The stomping of hoofs and neighing of horses might be a common sound in some rural areas, but at a California school near the beach? Now, that’s unusual! Monte Vista Christian School is one of the only combined middle school and high schools in California with an equestrian program. This Bay Area private school is home to Belmont Training Stable, a highly competitive equestrian training center in Watsonville, California. Students may choose to take horseback riding lessons before, during, and after school. Some training is even available on the weekends. While Belmont Training Stable offers opportunities for competition, they also welcome beginner riders as well. Thanks to a sizable fleet of buses, Monte Vista Christian School serves students from Morgan Hill, Gilroy, Santa Cruz, San Jose, Salinas, and Watsonville. For students desiring to ride personally-owned horses for their equestrian training, Belmont Stable offers horse boarding as well. And oh, did we mention that MVC is near the beach?!