Los Lagos Equestrian, Inc

Wonderful staff and great horses. We take lessons from Heather (English), but Lisa (Western) is great too!

After researching several equestrian centers in the Roseville/​Rocklin area, and after training for almost six months at small facility in Loomis, I decided to try Los Lagos to hopefully further advance my reentry into hunter jumper training.
I was an experienced and active rider in my youth (with both English and Western training) and 30 years later have finally returned to riding. Undecided whether I was ready to own my own horse yet, I wanted to ease back in by taking lessons at a facility with lesson horses. The previous facility I started with had only one lesson horse that ultimately, along with the trainer, was not a good match for my riding style, level and expectations. After six months I had not progressed to the level I felt I should be achieving, despite voicing my concerns more than once to my trainer.
I went to Los Lagos and have started training with Heather Kelly — and I love her! Her personality and training style seem to be a great match for me, and right off the bat she put me on a lesson horse that is (I’d say) a perfect fit. Energetic, but safe (and very sweet). Heather listened to my frustration about my previous training. For example, I told her how after six months my previous trainer still didn’t feel I was ready to canter. Heather made her own assessment during our first lesson and had me cantering before the lesson was half over; and at every lesson since. I just finished my fourth lesson with Heather this morning, taking two lessons a week where she’s helping me to quickly catch up and find my seat (as it were). She continues to urge (push) me to improve and advance, even when I might doubt my ability.
Let’s face it, 30 years is a long time to be out of the saddle; yet Heather has treated me from the get-​go like a fellow experienced rider. I love how she challenges me; that’s what I want/​need from my trainer. She knows when I’m ready to try or learn something new, sometimes even before I know I’m ready. I’m not jumping… yet; but I’m confident that I’ll get there much sooner with Heather, and suspect that she’ll be ready for me to get to it before I am. ;)
As for the facility itself, Los Lagos is a well-​maintained, mid-​sized equestrian center located in Granite Bay, conveniently located to Roseville, Rocklin and Loomis. The facility, which offers training in hunter/​jumping, dressage and western, has two outdoor arenas (schooling and jumper) as well as a lighted indoor arena and a full-​size dressage court. Additionally (another plus) is trail access to Folsom Lake (multiple trails, I’m told, which I hope to be able to explore more extensively in the future.) In addition to having several lesson horses (I believe there are seven), Los Lagos also offers leases (I’m seriously considering a half-​lease in the near future) which would be much more practical for me at this early juncture. Having researched multiple facilities in the Sacramento Area, Los Lagos’ prices are reasonable for the services and facilities they offer.
Everyone I’ve met at Los Lagos has been friendly and (like me!) clearly loves being around horses and I’ve been in «horse seventh heaven» since I started going there. I look forward to hopefully making my «home away from home» there, finally being able to fully return to my lifelong passion for as long as I can afford the time and cost. :)

I scheduled my granddaughter to take lessons from the Hunter Jumper instructer, Heather Kelly. It was such a positive experience that I now have 3 granddaughters, ages 15 to 4 taking lessons with Heather. She teaches the girls to be independent, her technique instruction and common horse sense are fantastic. She is also a great role model for young impressionable girls. So pleased with my girls progression!

Los Lagos is a medium-​sized facility that offers hunter/​jumper, dressage and western training. There is a lighted indoor arena, a full-​sized dressage court, schooling ring as well as a jumper arena that had new footing and drainage systems installed. There is access to Folsom Lake with miles of beautiful trails through the live oaks in the area.
Cost of board and lessons seems about average for the area with boarding options ranging from large stalls with run outs in the training barn to outdoor paddocks with run-​in shelters. There are also full-​service options for horses/​clients in training.
I have not been to any shows with the Los Lagos team, but I do know they frequently attend schooling, A and B rated shows in the area. (Hunter/​Jumper)
In all pleased with my experience here at Los Lagos and the owner is one of the most genuine people I have met so far in this industry. I am a casual rider but have worked/​groomed for FEI level riders in the past. I have never been pressured to lease, show or do anything that I didn’t feel comfortable doing. Due to the nature of my job, I move frequently and told the owner/​trainer up front that I would not be a long-​term client. Despite this, I was made to feel like a member of the community and sense that she is trying to teach me as much as possible before I move again. Carrie is supportive of my needs and desires when it comes to riding, and does everything she can to help achieve my goals. In my opinion, money is not the primary concern at Los Lagos only the welfare of the horses and education of the riders.
The only downside is I have become spoiled when it comes to the horses I ride. As I do not own my own horse, I use the trainer’s horses in my lessons. Being horses, they all have their own personalities but are all easy and fun to ride. Once you’ve ridden a nice horse, it’s hard to ride anything else!
As a side note, I wrote this review of my own volition because like the honey badger, I don’t care!