More Than Riding Lessons: C and C Training Stables as a Community Oasis

Drive past the gates of C and C Training Stables on a sunny Ridgecrest afternoon. You might see children brushing ponies, teenagers saddling horses for a trail ride, or adults leaning on the fence line, chatting and laughing as they watch their friends trot around the arena. At first glance, it looks like a typical horse stable, but spend any time here and you quickly realize it’s something far more.

C and C Training Stables isn’t just about riding lessons. It’s a community oasis, a place where friendships are forged, families gather, and horses bring out the best in everyone who walks through the gates.

The Vision of Community at C and C

When Candee Coffee built C and C Training Stables, her vision was never limited to teaching riders how to sit tall in the saddle. Instead, she imagined a hub of connection where Ridgecrest residents could learn, laugh, and grow together.

Horses, after all, are natural connectors. They don’t care about status, background, or age—they respond to patience, respect, and kindness. Similarly, the stables embody these values, drawing people from all walks of life into a shared passion for horsemanship.

The result? A place where lessons are only part of the story. The bigger picture is one of community belonging.

A Space for Every Age and Skill Level

One of the unique qualities of C and C Training Stables is its ability to welcome people of all ages.

• Children and Teens: Many Ridgecrest kids start their riding journey here, often finding their first true passion in horsemanship. Parents know their children aren’t just learning to ride; they’re learning responsibility, teamwork, and confidence.

• Adults and Families: It’s not uncommon to see parents take lessons alongside their children or come to the stables as a weekend family activity. For adults, riding offers stress relief and a reconnection with the outdoors.

• Retirees: Several older adults also find joy in lessons, trail rides, or simply volunteering to help with horses. The stables become a second home where age is no barrier.

This wide range of participants makes the stables feel like a small village within Ridgecrest—everyone has a role, everyone belongs.

More Than Lessons: Events and Gatherings

Candee and her team regularly use the stables to host events that bring the broader community together. These go beyond training clinics or horse shows. They include:

• Community Fundraisers: Opening the arena for causes such as Ridgecrest Autism Awareness highlights the stables’ role as a venue for giving back.

• Therapeutic Programs: By supporting organizations like THOR Therapeutic Horsemanship, C and C opens its gates to people who may never have imagined they could ride or interact with horses.

• Holiday Celebrations and Social Gatherings: Seasonal barn parties or casual BBQs by the corral add a festive spirit, ensuring the stables are as much about friendship as they are about competition.

Every event is a reminder that horses have a way of bringing people together—something Ridgecrest deeply values.

The Role of Therapeutic Horsemanship

One of the most profound aspects of C and C’s community impact comes from its connection with therapeutic horsemanship.

Horses are uniquely attuned to human emotions. They can sense anxiety, joy, fear, or calm, and they mirror those feelings back to the rider. This makes them powerful partners for individuals facing challenges such as autism, PTSD, or physical disabilities.

At C and C Training Stables, these programs transform lives:

• A child on the autism spectrum discovers a new way to communicate through the rhythm of a horse’s walk.

• A veteran rebuilding confidence after military service finds healing in the trust between rider and horse.

• Families coping with stress or grief discover a sense of peace within the stable environment.

By offering a space for these programs, Candee ensures the stables are not only about sport but about healing and hope.

Voices of the Community

Ask anyone in Ridgecrest who has passed through the gates of C and C Training Stables, and you’ll hear a consistent theme: the stables feel like home.

• “My daughter started here shy and nervous. Now she’s full of confidence, and she’s made friends she’ll keep for life.”

• “Candee has a way of making every rider feel important, no matter their skill level. She builds you up, not just as a rider, but as a person.”

• “The barn is like a family. We celebrate together, support one another, and always help out when someone needs it.”

These stories prove that while lessons are the foundation, relationships are the heart of C and C.

The Stable as a Second Home

For many regulars, C and C Training Stables is a second home. Riders often spend hours here, not only during their scheduled lesson but before and after—brushing horses, mucking stalls, or simply sitting on a hay bale talking with friends.

Candee encourages this atmosphere by teaching that horses aren’t just ridden—they’re cared for. This sense of shared responsibility deepens the bond between riders and their horses, while also fostering camaraderie among peers.

In an era where screens often dominate children’s attention, the stables provide a refreshing alternative: dirt on your boots, hay in your hair, and laughter echoing in the barn.

Why Ridgecrest Needs Spaces Like C and C

Small towns thrive on community gathering spaces, and C and C Training Stables plays that role beautifully for Ridgecrest. Its value lies not just in the riding instruction it provides, but in the social fabric it helps weave.

• Youth Engagement: At a time when many young people are searching for meaningful activities, the stables offer structure, purpose, and fun.

• Community Resilience: By hosting events and programs that support local causes, the stables strengthen Ridgecrest’s spirit of togetherness.

• Heritage and Culture: Horses have long been part of California’s story, and facilities like C and C keep that heritage alive for new generations.

When people talk about what makes Ridgecrest special, places like C and C Training Stables are often at the top of the list.

Looking Toward the Future

The future of C and C Training Stables looks bright. With a strong foundation of riding lessons, therapeutic programs, and community events, there’s plenty of room for growth. Candee envisions expanding opportunities for youth riders, deepening partnerships with local nonprofits, and perhaps even hosting larger equestrian events that draw visitors from outside Ridgecrest.

But one thing won’t change: the heart of the stables will always be community. Whether it’s a child’s first ride, a fundraiser for a local cause, or a family gathering in the barn, C and C will continue to be a place where people find connection, joy, and belonging.

More Than a Stable, a Community Oasis

It’s easy to assume that a riding stable is just about horses. But step into C and C Training Stables, and you’ll discover so much more. It’s a place where horses teach responsibility, where friendships are born, and where the Ridgecrest community comes together to support one another.

Candee Coffee has built more than a business—she has created a community oasis. And as long as the gates are open, Ridgecrest will continue to benefit from the lessons, laughter, and love that echo through its arenas and barns.