Ruthanna Bridges
Head Trainer
Ruthanna and Cailin
Bridges Equestrian gets its start
Ruthanna started Bridges Equestrian in 1981 training for Bolt Arabians. She freelance trained at horse-owner's homes for a few years, then taught for the Seahorse Riding Academy at Crystal Cove. From there she went to Serrano Creek Ranch where she managed and ran the riding school, as well as the English Training program.
In 1985, with the birth of her son Devon, Ruthanna changed gears. For the first time in her life, something other than horses filled her heart. Determined to "be there" for the little guy, but still needing to work, she embarked on a journey to make a living with her little boy by her side. This included working a shoer's supply shop, day care from her home, coaching gymkhana, selling Avon (imagine that?), and finally working at Santa Ana Feed. It was at this store in downtown Santa Ana that Devon first turned over, lying on a western saddle pad behind the registers. Ruthanna was with a customer, Tina was behind the counter. Tina announced over the speaker "Ruthanna, you'de better get back here, your kid may just make it this time!" Everyone, employees and customers, ran back just as Devon finally teetered over onto his stomach. That was the first time a group of horsepeople cheared for Devon, but it would not be the last!
In 1989, with her marriage ending, Ruthanna embarked on a new journey as a single mom. While working at Santa Ana Feed, she had befriended Lynn Carter, and the two of them teamed up to the Bridges Training Stable at Peacock Hill Equestrian Center in Irvine Park. This was the start of Bridges Training Stable.
Over the following years, with Devon at her side, BTS grew. From Peacock Hill it moved to the rural Santiago Equestrian Center, then to El Toro Marine Base Stables in Irvine, and finally to the beautiful Sycamore Trails Stables in San Juan Capistrano where it would become Bridges Equestrian, Inc.
Devon grew up at the barn. He chose to ride and show Western Pleasure up until he was 12, and the first Ireland Adventure approached. "Mom, could you teach me to jump enough in time that I could do some of the jumping in Ireland?" Ruthanna's reply was "with your seat, give me 10 minutes and a lesson horse and I will have you jumping 3 feet!" Aboard Black Jack, within that 10 minutes, Devon was soaring and has never sat in a western saddle since.
At 16, with an obvious lack of interest in the dicipline required of classroom study, Devon went into Independent Study with the agreement that he would spend his non-classroom time working at the barn. Instead of making him resentful and tired of the work, the horses took control of the head–strong kid. At 17, he made the turn. "I think I may want to consider this as a career," he said, as he sat aboard one of the younger horses he rode. Singly one of the happiest moments in Ruthanna's lifetime, she held her breath... for the next 6 years!
This made a turn for Ruthanna as well. Now the business was not just her livlihood, but potentially that of her son. But there was also something else; a young enthusiasm in the program that propelled it forward. The following years would see Bridges Equestrian, Inc. morph the business into a family run machine. Devon traveled, learned, showed and studied, while Ruthanna focused her vision on the program. Devon took control of the full training barn in 2004, but after two years he decided he didn't want to be "as good" as those around him. "Mom, I want to be more. I want to bring something here that will make a difference." Ruthanna held her breath again. "And where do you want to find this?" Devon said, "Europe."
So, Devon set out for Europe to see what it is that makes the most successful riders in the world what they are. Even the best riders in the US attribute their success to time spent in Europe. With references from his then trainer Michelle Parker, Dev would spend the next two years figuring it out.
In March of 2010, with numerous wins, championships and a whole lot of show miles in his pocket (as well as a sincere dislike for cold weather) Devon returned home to San Juan Capistrano. He confidently takes the reins of the Bridges Equestrian Training Program and the Bridges Equestrian Show Team once again. Finally able to breathe once again, Ruthanna now directs her full attention (well, almost full attention… “Can't help being a Mom”), toward the Bridges Equestrian School of Horsemanship.
Ruthanna's team now consists of Devon as co-owner and head trainer, and a fantastic staff of instructors, coaches and assistants, all trained by Ruthanna and Team Bridges. Always one to put her fate into the capable “hooves” of the “pony gods”, as she calls them, horses and horse people have continued to shape and drive her life. She has never lost sight of the team mates, horse and human, that have shaped this wonderful existance. “To do what you love, and love what you do, is perhaps the greatest gift you can ever receive.” She realizes this gift comes from the students and horses themselves, and never takes a day of this gift for granted.
The current Bridges Equestrian, Inc. program is the vision of one little horse crazy girl, and her dream to provide the best environment for horses and horse enthusiasts to learn about each other. The future has just begun with the continuation of the story as Devon, raised by horses as well, takes up the reins.
