About Sweetwater Farms

Sweetwater Farms was a dream come true for owner Roberta Jackson. Growing a community based on family and friends and building lasting relationships between horses + people, Roberta and Sweetwater Farms have evolved into much more than just a horse farm since its inception.

As a native of San Diegan, Roberta established Sweetwater Farms in 1985 on the east side of Bonita, CA, with her husband, Dave, and his sister. Since she was a child, Roberta’s dream was to have her own farm after building a close relationship with her first horse, Nutmeg, a four-year-old quarter horse. This began the lifetime career of ‘horses + people’ for Roberta and the impact of building a community around them.

In 1992, Roberta moved Sweetwater Farms to where it is now, on Equitation Lane in Bonita. At this time, she realized just how important it was to continue volunteering and fundraising support for Bonita Equestrian Therapy (BETH) since they also started in 1985. The financial threat of having to close BETH’s doors weighed heavy on Roberta because she felt so passionately about the cause and the positive impact it had on the lives of so many people with disabilities. In 2002, she was asked to take on the management of the therapy horses and facility. In 2005, she officially took over the cause. She ran with it, providing financial support and countless volunteer hours to continue driving the positive impact between horses + people here at Sweetwater Farms.

In 2004, Roberta was selected as the Coach for the University of San Diego Equestrian Team and continued with USD for the next ten years, earning Reserve Champion honors five years in a row and competing at the National Intercollegiate Horse Show Association competition. She was also instrumental in developing a successful Military Service Member Pilot Program in 2008, the model of BETH’s 2009 Wounded Soldier Program. Finally, she earned her Instructors Certification with the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association. She added to her education with online courses through Irvine College in grant writing.

Today, Sweetwater Farms provides many equestrian services, including a Riding Academy, Camps for children, Horse shows and events, a Show team, a Leadership program, and a United States Pony Club Riding Center. Since its inception in 1985, Sweetwater Farms and Roberta have shaped the lives of so many ‘horse crazy’ kids, providing not only services at the farm but also a close community that she would never consider a job. To her, it’s a lifestyle. One that will continue to curate the powerful relationship between horses + people.