A Complete Guide to Equestrian Facilities Near Del Mar

Equestrian facilities are created for training and accommodating equines. These facilities typically include a barn, stables, open grazing space, a riding hall, and more to maintain a traditional riding experience, all while offering services such as riding schools, tack shops, equipment repair, and specialized coaching for those hoping to compete in horse shows. 

Del Mar is a popular location for equestrians because it's home to a pristine racetrack where the Del Mar Horse Races are held each summer. As such, there are many state-of-the-art equestrian facilities in this beautiful beach city and its surrounding communities. Here are some of the best equestrian facilities in and around Del Mar, California. 

Sebesta's Rocking K Ranch 

Sprawling across a scenic 10-acres on the west end of Ramona, Sebesta's Rocking K Ranch is a multi-purpose facility boasting breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding valley, mountains, and the Ramona Grasslands. Visitors frequently comment on the sense of peace and serenity they feel walking the trails and soaking in the scenery.

Boarding

Sebesta's is a securely gated, private horse boarding and riding instruction facility in Ramona. They offer full-service equine board and retirement care for geldings only. This beautiful facility supports multiple partially covered pipe corrals with wind walls, matted feeding areas, and shades. The monthly board rate includes daily cleaning, three daily feedings, and two weekly individual turnouts. Spacious trailer storage spaces are also available.

A separate covered groom and wash area is available for board clients, along with the option of private or shared tack rooms. Those interested in riding at the facility can navigate the trail network through Ramona's west end, which meanders around Mt. Woodson, toward Poway, and into the nearby grasslands. 

Ridings Lessons & Day Camp

Riding instruction and lessons are available by appointment. Instructors focus on creating competent riders by focusing primarily on safety. Instruction is offered in Western, Bareback, Trail, Hunt Seat, and English, with discounts available for active-duty military and girl and boy scouts. Sebesta also provides a three-day and five-day Horseback Riding Camp Day Program for individuals 5 to 18 years old, including plenty of riding time and support for all ability levels and in-depth education on horse care.

Angela Paltram Dressage Stables

Horse care and well-being is the primary concern at Angela Paltram Dressage Stables. Riding instruction and lessons are based on classical dressage, helmed by European-trained instructor Angela Paltram. Angela has almost three decades of experience successfully training horses and their riders. At AP Dressage Stables, the trainers and clinicians specialize in developing the partnership between the horse and rider. 

Angela is devoted to caring for her horses as she is a fierce believer that a "fit horse is a happy horse." She is committed to giving her horses the care they need to maintain peak health, fitness, and contentment. She has assembled a professional team of saddle fitters, farriers, chiropractors, and veterinarians to assist her clients with any issue. ​

​Services

AP Dressage Stables offers multiple plans of varying prices depending on what you're looking for as a rider. The cheaper plans focus either strictly on horse care or 1-2 weekly lessons, while the priciest package includes full training with 16 sessions and three turnouts per month, in addition to horse care like grooming and basic feeding. 

RidgeMar Equestrian Center

RidgeMar is a family-owned and operated full-service training facility in Del Mar that has been open since 1998. Nestled in the tranquil coastal valley, RidgeMar is ideally located near several world-class showing facilities. Both horses and riders appreciate the short distance to the ocean as unfiltered, cool breezes from the water help keep everyone healthy and happy. 

This well-maintained facility specializes in jumpers, equitation, and jumpers while emphasizing a family-like atmosphere and focusing on the importance of proper skills, technique, and horsemanship needed to compete at every level. Regardless of your skill level, you can work closely with an expert trainer to create a training plan customized to your abilities and goals. RidgeMar trainers encourage students to compete with several show horses available for partial leases and lessons.

Amenities & Plans

There are multiple stalls and sizes available; each includes twice-daily cleaning, three feedings per day, and weekly shavings. RidgeMar also includes access to two hunter arenas, seven turnouts, an enclosed round pen, a large open jumping field, and an Equicizer. Plans are available for grooming and training, or both. 

