Who We Are

One of California's Oldest and Most Successful Show Barns

We have over three decades as a full-service show barn training all levels of sport horses and riders up to the highest level of Grand Prix competition. Every year, we develop rising stars into regional and international champions.

Mickey Hayden, Head Trainer and Co-Owner

Since 1979, Mickey has successfully brought his riders and horses to the highest levels of medals, equitation, and show jumping. His charges have won countless championships and honors.

Mickey Hayden has been training top hunter, jumper, and equitation horses and riders since 1979.  He has operated out of such prestigious California locations as the Will Rogers Polo and Hunt Club and the Los Angeles Equestrian Center. Mickey is currently based at the Nellie Gail Equestrian Center in Laguna Hills, California where he has been since 1992. 

Over decades, Mickey has produced countless American Horse Show Association (AHSA), Pacific Coast Horse Show Association (PCHA), and International Equestrian Federation (FEI) champion horses and riders.  His students and their horses are inevitably at the top of their respective horsemanship divisions.

Lane Clarke, Grand Prix Rider, Trainer, Instructor, and Co-Owner

Lane Clarke is an accomplished and active Grand Prix competitor, top rider, and coach. After winning his first Grand Prix at the age of seventeen in 2003, he has gone on to have a successful career as a professional. He is a fifth-generation horseman with a vast range of equine knowledge.

Lane has competed throughout the West Coast and Canada. He has won and placed in numerous Grand Prix’s in venues including Sacramento, Del Mar, Pebble Beach, Flintridge, Thermal, Indio, Las Vegas, and San Juan Capistrano.

With countless wins and top placings, Lane has made a name for himself as a premier rider. He brings his riding expertise and equine husbandry experience to the training arena–developing horses and riders into top competitors.

April Watson, Trainer, Instructor, and Camp Supervisor

April Watson is a professional equestrian show jumper and instructor. April started riding with Mickey Hayden when she was seven years old and has been with him ever since. She has been teaching Hayden clients and riding school students for many years now. Her calm and insightful teaching style makes her an asset to the team. She also assists students at "A" shows, county-level shows, and Interscholastic Equestrian League (IEL) shows. April demonstrates her high level of excellence, and when she rides or shows, she regularly is in the top placings.

April has multiple wins and championships in the Children’s division with her horse Canadian Snow. She has many wins and championships as a junior as well as a professional.

Our Teachers and Camp Instructors

  • Estella Lindsey

    I am Estella Lindsey. Horses have been in my life since I was 4 years old. I started getting serious 7 years ago when I moved to California from Georgia. I started as a beginner riding school student in Mickey’s program and now compete at the 1.20-1.30m level with them at A-rated horse shows.

  • Isabel Jagerman

    I have been riding since I was a young kid. I started working at Mickey’s riding school in 2020.I enjoy working with the amazing school horses and helping kids find their love for these wonderful animals and passion for the sport.

  • Cameron Young