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Leap of Faith Equestrian
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!
Jessie Knapik | Assistant Trainer
Leap of Faith Equestrian is thrilled to welcome Jessie to the team! Originally from Florida, Jessie brings a dynamic and diverse background in the equine industry, making her a true jack of all trades.
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Jessie’s journey with horses began as soon as she could hold the reins, and she started competing at just 4 years old. Her early passion grew into a career path in veterinary medicine, and she worked as an equine vet tech throughout high school. In 2015, she earned her degree from the University of Florida and joined a veterinary practice in Wellington, where she cared for some of the top sport horses on the East Coast.
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After two years in the veterinary field, Jessie returned to her first love: riding, training, and managing barns. She took on the role of barn manager at a high-volume training facility, overseeing the care of more than 25 horses. There, she taught riders of all levels—from beginners to 1.30m jumpers—and coached students at major competitions including WEF and WEC.
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Jessie’s well-rounded expertise includes natural horsemanship, hunter/jumper, western pleasure, barrel racing, trail riding, polo, harness racing, driving, breeding, and comprehensive horse care. Her professional experience also extends beyond the barn, with roles in security and casino operations.
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Now based in California, Jessie is excited to bring her passion, experience, and dedication to the Leap of Faith Equestrian community. Whether in the barn or the arena, she’s committed to helping both horses and riders thrive.
Kathie Chappell | Instructor
Kathie’s equestrian journey began in childhood through her local 4-H club, showing at county fairs and trail riding through the Sacramento River Delta. Her first horse, Charlie, sparked her love for horses and taught her the importance of persistence and partnership — a bond that stayed with her through her early college years.
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After high school, Kathie pursued her passion academically at UC Davis, earning a degree in Animal Science. There, she dove deep into hands-on experience, completing the foaling internship and breeding program, teaching lessons at the UC Davis Equestrian Center, and even creating the Western Riding curriculum for their recreational program. She competed in both English and Western disciplines on the IHSA team and was an active member of the Eventing team as well.
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Throughout college and beyond, Kathie continued to grow as a rider, hauling to local schooling shows and earning buckles and ribbons along the way. She became a CHA-certified instructor, ran summer camps in the East Bay, galloped young Thoroughbreds at Duffel Farms, and trained across a variety of disciplines — from Western Pleasure and conformation to hunter/jumper, dressage, and cross-country.
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Post-graduation, Kathie went full-time into the horse world as an assistant trainer and breeding manager for a large Quarter Horse operation. Her background came full circle as she embraced reined cow horse and cutting disciplines. In 2002, she stepped away from horses professionally to explore another career path — but horses remained a constant in her heart.
In 2020, after the loss of her beloved mare Gladys, Kathie found herself drawn back into the horse world as her oldest daughter began riding. She quickly realized she couldn't stay on the sidelines — she re-certified as an instructor and officially joined the LOF team in 2022!
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These days, when she’s not teaching or leading horsemanship clinics, you’ll find Kathie enjoying time in the saddle on her eventer Percy, her husband’s horse Cotton, or cheering on her daughter and her horse Ozzy.
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We’re so grateful to have Kathie’s experience, heart, and passion here at Leap of Faith.
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