As for the boarding, at this point, I've got a 3-stall mare motel and a 2-stall loafing shed with 2 20x100' adjoining turnouts. I hope to add a 5-stall-with-wash-rack barn with paddocks and 2 more turnouts with shelters, plus a 12x12 tack shed, a 12x24 feed shed and tool shed, an outdoor arena large enough for some jumping, a 70' round pen, and a 10'-wide track around the property for driving. There will be many boarding options from full-service to really basic. The wash-rack will have hot and cold water. The footing will be textured concrete with rubber mats in the stalls and textured rubber in the wash-rack. The arena and round pen will be topped with sand and shredded rubber or Fibar. A natural bonus is the ability to ride right off my property and, additionally, I'm about an hour's ride to the edge of the Nat'l. Forest.
Regarding the training/lessons, I'll give you background on my horse experience and that'll pretty much tell you whatI'll offer. First, I'm 33. I started working with horses at 11. I began with Arabians, first in western pleasure, equitation, and trail and halter, then "graduating" to saddle seat pleasure and equitation. That ended when I moved at 14. I relocated to Southern California, couldn't find a saddle seat trainer, and started learning hunter-jumper. Then I finally got my own horse when I was 15. He was a 16.3hh Thoroughbred ex-racehorse and I spent the next 3 years training him to jump and riding him in jumping and hunter equitation classes. I trained under a cowboy, though, so I also learned a bit of reining technique and even a little dressage, as they apply to all disciplines. Rabican Bay was sold when I went to college but I took equitation classes, in addition to a year of animal science, equine industries option at Cal Poly, Pomona. During college, I also rode for other people, including several horses for a woman in Norco whom I also showed gymkhana for. I've also ridden for other people since college (I graduated in spring of 1994)--mostly horsepeople I've housesat for. Then spring and summer of 1999 I worked 1-2 days a week at a Thoroughbred ranch for polo and racing in Napa County. There I trained, exercised, and cared for the horses and led trail rides around the property (also a bed and breakfast and winery). From September, 1999 to November, 2000, I worked at a miniature horse ranch in Sonoma County where I trained, trimmed hooves, and cared for the minis. I worked through spring 2000 foaling, so now I've gotten more experience with that and training foals. August to November 2000, I also worked at another mini ranch. In November 2000 I had to quit those jobs to get one that's a bit more, ah, lucrative?
At this point, I'm pretty full with my three horses, but I could board one or two more and hope to expand as quickly as finances allow.
So, that's about it. Please feel free to contact me with questions, comments, or advice. If you are or you have friends who are in the Placerville area, keep in touch and let them know. Thank you for your interest.