Chantal Zuniga, trainer
Chantal began riding at the age of 6. She spent her youth competing on the A circuit across the Pacific Northwest from the pony through the junior Hunter and Jumper divisions under the guidance of trainer Dina Happy. In 2004, Chantal relocated to California and worked for 5 years as an assistant trainer at a Los Angeles-area Hunter/Jumper barn before starting her own training business, Valley Equestrian Sports, in 2009. Today, Valley Equestrian is located at the family-friendly Shadow Hills Equestrian Center just north of Burbank, close to miles of mountain and local trails.
Training
Chantal specializes in Hunter/Jumper training and is also skilled in dressage and Western disciplines.
She believes in building a strong foundation for riders of all ages and skill levels. She is a patient teacher and strives to create a safe and fun learning environment. Growth in horsemanship, connection, and kindness in communication are critical elements of her training methodologies.
Education
Chantal has been providing equine education to college students for nearly a decade, in partnership with The Gnomon School of Visual Effects and The Art Center College of Design. As a co-instructor in Animal Anatomy, she has taught concept design and animation students anatomy basics, horsemanship, locomotion, history and breeding, and horse behavior and communication. Chantal also taught instructional seminars to working artists and animators at commercial visual effects house Blur Studio and DreamWorks Feature Animation.
Chantal also teaches through a Los Angeles-area homeschooling program, Alternative Choices in Education. These classes, available to students aged 8-17, provide basic horsemanship education as well as a thorough basis in safety, anatomy, grooming, nutrition, and tack and equipment.