Dal Porto Show Horses - Brentwood, California

Art S. G. D.

If you are looking for open, honest and hard working trainers, this is your place . I have been with them for 40 years. They are upfront about your horse, they are upfront about your skills and what you need to work on, and will give you the push you need to get to the next level. No better place to learn to ride. Dal Porto Ranch is the place to be if you want to be the best horse (person) you can be. It’s an excellent place for both youth and adults riders. You will be challenged and you will continue growing and improving. Come be part of Team DalPorto.

L B.

I unconditionally recommend Dal Porto Ranch to anyone interested in learning about horses. Steve & Carol have a great program that really works.

DalPorto Ranch provides a wide range of services including riding lessons, coaching, training, showing, and the sale of extremely well-bred Appaloosa horses. Steve’s focus is on Halter horses while Carol’s specialty is developing horses & riders.

Carol has the astute ability to teach students about horses and riding. She can start the absolute beginning rider, as well as, coach the national show team. All students, regardless of their current level, will improve their knowledge about the horse and improve their riding ability. Carol has a program designed to fit the needs of every horse and rider. If you are looking for a place that nurtures riders as well as pushes them to do better, this is the place.

The facility is wonderful and there is a large covered arena. The horses are well cared for and the stalls are immaculate. I live over an hour away and am not able to see my horse very often. However, I am always confident about the quality of care my horse receives.

For anyone interested in horse showing, their record speaks for itself. Both Steve & Carol continue to be highly successful themselves in the show ring. They breed & train champion horses, instruct champion riders and continue to strive for perfection. One of Carol’s motto’s is ‘Practice Perfect’, and she instills this in her students.

In addition to teaching and coaching riders, Carol is exceptionally skilled at training horses. My horse has received incomparable care and training at Dal Porto Ranch, and I have received amazing coaching. The combined effort has allowed us to bring home numerous National and World Championship Titles. The accomplishment of my goals and dreams was only achieved through hard work and the guidance of Carol & Steve.

The Steve & Carol’s success are significant but, it’s their character that impresses me the most. They combine their talent and work ethic with integrity, honesty, and generosity. You can trust them to always do their best.

I am going on 13 years of riding & showing with Carol, and I couldn't imagine riding with anyone else. I look forward to many more years and successes as part of ‘Team Dal Porto’ and the Dal Porto Ranch Family!

Brian D.

Here is an amazing ranch with highly professional trainers and top notch staff, facilities and horses. They have put together a very successful training facility and have many national and World champions to show for their work. Also one of the most dynamic and professionally run programs for young riders and adults and clearly many of their students have gone on to win their divisions in top shows such as Gold 'n Grand and Appaloosa Nationals and World shows.

The facilities are clean, well maintained and the Dal Porto horses are very appropriate to train both young riders as well as adults. Riders can be trained in both Western and Eastern styles of riding and can be trained to compete in many events including Trail, Pleasure, Western Riding, Hunter in Hand, Hunter under Saddle, Halter and many more.

Along with training riders to compete in local and national shows, riders are trained in all aspects of horse etiquette, horse care, mental and physical conditioning. Their programs clearly help young riders to build personal character and self esteem.

Both Carol and Steve can also assist students in procuring horses and then help them train and build a personal bond with their horse. The importance of this kind of guidance cannot be over stressed as these choices are critical to creating a successful rider with a healthy horse.

Finally, this facility is run by Carol and Steve, who have been in business for decades and who have maintained relationships with their students for many years. They are considered by their students and colleagues to be among the best in the US. Brentwood, California is quite fortunate to have them and their world class facility available to them.

Hailey P.

12 years. I have ridden at Dal Porto Ranch for 12 years. Starting there when I was only 6 years old, in Kindergarten, I can assure you that as I am finishing out my senior year in high school and getting ready to go to the University of Findlay, a college on the other side of the country, specifically for an Equestrian program, Dal Porto Ranch played a huge role in my life.

As a little background, when my mom considered taking me to Carol, she talked to her first, and told her straight out from the beginning that I was a hard kid to handle. Having ADHD, that makes sense. Carol rose to the challenge, and took me on as a student. She never gave up on me. I know that there were NUMEROUS times when I definitely tested her patience, and during these times, she was admittedly extremely tough on me, to the point where most kids would break under the pressure. But there are two things that I want to mention about that statement. As an instructor for children, she has an uncanny ability to read what a child is feeling, and when they are too shaken to be successful in their lessons. It was demonstrated loud and clear to me only a couple of weeks ago on a particularly windy Saturday. The other note is that, for me, as a competitive equestrian, she is my coach. A coach is always tough on their athletes, whether it be football, basketball, or horseback riding.

Also, when it comes to the care of my horse, I can think of no other trainer to have my horse under. Especially with the history of my horse in particular. With my horse being under Carol for all 18 years of her life, and having multiple World titles to her name under 4 different riders, myself being one of those four, Carol has proven to know exactly what is best for my horse. And if my mare ever got injured, she was treated.

In February, 2017, when I was finally released to ride again after breaking my ankle, Carol was extremely patient with my recuperation, and helped me, as a rider, get back in the show pen by the end of March. During the time that I was unable to ride, due to a cast or protective medical boot, I was able to sit in on all the team rides that I would have missed otherwise, and learn more about what I need to look for in a horse and rider combination, a skill that is vital for an aspiring trainer.

As for being an influence on my life, Dal Porto Ranch provided a safe environment for me in the last 12 years to grow as both an Equestrian and a person. The ranch was my Safe Haven. And in the summers, when I had nowhere else to go, I was able to spend time at the ranch, whether it be simple barn chores, or helping with the horses. If Dal Porto Ranch was not a part of my life, I would not be nearly as far along in my life goal of becoming a horse trainer as I am today. And Carol is helping me keep learning as much as I can before I set off for college, and is letting me experience old and new lessons that I need to have an extremely deep understanding of.

Thank you so much, for providing an environment where a little girl with too much energy can learn and grow into a mature adult who knows the importance of commitment and resonsibility.

Judy P.

We purchased a beautiful 3 year old gelding from them. We could not be happier! The facility was amazing, the people were great to work with, and the horse is awesome. He has a great mind, is easy to handle and loaded right into the trailer with no issues. Would definitely come back!

c C.

So happy with Dal Porto Ranch. Steve and Carol are truely the best. The horses are nothing but the best and they have taught my son so much. I wouldn't go anywhere else!!!! LOVE the whole Dal Porto Ranch family!!!!!

Misty C.

If your okay with stringing a horse thro the trailer and tranquilizing it to get it home this is the facility for you!!. Went there to buy a horse and all went well til i said i wanted to see how it acted around a trailer. They said they wouldnt so much as walk the horse near a trailer til i signed the papers and handed them money. Thats crazy. Im not going to buy a horse i might not be able to load. No refunds .. Told them that so he said this is ridiculous and was rude then. Walked horse ro trailer. Didnt make one foot in trailer without convulsing... Snorting.. Shaking etc. I had a three hour trip home . i personally wont give a heart attack to horses. Told him that nicely. He went off on me calling me an idiot after i refused him wanting to drug the horse.just told him it wasnt my style . he cussed me out in front of my three month old daughter. Undermined me as a trainer and told me off even more. Completly unprofessional and ridiculous. That pissed over 800 dollars? Let karma come your way.

Randy P.

Excellent riding program my daughter has been going there for 8 years