Star Equestrian Ctr in Hagerstown, MD

Pros

• Star Equestrian Center is a great place to volunteer.
• The services offered by Star Equestrian Center are commendable.
• The experiences at Star Equestrian Center have been fantastic.
• The instructors and volunteers at Star Equestrian Center are great with the children.
• The staff are amazing, and the facilities show how much they love their jobs.
• The staff are dedicated to providing the best possible experience for riders and horses.
• The helpers and riders at Star Equestrian Center are a blast to be around and make the place feel like family.
• The center is clean and friendly.

Cons

• They never pick up or return phone calls.
• The center is poorly managed.
• The staff claimed a payment was not provided and removed the daughter from the list, showing unwillingness to work with the family.
• The current administrator seems not to care about customers' concerns.
• There has been high turnover in instructors and leadership, causing customers to lose confidence in the organization.
• The center discriminates against deaf people and does not offer volunteer opportunities to them.
• No one seems to know what is going on, leaving long-time customers feeling confused and disappointed.

Review

Star Equestrian Center in Hagerstown, MD is best suited for families with children who want a warm, hands-on introduction to riding within a genuinely community-driven environment. The center shines when it comes to patient instructors, enthusiastic volunteers, and a sense that progress happens in a supportive, family-like setting. For parents seeking an affordable entry point with a clear, step-by-step teaching approach, this program delivers consistency in the basics, regular routine, and a genuine affection for both riders and horses that translates into tangible skill development.

Prospective participants should also understand who may want to consider alternatives. A recurring thread in reviews is the friction between exemplary people and imperfect administration. Long wait times on the phone, incomplete or delayed communications about payments, and a sense that enrollment can be unpredictably handled by the current leadership can create avoidable frustration. In addition, there is at least one pointed concern about inclusivity and accessibility for volunteers who are deaf, suggesting organizational gaps that could affect participation or volunteer experiences for some families. These factors matter - especially for families needing dependable administrative reliability.

The strongest positives - skilled instructors, dedicated volunteers, clean facilities, and horses that appear well cared for - often offset the downsides in meaningful ways. Parents praise step-by-step teaching, visible progress, and the way staff members cultivate a supportive atmosphere where kids feel involved and safe. The overall environment remains welcoming and joyful, with stories of long-term engagement (children returning for multiple sessions) reinforcing the impression that Star Equestrian Center can be a stable, nurturing home base for youth riders. The ability to leverage affordable programming without sacrificing safety or compassion is a meaningful win that many families do not find elsewhere.

Yet the reality of leadership and process inconsistency cannot be ignored. Several reviews recount significant management turnover, including the departure of a barn manager and a director, which left longtime customers feeling uncertain about the program's direction. The positives - great lessons, devoted staff, and a sense of family - are harder to sustain when communication channels deteriorate or when enrollment logistics seem opaque. For families who measure reliability in predictable scheduling, billing accuracy, and clear lines of accountability, these gaps can overshadow even strong instructional quality.

In practical terms, this means Star Equestrian Center deserves a careful, in-person evaluation before committing long-term. Families prioritizing a tight, transparent enrollment and billing process, or seeking a consistently responsive administrative team, should consider alternatives or at least test-drive the program with a concrete set of questions and a written plan for what happens if issues arise. Prospective volunteers, especially those who rely on accessible accommodations, should probe whether current policies truly reflect inclusive practices and whether staff stability supports a reliable volunteering experience.

Ultimately, the decision hinges on balancing outstanding teaching and community warmth against administrative fragility. For families that want a welcoming, affordable entry into equestrian life with earnest instructors and a genuinely caring vibe, Star Equestrian Center delivers substantial value. However, those who prize seamless communication, stable leadership, and guaranteed enrollment paths may want to compare with other local options or insist on a candid tour and direct conversations about current management structure, enrollment procedures, and commitment to accessibility. When these factors align, the center becomes a compelling, practical choice for developing young riders, backed by a supportive, family-like culture.

This part of Hagerstown, Maryland, offers a variety of amenities that may be attractive to seniors looking for a convenient and enjoyable living environment. With a range of dining options such as Waffle House, McDonald's, and IHOP nearby, residents can easily find a meal to suit their cravings. The presence of hospitals like Meritus Urgent Care and Washington County Hospital ensures access to quality healthcare services. Places of worship such as Emmanuel Baptist Temple and St Joseph Catholic Church offer spiritual fulfillment, while cafes like Starbucks and Panera Bread provide opportunities for socializing over coffee or tea. Additionally, pharmacies like Walmart Pharmacy and CVS Pharmacy are easily accessible for medication needs, and parks like Woodland Way Park and Hagerstown City Park offer scenic spaces for outdoor recreation. Overall, this area combines convenience with essential services for senior residents seeking a comfortable and well-rounded living experience in Hagerstown.

Restaurants

• Waffle House (2.9 miles)
• McDonald's (2.9 miles)
• Taco Bell (2.9 miles)
• IHOP (3.1 miles)
• TGI Friday's (3.1 miles)
• Foster's on the Point (3.3 miles)
• Hoffmans All American Grill (3.3 miles)

Hospitals

• Meritus Urgent Care (2.9 miles)
• Western Maryland Hospital Center (4 miles)
• Maryland Department of Health & Mental Hygiene (4 miles)
• Western MD State Hospital (4 miles)
• Washington County Hospital (5.2 miles)
• Davita Hagerstown Dialysis (6 miles)

Places of Worship

• Emmanuel Baptist Temple (3 miles)
• St Joseph Catholic Church (5 miles)

Transportation

• Hagerstown Regional Airport (HGR) (3.1 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (3.1 miles)
• Panera Bread (3.1 miles)
• Starbucks (4.5 miles)
• Free Range Cafe (4.5 miles)
• Rik's Cafe (5.4 miles)

Pharmacies

• Walmart Pharmacy (3.1 miles)
• Home Care Pharmacy (3.5 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3.5 miles)
• Martin's Pharmacy (3.6 miles)
• Alternative Drug Alcohol (3.9 miles)
• Walgreens (4.2 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (4.2 miles)

Physicians

• Parkway Radiology (3.4 miles)
• Parkway Neuroscience & Spine - John Caruso MD (3.4 miles)
• Progressive Mri (3.4 miles)
• Wolters Kluwer Health (3.4 miles)
• White Oak Pediatric and Adult Medicine (3.5 miles)
• Urgent Care (3.5 miles)
• Potomac Family Medicine (3.5 miles)

Parks

• Woodland Way Park (4.5 miles)
• Hagerstown City Park (4.8 miles)
• Hagerstown Fairgrounds (5.2 miles)
• Doubs Woods Park (5.7 miles)

Theaters

• Regal Valley Mall RPX & VIP (4.7 miles)