Lessons
English Riding Instruction
Lessons in Hunters, Jumpers and Dressage are available. We specialize in building excellent equitation skills in the saddle by teaching riders to effectively communicate with the horse as well as horsemanship skills on the ground.
In addition to providing physical exercise, learning to ride and care for horses teaches many life skills, including responsibility, patience, perseverance, and how to set and achieve goals. Unlike other forms of exercise, riders experience the emotional bond that comes from caring for and riding a horse – a partnership like no other.
Victory Stables utilizes a prescribed curriculum to teach riders about horse care and handling in addition to horseback riding. "We don't just make riders we build equestrians". All levels are welcome. Instruction is offered on your horse or ours and truck-ins are always welcome. We teach ages 7 to adult.
**Riding is a physically demanding sport, riders should be aware of their fitness level and be prepared for the rigors of physical activity. Due to the size of our horses, they are not capable of handling riders over 180 pounds. Proper attire is required while riding at all time**
Private Lessons
Private lessons meet for one hour. Private lessons allow for one on one learning with an instructor. They are appropriate for all skill levels and mandatory for all beginners. Students sign up by the month and ride a minimum of once a week but may opt to ride more.
Group Lessons
Students are welcome to join group lessons once they have learned to properly start, steer, and stop and with the approval of an instructor. Group lessons meet once a week for an hour and are small in size to allow for individual attention. Students sign up by the month and encouraged to ride a minimum of 2 times a week.
Meet The Team...
Together we offer students decades of combined knowledge in the areas of horse ownership and training, stable management and riding instruction.
Cory Valenzuela
Owner, Head Riding Instructor, Lead Trainer, Competitive Team Coach
Cory is a USHJA Credentialed Instructor, a CHA Level 4/Jumping Certified Riding Instructor and Pro Rider. She works with our advanced riders and instructs our competitive team. Cory has 30 years of horse training experience that she brings to every new training project. Originally from New England she has an extensive background in hunter/jumpers and dressage. She has trained under many well-known instructors including Kathy Connelly, Barend Heilbron and Sharon McCusker amongst many others. Before opening Victory Stables she was an instructor, trainer and barn manager at various barns in the Northeast. She completed the USDF Instructor Certification training in 2010, taught Equine Studies at SMBA, had a successful competitive history, and is still active in the horse community both nationally and locally. Cory is an avid rider and horse owner, wife and mother of 4. Cory is certified in Equine Emergency First Aid and CPR/first aid. Cory is SafeSport certified and holds memberships with USEF, USHJA, IEA, USDF, USPC, AYHC, CHA. She is also the current IEA President of Zone 7 Region 3 and a USHJA RRA and HQC Committe Member.
Cory is available for riding lessons, clinics and haul-in's
Kathi Darrow
Equine Physical Therapist, Riding Instructor
Kathi is a CHA Certified Riding Instructor. Kathi owns Irelands Run Equine Sports Therapy and Ireland's Run Farm. She is a certified Equine Sports Massage therapist, Bemer PEMF therapist, certified Cranial-Sacral and Myofascial therapist, certified Kinesiology taper, certified Equine Emergency First Aid instructor, and Reiki 2 healer. When Kathi isn't following her horse passions, she's working in emergency medicine where she's been for 20 years as a medical imager. She is an avid rider and horse owner, a wife and a mother of 3. Kathi is SafeSport certified and holds memberships with USEF, USHJA, IEA, and CHA.
Kathi is available equine bodywork.
Summer Valenzuela
Summer is a competitive Hunter & Jumper rider coming up through the ranks under the guidance of her coach, Cory Valenzuela. She loves the ponies and also enjoys dressage. She was an Interscholastic Equestrian Association Varsity rider while in High School. In 2022 she was a national finalist in the USHJA Horsemanship Challenge. She rode in Pony Club and is rated in eventing. She is a student at Post University working on her degree in Equine Science. She is an avid rider and horse owner. Summer is SafeSport certified and holds memberships with USEF, USHJA, and USPC.
Katie Kramer
Katie is a competitive Hunt seat rider coming up through the ranks under the guidance of her coach, Cory Valenzuela. She was an Interscholastic Equestrian Association Varsity rider while in High School. Katie is currently pursuing her Equine Science degree at Post University. She is an avid rider and horse owner. Katie is SafeSport certified and holds memberships with USHJA and USEF.