Meet Sara Blann

Sara Blann is the owner and head trainer of Camulos Farm in San Juan Capistrano, California. With more than 25 years of teaching experience and a lifetime spent with horses, Sara brings together classical horsemanship, competitive experience, practical horse management, and an unwavering belief that the relationship between horse and rider comes first.

Her experience spans Three-Day Eventing, Dressage, Hunters, Jumpers, Western Dressage, Thoroughbred racing, horse rehabilitation, and the management of breeding and performance horses. But regardless of discipline, Sara’s approach has remained the same: understand the horse in front of you, communicate clearly, build confidence, and create a partnership based on trust and respect.

A Lifetime With Horses

Sara’s life with horses began in 1970, at just three years old. What started with a Shetland pony named Taco grew into a lifetime devoted to riding, training, competing, teaching, and understanding horses.

Her early years took her through a wide variety of horses and disciplines. With the guidance of mentor Sandy Arledge, Sara began competing in Trail at age seven and went on to earn West Coast Championship honors in Trail and Equitation aboard Pars Tivio Bar. Those early experiences established something that would remain central throughout her career: good riding begins with horsemanship, communication, and understanding the individual horse.

Over the years, Sara’s education expanded through Hunters and Jumpers, Dressage, Three-Day Eventing, Thoroughbred racing, breeding and performance-horse management, and horse rehabilitation. Each experience added another layer to her approach—not simply teaching riders how to ride, but teaching them how to think like horsemen.

Finding Eventing

The horse who ultimately changed the direction of Sara’s riding career was Joe’s Gold Kid. What began as a project became an introduction to Three-Day Eventing—and a discipline that brought together so many of the things Sara valued most about working with horses.

Eventing demanded versatility, trust, communication, and a true partnership between horse and rider. Sara went on to compete from Beginner Novice through Intermediate, including the traditional long-format three-day events.

That experience continues to influence the way she teaches today. Whether a student wants to compete or simply become a more capable rider, Sara believes that riders should develop an independent seat, confidence, adaptability, and the ability to communicate clearly with their horse.

For Sara, Eventing was never simply about jumping bigger fences or moving up the levels. It reinforced a philosophy that had been developing since childhood: the best riding comes from creating a horse-and-rider partnership in which both understand and trust one another.

Sara and Joe’s Gold Kid — the horse who introduced her to Three-Day Eventing.

An Education Beyond the Show Ring

Sara’s education with horses has never been limited to the show ring. Her career has included working as an assistant trainer and barn manager for a Lipizzan breeding and performance program influenced by the traditions of the Spanish Riding School, as well as hands-on experience with Thoroughbreds at the racetrack.

Those experiences provided an education in the day-to-day realities of managing horses: conditioning, rehabilitation, veterinary care, soundness, behavior, nutrition, and the countless details involved in keeping performance horses healthy and happy.

Working with horses from very different backgrounds also reinforced Sara’s belief that there is no single formula for training. Every horse brings his own history, temperament, strengths, and challenges to the conversation. Good horsemanship means learning to listen to what the individual horse is telling you and adapting the training accordingly.

That philosophy remains at the heart of Camulos Farm today.

Trainer, Teacher & Mentor

For more than 25 years, Sara has taught riders from their first experiences with horses through advanced riding and competition. Her students have competed across disciplines, including Three-Day Eventing, Dressage, Hunters and Jumpers, with students reaching Medal and Maclay Finals and developing through the levels of their chosen sport.

Sara’s own education has been shaped by respected horsemen and women including Sandy Arledge, Kerry Schroeder, Jo Moran, Heidi Lemack, and Walter Zettl. Their influence, combined with decades of practical experience, has helped shape an approach to teaching that values correct fundamentals without losing sight of the individual horse or rider.

At Camulos Farm, the goal is not simply to produce riders who can perform a set of skills. Sara wants her students to understand why something works, recognize when something is wrong, and develop the judgment to make good decisions for their horses.

That means lessons extend beyond the saddle. Students learn horsemanship, safety, horse care, basic veterinary knowledge, communication, and responsibility—because becoming a capable rider also means becoming a knowledgeable horseperson.

The Camulos Farm Philosophy

At Camulos Farm, everything comes back to the relationship between horse and rider.

Sara believes horses are not simply vehicles for learning to ride or achieving competitive goals. They are individuals with their own personalities, histories, fears, strengths, and opinions. Learning to work with them requires patience, respect, attention, and a willingness to listen.

That philosophy shapes every part of the Camulos Farm program. Riders are encouraged to become thoughtful, independent horsepeople—to understand not only what they are asking a horse to do, but why, and to recognize how their own communication affects the horse beneath them.

Competition can be part of the journey, but it is never the measure of the partnership. Whether a rider’s goal is their first independent ride, a Dressage test, a cross-country course, or simply becoming more confident around horses, the goal remains the same:

Build a partnership in which both horse and rider can succeed.

Professional Affiliations & Experience

Professional Memberships
USEA • USEF • USDF • California Dressage Society • USHJA • The Jockey Club • AQHA

Competition & Training Experience
Three-Day Eventing through Intermediate • Dressage through Second Level • Hunters & Jumpers • Western Dressage • Thoroughbred Racing & Rehabilitation • Breeding & Performance Horse Management

Student Accomplishments
Students have competed across multiple disciplines, including Medal Maclay Finals, Dressage, Jumpers, and Three-Day Eventing.

Ready to Ride?

Whether you’re beginning your riding journey, returning to horses after time away, or looking for instruction to help you reach your next goal, Camulos Farm offers individualized private instruction built around you and your horse.