Yves Sauvignon has been named to the Equus Hall of Fame for his contribution to Three Day Eventing in Sonoma County and abroad. Yves, who hails from France, started riding at age nine. He didnít own his own horse for many years, instead riding the horses at his training facility. Yvesí earliest training was in Classical Dressage and Show Jumping. At age sixteen he was admitted to Le Haras du Pin in Normandy, a professional riding school for talented equestrians administered by the French government. Upon graduation Yves was accredited to teach riding anywhere in the world.
Yves immigrated to California in 1981 after teaching all over France. He started Oakridge Training Stables at the Wikiup Equestrian Facility, and eventually moved to what is now known at Santa Rosa Equestrian Center (SREC). Oakridge Training Stables is now divided between SREC and Yvesí ranch on Lone Pine Road in Sebastopol.
Yves has been training Three Day Eventers in Sonoma County for thirty years. He minimizes his own personal performance success, and focuses on his students.
Yves has trained hundreds of Three Day Eventers, many successful at regional, national, and international levels. Several of Yvesí students have been Olympic qualifiers. Yves has been accredited as a Cross Country course designer, and developed a large Cross Country course at Oakridge, which has hosted several events. A nominator described Yves as a ìcalm and confident trainer who instills trust in riders and mounts. He is a charming and patient teacher.î Yves is equally proficient teaching teenagers, young adults, and adult amateurs. He has a loyal following; some students have been with him for twenty years. According to Yves, his greatest teachers have been his students and his horses.
Yves currently trains horses and riders half time at SREC and the rest of his time at his new ranch in Sebastopol. He lives with his wife Cindy, their Vizla Sambuca, five cats, and six horses.
