today, which was fun for me — at least at my riding level.
I’m in a twice a week lesson program for 3 months and didn’t realize that Magda requires at least one year of weekly lessons to be able to join her in the ride. I rather under-​estimated my riding skills than over-​rated it, so all we did was walk, faster walk and trot today.
The purpose for me to go for a full day ride is the boost my confidence on the trails, which is very much different from the arena riding. We went over the creeks and rode on single track trails with many sharp turns. I found it very interesting. Will be back when I can canter.
P/​S: Magda was very helpful to an injured bike rider. She is a very kind woman.

I met Magda, owner of Bay Area Ridge Riders, at our barn where she keeps her horses and I keep mine. I liked her immediately — she’s very warm, friendly, super helpful and treats her horses wonderfully. I would describe myself as a novice dressage rider, with a young, relatively green horse — the both of us having spent the majority of the last 18 months working with a trainer in an arena. I had taken my horse out on a few trail rides, including one horse camping weekend, but was really looking for a «trail riding 101» experience. I felt I had no real basic trail riding knowledge — safety, gear or trail etiquette. In speaking with Magda, it was clear that she could provide what I was looking for, and more.
So my friend Karen and I signed up for a 3 hour ride, which Karen describes eloquently in her review below. I totally concur with Karen’s description of our experience and will just add a few tidbits. Even before our ride date, I was asking Magda about equipment (in person or by email) — such as boots or no boots? She would patiently answer my questions, describe her experiences, discuss potential options, and send me links to review.
The day of the ride, she brought us gear bags and water bottle holders to try out to see if we liked them — how nice! Before we mounted our horses, Magda went through basic trail riding safety, including what to do in an emergency (including where her safety equipment was located on her own horse) and trail etiquette (e.g. hikers and bikers). I appreciated the trail exercises with our horses during our ride and her suggestions about what we could practice back in the arena to improve our skills. My horse totally balked at the creek crossing and Magda and her assistants calmly and patiently talked me through it. In fact, Magda and her horse Jacob came back over the stream and escorted the two of us across — what could have been a scary, negative experience for my horse and I turned into a trail riding achievement!
In closing, I learned so much about trail safety, gear and etiquette — guided by seasoned professionals and horses, all in gorgeous outdoor setting. I’m planning on booking another ride with Magda as soon as possible so my horse and I don’t forget what we’ve learned. I’m excited to discover new trails and have more great days in the saddle with Bay Area Ridge Riders!

Magda, owner of Bay Area Ridge Riders, is a wonderful person and consummate professional. She took my mother and I out for a ride when my mother was visiting from Minnesota a few weeks ago. In planning the ride, communication was prompt and the ride easy to arrange. We had a fantastic 2 ½ hour ride in the Santa Cruz mountains. The horses are well trained yet forward. Magda is knowledgable of local flora and fauna, and an easygoing companion on the trail. What a wonderful service for riders in the bay area! Highly recommended.

If you have ever dreamed of trotting and cantering on the beautiful California trails with well-​trained horses and a passionate and knowledgeable guide, Bayarearidgeriders makes it possible for you!

Magda has recently created Bayarearidgeriders to offer rides on different bay parks (Huddart park, Edgewood park, Pescadero Creek park, Russian Ridge park) to experienced riders only (no beginners) that want to «move on the trails».
She owns four horses and will give you the one that suits best to your riding level. She is very serious about security both as relates to paperwork and safety kits embarqued in the saddle, she is flexible as relates to scheduling the ride and may accomodate for specific time constraints. On the trail, she loves to share her knowledge of horses and of California’s nature.
I had a great time with her Morgan horse Jacob and discovered Huddart Park «the enchanted forest» in Woodside thanks to her. I’m planning more rides with her this Spring and Summer.

I love horses and so do a lot of my friends. I’ve been searching for ages for a way to enjoy wild California on horseback with my friends. But it’s hard, because my standards are too high! I’ve owned horses, I’ve competed, I’ve ridden in Australia, the USA, Europe and Asia, and my godmother is a travel agent specializing in equestrian tourism. I am not willing to spend money with the kind of trail string in which the horses suffer neglect and abuse.
I saw a flyer for Bay Area Ridge Riders at the café in Ladera. It certainly looked like the kind of operation I was searching for, and when I contacted Magda she was responsive, friendly and very well-​organized. She was able to accommodate a last-​minute change of schedule, and she sent clear and detailed directions to our meeting.
As soon as I pulled my car in behind her rig, I knew we were going to have a good day. Kaley, Jacob and Bodie were in great condition and their coats shone with good health. Their hooves were appropriately trimmed and their tack was clean and fit well. Magda had us sign liability releases and a set of trail rules: another good practice to promote safety. She had told us to bring our own helmets or wear hers. That’s what I like to hear. Never ride without a helmet, folks!
We walked the horses across the road and into Edgewood Park. Magda’s instructions were clear and reasonable, and she gave a lot of attention to my friend who had not ridden in twenty years. We were lucky enough to have perfect weather, the first of the wildflowers and white-​tailed hawks and Stellar’s Jays all over the place. We walked, trotted and cantered through woods and meadows, with Magda displaying perfect courtesy to other trail users and consideration for our horses.
I rode Kaley, a Quarter Horse mare who is an ideal trail horse — attentive to everything and not afraid of anything. My friend rode Jacob, a Morgan who took good care of her. At the top of Edgewood Park Magda held all three horses for us and gave us healthy and delicious snacks and bottles of water to drink while we enjoyed the view. It’s hard to imagine how we could have had a better day, or more fun.
Bay Area Ridge Riders is not suitable for raw beginners or children under 12; to enjoy the experience to its fullest you need to be confident at the trot and canter. For those of us who have owned horses and just happen not to have one right now, it’s a dream come true. Magda has four-​hour, all-​day and even overnight rides planned. I can’t wait to go out with her again.