Santa Ynez Horseback Riding School

What a lovely show last weekend at SCEC in Somis. Thank you for hosting such a well organized event. The footing here is great and the environment is very friendly and welcoming. Bea and Olivia made their own musical freestyles and preformed them beautifully.

It’s very handy to have a horse that will cooperate in opening and closing gates while the rider is mounted. We use it often in the hunt field and while trail riding as when one comes across a gate that is closed,opening and closing it again from the saddle is so much easier than dismounting and finding a way to get back on a tall horse.

Cal has been so fun to watch grow up over the past year. He was a gangly 2 year old when I brought him home. Was barely halter trained. I have taken my time to develop him at his pace over the past year. Starting with lots of groundwork. Getting him used to wearing a saddle and bridle. Lots of long lining and ponying around the farm. I am so proud of him and his solid work ethic. He has beautiful gaits and will be starting his show career in dressage soon.

Santa Barbara County CDS put on another great show at Earl Warren Fairgrounds. Bea and Figgy did well at second level and Olivia and Danci also did well at first level.

Cal is turning 4 in a couple weeks I have had him almost a year now. He was an unstated two year old when I brought him home. Now he’s going well under saddle. Stay tuned for his progress.

Belle has been in training about a month and a half. When she came to me she was very sweet but had very little training under saddle. The first time I put my leg on to ask her to move forward she was very confused. When I asked her to stop on the long lines she opened her mouth really wide and clearly had no idea how to yield to the bit. Now here she is walk trot and canter. Turning and stopping with soft pressure to a simple snaffle. She is not finished with her training but is well on her way to having clear communication to light soft aids. Belle is a joy to work with.