Topline

Mission Statement

Our mission at Topline Equestrian Center is to provide a safe and friendly boarding facility with excellent training for the horse and rider.

We are dedicated to providing a healthy environment where the welfare of horses is a priority. We also want our riders to enjoy our social community as they develop and refine their skills in riding and horsemanship.

Topline Equestrian Center

Our barn is nestled in the peaceful, majestic Santa Monica Mountains, conveniently located at the intersection of Topanga Canyon Blvd. and Old Topanga Canyon Road, ten minutes from either PCH on the West Side, or the 101 Freeway from the San Fernando Valley. Topline has a full court dressage arena and an extra large jumping arena, a variety of box stalls, pipe corrals, and pasture boarding options. Our charming facility is clean and well maintained with 24 hour live-in care.

Topline has two excellent trainers in dressage and hunter/jumpers dedicated to the care, training, and well-being of you and your horse. Our experienced and enthusiastic instructors are ready to help new students learn horsemanship and riding skills. The staff here at Topline is experienced and committed to serving our customers and attending the horses with care. Boasting a strong community of friendly and supportive riders, we're proud to say it's a big group of friends here!

Boarding

Topline Equestrian Center is a full service boarding and training facility. All horses boarded in stalls or pipe corrals are required to be in a program. Included in the board prices listed below are the following services:

• Daily cleaning and re-bedding with shavings.
• Alfalfa or Oat hay served three times daily in any combination. Timothy hay is also available at an additional cost.
• De-worming every three months of all horses on the property with rotating brands of dewormer.
• Blanketing service October through April.
• Daily graining service (owners provide the grain).

• Box Stall with 12' run
  $685
• Box Stall
  $625
• Pipe Corral 12x24
  $575
• Pasture
  $425
• Pipe Corral 24x24
  $675

Amy Perille, Topline Barn Manager

Amy Perille is the barn manager at Topline. She has 40 years of horse experience, 20 years of animal rescue experience, and over 10 years of business experience. She owns two pleasure horses, Cuba and Guinness, and her rescue horse Snapshot. Amy is a board certified veterinarian specializing in the practice of small animal internal medicine. She practiced veterinary medicine until 2005 when she and her family relocated to Los Angeles from Chicago. Amy and her husband Bob have three sons. Amy is the founder of a non-profit organization called Topanga Sun Horse Foundation. This foundation is dedicated to raising funds for horse rescue and emergency relief organizations.

• Ranch Address:
  Mailing Address:      
• 121 Old Topanga Canyon Road
  P.O. Box 1706          
• Topanga, CA 90290
  Topanga, CA 90290
• (310) 455-7966
  (310) 455-7966        

Dressage Training Program

April Atwell's dressage program at Topline Equestrian Center offers customized training programs for all horse and rider abilities, whether you are a serious competitor or an equine hobbyist, starting a young horse or refining a well-seasoned horse.

Dressage Training

• Full Training (5 days/wk) starting at
  $800/month
• Half Training (3 days/wk) starting at
  $625/month
• Lay-up/Rehab Programs also available
• Full service grooming is offered, but not mandatory

Dressage Lessons

• Half hour Private
  $60  
• Package of 10, get one free
  $600


• 45 min. Private
  $85  
• Package of 10, get one free
  $850


• 45 min. Semi Private (2 riders)
  $70  
• Package of 10, get one free
  $700

Trailer-in lessons are welcome

April Atwell

April Atwell is a USDF Bronze, Silver, and Gold Medalist currently competing at the Grand Prix level aboard her 14 year old Dutch Warmblood "Pavarottie". She's been riding for over 30 years and teaching riders for over 25 years.

April began riding in Durango, Colorado as a child, participating in 4-H for many years and experiencing various riding disciplines, including western, hunter/jumper and competitive endurance trail riding, before settling on dressage. She left home at age 16 to pursue her riding dreams and worked her way into the Southern California dressage scene in the early 90's.