Stall sizes include:
     ◾ 12x12 Box Stall 
     ◾ 12x24 Pipe Stalls
     ◾ 24x24 Pipe Stalls

South Coast Equestrian Center

South Coast Equestrian is a private facility in Carmel Valley providing trail riding, lessons, and training to individuals of all ages. You'll learn horse crafts, games, saddle and tack care, horse anatomy, riding techniques, basic care, and grooming. The trails extend into the Los Peñasquitos Canyon, creating a perfect paradise on the Del Mar Mesa Ridge. 

Whether you're interested in signing your children up for a day camp, pony rides, or professional riding lessons, the South Coast Equestrian Center has abundant horse activities and adventures for riders of all skill levels.

Concord Equestrian Center

Since Del Mar Horse Park closed its doors to boarders, the Concord Equestrian Center migrated just 12 minutes away to Rancho Santa Fe after almost 30 years of operating out of Horse Park. Concord Equestrian Center is a family-owned full-service facility and riding academy owned by Grand Prix jumper Mark Conley. The center specializes in hunter, jumper, show, and training.

Mark teaches and mentors top professional and amateur riders from across the globe. Throughout his decades of experience, Mark has personally trained riders from beginner to Grand Prix. His program is proven to get results, and Mark's dedication and passion make CEC one of the best equestrian centers in the region.

Riding Academy

At the academy, riders can learn everything about riding, jumping, and horsemanship from beginner and intermediate instructors Mark himself has trained. You'll be able to move up and progress at your own pace. The CEC has been mentoring children and adults in San Diego for more than three decades, focusing on English hunter/jumper riding. 

The riding academy was first established in 1996, and it is the oldest, largest, and one of the most respected English riding academies and horsemanship centers on the West Coast. Most of the ponies and horses used were or are on the show circuit. The academy has taught thousands of riders over the years, many of whom have cultivated successful professional careers.

Rancho El Camino Equestrian

Established in 1983, Rancho El Camino Equestrian Center is conveniently located two miles from the Del Mar fairgrounds. This inviting, family-friendly center offers horse boarding, riding lessons, and training. They also provide private and semi-private lessons for adult riders, from beginner to advanced, and have a few horses available for lease. Dressage, hunter/jumper, Western, and English training are available full-time, part-time, or by the lesson. 

Rancho El Camino is an extravagantly beautiful venue with trail access and six riding arenas. Training is not required to board your horse, but riders of all skill levels are welcome, giving lessons seven days a week. There is also a riding simulator available, one of the few in the country. 

Boarding

There are several sizes of stalls available for you and your horse in a mare motel, individual paddocks, or inside the two main barns, all furnished with plush shavings. The facility has more than forty 12' x 12' indoor box stalls, 90' x 160' Hunter/Jumper sand ring, a 40' x 160' Dressage sand ring, a 60' x 80' all-purpose arena, a riding school arena, five cross-tie areas, tack rooms, a 50' round pen, a 60' round pen, two turn out paddocks, and a 60' x 120' riding/turn out arena. 

Training

When it comes to training and riding lessons, the center has instructors in all disciplines to help you find what you're looking for, and you can customize lessons for your age, discipline, experience, and riding style—progress at your own pace in this relaxing, friendly atmosphere. Special children's lessons, camps, and even birthday parties are also available for booking.

McArdle Equestrian

Situated in the world-class Albert Court stables in Rancho Santa Fe, the McArdle Equestrian facility is a family affair run by Jason and Susan McArdle. This full-service training barn is geared toward elite hunter and jumper show horses and provides services to all levels of riders. Whether you're a seasoned Grand Prix jumper or just starting on a pony, there is room for you at McArdle.

Jason is an accomplished show rider with several Grand Prix wins and seven Young Jumper Championships. Susan and Jason teach together to help maintain goals and provide specialized, boutique service to a small clientele base to ensure each rider receives their full attention. Previous students and McArdle horses have won awards on the circuit championships at WEF and Indo, Young Rider Medals, National Medal Final Participants, and various other year-end national and zone ribbons.

If you're interested in receiving training from the McArdle facility, their training package is all-inclusive and includes unlimited weekly pro rides and lessons, grooming and tack, unlimited body clipping, supplies, daily turnout in large paddocks, and more.

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