Business Details
Your Trusted Riding School in Pleasanton, CA
Billings Equestrian was founded with a vision to make equestrian sports accessible, welcoming, and inspiring for all horse enthusiasts. Led by USDF Gold Medalist Samantha Billings-Coatney, our program emphasizes trust, dedication, and a genuine love for horsemanship. We offer structured instruction in English Riding, Western Pleasure, Dressage, and Jumping, tailored to riders of all ages and skill levels. Our innovative use of Trello ensures goal-oriented progress tracking, fostering accountability and measurable growth. With over 15 school horses and 85 weekly students, we prioritize horse and rider well-being through top-quality care, modern facilities, and a family-centric environment.Our team combines decades of competitive experience with a commitment to inclusivity, ensuring every partnership thrives. From first lessons to competitive excellence, we guide riders through every stage of their journey. Our facility at Fox Hollow Equestrian Center features year-round arenas, conditioning tracks, and amenities designed for both horse health and rider comfort. We believe excellence is measured not just by ribbons but by confidence, progress, and the bonds formed between horses and riders. Join a community where horsemanship is celebrated, and dreams become reality.
Services
Riding Lessons
Horse Training
Horse Sales
Lease Programs
Horsemanship Classes
Highlights and features
- 15+ years of trusted experience in rider development
- Structured, skill-based curriculum with progress tracking
- Family-friendly environment with world-class facilities
- Focus on horse and rider well-being and safety
- Proven success in competitive dressage and western disciplines
Associations and certifications
- United States Dressage Federation (USDF)
Services
Riding Lessons
Billings Equestrian offers comprehensive riding lessons in English, Western, Dressage, and Jumping disciplines. Our structured curriculum includes private and group sessions, horsemanship classes, and Trello-based progress tracking. Lessons cater to all ages and skill levels, focusing on building confidence, technical skills, and horse-rider partnerships. The program emphasizes safety, inclusivity, and measurable progress through expert instruction.
Horse Training
Customized training programs develop horse-rider partnerships through technical instruction and goal-oriented planning. Services include show coaching, haul-in scheduling, and competition preparation. Led by USDF Gold Medalist Samantha Billings, training blends foundational skill development with advanced performance techniques. The approach prioritizes trust, clarity, and consistency to achieve both personal and competitive milestones in a supportive environment.
Horse Sales
Billings Equestrian offers quality horses for sale, carefully selected for temperament and training. Our expertise ensures proper horse-rider matching to support long-term success. Available horses range from young prospects like Blondie, a 4-year-old Quarter Horse mare, to experienced competition mounts. Each sale includes guidance on suitability for recreational or competitive goals, ensuring partnerships thrive.
Lease Programs
Flexible lease options provide access to well-trained horses for recreational or competitive riders. Available in western and dressage disciplines, leases accommodate varying commitment levels. The program allows riders to gain experience without ownership responsibilities, with horses maintained to high welfare standards. Staff assist in matching lessees with appropriate equine partners.
Horsemanship Classes
Unmounted horsemanship lessons teach essential care, handling, and communication skills. Classes are age-appropriate and group-based, covering feeding, grooming, tacking, and ground work. The curriculum builds foundational knowledge for safe, confident riding while fostering respect for horses. These lessons complement riding instruction to develop well-rounded equestrians.
People
Samantha Billings-Coatney
Owner/Trainer
USDF Gold Medalist and Grand Prix rider with 15+ years of experience. Specializes in dressage and western disciplines. Combines competitive expertise with a passion for making equestrian sports accessible. Leads training programs focused on trust, technical precision, and rider confidence.
Questions
What lesson options are available for beginners?
Beginners start with private lessons before transitioning to group classes. We offer English, Western, Dressage, and Jumping instruction tailored to individual learning paces.
How does Billings Equestrian support rider progress?
We use Trello for goal tracking, skill development, and progress sharing with families. Structured evaluations ensure proper placement and measurable advancement through milestones.
What horse training methods are used?
Training emphasizes trust-building, clear communication, and step-by-step skill development. Programs combine technical instruction with mental preparation for both recreational and competitive goals.
Are lease horses available for competition?
Yes, we offer quality lease horses in both western and dressage disciplines suitable for show circuits. Riders receive guidance on selecting appropriate competition partners.
What makes your facility unique?
Fox Hollow Equestrian Center features year-round arenas, conditioning tracks, and amenities designed for horse health and rider comfort. The environment supports both focused training and community building.
