|
|
About Us
We are now teaching at Briones Horse Center, a
full service boarding and training facility located
at the entrance to beautiful Briones Regional
Park. Only minutes from Lamorinda, Walnut
Creek, Pleasant Hill, Concord, Martinez, Pinole,
El Sobrante and Richmond, we are also
convenient to San Francisco, the East Bay and
North Bay (Alameda, Contra Costa and Solano).
In addition to a family friendly atmosphere, Briones Horse Center boasts the following amenities:
•Covered and lighted riding arena
•Tack rooms and tie rails
•Indoor wash racks
•Round pen
•Turnout paddocks
•Access to miles of trails
In addition to a family friendly atmosphere, Briones Horse Center boasts the following amenities:
•Covered and lighted riding arena
•Tack rooms and tie rails
•Indoor wash racks
•Round pen
•Turnout paddocks
•Access to miles of trails
Rancho Saguaro
Now at Briones Horse Center
2525 Reliez Vly Rd.
Martinez, CA 94553
925-372-5867
info@saguaroequine.com
Now at Briones Horse Center
2525 Reliez Vly Rd.
Martinez, CA 94553
925-372-5867
info@saguaroequine.com
About Us
You won’t hear Dad on the sidelines yelling “Get the
Ball! Run!” But there’s a competitive sport going on
just the same. You might hear a trainer quietly
coaching, reminding her student to check his lead, or
to keep her shoulders back, or to use more left rein.
What you’re watching is horseback riding. It’s a sport
where boys and girls are on equal footing, so to
speak. And when done correctly, it is great physical
exercise.
Now you’re probably saying, “I’ve gone horseback riding, and it’s not that difficult.” Well, these kids aren’t just going for a ride, they’re getting exercise, developing strength in their legs, arms and torsos, as well as coordination. And make no mistake, this is a team sport. You have to be in sync with your partner (the horse, of course) if you want to succeed.
In fact, many children who don’t do well in traditional team sports (football, soccer, etc.) have excelled at riding. Perhaps that’s because they can progress at their own pace, without pressure or humiliation. Many home schooling families use riding as their P.E. requirement. Others have opted out of public school P.E. in favor of riding, and some states even have high school equestrian teams. Colleges, too, have intercollegiate riding teams, and recently riding has become a NCAA sport at a few universities. It is the only sport where men and women regularly compete against each other.
What about different riding styles? “We use English tack for several reasons,” explains Laura McEvoy of Rancho Saguaro in Martinez. “The saddles are lighter and less bulky, easier for small children to carry, so kids quickly learn the responsibility of tacking their own lesson horses. And the English discipline is more versatile, giving them many options for growth. At the beginning stages, the basics of controlling the horse are very much the same, so a student can easily switch to a different discipline, such as western pleasure, if he or she so chooses.” She should know. As a lifelong rider, and having spent thirty years as a professional trainer, Laura has been involved in just about every facet of the horse world. “I’ve focused on jumping because I find it both physically and mentally challenging. And it’s a lot of fun!” she adds.
Now you’re probably saying, “I’ve gone horseback riding, and it’s not that difficult.” Well, these kids aren’t just going for a ride, they’re getting exercise, developing strength in their legs, arms and torsos, as well as coordination. And make no mistake, this is a team sport. You have to be in sync with your partner (the horse, of course) if you want to succeed.
In fact, many children who don’t do well in traditional team sports (football, soccer, etc.) have excelled at riding. Perhaps that’s because they can progress at their own pace, without pressure or humiliation. Many home schooling families use riding as their P.E. requirement. Others have opted out of public school P.E. in favor of riding, and some states even have high school equestrian teams. Colleges, too, have intercollegiate riding teams, and recently riding has become a NCAA sport at a few universities. It is the only sport where men and women regularly compete against each other.
What about different riding styles? “We use English tack for several reasons,” explains Laura McEvoy of Rancho Saguaro in Martinez. “The saddles are lighter and less bulky, easier for small children to carry, so kids quickly learn the responsibility of tacking their own lesson horses. And the English discipline is more versatile, giving them many options for growth. At the beginning stages, the basics of controlling the horse are very much the same, so a student can easily switch to a different discipline, such as western pleasure, if he or she so chooses.” She should know. As a lifelong rider, and having spent thirty years as a professional trainer, Laura has been involved in just about every facet of the horse world. “I’ve focused on jumping because I find it both physically and mentally challenging. And it’s a lot of fun!” she adds.