Equine Empowerment Foundations Beginning

EEF
EEF

Cara Hayden

(Founder)

Equine Director

Cara C. Hayden is the visionary founder of the Equine Empowerment Foundation, a California-registered nonprofit dedicated to rescuing, retraining, and repurposing horses for beginner lessons and therapeutic riding programs. With over three decades of professional equestrian experience in the industry, she brings extensive expertise in horse training, business management, and equine welfare.

Cara’s foundation in dressage and hunter-jumper disciplines was shaped by training under numerous top professionals, competing at elite East Coast horse shows, and working as a student under renowned trainers since early childhood. At age 23, she launched her first lesson program in Montecito, CA, guiding clients to local competitions and incorporating ocean swimming as a rehabilitation method for rescued horses.

Throughout her career, Cara has held key leadership roles at prestigious equestrian facilities, refining her skills in horse care, training, and program development. Her passion for equine rescue and community service led her to establish Equestrians Excellence in Oxnard, CA, an initiative that evolved into the Equine Empowerment Foundation, providing accessible riding programs for all.


Nina - Equestrian Director

Jasmine Ghent

Executive Director/ Lead Instructor

As our Executive Director and Lead Instructor, Jasmine is the heart and soul of the Equine Empowerment Foundation. Her commitment is literally built into her life—her own backyard serves as the home for our Thousand Oaks location, creating a warm, intimate, and professional environment for every student who visits.

Trained under the legendary Sally Swift, Jasmine’s approach to riding is rooted in precision, balance, and a deep, intuitive connection with her equine partners. Her talent as a trainer is unmatched; she famously transformed a rescue horse into a competitive 1.10m jumper, a testament to her belief that with the right guidance, any horse can reach its peak.

Jasmine specializes in working with neurodivergent riders, focusing on building confidence and installing master-level horsemanship skills. Her lessons are transformative, safe, and backed by a lifetime of professional coaching experience.

Beyond the arena, Jasmine is a powerhouse single mother whose hard work fuels the next generation of equestrian talent. Her daughter, Gia, is already making waves as a successful junior show jumper and is officially THE young rider to watch in the show ring. Jasmine’s dedication to her family, her riders, and the horses she calls neighbors is what makes our foundation truly special.