April apprenticed for dressage notable Dennis Callin for 5 years, gaining a tremendous boost in her riding and valuable experience in the national and international horse world. In 1995, she purchased "Carpano," a 10 year old Holsteiner with pre-existing injuries. After a year of rehabilitation, she began showing him 3rd level and by 1997 was competing in the USET PSG/I-1 selection trials. She and Carpano competed in their first Grand Prix in 2002 and continued to compete in the USET Grand Prix selections for the next two years. In 2004 April was ranked 26th in the nation in the USET standings.

In 1997, April branched out to begin her own business, and while developing a clientele, also began attending local community colleges. She remained in school as a full time student for the next seven years, first working toward an English major, and then switching to pre-veterinary medicine after two years. After completing her undergraduate work, she opted not to pursue her DVM, as by then she had a family, a successful business, and a competing Grand Prix horse.

April and best friend, hunter/jumper trainer, Angie Lapinski, co-founded Topline Equestrian Center in 1998 in Topanga Canyon, where they continue to train horses and coach riders. April strongly believes in continuing her riding education and has trained with several nationally and internationally acclaimed dressage trainers, most notably Dennis Callin (5 years), Kathleen Raine (10 years), and currently with Jan Ebeling (2 years). She also frequently clinics with "O" judge Francis Verbeek from Holland.

April trains her horses and students using classical dressage training methods and maintains a program that encompasses fundamental training practices with responsible horse management. She believes in protecting the horse's innate desire to please their riders and strives to keep the work fun for both participants. She loves coaching and considers this part of her job to be equally rewarding to the riding. Her love for teaching is evident and is communicated to her riders in a positive, articulate, harmonious way.

April and husband, Marty have been married for over ten years and have two children.

Hunter/Jumper Training Program

Angie Lapinski will customize a step by step training program that will fit each horse and rider. In addition to jumping, Angie teaches the basis fundamentals of dressage and incorporates cavaletties and gymnastics to improve balance, rhythm, and form over fences. She instructs her students in horsemanship and encourages them to develop confidence in themselves and their horses. She takes her students to local shows including Hansen Dam, Burbank, Moorpark, and Newhall.

• Full training (5 days/wk) starting at
  $800/month
• Half Training (3 days/wk) starting at
  $475/month
• Lay-up/Rehab Programs also available
• Full service grooming is offered but not mandatory

Hunter/Jumper Lessons

• Half hour Private
  $60  
• Package of 10, get one free
  $600


• 45 min. Private
  $85  
• Package of 10, get one free
  $850


• 45 min. Semi Private (2 riders)
  $70  
• Package of 10, get one free
  $700


• One Hour Group (3-6 riders)
  $50  
• Package of 10, get one free
  $500

Trailer-in lessons are welcome

Angie Lapinski Bio

Angie started riding when she was 9 years old and showed in the pony division. She moved to Malibu in 1981 and started riding hunter/jumpers with Markley Chaffin and Chip Mandeville. In 1983, Angie became Markley and Chip's assistant. In 1996, Angie worked at a breeding farm in Calabasas. She started horses, handled the stallions and did imprinting on the foals.

Angie branched off in 1990 to start her own training business. She trained in Malibu at various barns for almost a decade. In 1998, Angie moved her business to Topanga and co-founded Topline Equestrian Center. Angie has shown both hunters and jumpers and has participated in clinics with notable trainers such as George Morris, Anne Kursinski, Karen Healey, David Wightman, and Buck Branaman.

Angie currently owns two Dutch warmblood mares. Born in 1995, Novelty received 1st placing in the U.S. at her 3 year old KWPN keuring. Novelty has since produced two top five foals, including Avion, a 2005 replica of Novelty.

Angie still lives in Malibu with her husband, Joey and their two boys.

