Devon Gibson, Owner/Head Trainer; Christy Arbuckle, Assistant Head Trainer; Teresa Bartko, Head Trainer Lesson Program

Seahorse Riding Club

 26411 Crenshaw Blvd. in Rolling Hills Estates  |  310-541-5921  |  seahorseridingclub.org

Seahorse Riding Club, located on the Palos Verdes Peninsula, is a full-service horse boarding and training facility, specializing in English riding instruction for competition and pleasure. A full riding lesson program is available for every level of rider—beginner to competition at the national level—and all ages, starting with kids as young as 5. Students ride safe, show-quality lesson horses and learn from licensed instructors with experience in all levels of competition and all the different disciplines within English riding. Seahorse offers a weekly summer camp for kids to learn the fundamentals of horses and riding. Owner/head trainer Devon Gibson and assistant head trainer Christy Arbuckle have both worked in the equine industry for 22 years.

What is the biggest benefit that your clients gain from seeing you for their health and fitness needs? 

“Riding is one of those sports that has something for everyone. Not only are you outdoors in the fresh air, but horses have a unique way of allowing you to breathe and just enjoy life. You leave all the stress at home and just focus on yourself and your equine partner—all while exercising. You can see the powerful, calming effects that horses have on humans by watching kids with disabilities, such as cerebral palsy or autism, get on a horse. The body relaxes, and they become one with the motion of the horse. Horses allow humans to soar like nothing else.”

What does the future hold for your company?  

“We are working to incorporate a not-for-profit program to allow children from lower income neighborhoods to enjoy horses and learn to ride and compete, as well as learn life skills in working with horses and potentially open a new door for athletic scholarships. Many colleges have riding programs sanctioned by the NCAA and offer full or partial scholarships for kids experienced with horses and competition.”

What’s most rewarding about your work? 

“For the rider to discover what it’s like to become one with the horse, riding and directing an animal 10 times their size and feeling the power of the animal and the horse’s will to do what the rider asks of it.”