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Welcome to Leap of Faith Equestrian
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Quality Training and Lesson Program serving the Greater East Bay
At Leap of Faith Equestrian, our mission is to foster positive experiences between horses and humans and to develop well rounded equestrians who are proficient in every aspect of horse care and management, riding, and training . We strive to bring out the best in every horse and rider, and our team is here to help you at every step of your journey wherever that may be. Our focus is the hunter/jumper discipline, with an emphasis on correct fundamentals that riders can apply to all riding styles. We welcome horses and riders of all experience levels and riding backgrounds. Horsemanship is our highest priority in our program, from the personalized care that we give each horse, to the skills we pass along to our. We tailor each program to the individual training needs of horse and rider to ensure their own success. Whether you want to improve your riding, compete at horse shows, or enhance your horses training, we are here to help you meet your goals.
With over 25 years of combined experience in owning, showing, teaching, and training, Natalie Mamou (McMahon) brings both passion and professionalism to Leap of Faith Equestrian.
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Natalie grew up in Southern California and began riding at the age of 7. As a junior, she actively competed on the “AA” Hunter/Jumper circuit. She was deeply involved in the Equitation ring under the mentorship of Grand Prix rider Romelia Calderon and trainer Hope Davis. These early years shaped her foundation and instilled a lifelong commitment to horsemanship.
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She continued to ride throughout college while attending Menlo College, where she earned a degree in Business Management and Entrepreneurship. During and after college, Natalie taught at several barns in Menlo Park, eventually running a thriving lesson program in Los Altos Hills.
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After stepping away from professional training for a few years to work as an Executive Assistant at various Bay Area startups, Natalie returned to her true calling—sharing her deep knowledge and love of horses with others.
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Today, Natalie continues to compete with her horses and is especially passionate about starting and developing young horses. She also enjoys creating successful horse-and-rider partnerships by matching personalities, goals, and abilities.
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Natalie is a firm believer in building a solid foundation of basics that riders can carry with them throughout their equestrian journey. She emphasizes well-rounded horsemanship in and out of the saddle, teaching students not only how to ride, but how to care for and understand the horses they work with—always prioritizing the health, happiness, and proper treatment of the horse.
Natalie Mamou (McMahon) | Owner and Head Trainer
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Kyla Standig | Equine Care Manager​
Kyla (Pronounced "Kayla") grew up in the Sierra Nevada foothills of Calaveras County, California, where her lifelong love for horses began early—she was riding as soon as she could sit up in a saddle. Throughout junior high and the beginning of high school, she competed in gymkhanas, further deepening her passion for horsemanship.
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Before joining Leap of Faith Equestrian, Kyla spent 12 years in the medical field, working both on ambulances and in emergency rooms. Though she thrived in these high-pressure environments, by 2024, she felt it was time for a change. When longtime friend Natalie—well-acquainted with Kyla’s strong background in both equine care and emergency medicine—offered her a position at LOF, Kyla knew it was the perfect opportunity to blend her professional expertise with her personal passion.
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In October 2024, Kyla became our Equine Care Manager. She now oversees the daily care and feeding schedules of our school and client horses, manages injury treatment and rehabilitation programs, and handles a wide range of behind-the-scenes tasks that keep our horses healthy and our facility running smoothly. Her background in emergency medicine shines through in her calm presence under pressure and her exceptional skills in equine wound care and injury management.
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A true jack-of-all-trades, Kyla is often found working quietly in the background—but don't be surprised if she pops up in the arena now and then to teach a lesson!
Haley Crone | Assistant Trainer
Haley joined the Leap of Faith team with a lifelong passion for horses and a wealth of diverse experience. She began riding at the age of 5 and has since immersed herself in nearly every aspect of the equestrian world—including vaulting, eventing, hunter/jumpers, trail riding, and even serving as a rodeo queen.
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Her deep respect for horses and strong foundation in horsemanship are evident in everything she does. In addition to her role as Assistant Trainer, Haley is also a certified equine bodywork practitioner, bringing an extra level of care and insight to the horses she works with.
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Outside the barn, Haley enjoys DIY projects, reading, gardening, and spending time with her beloved cats.
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She is excited to be part of the LOF family and looks forward to helping riders and horses grow together.
Therese Kubo | Assistant Trainer
Theresa comes to the LOF family with a passion for horses that began at age 8 at her first horseback-riding summer camp.
Since then, she has trained and shown Thoroughbreds and ponies in the hunter/jumper rings throughout Northern California, while also gaining experience in eventing and western pleasure.
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She especially loves working with the “spicy” horses, helping them perform at their best, and enjoys supporting riders of all levels as they grow their skills and confidence in the ring.
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When she’s not at the barn, Theresa can be found baking and spending time with her furry friends.
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We are very excited to welcome Theresa to our family here at Leap of Faith!
Makenzie Jordan | Assistant Trainer
Makenzie began riding horses in kindergarten after her mother introduced her to lessons, passing along her own love of horses. That early start developed into a lifelong passion and a diverse equestrian background. Makenzie now focuses on Ranch Versatility and Hunter/Jumper, with additional experience in eventing.
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Her teaching style is confidence-instilling, technical, and engaging, and she values the strong sense of community and family that barn life creates. Makenzie is deeply committed to helping riders of all levels build both skill and confidence in the saddle.
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Makenzie holds an Environmental Studies degree from Feather River College and a Fish Hatchery Technician certification. Among her proudest accomplishments as a horsewoman are rehabilitating her horse from an emaciated condition and starting a horse under saddle for the first time during her schooling.
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Outside of the barn, Makenzie enjoys swimming, spending time with her dogs, and relaxing at the lake or river. She is currently learning to rope off her horse and is working toward achieving a consistent, solid lead change on her horse, Butter.
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We are so excited to continue having Makenzie as a part of our family here at LOF and watching her grow as a person.
Location
Leap of Faith Equestrian is located at Arriba Vista Ranch! ​Conveniently located right off highway 680 just minutes from Fremont and Pleasanton and surrounding bay area cities.
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Our facility boasts 5 riding arenas - two of which are covered with lights, one outdoor jumping arena with lights, a dressage court, and a cutting arena .
There is also access to a round pen, and multiple turnout options.
Leap of Faith Equestrian
Arriba Vista Ranch
5790 Mission Road
Sunol, CA 94586