Lesson Program

For over 12 years Topline Equestrian Center has taught hundreds of people how to excel in horseback riding. Based on classical techniques and continuing education, our program offers beginning through advanced riding lessons for all ages (2 yrs. through adult). Whether you are an experienced rider preparing for the next show, or have never touched a horse before, Topline has a class tailored to fit your every riding need. We specialize in basic English riding, Classical Dressage, and Hunters/Jumpers. All classes are taught by highly qualified instructors with years of experience.

• Mommy & Me (Two years - Five years)
• 1 session
  $40  
• 3 sessions
  $100

Designed to introduce your littlest animal enthusiasts to the big world of horses, this class is hands on! We start by explaining how to speak horse language, and how to understand what a horse is "saying" with their body language. We will teach your child about grooming, including cleaning the hooves, and brushing the mane and tail, while talking about fun and age-appropriate horse facts. If your child feels comfortable, we will take a pony ride and they can get a view of the world from the back of a horse. Finally, we invite your child to "make dinner" for the horse by creating a bran mash with water to mix and stir. They love to watch the horses eat, and be a part of their caretaking.

• Little Britches (Eight years and under)
• Half hour private
  $40  
• Package of ten lessons
  $350

Our budding young riders will learn new skills in this riding class. Beginners will start on the lunge line without reins to learn balance, coordination, and confidence. Games are used to master riding skills and help students learn to create a partnership with their horses. Students will stay in private lessons until they have demonstrated good control and confidence while riding, then groups can be formed among similar-skilled riders. This class does not cover grooming, and the horses are tacked up for the kids in advance.

• Introduction to Riding
• Package of 7 ( 1 hour) lessons
  $400

This class is for adult beginners. The first three lessons of this package are grooming only. We teach the student proper grooming basics, including currying, brushing, bathing, and hoof care. Students will learn about various kinds of equipment (tack), how to fit it to the horse correctly, and how to properly care for the leather. Once the students are proficient and comfortable with grooming and tacking by themselves, they are welcome to come ahead of their scheduled ride time to prepare the horse. In the arena riders will be coached on correct position, balance, and coordination. Specific exercises are used to encourage the students to accomplish these basics while learning to communicate with their horse.

• Grooming and Horse Handling
• Package of 3 (1 hour) sessions
  $120

Designed for any level of rider, this course is a must for anyone with plans for horse ownership. Besides covering the basics of grooming, such as proper currying, brushing, hoof care, and bathing, we walk through the importance of correct horse handling from the ground. We cover catching, haltering, and leading as well as developing a sense of boundary as we work around our animals. Establishing a leading role with our horses while maintaining a mutual respect with them is key to the enjoyment of all your equine activities. Understanding the different kinds of equipment (tack), it's uses, maintenance, and proper fitting to the horse is also explained.

Lesson Program

• Half hour Private
  $60  
• Package of 10, get one free
  $600


• 45 min. Private
  $85  
• Package of 10, get one free
  $850


• 45 min. Semi Private (2 riders)
  $70  
• Package of 10, get one free
  $700


• One Hour Group (3-6 riders)
  $50  
• Package of 10, get one free
  $500

Dressage Lessons

• Half hour Private
  $60  
• Package of 10, get one free
  $600


• 45 min. Private
  $85  
• Package of 10, get one free
  $850


• 45 min. Semi Private (2 riders)
  $70  
• Package of 10, get one free
  $700

Horses for Lease or Sale

Horses can be leased through private arrangement and participate in a monthly-billed training program. This is a cost-effective way to ride with more frequency. Additionally, leased horses can be more specialized, thereby enhancing the rider's learning curve. Leasing is also an excellent way to bridge to horse ownership. Topline can also assist you in finding the perfect horse to match to your ability, and riding goals.

"Topline is a little piece of horse heaven!  It is an incredibly beautiful, peaceful property ~ there cannot be many dressage arenas with a view like ours!  That, coupled with the fact that April is a very talented dressage rider and trainer who works really hard to bring out the best in her students and our horses, makes every visit such a pleasure. "