Equestrian

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 skills in a program that emphasizes athleticism, horsemanship, patience, compassion, and hard work. Students learn to care for their horses and enjoy time spent in the barn with close friends — both human and equine.

Our youngest students in grades PK-3 visit the barn for Animal Science classes. Riding classes begin in grades 4-8, 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 in grades 4-12 can participate in regional horse shows, on our IEA competitive riding teams, and can take private lessons on campus. Students have the opportunity to ride school horses or bring their own horses to our stables. For the past three years — 2024, 2025, and 2026 — Ojai Valley School riders have won awards at the Interscholastic Equestrian Association (IEA) national championships.

Across the grade levels, the OVS Equestrian Program is led by professionally trained instructors who teach a course of study that emphasizes safe, effective horsemanship and equitation on the flat, over fences, as well as horse and stable management. It must be stressed that being an academic college-prep school, not a riding stable, the focus is on equestrian education with competition being only one aspect of the total experience.

Below is our working horse show schedule for the 2026-27 school year. Check back for more dates!