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California Riding Magazine • May, 2009 Rancho Rio Verde
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Robin Wall is a straight shooter. Even though horse sales comprise a portion of her business as owner of Rancho Rio Verde in Long Beach, she discourages newcomers from buying their own horse until they understand that it’s a true family undertaking. “I can’t tell you how many parents come to me wanting to buy a horse for their child, but they need to understand that it’s a family sport,” Wall explains. Before she bought the 10-acre facility in 1981, Wall spent 30 years as an elementary school teacher. Her passion for sharing knowledge shifted from academics to horses with the acquisition, but lost none of its intensity. She started with the idea of filling a niche for educating tomorrow’s horsemen and has built the program into one that serves everything from the beginner rider to those who succeed on the A hunter/jumper circuit. The trainer’s son and daughter, David and Lisa Wall, are partners in the business. As trainers, coaches and business managers, the trio has been instrumental in Rancho Rio Verde’s growth to its current head count of 90 horses. Robin Wall adds proudly that the third generation is coming up the ranks, too. Lisa’s daughters, Britney and Madelene, are making their mark in the hunter/jumper circuit and carrying on their mother and grandmother’s traditions as young horsemen. In addition to general horsemanship training, the Walls offer english riding lessons. This past January, Southern California veteran Michele Bloomquist arrived to offer training and instruction in the Western Performance disciplines. Both parties are thrilled about the match. “I’ve tried for many years to get a good, solid western trainer in here and I was really happy when Michele chose to bring her business here,” says Robin Wall. Bloomquist’s resume includes everything from taking on young horses and beginning riders to taking horses and students to success at the Del Mar Nationals and other top shows throughout the country. With four children of her own, including a 16-year-old Interscholastic Equestrian League competitor, Bloomquist had retired briefly from the training profession but was happy to rejoin it when devoted students urged her to set up shop at Rancho Rio Verde. Like the Walls, Bloomquist advocates a firm grounding in basic horsemanship skills and knowledge. From there, she takes students into any and all facets of the Western Performance world. This includes the basic reining moves required in Horsemanship classes, plus preparation for the Trail, Pleasure and Performance divisions in which her students have earned several Pacific Coast Horse Shows championships. Several have gone onto success as professional horsemen, including reining trainer Matt Mills. Throughout her career, Bloomquist has been active in various industry organizations, most recently serving as a PCHA board member for four years. As a kid, she rode five-gaited horses before settling on Quarter Horses and the western disciplines. Bloomquist competed on that circuit throughout her youth with trainers Pee Wee and Joe Moreno. Sweet Spot Conveniently located in Long Beach, near the intersection of the 405 and 710 freeways, Rancho Rio Verde is nestled in a surprisingly serene spot. “When I first bought the place it was the most beautiful bird sanctuary,” recalls Robin Wall. “I used to stand and just gape at the birds flying overhead.” Surrounding development in the intervening years scared many of the birds away, but that trend is reversing as local agencies work to return the land to its natural state. Rancho Rio Verde’s 10 acres back up to a river trail that is part of Los Angeles County’s increasing network of nicely managed and in-development trails. “We can now legitimately say that we have great access to a beautiful river trail,” the stable owner reports happily. Rancho Rio Verde features a large outdoor jumping ring and a dressage arena, schooling rings, three pastures and round pens. Horses can choose between box stalls and covered pipe corrals. The care and amenities given to horses was one of the main qualities that attracted Bloomquist to the facility. Starting with Rancho Rio Verde’s summer camp programs, the emphasis is on “developing riders with solid horsemanship skills that allow them to advance to all levels including jumping and competing,” Wall explains. Along the way, all students receive careful instruction in horse care, grooming, maintenance, etc. “I feel very strongly that all kids need to know the fundamentals of horsemanship,” she adds. “This is not a place where you arrive and your horse is all tacked up and waiting for you.” Under David Wall’s guidance, a string of nice quality school horses takes beginners through their early paces and to entry-level shows. A lease program is typically the next step for those interested in owning their own horse. Show-focused english riders progress to Lisa Wall’s Show Brook training stable. Rancho Rio Verde has produced students who have been with the program for many years, some of them returning with their own kids in tow. Over the years, Robin Wall has made a point of inviting various community, youth and equestrian groups to enjoy Rancho Rio Verde. Every Monday for many years, the Valley View Vaulters arrive in force. Run by Rick and Virginia Hawthorne, the Valley View team pairs able-bodied and physically challenged kids in practicing the art of vaulting. “It’s an incredible program because both learn to acknowledge and respect each other,” Robin says. “When they compete, there is never any mention made that some members have physical and/or mental challenges and that is the way the kids interact with each other.” Riding clinics are held in all riding arenas. Coming June 20-21, there is an annual clinic with Olympic trainer and gold medalist Michael Page. Openings are available. Bloomquist has room for a few more students in her program and Rancho Rio Verde’s barn doors are always open to new students interested in pursuing a horsemanship education guaranteed to be both serious and seriously fun.
For more information on riding and training opportunities at Rancho Rio Verde, call Robin Wall at 310-830-2060, visit www.rrvridingclub.com or contact Michele Bloomquist at 310-513-1354. |
