Trainers and Lessons
Arriba Vista trainers offer horse riding lessons covering a broad spectrum of horsemanship disciplines. For more information, please contact trainers directly at the numbers provided below.
For those who are interested in training, one of our highly dedicated, in-barn trainers is sure to meet your needs! Our trainers offer everything from basic horsemanship to the highest level of dressage and western riding techniques. With multiple indoor and outdoor arenas, featuring mirrors, a regulation size dressage court, stadium jump arena, cross country courses and hundreds of acres of trails, you’ll never be at a loss for space to train, roam or improve your skills or work your horse.
As a high level equestrian facility, we offer comprehensive services for riders and horses of all levels and disciplines. Schedule a tour and find out why Arriba Vista Ranch is the right choice for you.
Lin has trained and shown horses in both Western and Dressage for over 25 years. One of Lin’s specialties is building confidence in horses and students. She offers training for your horse and/or lessons on your horse or on one of her school horses. Whatever your needs, Lin will set up a program for you and your horse in order to accomplish your goal. Lin currently shows Dressage on both her own horse and clients horses. Over the years, Lin has been active in many clinics, having the opportunity to ride under great instructors such as Jane Weatherwax, Creeky Routson, Gerhard Politz, Betsy Steiner, Conrad Schumacher, Heather Blitz, and Steffen Peters. Angela has been teaching and training since 1990. She is a successful competitor from Training through FEI levels. She is a USDF Bronze, Silver and Gold Medalist as well as a USDF Certified Instructor. None of these achievements are as important to her as the daily joy she takes in “playing” with her horses and clients in training. Angela is offering lessons and training for students of all levels on their own horses. In 2013 Angela won several classes at the Prix St George level, plus High Point FEI Champion at Woodside Summer Dressage and High Point PRE Champion. In addition, Angela was just awarded Top Ten at both the USDF and CDS Championships in the Open Prix St George division. Specializing in Quarter Horses, Western Pleasure, Hunter Under Saddle, Trail and showmanship. Michele teaches all aspects of training from basics to the finer points of showing. Michele started riding and working at stables in Orinda over 40 years ago where she guided trail rides and gave lessons western and English for about 8 years. She then went to an English riding school where she lived for 9 months, riding hunter/jumpers up to 5 foot courses. Michele then earned a teaching certificate through UC Davis and worked several years for different trainers starting out with working cow horses, reining, and cutting. Before coming to Arriba Vista Ranch, Michele taught and trained horses at Hillcrest Stables for 17 years. Kris has owned and operated Kris Richardson Performance Horses for over 30 years, and has been involved in the horse show business since the 1980’s. She has competed at the AQHA World Championship Show, and at national and local level quarter horse shows and open shows. Her career includes many championship titles for herself and her customers. Kris believes it is important to match horse and rider compatibility, and especially enjoys working with horses and riders together to help them build trust in each other and become an accomplished, confident team. Natalie McMahon of Leap of Faith Equestrian, brings over 25 combined years experience owning, showing, teaching and training.She competed extensively on the “AA” circuit as a junior showing in Hunters, Jumpers, and Equitation under the guidance of Grand Prix rider Romelia Calderon and trainer Hope Davis. Natalie believes in building strong basics and fundamentals, which riders can take with them throughout their riding careers no matter where that leads them. She also believes in teaching proper all around horsemanship to create well rounded horsemen/women in and out of the saddle with an emphasis on proper care and treatment for the horses. Full training packages available for riders with their own horses, and lessons on our well trained, versatile school horses are also available. All training programs for both horse and rider are fully customized to meet their individual goals. We attend many shows throughout the year ranging from schooling shows to the ‘A’ Circuit to offer many opportunities to our riders. Madeline Rose Performance Horses was created to help horses and their owners achieve their highest potential with an emphasis in Western Performance Riding. Whether riding at home or in the show pen, Madeline dedicates her energy to setting her horses up for success. After showing Reining and Ranch Riding for years, she grew an appreciation for English Dressage principles and believes in a multi-discipline approach. Each horse is viewed as its own individual and training is tailored accordingly. Madeline recognizes that there is no such thing as a bad horse, only bad training, and offers second chances for all horses. Despite all the titles and trophies, Madeline’s greatest merit is providing her horses and clients with the highest level of care. No horse is ever pushed past its mental or physical limits, and deadlines are never imposed. All horses and clients are guaranteed a strong foundation whether they’re headed for the show pen or the trails.
Lin Wool, 408-655-2315
Training and Riding Instruction
Angela Ridgway, 925-895-2377
Dressage Training and Instruction
Michele Finney, 925-580-5056
Western Pleasure
Kris Richardson, 408-472-9999
Training and Lessons
Natalie McMahon, 650-248-9541
English Training and Riding Instruction
Madeline Rose Benhamou, (925) 314-5402
Training and Riding Instruction
