About Us

Instructors and Staff

Mickey Hayden~Head Trainer

Mickey Hayden has been training top hunter, jumper, and equitation horses and riders since 1979.  He has operated out of such prestigious California locations as the Will Rogers Polo and Hunt Club and the Los Angeles Equestrian Center.  Mickey is now at the Nellie Gail Equestrian Center in Laguna Hills, California where he has been since 1992. 

 

Mickey has produced countless American Horse Show Association (AHSA), Pacific Coast Horse Show Association (PCHSA), and International Equestrian Federation (FEI) champion horses and riders.  His students and their horses are inevitably at the top of their respective horsemanship divisions.

 

Mickey is a captivating instructor who often draws an audience at the barn. Even the most novice spectator can see the progress a student or a horse makes during a training session. Mickey can get to the route of a problem, and solve it.

 

Mickey is known for his ability to select quality horses both for their physical and mental capabilities. He also has a great way of matching horses and riders for the best performance possible.

 

Mickey has a strong sense of right and wrong, both with people and horses. He has a reputation within the industry for being very ethical and draws like people to work with him. He runs a very organized, safe, and well-oiled operation along with his dedicated and responsible staff. Over the years, this has earned him the loyalty of his many clients.

Lane Clarke~Nationally Ranked Grand Prix Rider and Trainer

Lane Clarke is a professional equestrian show jumper and trainer. In 2003, he won his first Grand Prix at the age of seventeen winning the $25,000 Regency Grand Prix at Rancho Mirage.  In 2004, he was named the Pacific Coast Horse Show Association Grand Prix Rookie of the Year.

 

Lane has competed at various levels throughout the West Coast and Canada. He has won and placed in numerous Grand Prix in venues including Pebble Beach, Indio and the Oaks in San Juan Capistrano. Most recently, Lane won the 2008 $10,000 Del Mar Night of the Horse High Jump Competition clearing seven feet riding Kiss the Sky. In 2009, he finished 10th among West Coast riders in the FEI World Cup standings. Before turning pro, this fifth-generation horseman was the 2000 U.S. leading pony jumper on Kangarooster and winner of the 2003 $10,000 Nutrena Junior Jumper final. Clarke has been training with Mickey Hayden for the last eight years.

 

We are lucky to have a rider of this caliber teaching our clients and schooling our horses on a daily basis.

 

Click to See Lane's Recent Accomplishments

 

April Branson~Rider/Instructor

April Branson is a professional equestrian show jumper and instructor.  April started riding with Mickey Hayden when she was seven years old and has been with him ever since.  She has been teaching Hayden clients and riding school students for the past six years.  She is the primary trainer bringing students to County level shows and Interscholastic Equestrian League (IEL) shows.  When riding client horses in schooling classes, April demonstrates her high level of excellence and consistency by often taking all or most of the top ribbons.

 

April has multiple wins and championships in the children’s division with her horse Canadian Snow.  She has many wins and championships as a junior as well as a professional.  April competed in her first Grand Prix in February 2008.  In 2008, she placed first in the $500 Grand Prix in August and the $1,500 Seven- to Eight-Year Old Jumper Classic in June, both at the Oaks in San Juan Capistrano, CA.

Linda Meek~Instructor

Linda Meek has been involved with horses for over thirty years.  As a junior, she competed nationally and won numerous hunter, jumper and equitation championships including the Barbara Worth Medal Finals (now the West Coast Equitation Finals) and the Los Angeles County Junior Medal Finals.  While she was actively competing, she consistently qualified for the CPHA, Foxfield, ASPCA Maclay, and ASHA Finals.  In 1980, she was the PCHA (15-17 Year-Old) Junior Hunter Champion.  Linda’s exceptionally high level of equitation knowledge and skill help ensure that our riders have a proper foundation.

Linda Meek Winning the Barbara Worth Medal Final in 1980 - Sacramento, CA

 

Genaro Acosta~Head Groom

Genaro Acosta has been with Hayden Show Jumping for over ten years. He has a wonderful way with horses and is very professional and organized. He is both an asset to the barn and to the clients he serves.

 

In addition to his responsibilities as head groom, Genaro designs, builds and repairs jumps, many of which can be found in our arenas. Genaro also repairs tack and other horse related items.