Welcome to Rancho Pura Vida

"Creating Champions"

We are located in Diamond Springs, California, off of Highway 50 near Placerville, operating out of the wonderful facility of Black Rice Farm, owned by Jerry Hansen and Lindsay Donohue. Our facility has both a good size outdoor jumping rings, as well as a very roomy covered arena, so we do not miss any riding days during what usually can be wet winter months.

Alejandro Salazar is the main Trainer and instructor at the center.  "Ale's" history in horse training goes back to riding and competing internationally in Dressage and show jumping, while living in his home land Costa Rica.  He also competed in the Grand Prix jumper division while living in Mexico.  Ale's enthusiasm and inspiration for the sport he loves is easily translated by providing quality training and a welcoming environment for the horse enthusiast to learn and reach specific goals set by each  individual client.

As our tag-line states ("Creating Champions"), the services  we offer include all aspects of preparation for horses and riders to step into the show ring and be competitive. We have a strong commitment to our clients, many of whom want to learn and have a successful show career on their own horses. We also have programs specifically geared towards a professional development of the show horse, from starting young horses, to getting them out and into the show ring, to building a show record in Dressage or the Hunter-Jumper arena.  We have a very busy show schedule and believe in a positive  environment to attain goals for each horse and rider combination. 

We also offer services geared towards good marketing policies in the sale of horses. Please visit our sale page to view the horses we currently have for sale. We take pride in each, and find it very important to match the correct horse with a potential owner. Please always feel free to contact us with any questions or just come on by, we would love to see you....