Ojai Valley School welcomes riders of all levels, from experienced competitors to beginners and recreational riders. OVS is one of the few equestrian boarding schools in California with stables on both campuses. Students find numerous opportunities to improve their riding skills in a program that emphasizes athleticism, horsemanship, patience, compassion, perseverance, and hard work. Students learn to care for their horses, and enjoy time spent in the barn with close friends — both human and equine.
The Equestrian Program starts in Pre-Kindergarten. Grades PK-3 visit the barnyard once a week, as part of the curriculum. Equestrian expands in grades 4 and 8, when students can choose riding in place of traditional P.E. classes. In high school, students can choose Equestrian as their sport year-round, riding 5 days a week. Students can participate on the IEA competitive riding teams in grades 4-12, and can also take private lessons on campus, as the schedule allows.
Riders are accepted on a first-come basis, as long as space is available. Each student must have his/her own riding boots and an approved riding helmet. Instructors assign a horse to each student, and it is the student’s responsibility to help care for this horse, including grooming and riding. Students can also bring their own horses to school.
Across the grade levels, the OVS Equestrian Program is led by professionally trained instructors who teach a course of study that stresses safe, effective horsemanship, equitation on the flat, over fences and on the trail, as well as horse and stable management. It must be stressed that being an academic school, not a riding stable, the focus is on equestrian education with competition being only one aspect of the total educational experience.