Welcome
Whether you're here to learn to ride or seeking top care and training for your performance horse, we'd love to welcome you to Fox Hollow.
A place for you
THE RIDING ACADEMY
Come learn to ride! We have incredibly well-trained, safe, show-quality lesson ponies to help our students develop a correct foundation that will set them up for a lifetime of success as an equestrian.
THE TRAINING PROGRAM
Want to show? We match riders with their own horse to lease or purchase to join our training program and show team. From walk-trot to the Grand Prix, we elevate your riding and reach your goals together.
RETIREMENT & REHAB
We offer "assisted living" to aged companions or injured athletes
Fully Rennovated Facility
Upon purchasing the property in 2021, we began a massive renovation project to transform these 26 acres into the top equestrian center in Northern California. We are proud to present a facility carefully designed with the performance horse in mind:
TWO COVERED ARENAS
textile footing and bright lighting
NEW KRAFT ROUND PEN
with textile footing and lighting
NEW KRAFT EUROCISER
20 ALL WEATHER TURNOUTS
Premier grid drainage and footing system
NEW RETIREMENT PADDOCKS
with Premier grid drainage
10 CUSTOM "PONY PALACES"
luxury stalls with fully matted XL paddock
FULLY UPDATED MAIN BARN
with new fully matted paddocks
MISTING SYSTEM AND FANS
in every living option
PAVED & HARDSCAPED WALKWAYS
no mud or drainage issues
NEW VIEWING AREA
NEW EVENT SPACE
in our old hay barn
NEW HAY & SHAVINGS BARN
to keep our hay in top condition
and much more!
Hospitality
The health and happiness of our equine residents in the highest priority at our facility. Our horses are treated with the utmost respect and quality care they deserve as our partners and athletes. The expertise of our professional staff sets us apart from all other facilities; all horses are enrolled in a care program including turnout, eurociser, full grooming, blanketing, grain service, basic medical care, and so much more.
We feed the highest quality hay available on the West Coast, sourced and tested by a nutritionist. Horses are fed three times daily with grain service. We offer Timothy, Orchard, and Alfalfa.
Stalls are deeply bedded with fluffy shavings and cleaned twice daily, automatic waterers cleaned frequently
Multiple equine care professionals on site 24/7, and our vet boards her horse with us!
Our staff get to know each horse individually and care for them deeply as their own.
Riding Academy
It all starts with proper horsemanship
The Fox Hollow riding academy provides a comprehensive foundation in the hunter-jumper (English) discipline. We welcome students age 6 and up in the riding academy, and ages 3-5 for our Pony Pals program. Of utmost importance in our program is the fine art of proper horsemanship, which we believe goes hand in hand with progress as a rider. This is why all beginners start with horsemanship (unmounted) lessons as a prerequisite to saddle time, which first and foremost ensures optimal safety, as well as respect for our equine partner.
Some aspects of horsemanship include:
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Equine behavior, body language, and safety
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Equine anatomy, health and basic medical care
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Basic nutrition and daily care needs
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Proper use of tack and equipment
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Thorough grooming and a clean presentation of horse and rider in respect to the animal and tradition of the sport
From this wealth of knowledge and ability, children learn valuable life lessons including selflessness, discipline, responsibility, and the value of hard work. Students thus gain liberating independence, eventually being able to groom, tack up, and care for their horse independently as if it were their own. Upon graduating basic horsemanship classes, students see their hard work pay off with their ultimate goal: time to ride! As they grow in their riding accomplishments, students continue to expand their knowledge in horsemanship topics, becoming the next generation of well-rounded equestrians.
Membership Packages
The riding academy at Fox Hollow has three levels, beginning with solid horsemanship basics. Upon graduation to the academy level, students are able to care for their horses independently, at which point membership is billed on a quarterly basis.
