Horsing Around During the Holidays at Skye Valley Training

Though you may not be able to buy your child that pony he or she's been asking for all year, you can at least come close with Skye Valley Training's three-day horse camp.

Right after Christmas — Dec. 28, 29 and 30 — the riding program will offer a Winter Horse Camp at Shiloh West.

Horses and all equipment are provided. Participants will learn about horses and horse care from the bottom up — from grooming and tacking to mounting up in the saddle and riding.

With approximately 10 to 12 youngsters, the camps are kept small so that everyone gets close attention from qualified instructors. The cost is $175.

Skye Valley Training, which operates out of Shiloh West Training Center on Crow Canyon Road, offers a full complement of training for all ages with an emphasis on safety. They even provide helmets, boots and of course a horse if a young student doesn’t come prepared.

Kids aren't the only ones who have their horse-riding needs met. There are many adult beginner riders out there — people who have always wanted to ride but never had the chance.

At Skye Valley Training any beginner rider can get 4 half hour private sessions for $150 and if you buy 4 lessons and you get one free.

Castro Valley is Horse Country

Some people focus on trail riding while others gear up for competitive, long-distance endurance rides. The longest ride is the 100-mile Tevis Cup Ride. 

Some people focus on working cattle and roping — think Anthony Peixoto at Mavericks and the Rowell Rodeo.

Some are attracted to speed events like barrel racing — think Paul DuBray at Apple Creek Ranch.

Some want to compete in top-level horse shows and learn to ride in a western style — think Rod Hernandez Training.

However, at Skye Valley the emphasis is on three-day eventing. All four of these training opportunities are offered within less than a mile of each other on Crow Canyon Rd.

How lucky we are to have such diverse horse opportunities right in own back yard!

Three-day eventing is a discipline that is done in an English saddle. When the riders compete, the competition is held often for three days (hence the name). Although, all three events can be done in one day.

It includes stadium jumping, or jumping in an arena, and dressage riding, which is rail work that focuses on specific patterns and gait changes in an arena setting. Finally, it includes cross-country jumping, which is done outside of an arena. Here the horses may jump hedges, fixed jumps or water hazards.

Skye Valley offers training in all of these disciplines. The rider can focus on one particular discipline or combine all three into eventing. Skye Valley also offers a variety of horse camps throughout the year. Some are held at Shiloh West or other facilities.

A Troubled Economy's Impact in the Horse World

In the world of training, top quality tends to prevail.  According to Skye Valley owner Jaimi Martin, good trainers who provide safe learning experiences for their students keep their clients and acquire new ones.

"Clients may cut back on some of the extras, perhaps skip a show or two or forgo a special clinic, but once horses are in your blood, they are there to stay," Martin said.

People not involved in the horse world zip up and down Crow Canyon as they commute back and forth to the valley. Many don’t have a clue as to the wonderful world that they could also be a part of — a world that rests behind white fencing and creeks.

Expose yourself to the soft nicker of a horse. Sample a few lessons. You won’t regret it. For children, a relationship with a horse can make a huge difference in self-esteem and confidence.

For more information about Skye Valley Training, visit their website at http://www.skyevalley.com/. You can also e-mail them at SVTraining@mac.com or call 925-858-8825