Contact Auburn
A woman riding a horse in an equestrian jump event, mid-air over a wooden obstacle with a cartoonish face, outdoors on a sunny day with blue sky and mountains in the background.

The Excell Equestrian Approach

Our philosophy is to produce competition horses and riders who have a solid foundation and are confident, no matter their level.

We strongly believe in the basics of horsemanship and training, and emphasize correct flatwork fundamentals: relaxation, balance, connection, adjustability, and quality of the gaits are essential for success in any equestrian sport at any level.

At San Juan Capistrano Equestrian Center we have regular access to several coaches to support our riders, including USDF Gold Medal Rider Wilma Blakely, and Assistant Instructor & USDF Silver Medal Rider Joanna Thorman who has an Eventing background and has worked with Auburn since 1995.

It is always exciting to help our riders achieve their goals and watch the horses we produce progress and mature in their careers.

At Excell Equestrian we also foster a welcoming, fun, and team oriented barn community - it’s not worth doing if you’re not having fun!

A rider in white riding gear and helmet, on a dark horse, jumping over an obstacle in an equestrian event in a scenic outdoor setting with trees, hills, and buildings in the background.

Head Trainer, Auburn Excell-Brady

Auburn grew up riding in San Juan Capistrano, and graduated from Chapman University majoring in Organizational Leadership and Business.

Over the years Auburn has built Excell Equestrian as a premier training and sales consignment program that teaches all ages and skill levels of horses and riders at San Juan Capistrano Equestrian Center.

Auburn’s credentials include earning her USDF Silver Medal, USEA ECP Level IV certification, has competed through the CCI 4* Level of Eventing, and has coached riders through the Advanced and FEI levels in Eventing.

Meet the team

Two women in equestrian attire sitting on horses, touching foreheads, outdoors on a sunny day with trees and blue sky.

Joanne Thorman

A smiling elderly woman with white hair wearing a white cap, plaid shirt, and black jacket, sitting in a wheelchair, holding a small white and brown dog.
A female equestrian rider wearing a black helmet and attire guides her brown horse over a show jumping obstacle during a competition on a sunny day with clear blue skies. Mountains are visible in the background.

Eri Takada

Wilma Blakely

A female equestrian rider in white riding gear on a brown horse with a white saddle pad, black mane, and tail, running on a dirt track with blue leg wraps, near a chain-link fence and green trees.

Blaine Bacharach