Bridges Equestrian

School of Horsemanship and Training

Schedule Your Lessons Online

Yes, BRIDGES has gone High-Tech! Check out the long anticipated online scheduling program! You can now schedule, cancel, and pay for your lessons 24/7! Sign up for auto pay, horse shows, clinics, camps, whatever is happening you can sign up online! Restrictions apply.

Join the Bridges Equestrian Team

Ruthanna Bridges met her first horse in 1961 ... and the rest is history.

Family owned and operated, Bridges Equestrian, established in 1981 has been teaching Orange County to ride for over 29 years!

BRIDGES EQUESTRIAN is dedicated to training all levels of riders in English and Western riding. Offering the very best of horsemanship and horse care, we emphasize the positive connection between horse and rider.

Be a part of
BRIDGES EQUESTRIAN
and experience the
World of the Horse!

Bridges Equestrian is located at Sycamore Trails Stables on Oso Road in San Juan Capistrano

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All About Showing

First time Show Rider?

Don't worry.

We'll get you through it!

  1. Let Ruthanna know you are going to ride in the show. YAY! Now the fun begins!
  2. Pay the necessary deposit to assure your horse. This is non refundable because the whole show is based around this commitment.
  3. Check to make sure you have the appropriate attire.
  4. Find out what division you are riding in, i.e. Walk–Trot, Walk–Trot–Canter, or Open. Chances are, if this is your first show you will ride in Walk–Trot. Check here for what the division will ask for.
  5. Pay your final entry fees the week before the show, and find out your ride time. Remember: If you aren't riding, you are requested to come groom!

Learn more about Show Classes

Whatever will I wear to the Show?

Sycamore Trails County Shows

We are fortunate enough to be located at THE premiere stable in Orange County!  Because of this, the Orange Coast Cooler Series shows are held right in our front yard!  All BRIDGES students who have attained an ability level appropriate for these shows are invited to participate!

Cost

  • $50 per day pro fee (instructor fee)
  • $75 per day horse rental fee
  • $150-$350 per show class fees.

Attire

2010-2011 Show Schedule

  • January 22-23
  • April 30 - May 1
  • July 30-31
  • Sept 24-25
  • August 6-7 (this show is at the Rancho Mission Viejo Sports Park - aka the OAKS, so there are additional fees for an away show, approximately $400)
  • October 19-23 OCHSA CHAMPIONSHIP SHOW - Rancho Mission Viejo Sports Park - aka the OAKS.  There are a whole bunch of additional fees for this one!

*** We will also be hosting our own In-House Jumper Show in June.  Cost for this show is $125 total.

More About Showing

In–House Jumper Shows!

Here is real fun!

You have seen the experienced riders do the jumper classes, but why should they have all the fun? Bridges Equestrian offers 2-4 Jumper Shows per year to expose our riders to the thrill of riding against the clock!

Jumpers are different from Hunters. The regular Bridges Equestrian In House Shows and most of the classes at the county level shows are Hunters. The judging for Hunters is done on the rider or the horse and their ability to perform to a standard. They are judged on their style and form, and the judging is all “subjective,” that is to say the judge’s personal opinion of the horse and rider.

“Jumpers” is just the rider and the horse against the clock. The horse/rider team get 4 penalty points or “faults” for every fence they knock down, or for each time they get a refusal (that’s where the horse refuses to take the fence, or in the event the rider crosses their “tracks” such as circling on the course.) After taking into consideration the faults (the horse with the least faults), the fastest time wins!

Riders will be expected to memorize a course of 8-10 fences, and make the best route for their horse. In the Argentine Class, the rider will want to ride the “best” class they can, making correct lines and good solid turns. In the regular table II classes, the riders will want to do their first round for “power,” that means careful but under the allotted time; then if they are “clean” with no faults, they do a second or “jump-off” round for speed, still being careful not to knock down or “fault”.

The “Argentine” or “optimum time” table is a system where the rider navigates the course of fences and tries to get as close as possible to a pre-established allotted time. In addition to the faults for knockdowns and refusals, the horse gets a penalty point or “fault” for every second over or under the optimum time. This is how we run our walk/trot and cross rail division, on the Argentine table.

Great fun and excitement for everyone in these shows! They are a bit hard on the horses so space is limited. A clinic is normally held the week before to explain the classes and how they work.

Welcome to the exciting and fast-paced world of Jumpers! Once you try it, you’ll be hooked!