Review: LEGO Friends 42688 Horse Stable and Riding Academy – Neigh-sayers beware!

Let’s talk about LEGO Friends set 42688, the Horse Stable and Riding Academy. Now, I know what you’re thinking – horses, stables… is this just another one of those sets that’ll make your wallet wince? Well, let’s dive in and see if this one is worth the stable price.

This set comes with 735 pieces, which is a decent amount. Inside, you get six numbered bags, a small unnumbered bag with little decorations, three 8x16 plates, a half-circle plate, two instruction books, and a fairly large sticker sheet. Those barn doors are pretty big, taking up a good chunk of the build.

We get three minidolls here: Liann and Aliya, who are familiar faces. Then there’s Cindy, a new character who’s the riding instructor. All three have nice printed torsos and cool back printing. Cindy’s yellow scarf adds a nice touch.

Now, the stars of the show: the horses! This set introduces us to Thunder, a grey horse, and Coco, a brown one. Coco’s mane looks particularly fancy. We also get two cats, Chip and Bear. Chip was in the Dog Treats Bakery set earlier, and Bear was in the Cat Birthday Party set. Seems like these kitties are globetrotters!

The finished model is pretty cool. First, there's a separate storage area for riding gear like reins and saddles, tucked under a flowering tree with a butterfly. There’s even a horse blanket! For the riding lessons, we have jumps, including one over a small pond. Gotta practice those show jumping skills, right? There's also a supply of hay because, well, horses gotta eat.

The main stable building looks just like you’d expect, with big barn doors and a horseshoe above. I like the pink floral details on the front. Thunder and Coco get their own stalls on either side, and the barn doors slide open smoothly for easy access. Snacks are available right at their stalls. The roof uses a ramp piece, which is an interesting design choice.

The back of the stable reveals more play features. There’s a classroom area with horse accessories and some upstairs sleeping quarters. Looks comfy enough for two, though Cindy might be out of luck! There’s even a pet bowl up there, so Chip and Bear aren't forgotten. Stickers add detail to the sleeping area, making it look quite cozy.

Overall, this set offers a good amount of play value for horse lovers. The two horses, the stable structure, and the accessories all add up to a fun experience.

Let's talk numbers for us in India. The 42688 Horse Stable and Riding Academy is available at MyBrickHouse for ₹8,499 and at Toycra for ₹8,499. Use code ABHINAV12 for 12% off on orders above ₹500 at Toycra. That’s quite a bit, isn't it? For that price, you could get about 170 cups of chai, or maybe a month and a half of your Spotify subscription.

At exactly ₹8,499 — precisely the international MRP, with zero import premium — this is a fair price, but not a compelling deal either. There's no urgency here: if you're on the fence, waiting for a promotional discount is a reasonable call.

VERDICT: WAIT

Standard disclaimer: got money to burn? Buy it, skip the debate. Everyone else, keep reading.

On that bombshell, bubyee.