What We Offer: Jumper Training
About the Program
The first program to launch at Rancho Agave is our jumper training, led by Kelsey Maloney. Offering experience up to the grand prix level, Kelsey has recently opened her doors to welcome new clients at our top-class facility. Throughout the development of Rancho Agave, Kelsey played a central role in its design and layout, ensuring the perfect flow for happy, healthy horses. With amenities rivaling a 5-star barn and the spaciousness of a rural ranch, Rancho Agave is a unique haven. Explore what sets Kelsey’s program apart and how Rancho Agave aligns perfectly with her approach and philosophy.
The Importance of Variety
Variety is a cornerstone of Kelsey’s program. She uses the farm’s ample space to offer an array of riding experiences and avoid the monotony of riding around and around in the arena every day. A typical week in her program might look like this:
Tuesday: Longlining in the roundpen
Wednesday: Hacking on the polo field
Thursday: Jumping lesson over cavalettis in the arena
Friday: Trail ride around the property
Saturday: Jumping lesson over a course on the polo field
This diversity keeps the horses engaged and interested every day, while the variety of footing surfaces promotes their health and soundness.
Outside the Stall
Kelsey prioritizes allowing horses in training to feel “normal” on a daily basis and counters the Southern California norms by maximizing turnout out time every day. Each morning, all horses in training spend 20-30 minutes on the hot walker, followed by peaceful time in their corrals for the day. They come in and out of the barn to be ridden and return to their corrals until dinner time. In the summer, some horses choose to sleep under the stars, while others prefer the comfort of their familiar stalls at night.
Training Philosophy
Kelsey’s training philosophy revolves around putting the relationship between horse and rider first. She believes that a strong bond and understanding are essential for success in the sport. Students in Kelsey’s program groom their own horses, participate in their vetwork and bodywork, and develop a deep understanding of their horse’s needs.
Kelsey also emphasizes the idea (and fact) that horses weigh 1,000 lbs and we weigh about 100 lbs so we should never be physically “making” our horses do anything. Instead it should be easy. Kelsey’s philosophy replaces the idea of “make” with “allow”. Additionally, she blends classical dressage and flatwork with alternative practices such as breathwork, intention setting, and visualization, finding synergy between the old and the new.
Interested in learning more? Contact Kelsey at (760) 877-9865.