Santa Barbara Horses for Sale

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	Rebecca Atwater has been a professional hunter/jumper horse trainer at Amapola Ranch since 1995. Rebecca accepts students of all ages and riding abilities into her program. Rebecca takes great pride in teaching the art of sportsmanship and teamwork between horse and rider. Rebecca was born in Paris, France and went to elementary school on a tiny island off the west coast of France called Ile de Re. She attended Immaculate Heart High School in Los Angeles in 1990 and then graduated from UCSB with a degree in Biology in 1995. Rebecca has been passionate about horses since early childhood and enjoys learning everything possible about the equine tradition. While at UCSB, Rebecca aspired to be a large animal vet and worked extensively with notable veternarian Dr. Karen Blumenshine. After training for hunter/jumper trainer Betsy Woods of Ridgewood Farm, she realized horse training and sharing her love for horses with others was her true calling. After 5 years as an assistant, Rebecca decided to start her own training program; Santa Barbara Stables.   The Santa Barbara Stables program caters to riders of all ages and abilities. Many of Rebecca's students enjoy attending horse competitions and compete at horse shows from the county level through the “A” circuit. Rebecca’s riders continually capture numerous high point awards from the Santa Barbara County Riding Club and the Santa Ynez Valley Equestrian Association circuits.   Each year, Rebecca sits down with the clients in her program and talks about their personal riding goals and how best to achieve those goals.   Rebecca continues to pursue her own riding goals and attend clinics and lessons from masters such as grand prix rider Richard Spooner, judge Dale Peterson and Olympic Coach Daniel Stewart. Rebecca stays open minded and is always thirsting to learn more about the magnificent animals that she is so blessed to work with. Rebecca's motto:      Passion + Dedication + Integrity = Happiness "Follow your bliss and you will lead a happy, fulfilled life." On a personal note, Rebecca has old roots in Santa Barbara. Her grandparents Betty and Eugene Atwater moved here in the early 1960's. Her parents Ron and Regine Atwater live in Montecito. Ron is an engineer with graduating from M.I.T. and works in real estate investments. Regine is a professor from UCLA who now teaches private french lessons and courses at SBCC. Her brother, Toby is graduating in 2008 with a degree in Political Science and Engineering. Rebecca married Andy Wheelwright in 2005 at the Hollister Ranch and also on Ile de Re in France. In 2008 Rebecca plans to continue to improve her training program. Her goal is to help each horse and each rider achieve their goals.
	Anita DeAragon  has been with Santa Barbara Stables since 2003 as assistant trainer and barn manager. Anita helps teach lessons, train horses and keeps the barn running smoothly by organzing daily operations. Anita has ridden all her life in Santa Barbara and Pasadena. She and Rebecca met while riding together in Los Angeles. Anita has competed all over California in hunters and in 3-day eventing; dressage, show jumping and cross-country. Anita’s daughter Muriel also rides at Santa Barbara Stables.  Anita is married to Bruce DeAragon, a camerman on the hit show 24. Anita's son Cameron graduated from Dos Pueblos in 2007 and is an avid tennis player.
	Andrew Sack joined the Santa Barbara Stables Team as a full time assistant in 2007. Andrew graduated from Elon University in North Carolina with a degree in Public Administration. For the past 25 years he has been coaching and working in the equine industry as well as judging and giving clinics across the United States and Mexico. Having Andrew as an addition to our team will enable our students to get individual attention and feedback from a practicing judge. His experience will give all riders an advantage to tap into what judges’ are looking for and how we can all improve and grow. Andrew also loves teaching riders of all levels and ability. He emphasizes teaching in a fun positive upbeat style.
	Pam Gibbs joined our team in 2007 and runs the school horse program for our beginner riders. Pam was born in California and moved to England when she was 6 years old where she rode in Pony Club and participated in show jumping and 3-day eventing. Pam received a degree from the University of New Hampshire and worked in England as an editor and writer and continued to ride and compete in show jumping. In 1996 Pam moved back to California with her homebred mare Billie and has been teaching in Santa Barbara ever since. Pam’s daughter Grace also rides at Santa Barbara Stables. You may know Pam through her involvement in the local Pony Club. Pam will also help us start Santa Barbara Stables Pony Club in 2008.
	Vanessa Thompson also joined our team in 2007. Vanessa was born and raised in Santa Barbara and was a working student for many years with Ridgewood Farm. She was Champion and Reserve Champion in the Green Riders in 2003 in the equitation and the hunters on Diane Cavanaugh’s horse Sir William. In 2003 Vanessa also won the prestigious SBCRC Sportsmanship award. Vanessa knows all the ins and outs of horse care and proper horsemanship. She currently owns Beyonce, a Thoroughbred mare, and attends SBCC. Vanessa also teaches unmounted clinics to make sure our students are well rounded and learn about all aspects of horse care. Topics include: horse nutrition, horse health care, horse conformation, equipment. Our Farriers and Vets will also give lectures on important topics in these unmounted clinics.
	Joaquin Montanez has been with us since 2002. He has been an awesome team member and we want to keep him for years to come. Joaquin’s gentle approach with the horses and positive outlook are a true asset to our program.