Conversations about the future of equestrian sports emphasize the “base of the pyramid.” This is the entry level where, ideally, people have a great experience and get hooked on horses for life.
Over The Moon Equestrian in Moorpark is doing exactly that.
Owners Jenna McEwan and Vivian Hall came from a former equestrian hub and funnel for the sport – Mill Creek Equestrian in Topanga Canyon. Vivian is a third-generation horsewoman with experience in several riding styles. Jenna earned an Equine Science degree from Centenary College and brings solid experience in jumping and dressage.
Focused on eventing, dressage and, above all, horsemanship, Over The Moon offers affordable access to horses and learning opportunities to those with and without their own horse.
“Our main emphasis is our riding school,” explains Jenna. “We are fostering all aspects of horsemanship, not just the time in the saddle.” All students begin with lessons that include horse care and building knowledge. The goal is to prepare students to become responsible, self-sufficient horse owners.
“We foster an environment in which people can ask questions and understand why we are asking them to get their own horses ready,” Vivian says. “We hope to create riders who eventually don’t need us. We want them to be educated enough to prepare and warm their own horses up.” Grooming basics and the purpose and proper use of tack are part of their riders’ lesson plans. Health basics and signs a horse isn’t feeling well are part of their education, too.
Fostering Horse-Human Friendships
In short, “We want our riders to be educated enough that they can be safe and enjoy a friendship with a horse.” Jenna and Vivian consider daily progress and/or show ring success the ideal reflection of that friendship between horse and rider.
Over The Moon has nine school horses and it’s one of few programs where students can take them off property for clinics or competitions.
In fact, Jenna and Vivian have several horses coming to this weekend’s Kick Off Horse Trials, including those campaigned by students. Many prepared by participating in the Fundraising Clinic last month. The considerable rain and mud did not deter them. “Nobody’s made of sugar,” Jenna notes in true eventer style.
Over The Moon offers Interscholastic Equestrian League hunter/jumper and dressage teams for middle and high school riders. There’s a place for all ambitions. One of their longest time students is a 70-year-old woman who is very happy to work on walk and trot.
Continuing A Legacy
Jenna and Vivian started Over The Moon in 2020, and with the advantage of having several clients from the now-gone Mill Creek Equestrian Center come with them. The pandemic closures were a boon to many riding schools, including theirs. Families sought safe, outdoor physical activities for their kids who suddenly had the time and schedule flexibility that’s ideal for diving into a life with horses.
Vivian and Jenna’s own riding ambitions take a back seat to those of their students. Competing fits in with their desire to develop nice horses for amateurs. They have schooled horses up through Training Level and currently compete mostly at Beginner Novice. Figuring out what a horse wants to do is key to their development, Vivian comments. Whether it’s jumping or dressage, wherever the horse feels most comfortable is where they’ll be the safest and most suitable and enjoyable partner.
“A wonderful thing about riding is that there’s a space for everyone,” says Vivian.
Over The Moon’s owners and clients are big fans of Galway Downs. To start with, it’s a reasonable distance from their Moorpark base north of Los Angeles. And, it has an ideal combination of being a big, competitive atmosphere and a fun place to be.
For many of their students, a trip to Galway Downs is their first experience with the “outside” horse world. “It’s great because it’s busy enough that they get the feel of a big show, yet it has a local, friendly feel.
“We send even our youngest students off on their own to pick up their show packet at the office,” Jenna continues. “Sometimes it’s the first thing they’ve done on their own. Everybody who works at Galway is so nice. And the venue is beautiful. It’s so fun to have people who are new to the sport come down and watch us ride.”