Equestrian

Fountain Valley School’s riding program caters to all riders—from competitive and experienced to never-ridden—and the facilities for both horse and rider are first rate. You can ride five days a week, English or Western, and earn varsity letters. Bring your horse to school with you or ride one of FVS’s 60 horses!

English Riding Program

The English program is designed around the American forward seat riding system as supported by the United States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA). Riders can participate with their own horse or ride one of the School’s 30-plus horses that are capable of taking them all the way from their first jump through the 3’6”. Fountain Valley offers three class groups with qualified instructors to support riders at any level. In addition to participating in local and A-rated shows, the English riding program also sponsors a highly competitive and successful IEA (Interscholastic Equestrian Association) team that has qualified for and won multiple years at zones, regionals and nationals.

Riding Director Ann Hanna brought English riding to Fountain Valley School in 2003 and has led the winning program since. All FVS instructors are accomplished riders certified by the USHJA.

In addition, you’ll have the opportunity to be schooled by talented equestrian coaches such as Bernie Traurig, Joanne Warring, Julie Winkel and Nick Karazissis who hold clinics on campus for FVS riders.

Many Fountain Valley alumni have gone on to ride in NCAA and IHSA college programs, and have also become professional riders, trainers and veterinarians in the equine industry.

Michaela Edwards ’19

The cornerstone of both programs is good horsemanship," says Michaela Edwards ’19 who now rides for Stanford University. "Fountain Valley program is not just about riding. You learn how to take care of the horse and become thoroughly well rounded. We run the barn, feed the horses, blanket them, clean their stalls. We learn how to take care of a horse’s medical needs like wrapping their legs, giving them their vaccines and doing their deworming. There are so many opportunities to improve yourself as a rider, a horseman and a person.

Indoors and out, the accommodations for horse and rider—which include one of the biggest indoor arenas in the state—are extensive.

150' by 250' indoor arena
28 stalls with runs, auto waterers and rubber mats
Four large outdoor arenas
A covered arena
1,100 acres of rolling prairie with miles of trails
Paddocks with run-in sheds and pasture board

Western Riding Program

You’ll also find yourself riding the trails on 1,100 acres of prairie, having fun learning barrels and poles, and heading to the mountains on overnight pack trips. “Cowboy skills” is how Western Riding Director Spencer Bruce describes his program, teaching both horsemanship and stockmanship to riders. Working from the ground up, you begin by learning basic horsemanship—grooming methods, how to tack up a horse and how to handle a horse. Bruce teaches you to see things from the horse’s point of view and how to be fair to the horse.

Next up is cow work! The School has a small herd of cows and you’ll learn about efficient and safe methods in the handling of cattle on horseback and training your ride to be a cow horse. Learn ranch-roping techniques that working cowboys use, how to take care of livestock and how to move a herd.

Fun Fact

Riding has always been a part of Fountain Valley School, making Western riding the oldest athletic program on campus. When FVS was founded in 1930, the School still had a working cattle ranch, and the riding program helped with daily chores, focusing on ranch horses and teaching students to work with the horses to complete ranch jobs.

Equestrian Program FAQ

List of 9 frequently asked questions.

Does Fountain Valley School of Colorado attend shows that are show jumping or only hunter jumper?

Our horse shows are always hunter and jumper. We will go to schooling shows in the Colorado area and hold a few at FVS.
Do you offer advanced lessons (higher jumps or more intense horsemanship) or are the riders put in the same class after school?

The program is able to accommodate three levels: beginner, intermediate and advanced. First, riders warm up together on the flat doing basic skills. Then, riders at each level continue at their own pace and skill level. Sometimes intermediate and advanced students stay late to have more one-on-one work.
Do you have riding teams? Where do they compete?

Yes, FVS fields a competitive Interscholastic Equestrian Association hunter jumper team. The English riders also compete in some A-rated shows in Colorado.

The Western riding program focuses on training and education. Western riders who wish to be involved in the FVS riding program and still pursue rodeo or other events may be allowed to do so.
Can we bring our own horse but have it out to pasture instead of stabled?

Yes. You can bring your own horse to the FVS campus in Colorado, and you have three stabling options: pasture, pen and shed, or a stall and run in the "Boarder Barn." There are different prices for each option.
Is the FVS equestrian program offered year round?

The program is offered year round in three seasons, fall, winter and spring. You may choose to ride one season or all three. Participation in the riding program for one season fulfills the FVS physical education requirement.
Can my child participate in another sport while also riding at Foutain Valley School of Colorado?

The program meets the FVS physical education requirement at FVS. Students can participate in riding as well as another sport as long as they are able to meet the demands of both programs.
How often does the equestrian program meet? How many lessons a week? How many riders in a lesson? How long is the normal lesson?

Like other sports at Fountain Valley School of Colorado, the Western and English Riding programs meet five times a week, riding from 3:30-5:15 p.m. Class sizes are different each season.
Are the students able to check the horses out on the weekend for some trail riding or some fun riding? How does this differ if you own a horse or the student uses one of the School horses?

The School horses work very hard—five days a week plus Interscholastic Equestrian Association team practice on Saturday or Sunday. Unless we have horses that are not being used in the program, we let them rest on the weekend. Students may ride their own horses on the weekend with supervision.
Are there scholarships available for the equestrian program at Fountain Valley School of Colorado?

Not in the traditional sense. We offer one "scholarship" per season to cover the monthly riding charge only. This is a one-time award and is most likely to go to someone in need who wants to experience the riding program.

Meet Our Riding Coaches

List of 3 members.

Ann Hanna

Director of Riding Program, English Riding Head Coach

(719) 391-5378
Elizabeth Bjorklund

Assistant Director of Riding; Barn Manager; English Riding Coach
Vivian Hansen

Western Riding Coach