History
Founded in 1941 by Gina's father, Egon Merz, Rancho Sea Air has always been where horses and horsemanship comes first. This beautiful seaside Malibu ranch was Egon's dream of a riding school. Having started the riding school at the Rivera Country Club Egon built his own for friends, family and students, which is a dream that Gina continues today. Inevitably such a respected horseman and trainer, Egon found himself frequently working with Hollywood notables. From Claudette Colbert, to Elizabeth Taylor and "The Pie" and Lawerence Olivier, Egon achieved the perfect seat for all his students based on the classical riding style he brought with him from Germany.
For the last 30 years Rancho Sea Air Malibu, now owned and operated by Egon's daughter Gina Merz-McCloskey and her husband Bruce McCloskey, the ranch specializes in training riders, ages three and up.
Grooming youngsters in the fundamentals of caring for and riding horses, students participate in horse shows and trail rides, but the emphasis is never about winning ribbons. It’s about being outdoors, enjoying nature and the spirit of equines.