TRAINERS

Amy Molina / English & Western Trainer

Amy Lyn Molina’s love of horses began at the early age of five, when her aunt took her horseback riding on local trails. Within two years, she was already competing in hunter/jumper shows. Amy has trained with many different trainers from stables such as San Pascal, Rainbow Canyon and Graystone. For the past 10 years, she has been a student of trainer Ali Ahrend at Moonshadow Ranch.
The fact that Amy has ridden with a variety of horses and trainers, as well as ridden both Western/English, have all contributed to Amy being the strong rider that she is today.
Amy began teaching kids at Vista Verde Riding club at the age of 16. Once she realized the joy and happiness that it brought to the young students,she knew that she had found her true calling in life. As an instructor, Amy strives to teach balance, strength and safety, while allowing her students to have a great time at the barn as well.
Amy has a Thoroughbred named Taylor, who she has owned since the age of 14. She married the love of her life in May of 2010, and hopes to bring in more little athletes into the world in the near future.

Amy & Taylor over a jump.

Ali Ahrend - Hunter/Jumper Trainer

Ali Ahrend is a native born and raised in the greater Los Angeles area. At age 6 she took her first English riding lesson, and immediately knew that horses were going to be an extremely important part of her life. Ali then trained, competed, and worked for Lisa and David Wall’s Hunter/Jumper barn from age 6 through high school. During those early years she also enjoyed vaulting and joined the Valley View Vaulters Competition Team. Ali ultimately decided to focus her training solely on jumping, but to this day still does volunteer work for the Valley View Vaulters. After high school, Ali was accepted into the Art program at UCSC where she received her BA in Fine Arts. During her college years she worked as an Assistant Trainer while riding competitively for Darlene Shannon’s Hunter/Jumper Barn, trained under “Cowboy Marty” who taught her how to start young horses under saddle, and judged some of the schooling shows in the area. After graduating from UCSC, she moved back to Southern California and became an Assistant Trainer for Dana Smith in San Juan Capistrano. There she competed on the San Diego ‘A’ Show Circuit. While working for Dana, Ali also rode and trained under Walter Holly, a veteran of the Grand Prix arena. After a few years she moved back to Los Angeles and furthered her training. During that time Ali worked with Randy Durand, Lisa Wall, and Susan Hutchison. With the knowledge she has obtained from many years of lessons, training, and working with incredible, diverse, and notorious trainers, she decided to start her own business. Ali Ahrend has spent most of her life as an equestrian and has experienced so many different teaching styles, horses, and riders she has come to understand what works and what doesn’t. As a trainer she excels in making the process of learning fun and exciting. She is a dedicated instructor and understands that every rider’s goal is different. As her student, your goals are her priority from trails to the show ring!
Please visit Ali's website!

Carolin Malmkvist

Riding lessons offered in Beautiful Shadow Hills

        ·      Jumper, Hunter and Dressage Lessons

        ·      Beginners welcome

        ·      All ages welcome

        ·      Affordable prices

        ·      Call us about our Summer Camps and Specials!

Instructor has had a successful showing history in Europe and in the US. She is now taking on new students.

Please visit Carolin's website!