Not only does Monte Vista Christian School in Watsonville reside on a large, lovely campus nestled within the rolling hills of the Santa Cruz Mountains, it contains an award-winning equestrian training center. Students beginning in 6th grade benefit from the professional instruction of Belmont Training Stable, which offers horseback riding lessons before, during, and after school. For riders with more experience, this Bay Area equestrian program offers opportunities to take part in Interscholastic Equestrian Association competitions, during which riders demonstrate their riding skill and command of horses as they compete on an unfamiliar horse. Because of its centralized location, Monte Vista Christian School is accessible to students from areas such as San Jose, Morgan Hill, Gilroy, Santa Cruz, and Salinas. During summer, grade school students may familiarize themselves with riding and caring for horses, with leadership from more experienced students who serve as camp counselors. For riders who own a horse, Belmont Training Stable offers a wonderful facility for horse boarding.