Vogt Riding Academy

I’m willing to give 2 stars, as I have friends who have ridden here more recently and I know the barn management has changed and seems so much better , but I rode here around 4 years ago for 7 months. While I was there several young, healthy horses died. All under 20 years old. I rode as a young teen and was verbally abused by Paige, the assistant instructor (not sure if she works there anymore) when I was new the other riders, some of whom were under 10 years old bullied and ridiculed me. As I got more regular in the program, I was encouraged to do the same to the new riders. I left after I suffered from a concussion and haven’t been back. Horrible experience, but please take this with a grain of salt, as management has changed.

We love Vogt! Lydia, the barn manager, is so communicative and the perfect mix of kind and firm with her expectations from riders. Being a part of this barn is a responsibility, while also being fun. Students are expected to learn how to care for the horses, do chores before and after their lessons, and by doing so become part of the amazing community at Vogt. My 10 year old daughter has been coming for 9 months and loves it. I've seen her confidence grow and her sense of responsibility grow as well. Highly recommend.

I lessoned at Vogt Riding Academy for two years under the assistant trainer, Paige. They gave a great introduction to dressage after my fifteen years of hunter/jumper instruction and helped me to achieve the goals I set for myself to accomplish. The farm is a nestled ITP and is a beautiful little heaven for horse lovers. One of my favorite aspects of the lesson program, even as an adult with a full-time job, is the importance everyone places on caring for your horse and helping with barn chores - no matter how much you pay to be there. Horsemanship isn't just about under saddle work, it's about ground work too!

My daughter first started taking lessons a little over a year ago, after spending three years prior at another barn in Rockdale County, Western saddle. About the first 8 months the riding academy had no issue with my daughter's lesson schedule and the instructor was consistently the same individual with minor alterations here-and-there. She had a couple months hiatus, but upon her return the instructor changed form lesson-to-lesson and the other assistants had my daughter feeling uncomfortable, she felt marginalized. After being not as early for a lesson as the academy would prefer, my daughter was constantly removed from the schedule or added randomly so she could not make the lessons. My daughter expressed her new negative feeling about the change in culture of the riding academy. Thankfully, Atlanta area is abundant with riding academies. Unfortunately, Vogt Riding Academy has changed to be for learners who fit their mold and image. Not inclusive.

Our daughter has been riding here for 5 years and we all love it. They have an excellent reputation in the equestrian community, but what we really appreciate is the community within the barn itself. More than great riding instruction, the students learn responsible care for the horses and each other. It is truly wonderful to see the students working together to get the job done. Beyond the chores, the girls spend time together having lunch in the clubhouse or playing pickup soccer games in the summer. The two shows (Spring and Fall) are competitive, but in a supportive environment. Sportsmanship is as important as skill and the girls learn to inspire each other and celebrate each other's successes. I don't know how far our daughter will go with her riding, but the skills she is learning here will last a lifetime. Vogt Riding Academy is truly a special place.

Vogt Riding Academy has not let me down. The instructors are well-versed in training students ranging from children to adults. The horses, stables, and grounds are all well-kept. The owner is knowledgeable and pleasant to work with, and will work with people of all levels of experience.

Two of my daughters ride at Vogt and there is no place on earth they'd rather be when they have any spare time. The lessons are just part of the learning - all the kids at the barn seem to ENJOY mucking stalls, carrying water buckets, feeding and grooming the horses, and anything else that's asked of them. We are so happy to have found this magical spot in the middle of Atlanta!