82 November 20, 2014
Horsetowns: Santa Ynez Valley
Something Special
Here are some businesses in or near Santa Ynez that help create a great equestrian community
Aljassimya Farm
AljassimyaFarm.com
T e Santa Ynez Valley in California has seen the some of the most serious and dedicated Arabian breeders of the last hundred years set up in its spectacular val- leys and mellow climate. Knowing they inhabit a center of excellence with an unusual density of Arabian horses, Califor- nian breeders have cooperated to form the Santa Ynez Valley Arabian Horse Association which has set up several unique initiatives in the last few years, dedicated to bringing the wonderful nature of the Arabian horse to the public. Last year they began with an Amateurs only
foal and yearling show, the Arabian Foal Festival held in Santa Ynez, to be held each year in October. In 2014, they ran the inaugural Santa Ynez Gelding Futurity, which allows new owners to buy quality Arabian geldings and then win money with them at the Arabian Foal Festival. T is year’s happy winner, Kris Johnston, took home $4,502 with her Aljassimya Farm bred gelding, Jafar AJF. In 2012 Aljassimya Farm of Qatar based their
world-class breeding program under the manage- ment of 100 Oaks Ranch in Santa Ynez.
Arroyo Arabians (805) 325-8026 •
ArroyoArabians.com
Arroyo Arabians specializes in training Arabi- an and Half Arabian performance horses in the Western, English, and Hunter divisions, while preparing their amateur riders for Class A, Regional, and National level competitions. We have a small, boutique, friendly barn of life-long horse people who take time with each individual and horse. T e riding lessons with trainer, Kelly Elm, are productive and positive for both horse and rider. Join our successful Amateur program whether you are a seasoned show person or a novice, and bring the joy and passion and fun back to riding and showing horses. We invite
you to bring your horse for a free lesson, with no commitment to see if Arroyo Arabians is the place for you. We have a fi ne selection of sale horses available for purchase as well as a new lesson program for beginners.
Black Iron Farrier—Robert Barnes (805) 686-4311 •
BlackIronFarrier.com
Born and raised around horses in California,
Robert Barnes started riding and working with horses at 7 years old. Robert learned from horse shoers in the small towns from the Santa Ynez Valley, and as an apprentice in Kentucky, un- der renowned farriers Rick Redden and Joey ‘Miracle Joe’ Carroll. Robert and his family live in Los Olivos, along with their four horses. He shoes about 40 horses a week for clients. Using the latest techniques, including composite and therapeutic aluminum shoes, Robert specializes in lameness prevention and recovery, evaluation of the hairline and how it aff ects the whole equine muscular/skeletal harmony.
Price Ranch
BradPriceHorses.com •
NicoleChastain.com
Price Ranch off ers full service training, les-
sons, rehabilitation and retirement programs in the beautiful Santa Ynez Val- ley. Price Ranch was a vision come to reality for both Brad and I. We have both come together from very diff erent backgrounds—he from a real working ranch and cattle environ- ment, and me from the dressage and showing world. Although it took us a little while to learn to speak a common training “language”, we came to realize that what we do, what we are looking for, in regards to all of our horses, is very similar. We want our horses to feel like a supple, bal- anced, well schooled dressage horse, but operate with the confi dence and common sense of a good ranch horse. We have also carefully selected the breeding stallion, Esbelto CL, a 2009 16 hand buckskin
Lusitano, to breed horses for both success in dressage and working equitation, as well as crossing on AQHA mares for a more balanced, athletic ranch horse.
Midland School (805) 688-5114 •
Midland-School.org
Midland School provides a unique college pre-
paratory boarding school experience to a diverse student body. T rough study and work it teach- es the value of a lifetime of learning, self-reliance, simplicity, responsibility to community and the environment, and love for the outdoors. Caring for horses is good, hard work, requiring
regular handling, grooming, exercise, stimula- tion, creativity (to save schooling horses from becoming bored), and elbow grease. Transport- ing people and goods around campus, farming the land, and fostering a fun spirit of competi- tion—instills values of simplicity, self-reliance, responsibility to the animals and community, and a meaningful work ethic. Advanced students help to school new horses to the riding string— and further develop their skills in areas such as collection and extension, lateral movements, and competitive show patterns. All students get out and ride on Midland’s 35 miles of trails. Several horse camping trips occur during the school year.
Rancho Oso Resort (805) 683-5687 •
Rancho-Oso.com
Want to rough it, but still need the comforts of home? Rancho Oso off ers upgraded cabins and cottages situated in the maj- esty of the Los Padres National Forest, just a 30-minute drive from Santa Barbara and the Santa Ynez wine country. Bring your own horses and
ride out onto miles of trails. T e dry weather is perfect for a late fall or winter camping trip. T ere are RV hookup sites near the guest corrals, or you can rough it in your own tent, or book one of the ranch’s rustic bunkhouse cabins or covered wagons. Rancho Oso off ers weekend meals, conve-
nience store, wine tasting, and guided trail rides on their string of safe, gentle horses. Other facilities include tennis and basketball courts, mini-golf, horseshoes, hiking trails, and weekend activities for kids and families.
Patty Murphy Country Estates (805) 680-8571 •
PattyMurphy.com
My passion and experience has been in all
facets of farm and ranch life. I grew up on a cattle ranch in the San Joaquin Valley before attending and graduating from the University of California at Santa Barbara. Subsequent to working for the troubleshooting and marketing division of Pepsi Cola in Puerto Rico, I managed
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