Meet the Horses

The horses of Camulos Farm are much more than lesson horses. They are athletes, teachers, confidence builders, partners, and—in more than a few cases—horses whose own journeys have shaped the way we teach.

Each has a different personality, history, and set of talents. Some came to us as accomplished athletes, while others arrived needing time, patience, rehabilitation, or simply the opportunity to be understood. Together, they help our riders learn one of the most important lessons in horsemanship: there is no single way to ride or communicate with every horse.

Meet the horses who make Camulos Farm what it is.

Cuvée

Eventer • Dressage Horse • Jumper • Teacher

Cuvée came to Camulos Farm in 2018 as an imported Eventing prospect. Athletic, talented, and full of personality, he eventually found his way into both Dressage and the Jumper ring before returning to the sport he was originally intended for—Three-Day Eventing.

Cuvée has proven to be the kind of horse who can wear many hats. His Dressage education helped develop his balance and rideability, while Jumping and Eventing gave him an outlet for his athleticism and enthusiasm. His return to Eventing culminated in earning his Bronze Medal at Beginner Novice, an accomplishment that reflects the consistency and partnership required across all three phases of the sport.

But Cuvée’s value at Camulos Farm goes well beyond his competition record. He is also a teacher. Like every good performance horse, he asks his riders to be thoughtful, accurate, and clear—and rewards them when they get it right.

Cuvée is a wonderful example of what we believe at Camulos Farm: a horse doesn’t have to fit into a single box. Good training creates an educated, versatile horse who can enjoy his job and continue learning throughout his life.

Cuvée doing what he loves – cross-country as part of his Three-Day Eventing career.

Lucy

Caretaker • Confidence Builder • Gentle Teacher

Lucy came to Camulos Farm in 2018 with a history that had taught her to be cautious about the world around her. With time, patience, and consistency, she learned that she was safe—and in the process, revealed one of the most remarkable qualities a horse can possess.

Lucy is a caretaker.

There is something almost maternal about the way she approaches her job with students. She seems to understand when the person on her back is young, nervous, inexperienced, or simply needs a little extra help. With Camulos Farm’s youngest riders in particular, Lucy is extraordinarily careful—quietly adjusting herself to the child she is carrying and seeming to take personal responsibility for keeping them safe.

She has helped frightened riders find their courage, tentative riders become independent, and children learn to trust an animal many times their size. She never rushes that process. Lucy meets them where they are and gives them the time they need.

She has helped frightened riders find their courage, tentative riders become independent, and children learn to trust an animal many times their size. She never rushes that process. Lucy meets them where they are and gives them the time they need.

Perhaps that is what makes her story especially meaningful. A horse who once needed people to show her that she could feel safe has become the horse who makes other people feel safe.

At Camulos Farm, we often say that horses are teachers. Lucy is also a mother, a protector, and a caretaker—and some of our smallest riders have learned their biggest lessons from her.

Lucy with one of her youngest riders – always careful, always watching and always taking care of her kids

Baran

Eventer • Athlete • Show-Off • Comedian

Baran came to Camulos Farm in 2015 after beginning his career as a racehorse—and winning his very first race. But racing was only the beginning of what this exceptionally talented Thoroughbred could do.

Probably the most naturally talented horse on the property, Baran has the ability to excel in all three phases of Three-Day Eventing. He has the movement for Dressage, the athleticism and scope for jumping, and the confidence and enthusiasm for cross-country. He can also be a little sassy about all of it. Baran doesn’t simply perform—he likes an audience.

And he has an enormous personality. Baran is social, funny, opinionated, and something of a practical joker. Stand too close to his stall while he’s drinking and there’s a very good chance he’ll deliberately spit water on you. On the ground he can be hilariously “ticklish,” but once he’s mounted, he settles into his work and becomes all business—or at least Baran’s version of business.

Perhaps his funniest habit comes when he believes he’s done something particularly well. Baran doesn’t need anyone to tell him. He struts. His walk gets bigger, his entire posture changes, and he marches along as though everyone should obviously have noticed what an excellent job he just did.

