Royal Ridge's Success Rides on a Lifelong Love of Horses

Emily Richards has always loved horses.

At just 4 years old, she began taking riding lessons at the Poway Valley Stock Farm soon after she moved to Poway.

Richards began her horse-training career at a facility in Fallbrook, where she trained and managed more than 100 horses for two years. From there, she created her own lesson and training program, which is now known as .

Before moving to the 16-acre center located Sycamore Canyon Road two and a half years ago, Richards worked at Poway Valley Stock Farm, the place where it all began.

“I’ve always liked animals and there’s something peaceful about horses,” said Richards, who started her business about eight years ago. “Horseback riding is something that gets you out in nature. It’s relaxing. It’s just an enjoyable sport.”

Royal Ridge Equestrian Center offers beginner through advanced riding lessons, horse training and summer horse camps. The Serenity Equestrian Center offers boarding facilities, tack sheds, a jumping arena, pastures and trails. 

Despite the recession, business at the center has thrived.

When Richards first moved to the new location, she had 34 boarders. Now, the stalls are full with 68 horses.

“We’ve been pretty much full,” she said. “Anytime we have an open stall, pretty much within a month it’s taken. We haven’t had a lot of vacancies, which is good.”

The growing business is expanding. Richards said the center will eventually board 170 horses.

The perimeter fence around the land will be expanded and new structures are being built. Some new structures were added to the property a few months ago and new lights were recently installed for nighttime riding. 

“Our capacity will be twice the size, if not three times the size, of the average horse facility,” she said. “So that means we’ll have twice, if not three times, as many more amenities.”

Richards has already had to hire more help. She is the head trainer and riding instructor. Her staff also includes two assistants and two barn workers. Another instructor who has her own business uses the property, too.

Megan Gendreau has been training and working as Richards’ assistant for about two and a half years, but she has been her student for about seven years.

“I still take lessons,” Gendreau said. “I have my own horse that I’ve been training, so she trains my horse and gives me lessons on my horse. I kind of take what she teaches me and teach it to other students and other horses.”

Although Gendreau learned how to ride when she was young, she said Richards developed her to the competitor level.

“She’s very knowledgeable about horses and how to keep horses happy,” Gendreau said “She really loves horses and it shows.”

One of the reasons why Richards brought her business to the location off Sycamore Canyon Road is because it offers a large space for a variety of trails.

“Trails are the most natural environment for horses to be in, and they’re the happiest in their natural environment,” Richards said. “Being able to take your horse out on a natural trail really relaxes the horse. It keeps them mentally stable and happy, so we do a lot of trail riding out here.”

Richards also wanted to keep her business in Poway.

“I knew a lot of people in Poway because I’ve lived here most of my life,” she said. "I like the community. Over here, I feel like it has that rural feel, yet you go five minutes that way and there are stores and all the things that you need.”

Throughout the years, Richards has established many longtime students. Some, like Gendreau, have competed while others take lessons just for fun.

Julie Malino’s daughter Molly, 20, began taking lessons with Richards about seven years ago. After her daughter went away to college, Malino continued training with their horse Mudd.

Malino said she enjoys Richards’ hands-on approach.

“I just walk away with such excitement from whatever it is I learn,” she said. “I just look forward to practicing what she teaches me. … She’s not afraid to just get right into the lesson. She doesn’t just sit back and tell me how to do something.”

Malino added that Richards and her staff are easily accessible.

“Everybody over there is really friendly and the horses are really well cared for,” she said. “I call on her anytime I have any problems with my horse. She has always been very helpful.”

Royal Ridge Equestrian Center isn’t the only thing expanding in Richards’ life. Richards and her husband David, who is the recreation supervisor at Lake Poway, have a 14-month-old son named Mason.

“Her family’s there and I think that makes it very nice,” Malino said. “It’s a very family-friendly environment. You always feel very welcome.”

For more about the Royal Ridge Equestrian Center, visit www.royalridgeequine.com.