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About Us & Our Instructors

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Black Rails Equestrian Center Is Family Owned and Operated Since 1992

We specialize in full care for your horse offering the best of the best. Our top-notch facility offers 2 all weather lighted arenas with excellent footing, a 60’ working round pen, clean extra large stalls with paddocks. We offer a lounge for relaxing by the fire in the winter and bathroom facilities with shower as well as hot water bathing for your horse.

We’re located 7 minutes from La Selva Beach on Larkin Valley Road.  Larkin Valley is an equestrian’s playground with beautiful property boasting miles of groomed deeded trails.

Black Rails Equestrian Center offers qualified training for all riding disciplines.   We have a happy, and fun barn! 

Marla Lane Irvine  - Western Pleasure Training and Lessons for Children and Adults.  
 

 
Marla is a married woman now with two children of her own.  As a mother and a riding instructor for all ages, she places extreme value on the importance of safety.  Each student is instructed thoroughly on all aspects of safety and horsemanship.  Whether her students are competitive or just want to learn to ride well, Marla teaches balance and communication between horse and rider.  Marla has long believed that a well connected team can provide the ultimate riding experience.

Marla started riding when she was six years old.  At the age of ten, she got her first horse, joined the AQHA and began showing in Western Pleasure and Showmanship.  She went on to compete at the state level on her gelding, California Streak.  They won High Point awards for California State Horsesmans Assoc. and acquired several Futurity/Maturity Championships at the state level for Quarter Horse for Halter, Showmanship, Equitation, and Western Pleasure.
 
In her early twenties, Marla attended a Buck Brannaman clinic and several Ray Hunt clinics after securing a job working at a ranch in Watsonville.  Combining her knowledge and experience in the show ring, with the skills she learned at the clinics, she was able to successfully start young horses.  Many of these horses were later sold to new owners that took them to the show ring, for rides at the beach and for trail riding.  Each one of them valued as solid, safe, well started horses that were both capable and willing companions no matter what their job.  
Her years of experience as a sales and marketing executive from Silicon Valley have combined with her life long passion for training and teaching.  An effective communicator with both children and adults, Marla brings forward a combination of skill and experience as well as good business sense to our friendly and supportive ranch environment.  She attends all our shows.

Laurie DeLalla - Olympic Trained Hunter Jumper & 4th Level Dressage Trainer

We are very pleased to have such an accomplished rider & instructor, and Laurie is now available to provide riding lessons & training at Black Rails.  Laurie loves teaching and safety is her main concern for horse and rider.  

Laurie DeLalla began her life around horses by combining her love of horses and gymnastics at the age of 6 and started vaulting.  She competed through high school, was reserve National Champion for Bronze Women in 1998, and still holds her Silver medal.  In order to help with her vaulting career, Laurie picked up Dressage in High School, which she continued in College.  Along with having the opportunity to ride upper level Dressage Horses in College, Laurie also started to become introduced to the Hunter/Jumper world and showed her mare in the Pre-Greens on the Mid-West Circuit. 

Laurie got her foot in the door of the International Hunter/Jumper world by show grooming for Olympic Rider Anne Kursniki.  Since then her involvement in the Hunter/Jumper Industry has taken her throughout the East Coast Circuit working and riding  for top Trainers in the Industry.

Laurie believes a solid foundation is a must for both horse and rider and puts a strong emphasis on Equation and flat work. Laurie teaches all ages. Laurie has taught from lead line to vaulting, 3.6 Jumpers and up to 4th level dressage. She trains babies to tuning up mounts for competing in dressage, jumping and vaulting.  Laurie provides lessons from first time beginner to the seasoned competitor.