Our Trainers

White Rock Ranch is committed in our philosophy to bring you, the horse enthusiast, the optimum equestrian experience. Vicki and Laura are some of the finest available.

Honesty, integrity, trustworthiness, and eagerness to absorb cutting edge training techniques are just a few of the qualities they possess.

Vicki & Laura's training program consists of a unique, high quality hunter/jumper/equitation program servicing Santa Cruz County. They ensure that their students learn excellence in riding and horsemanship in a community of camaraderie and support.

Their program is a positive, tightly knit group who work hard to strive for excellence as riders while working towards competition at 'A' rated horse shows and having fun.

Vicki and Laura's longtime friendship, shared goals, and positive attitudes set the tone for the quality, professional and personal barn environment that we all value.

(Laura Hartwick Training, LLC)

Laura Hartwick heads up the lesson program for Ridgemark Farm. She has worked in the hunter/jumper community in Santa Cruz since 1983. Prior to that, Laura rode and showed with multiple trainers in the Los Angeles area as a junior. Laura worked as Assistant Trainer at Loma Alta Farm from 1984 until the mid 90's when she left the horse world to obtain her MFA and pursue a career in visual art and graphic design.

She happily returned to her equine career in 2001 to join longtime colleague Vicki at Home at Last Farm. Laura specializes in starting children and adults alike with the proper foundations of hunt seat equitation that will stay with them for a lifetime.

It's important to Laura to teach her students not just how to ride, but how to ride well. Laura's students have won many championships at Northern California 'A' rated shows. Laura also coaches the UCSC riding team.

(Ridgemark Farm LLC)  

Vicki Rose started her career started at the age of 4 with lots of trail riding, horse camping, and showing western horses with her dad. She became interested in hunt seat equitation, riding as a junior with Mary Gatti at Rainbow Canyon Ranch in the Los Angeles area.  

She then moved to Santa Cruz to attain a BA in Psychology at UCSC. She worked as Assistant Trainer for Penny Wahler at Loma Alta Farm from 1989 through 1997. After taking a couple years off to have her two wonderful sons Nicky and Theo, she reopened Ridgemark Farm at Home at Last Farm in Aptos.  

Since opening in 2000, Vicki's students have won numerous state and national awards in hunters and equitation. Her long-term goal is to obtain a graduate degree in Sports Psychology and apply that education to the competitive training of horses and riders.

We are proud to have both talented trainers

at White Rock Ranch!