Baran is the kind of horse who reminds us that great athletes don’t have to be serious all the time. He is enormously gifted, completely aware of his own importance, and one of the biggest personalities at Camulos Farm.

Baran at a Dressage show—talented, expressive, and never short on personality.

Griffin

Thoroughbred • Dressage Horse • Hunter • Curmudgeon

Griffin came to Camulos Farm in 2003 as an off-track Thoroughbred with a serious hock infection. What followed was nearly a year of rehabilitation before he could begin the next chapter of his life. He eventually went on to work in both Dressage and Hunters—but anyone who knows Griffin knows that his résumé is probably the least interesting thing about him.

Griffin is a curmudgeon. And he always has been.

He is opinionated, demanding, and very clear about how he believes his day should be organized. Griffin keeps an eye on the arena, and when he determines that nobody is using it, he will make his feelings known: obviously, the arena is empty because Griffin should be turned out in it.

During the day, however, he’s often sound asleep. Griffin is a serious napper and an active dreamer. He can frequently be seen lying down, legs moving as though he’s running somewhere in his sleep. Where Griffin goes during those dreams is anybody’s guess.

Earning his affection takes time. Griffin doesn’t immediately decide that everyone he meets deserves a place in his inner circle. But once he connects with someone, that person is his person for life. Beneath the grumpy exterior is an extraordinarily loyal horse who forms deep and lasting relationships with the people he chooses.

That quality made him particularly special to the San Diego Chapter of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, where Griffin became a favorite horse. There was something about this opinionated old Thoroughbred—and the loyalty hidden underneath all that attitude—that people connected with.

Griffin may make you earn his friendship, but once you have it, you have all of him.

Griffin being Griffin – opinionated, expressive, and never shy about sharing his thoughts!

Milton

Eventing Pony • Cross-Country Enthusiast • Professional Troublemaker

Milton came to Camulos Farm in November 2021 after circumstances in his previous home resulted in his repossession. He arrived with an Eventing background and plenty of talent—and it didn’t take long for his personality to make itself known.

Milton is a pony. In every possible sense of the word.

He’s smart, opinionated, devilish, talented, and absolutely full of sass. He has a wicked sense of humor and is generally happiest when the humans around him appreciate rather than discourage his mischievous tendencies.

His favorite phase of Eventing is unquestionably Cross Country. Milton loves the idea of going fast and jumping fences, preferably in combination. Put a confident rider on him who enjoys galloping and jumping as much as he does, and Milton is very much in his element.

Like many ponies, Milton also has his people. Not everyone automatically qualifies. His chosen humans tend to have a few things in common: they understand his sense of humor, aren’t easily intimidated by his opinions, occasionally encourage behavior that perhaps shouldn’t be encouraged—and, most importantly, they like to jump at speed.

Because Milton is clever, athletic, and very capable of having his own ideas about how things should be done, he is best suited to Camulos Farm’s more advanced riders. He asks them to ride thoughtfully, confidently, and with a sense of humor.

Milton may be mischievous, but underneath all that pony attitude is a talented little athlete who absolutely loves his sport—especially when Cross Country is involved.

Milton with one of “his people”—proof that encouraging his mischievous behavior is apparently part of the job.

Archie

Thoroughbred • Sensitive Soul • Work in Progress

Archie came to Camulos Farm in December 2023 after a life that had already taken him through racing, the show world, an injury, and eventually into the pipeline. He had already experienced several different chapters by the time he found his way to us.

We adopted Archie before losing Logan, but in the months that followed, Archie became an important part of helping us heal from that loss. In many ways, while we were learning how to understand Archie, he was quietly helping us through a difficult transition of our own.

Archie is sensitive and deeply insecure. He wants to do the right thing, but he worries about getting the answer wrong. Although he is talented, asking too much or putting too much pressure on him can make him question himself. He needs reassurance, patience, and the confidence that making a mistake isn’t something he needs to fear.

And the truth is, we are still getting to know him.

Rather than deciding who Archie is supposed to become, we’re giving him the time and space to show us who he is. We listen when he tells us something is difficult. We celebrate the moments when his confidence grows. And little by little, Archie continues to tell us his story.

