Silver Gate Farms

28840 Bouquet Canyon Rd. Santa Clarita, CA 91390
(661) 297-0419

There was never any question about training with the O’Leary family, which consists of Connie O’Leary, Jim O’Leary, and their daughter Julie VanLoo. When they moved from Chatsworth to Saugus fifteen years ago I was eleven years old. I know my parents weren’t too thrilled about driving an extra half an hour to take me to my lessons, but they realized what I always knew: any horse lover would be lucky to have the opportunity to train with the O’Leary’s. To sacrifice a half an hour drive is no comparison to the kind of sacrifices they make every day for their students and the horses that board there. The lessons I learned at Silver Gate Farms weren’t restricted to just riding lessons. I quickly learned about responsibility, respect, discipline, and most of all ‘The horse comes first!’ Just spending a small amount of time with any of the O’Leary family will confirm that they are in this business for the love of the sport and the desire to teach people the correct way to ride and care for horses. Be warned, that if you are looking for a quick and easy way to just jump on a horse and ride around, look elsewhere. At Silver Gate Farms, you will learn the ins and outs of becoming a esteemed equestrian and that is something that no amount of money can buy you if you’re at the wrong place.

I can’t say enough about Silver Gate Farms and the people there. In my twenty years of horseback riding, I never have (and probably never will) find anyone as dedicated, talented, and educated about horses and the sport of riding. The O’Leary’s are a rare find and anyone with the privilege to find an opportunity to ride at Silver Gate Farms knows how lucky they are. I will never be able to repay the O’Leary’s for what they have given me: skills and education that will last me a lifetime and a feeling of acceptance and importance, which is why I love them like family.


-Holly (Ellwood) Palka

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