About
Capistrano Valley Riding Center Lesson Program offers horseback riding lessons that include Three-Day Eventing training through Sabo Eventing Training. Riders in the program can participate in activities connected with Newport Mesa Pony Club, Charter Schools, Summer Camp 2025, Summer Horse Camp, and Twin Rivers Show Jumping, Twin Rivers Dressage, and Twin Rivers XC. The program uses fantastic school horses for lessons and also offers lease options.
• Ages: 5–18 years old
• Schedule: Introductory lesson is a one-hour private lesson
The introductory lesson is used to assess each rider’s current skill level and to discuss goals, and then the rider is matched with a trainer whose instruction will best suit those needs. Instructors in the Capistrano Valley Riding Center Lesson Program teach through the “Sabo System,” which can take a rider from beginner to advanced level, with a focus on equitation as the foundation of riding and on horsemanship to help riders become well rounded horsemen. The program is described as a premiere Three-Day Eventing training program that can start riders from the beginning with experience of the top levels of the sport, and its instructors are described as the best in Orange County providing top tier service.
Brian Sabo and Lisa Sabo lead the program, with Laura in the office manager role and Monica in the riding school, and Lisa Sabo is listed as the contact for the riding center. Brian and Lisa are both graduate “A” pony clubbers and Advanced level competitors. Brian has been recognized as the leading event rider in USEA Area VI in both 1969 and 1981, has served as USPC District Commissioner, USEA Area VI Chairman, and President of the USEA, and currently teaches a full schedule of clinics across the nation and coaches the Mexican Olympic Eventing Team. Lisa was a member of the Silver Medal Area VI Young Riders team in 1984, has ridden a number of horses she trained through the Advanced level including riding at Rolex Kentucky on three different horses, has been long listed for the U.S. Olympic Team along with Brian, and is still actively competing and coaching. Lisa has specialized in starting young horses, working with difficult horses, and teaching young riders and adults.
The CVRC Program states that it is the perfect way to start horseback riding, that all ages are welcome, and that it prides itself on its focus on horsemanship. The program’s history includes Woodland Hills Pony Club, founded in 1965 by Brian’s mother, Kitty Sabo, alongside Hilda Gurney, who went on to be an internationally famous Olympic dressage rider, judge, and clinician. In 1985, Lisa and Brian married and trained and rode at Hurdledale Equestrian Center until 2001, and in the last decade Lisa built a large riding center in Costa Mesa before the riding center moved to San Juan Capistrano in 2025. One testimonial from Sabo Eventing graduate Meg Pellegrini states, “You won’t find a better team than Brian and Lisa if you are looking to take your riding to the next level.”
For lessons, riders are instructed to wear long pants and a boot with a heel, with boots available if needed. Riding helmets can be provided, and any personal helmet brought must be ATSM/SEI approved. Riders are asked to arrive 10 minutes before their first lesson and must fill out a SmartWaiver before riding.
Last updated March 25, 2026.
• Ages: 5–18 years old
• Schedule: Introductory lesson is a one-hour private lesson
The introductory lesson is used to assess each rider’s current skill level and to discuss goals, and then the rider is matched with a trainer whose instruction will best suit those needs. Instructors in the Capistrano Valley Riding Center Lesson Program teach through the “Sabo System,” which can take a rider from beginner to advanced level, with a focus on equitation as the foundation of riding and on horsemanship to help riders become well rounded horsemen. The program is described as a premiere Three-Day Eventing training program that can start riders from the beginning with experience of the top levels of the sport, and its instructors are described as the best in Orange County providing top tier service.
Brian Sabo and Lisa Sabo lead the program, with Laura in the office manager role and Monica in the riding school, and Lisa Sabo is listed as the contact for the riding center. Brian and Lisa are both graduate “A” pony clubbers and Advanced level competitors. Brian has been recognized as the leading event rider in USEA Area VI in both 1969 and 1981, has served as USPC District Commissioner, USEA Area VI Chairman, and President of the USEA, and currently teaches a full schedule of clinics across the nation and coaches the Mexican Olympic Eventing Team. Lisa was a member of the Silver Medal Area VI Young Riders team in 1984, has ridden a number of horses she trained through the Advanced level including riding at Rolex Kentucky on three different horses, has been long listed for the U.S. Olympic Team along with Brian, and is still actively competing and coaching. Lisa has specialized in starting young horses, working with difficult horses, and teaching young riders and adults.
The CVRC Program states that it is the perfect way to start horseback riding, that all ages are welcome, and that it prides itself on its focus on horsemanship. The program’s history includes Woodland Hills Pony Club, founded in 1965 by Brian’s mother, Kitty Sabo, alongside Hilda Gurney, who went on to be an internationally famous Olympic dressage rider, judge, and clinician. In 1985, Lisa and Brian married and trained and rode at Hurdledale Equestrian Center until 2001, and in the last decade Lisa built a large riding center in Costa Mesa before the riding center moved to San Juan Capistrano in 2025. One testimonial from Sabo Eventing graduate Meg Pellegrini states, “You won’t find a better team than Brian and Lisa if you are looking to take your riding to the next level.”
For lessons, riders are instructed to wear long pants and a boot with a heel, with boots available if needed. Riding helmets can be provided, and any personal helmet brought must be ATSM/SEI approved. Riders are asked to arrive 10 minutes before their first lesson and must fill out a SmartWaiver before riding.
Last updated March 25, 2026.
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