Lessons, instruction and schooling — find a yard to learn the ropes or bring a horse on.
Patrick Seaton Stables is a show jumping program in Northern California. It offers lessons, clinics and competitions for riders from beginners to advanced levels. The stable also provides horse boarding and horse sales. Training is led by owner and head trainer Patrick Seaton, with an emphasis on individual programs for each horse and rider.
Ijula Equestrian is a horsemanship and riding instruction program operating out of Jaz Creek in Sonoma County, California. The program offers riding lessons and a riding school with membership. The team focuses on quality riding instruction and helping riders become knowledgeable horse people. Horses are kept at the center of the program, and the business does not offer horses for one-time recreational rides such as trail rides.
Tomasini Training Center teaches Fusion Horsemanship, a method combining classical horsemanship and the Western tradition. The centre works with horses and riders through schooling, coaching, lessons and clinics. Training focuses on developing a sound, athletic and content horse. The website notes that the owner is currently taking a break from offering lessons and clinics.
Sonoma Valley Trail Rides offers guided horseback trail rides through the vineyards of Sonoma's wine country. Rides are led by experienced wranglers on gentle, seasoned horses and are open to guests 12 years and older. The company also offers western riding and horsemanship lessons for kids and adults, including handling, grooming and saddling. Rides run at Bartholomew Estate Winery on several days a week.
Q Ranch is an equestrian ranch in Sonoma County, California, a short drive from Napa Valley. It offers long-term horse boarding, with stalls or pasture and with or without full care. The ranch has several arenas, including indoor and outdoor arenas, used for dressage and hunter-jumper lessons. Riding lessons are offered alongside boarding.
Berg Equestrian Enterprises is run by show jumper Simonne Berg, a Grand Prix rider based at a private farm in Santa Rosa, California. The business offers training, lessons and sales services for horses and riders. Horses are kept in stalls with runs, and the property has sand turnouts, irrigated grass pastures and a covered arena. Training follows a custom program for each horse and client.
J-Dot Stables is a horse training business in Sonoma County, California, run by trainer Jack Burns. Training focuses on classical dressage and is customized to each horse and rider. The stables also offer riding lessons and rehabilitation of horses. Horses are also offered for sale, including Lusitanos. The stables are located at Hunter Lane Equestrian Center in Santa Rosa.
Tri County Training is a mobile horse training service serving Napa, Sonoma and Lake counties in Northern California. The service offers training, ground work, riding lessons and rehabilitation and conditioning for horses. Lessons are offered privately, in semi-private pairs or in groups, and riders must bring their own horse. Training takes place at the client's home or boarding facility.
Strides Riding Academy offers horseback riding lessons for riders from beginner to advanced, for children and adults. The academy runs summer and winter camps, including riding camp and ranch camp. It also provides competitive training, such as schooling shows, rated shows and IEA teams, and offers half leasing, full leasing and full training for privately owned horses. Lessons are given at locations in Petaluma and Santa Rosa, California.
Hooves and Hearts offers horseback riding lessons for all ages, with private and semi-private options led by its instructors. The barn also takes in horses for starting, specialized tune-ups, and consignment sales. It runs guided trail rides and a weekly horsemanship and ground work class for charter and homeschool students. The team also has a barrel racing performance group.
LL Equestrian is run by Lauren LoPiccolo, an eventing rider who has competed through the 4* level. The business offers private, semi-private and group riding lessons, and it is aimed at riders who already own a horse. Services include training rides, schooling horses, and coaching at eventing, hunter/jumper and dressage shows. The business also provides horse sales. It is based at Big Sky Equestrian Center in Orangevale, California.
Brookside Show Park is an equestrian facility in Elk Grove, California, where horse shows are held. The grounds include show barns, show arenas, and wash racks for exhibitors. Professional trainers lease barns on site, and independent boarders can rent stalls or paddocks. Riding lessons, including English and jumping lessons, are offered with onsite horse trainers.
Crossroads Stable is a family-owned and operated horse facility that has been running since 2001. It offers horse boarding with stall, paddock and pasture options, with daily care such as feeding, water checks and stall cleaning included in the monthly fee. The stable also offers training for horses and riding lessons. Additional services include trailer parking, lunging and grooming.
BTH Equestrians offers training and lessons for horses and riders of all levels. Its training program covers developing young horses and preparing horses for competition in hunters, equitation and show jumping. Introductory riding lessons and haul-in lessons are offered, and the business also represents client-owned and its own horses for sale. Operations are based at Silver Spur Stables in Sloughhouse, California, where board is offered alongside training.
Silume Horsemanship is run by Sierra Backman, a horse trainer based in Wilton, California. It offers horse training using a natural horsemanship philosophy, including colt starting, restarting horses of any age, and confidence building. Lessons are available for adults, children and in groups. Mentorship and coaching are offered for owners who want to strengthen their relationship with their horse.
Irby's Equine Services offers riding lessons for all ages in disciplines including Working Equitation, Show Jumping and General Horsemanship. It provides boarding with open pastures, covered paddocks with large turnouts, and stalls in the barn. The business also offers farrier services, including specialty, custom and hot shoeing as well as barefoot trims. It cares for retired horses and provides a place for horses to rehabilitate and recover from injuries.
Pipe Dreams Farm is an equestrian facility in Rio Oso, California. It offers riding lessons in western pleasure and hunter-jumper, along with boarding, training, summer camps and consignments. The farm also provides breeding services and breeds APHA/AQHA show horses. Owner Susan Wilcox has over 40 years of experience as an equestrian and barn manager.
Lake View Ranch offers riding lessons and ranch riding around its horses. The programme combines lessons with livestock education on the property. Instructors guide both novice and experienced riders. The ranch also hosts weddings and private photo sessions, according to its website navigation.
Blue Fountain Farm is a horse facility offering boarding in stalls, private paddocks or pasture board. Its services include lessons, training, clinics and shows. Riding amenities include an outdoor arena, a covered dressage arena, a round pen and riding trails. The farm also schedules vaccination and dental clinics for horses regularly.
Hunterville Stables is an equestrian facility in Penryn, California, run by trainer Patty Ball. It specialises in equitation, hunters and jumpers. The stable offers full board and training programmes that include lessons and training rides, along with daily turnout in single horse paddocks. Horses for sale or lease are also offered on request.
Vintage Farms is a 3-day eventing training barn that also offers boarding and a show team. The business provides sport horse training, horse showing and schooling for riders at all levels. Riding lessons, training rides and show coaching are offered alongside care and management of the horses.
Beachem Dressage LLC is a dressage training and horse sales business led by USDF medalist Heather Beachem. It offers in-person lessons and clinics in the Sacramento area and daily virtual lessons for riders nationwide. The business also accepts a select number of sales horses and offers consulting for buying or selling a horse. Its training is aimed at riders working toward FEI goals.
SNS Equestrian offers riding lessons and horse training in Placer County, California. Lessons cover beginner to advanced levels, including showing. Hunter jumper lessons are a core part of the program. The trainer has years of competing experience and has worked as an assistant to an accomplished USHJA-certified trainer, including developing a feeder training program. Students of all ages and experience levels are welcome, from basic horsemanship to work over fences.
Youthful Courage Stables runs riding sessions in which children, youth and families work with and ride horses. Each session pairs one child with one leader, who supports the child's individual challenges and progress. Activities also include crafts, games, chores, wood working and life skills, with a focus on mentoring the child and teaching equine safety and husbandry. The stable's Director of Equine Operations, Stephanie Kaesekamp, has many years of experience riding, training and teaching horses. Visits are by appointment only.
