Vijoa Lucas Ricardo

Twenty-six year ACEC veteran, business owner and fourth-generation horse trainer, Vijoa Lucas Ricardo, has dedicated her entire professional life to the human connection with horses through her passion for sharing the joy of riding to generations of children, youth and adult riders. An award-winning Black equestrian in the disciplines of show jumping, dressage and cross country eventing, horsemanship runs deep in Vijoa’s family. Her maternal great-grandfather trained horses for the U.S. Cavalry, and her grandfather Stanley Bieber farmed, rode, trained, and bred horses. Her mother, Davi, trained horses and raised her family in Oakland, where Vijoa was born.

Her passion for horses and a never ending drive for knowledge are distilled into an unflagging work ethic and deep commitment to her horses, her students, and teaching environment. Over nearly three decades of ACEC experience as a boarder, professional trainer, and member of the facility’s rapid response team, Vijoa has taught horsemanship and riding for children’s summer camps, organized and led safe trail rides for riders of all ages and experience, and through Kheystone Training, has taught scores of clients the joy of riding in equestrian disciplines including dressage, show jumping, eventing, and trail.

Kheystone Training is now celebrating its 17th year as a small business dedicated to horse and rider coaching, training and education for clients of all ages and skill sets. The program’s foundation is built around developing real horsemanship skills and all-round solid equestrians. Development of the horse is paramount, as well, and Vijoa insists on working exclusively with happy, sound horses. Her approach stresses the importance of balancing calmness, focus, and assertive riding with our equine partners, and many students have gone on to own their own horses and continue to find success in their riding endeavors. Lessons are tailored to fit the student’s comfort and ability levels while keeping short- and long-term goals in focus.

To ensure these experiences are available to the wide diversity of riders in the greater East Bay, no horse ownership is required for Kheystone Training clients. Vijoa has been proud to offer her classes on a sliding fee scale and has the flexibility to utilize her own horses to teach, making equestrianism more accessible to all. Kheystone students interested in competition have been recognized with awards and wins at a variety of greater Bay Area shows, including Oakland’s very own Metropolitan Horsemen’s Association schooling shows at nearby Sequoia Arena.

In her free time, Vijoa enjoys participating in horse clinics to expand her horsemanship and professional network, and volunteering many hours at her local food distribution center monthly to help families in need. She can be glimpsed heading out almost daily on our local trails, happily accompanied by her trusty Rhodesian Ridgeback, Foosa. (Source)