HORSEMANSHIP LEVEL
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Required for all beginner students
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Unmounted ground lessons only
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Covers essential horsemanship topics including safe handling, grooming, basic horse knowledge, care standards, and introduction to the sport
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2 packages required to graduate to next level
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Once weekly minimum
390 / 4 - lesson package
45 min privates
BEGINNER RIDER LEVEL
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Covers assisted tacking and untacking (saddling, bridling)
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Learn riding basics, develop balance and strength
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Graduation time varies; rider must be able to independently tack, untack, and care for pony
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Twice weekly minimum
580 / 4 - lesson package
60 min privates
ACADEMY LEVEL
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Twice weekly minimum requirement
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Riders tack and untack their ponies independently
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Membership due every 3 months
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Lessons rescheduled with advance notice can be made up within the quarter
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Groups are typically 2-3 riders
Choose twice weekly or three times weekly lessons (about 8 per month or 12 per month, respectively)
3240/3 months
PRIVATE LESSONS - 2x/week
PRIVATE LESSONS - 3x/week
4860/3 months
GROUP LESSONS - 2x/week
2760/3 months
4140/3 months
GROUP LESSONS - 3x/week
Pony Pals
Pony Pals - Level 1 (Ages 3-5) (30 min lessons)
Catered to our littlest equestrians, this first level provides a fun introduction to the world of ponies with 4 unmounted (ground) horsemanship lessons. Students learn equine body language, how to work around ponies safely, and the basics of caring for them - including grooming them, which is always a highlight! These lessons are typically done with our miniature horse, Peanut - the smallest of all the ponies. After these initial lessons, children can graduate to Level 2 and hop on a pony!
Cost: $340 for 4-lesson package.
Pony Pals - Level 2 (Ages 3-5) (45 min lessons)
A modified shorter version of our Beginner Rider Level, this level is designed to introduce little ones to the whole process of riding. Students “help” groom and tack up their pony before getting some time in the saddle. At this younger age, we keep it very light and fun while maintaining a safe environment. Students work on the leadline, developing their balance in the basic riding positions and learning some age-appropriate fundamentals of our sport. Cost: $460/month for once weekly lessons.
Training Program
Grand Prix rider and trainer Nicki Mathen leads our training program and show team. Nicki has decades of success bringing riders to the top of the sport in hunters, jumpers, and equitation, producing national champions along both coasts. Nicki developed a strong foundation in the European system while growing up and training in Switzerland, and she maintains connections across Europe to source top equine partners for clients of all levels. Nicki's expertise and international qualifications complement her kindness, patience, and positive teaching style.
OUR PHILOSOPHY
Fox Hollow offers a holistic training program with your horse's mental and physical health in mind. The foundation of any successful training program needs to be welfare of the horse, and that will always be our guiding principle. Our goal is for your horse to be comfortable and fit in his body, eager and happy to do his job, and feel loved and appreciated for the unicorn that he (or she) is. Our goal for our riders is to be the absolute very best for our horses, which starts with solid basics, proper horsemanship, and patience for doing things correctly with understanding, humor, and positivity. Our training is focused in the hunter-jumper discipline with a high standard for correct equitation for a beautiful, fun, and effective ride.
Show Schedule
Feb 18 - 22
Sacramento Northern Winter Classic
April 22 - 26
Woodside Spring Classic
May 13 - 17
Sonoma Spring Classic
June 17 - 21
Woodside Summer Classic
July 15 - 19
Split Rock at Woodside
More dates to follow
The Difference
An unfortunate reality in most programs is that sacrifices are made at the expense of the horse and the rider's safety for the sake of profit and false "progress" - we see this a lot in the hunter jumper world, unfortunately. Trainers may let riders move up heights when they aren't ready and are lacking in correct basics, or push horses too far -- risking injury, longevity, and mental health. We function with a non-profit mindset, prioritizing correct fundamentals, true horsemanship, and never cutting any corners in any areas. We attribute the success of our athletes to a very thorough, comprehensive approach.
We are dedicated to providing the best possible care for your horses and the highest quality education for young riders in the Bay Area. No corners are cut in the vision for our facility, care of our horses, and experience of our riders - we want to be the best we can be. We are so thankful to have such a wonderful community of members and amazing team to work alongside every day to make our dream a reality. Fox Hollow is a place for people who consider their horse a member of their family, not a machine. For those who wish to learn proper horsemanship and honor the animal who does so much for us. For those who realize that hard work, integrity, and discipline pays off in the show ring and beyond. For those who are horse-obssesed kids of all ages, and for those who consider the barn to be their second home. We would love to meet you and welcome you to Fox Hollow!
Michael and Kelsey Kennelly
Owners
Contact
SCHEDULING
If you are interested in joining the riding academy, please contact us via email for more information and to schedule your lessons. If you are interested in a training program, please contact trainer directly.
BOARDING
Boarding is offered on a referral basis only by existing boarders and trainers. All boarders must be in a training program.
VISITING
Please note that Fox Hollow is a private gated facility open only to members and residents. Please contact us should you wish to schedule a tour. We would love to welcome you to the Fox Hollow family!