Nice People, Knowledgeable Guides and Enthusiastic Teachers
About Us
Horseback Mexico is a small personal horse riding, schooling and breeding facility based in Rojas de Cuauhtemoc in the eastern valley of Oaxaca, in southern Mexico. Owners Mary Jane Gagnier & Bobby Ortiz Jr. enjoy guiding rides, teaching riding lessons & facilitating equine therapy sessions. They are Red Cross certified in Basic First Aid.
Mary Jane Gagnier
a native Canadian, has lived in Oaxaca since 1987 and for decades has explored the many regions of this state. She considers herself a cultural interpreter as evident in her book “Oaxaca Celebration: Family, Food & Fiestas in Teotitlan”, a testimony to the traditions of a Zapotec village. Her passion for rural life extends to the enthusiasm and knowledge she brings to her guided rides.
Mary Jane is a certified yoga instructor and applies its principals to her riding and teaching. She regularly competes in endurance competitions and in 2008 helped found the Comité Mexicano de Endurance Ecuestre. She has taken endurance riding clinics with John Crandell, Christoph Schork and Dian Woodward.
Bobby Ortiz Jr.
born in Texas, has ridden and trained horses all his life. Bobby had a successful career as a quarter horse racehorse jockey in the southern U.S. before shifting to the training of Arabian racehorses. The horses you ride with Horseback Mexico were personally trained by Bobby, all are willing, cheerful trail ride and endurance horses.
Bobby’s relaxed manner and great sense of humor make him fine company on the trails while his years of practical knowledge and common sense horsemanship make him a excellent teacher. From novice to advanced, riders improve quickly under Bobby’s clear, confidence-building instruction. Bobby and Mary Jane have shared their love of horses since 2008.
Gabriel Mendoza Gagnier
is Mary Jane’s son, a senior attending high school in Oaxaca, promising soccer player and top-ranking Mexican youth endurance rider. Gabriel represented Mexico in the North American Young Riders Endurance Ride championships in Indiana in 2009. Together with Canada, Mexico won the team silver medal in the 75 mile competition. A native Oaxacan, ( who speaks perfect English and Spanish ) he is both fun and informative on the trail – a fund of local knowledge.
