In 2004 the Hendersons purchased a 2.39 acre parcel on Northgate Road. It quickly became more than just their dream home. It was the foundation of a life they built together, raising their four daughters and creating something lasting. The property also became home to North Gait Equestrian Center, where thousands of children and adults came to ride, gain confidence, and experience the joy of being around horses.
Jill moved to the Bay Area after attending Southwestern Law School. She began working as a law clerk for Steve Henderson. The two quickly became close friends, and that friendship grew into something more. They married in 1993 and went on to build a life together, welcoming two daughters, Rachel and Hannah, into the family.
Steve grew up in Castro Valley and went to Lincoln Law School in San Francisco. Steve had two daughters with his first wife: Elizabeth and Valerie. He opened his law practice in 1983. Jill adds, “Steve is fluent in Spanish and chose to open his office in Pittsburg, California because he saw it as a place where he could make a meaningful difference.” He practiced criminal and immigration law initially and then moved to personal injury. He was a founding member of Contra Costa Senior Legal Services in Contra Costa County and remained on the board for over 20 years.
Jill practiced both personal injury law and workers’ compensation, while also dedicating substantial time to pro bono work for those who could not afford legal representation. “We are proud of the work we’ve done, serving the community for more than 80 years combined,” Jill says.
In 2004 Jill saw an ad for the property at 1101 Northgate Rd. She clipped it out and saved it, dreaming of someday being able to live there. Just three months later, Steve was looking at a property in Lafayette. Jill then retrieved her little black and white newspaper clipping from a drawer. At that point they had one horse – Sundance, a Rocky Mountain gaited horse. They fell in love with the home nestled in the scenic foothills of Mt. Diablo and the 30-stall barn, complete with an indoor arena, wash racks, tack rooms, etc. They bought the property.
Rachel and Hannah grew up running barefoot down the barn aisles, riding bareback on the Mt. Diablo trails, playing hide-n-seek in the pitch-black barn. They attended Walnut Acres, Foothill Middle School, and Northgate High School.
Despite sports, choir, and leadership programs, their love of all things horse never faded. When they were 15 & 16, they began to teach horseback lessons.
When Rachel left home to attend the University of Nevada, Reno, Hannah ran the riding program herself. She became the
sole instructor and director of North Gait and truly formed the foundation of what it later grew to be. She volunteered at the Walnut Creek Library reading to children and also at Xenophon Therapeutic Riding in Orinda. She did all this while attending community college at DVC.
Once Rachel returned from college, Hannah was able to trade places and study at UC Santa Cruz, where she earned her teaching credential and a master’s degree in childhood education. Rachel knew she had BIG shoes to fill when she took over
the reins at North Gait Equestrian Center. She was so impressed by her younger sister’s lesson program and wasn’t sure
she had what it took to run things. Her mother remarked, “Rachel had nothing to worry about. At just 22 years old, she built
a very successful full-time business. She had a staff of 16+ and a herd of 25 horses. They were groomed, trained, ridden, and loved every day. Summer camps were sold out as soon as they were posted. Kids learned how to work here. They learned discipline and respect working around horses, and that carried over into how they treated each other. It was old-fashioned rules. It was fantastic. And people loved it.”
Rachel, now 32, says, “I was so incredibly lucky to have grown up at North Gait, and even luckier that I got to share it with
so many people.” North Gait Equestrian Center became one of the premier locations for students of all ages to learn practical and natural horsemanship. Rachel emphasized safe horse handling so that riders could feel capable and confident in any “arena”. One of the most special things about North Gait was that many young adults were able to “earn” their riding time and mentorship through volunteer work at the barn. Her most successful pupils graduated from the program as capable, independent, and hard-working young people. Her students have gone to ride competitively in rodeo, collegiate level jumping and reining, vet school, and so much more.
Rachel hosted Girl Scout troops from all over Contra Costa County. She ran summer camps, birthday parties, and themed camps for Halloween and Winter Break.
Rachel and Hannah were both married in 2024. Hannah was married at North Gait Equestrian Center, in the beautiful backyard, with the reception and dancing held in the large, covered arena. She now has an 19-month-old and lives in Moraga. Hannah is now a 3rd grade teacher at Sun Terrace Elementary in Concord.
Rachel married a 4th-generation cattleman and moved to his 100-acre ranch in San Juan Bautista where she is learning everything about running a cattle operation.
Jill and Steve are now ready for a new chapter and plan to relocate to Rachel’s ranch. The North Gait property is now for sale, with the hope it will be enjoyed by others who can take full advantage of its setting in the foothills of Mount Diablo, with exceptional trails for riding, biking, and hiking, while being 10 minutes from downtown Walnut Creek. Jill reflects, “We have enjoyed living here beyond anything I can describe. I can only say that this property itself, this location, and everything you can do here is just magical.”
By Kara Navolio, Resident since 1991; Photos provided by the Henderson family