That is part of horsemanship, too. Not every horse arrives ready to step neatly into the role we imagine for them. Sometimes our job is simply to listen, provide safety and consistency, and allow the horse in front of us to determine what comes next.

Archie’s story at Camulos Farm is still being written—and we’re perfectly happy to let him write it at his own pace.

And there is one thing about Archie that requires absolutely no interpretation whatsoever:

His favorite treat is a Honey N’ Oats Granola Bar.

Archie learning to trust the process—talented, sensitive, and gaining confidence one ride at a time.

Lynnie

Thoroughbred • Bright Redhead • Affectionate Soul • Learning to Trust

Lynnie came to Camulos Farm in July 2024 after being found with an embedded halter and a great deal of anxiety about the world around her. Trust did not come easily, and given what she had experienced, we didn’t expect it to.

What emerged as Lynnie began to feel safe, however, was an extraordinarily affectionate horse.

Lynnie loves her people. One of her favorite things is to quietly rest her head on your shoulder and simply be close. For a horse who has struggled to fully trust, those moments of connection mean a great deal. She is learning that people can be partners—and that she doesn’t always have to protect herself from what might happen next.

She’s also athletic, silly, and very much our bright redhead. She loves her turnout time, where she can move, play, and simply enjoy being a horse.

And then there is food.

Lynnie is always hungry. Hay is wonderful. Grain is even better. As far as Lynnie is concerned, mealtime may very well be the entire reason the rest of the day exists.

Her education continues as her confidence grows. She is learning how to become a partner and how to trust the person working with her. Some days that comes more easily than others, and that’s okay. We aren’t in a hurry.

Every time Lynnie chooses connection instead of uncertainty, she tells us a little more about the horse she is becoming—and reminds us that trust isn’t something we can demand from a horse. It’s something we have to earn.

Lynnie choosing connection—affectionate, curious, and learning that she can trust the people around her.

Melody

Quarter Horse • Survivor • Quick Study • Very Opinionated

Melody’s life could easily have ended before it really had a chance to begin. She was put into the pipeline while pregnant and gave birth to her foal, Perry, while awaiting transport to Mexico. She was only three years old—a baby herself, already expected to be a mother.

Sadly, Perry later died from Strangles. Melody survived, and eventually she was given the opportunity to begin an entirely different kind of life.

Melody is extraordinarily smart.

She learns commands and remembers lessons remarkably quickly. Show her something once and there’s a very good chance she’ll remember it the next time. But that intelligence is a double-edged sword. Because Melody learns so quickly, she can also anticipate what she thinks is coming next—and occasionally decide that she has a better idea.

For Melody, good training has meant deliberately slowing things down. Rather than rushing through lessons simply because she appears to understand them, we make sure she has time to thoroughly learn each part of the process and become confident in what is being asked of her.

And she has plenty to say about all of it.

Melody is sassy, expressive, and very talkative. She has opinions, and she’s rarely reluctant to share them. 😂 Her personality is as bright as her mind, and learning to work with both has become an important part of her education.

Melody’s early life may have treated her as though she were disposable, but she never was. Today, she is being given the time, education, and opportunity to show us just how much potential was there all along.

Melody at work—bright, sassy, and usually at least one step ahead of the humans.

More Than Lesson Horses

The horses of Camulos Farm are athletes, teachers, partners, comedians, caretakers, and occasionally troublemakers. Each has a different history, a different personality, and a different way of communicating with the people around them.

We don’t expect our horses to become interchangeable lesson horses, any more than we expect our students to become interchangeable riders. Instead, we teach riders to understand the individual horse in front of them—to listen, adapt, communicate clearly, and build a genuine partnership.

Some of our horses will challenge you. Some will take care of you. Some will make you laugh, and some will make you work harder than you thought possible. Every one of them has something to teach.

That is what makes them such an important part of Camulos Farm.

Ready to Meet Them?

Whether you’re just beginning your riding journey or looking to continue your education, it all starts with getting to know you and finding the right place to begin.