Meet Vera Valdivia‑Abdallah, assistant principal

February 19, 2026

At California State Prison, Los Angeles County (LAC), Vera Valdivia-Abdallah brings the same perseverance to her role in education that carries her and her horse hundreds of miles across the country as a competitive endurance rider.

Valdivia-Abdallah oversees the ABE and GED education programs, as well as the college program at LAC as supervisor of Academic Instruction (Assistant Principal) at New Horizon Adult School.

She provides mentorship and support to teachers on two of the institution’s four yards. Her work centers on rehabilitation through education, with a focus on helping incarcerated individuals leave custody prepared for employment and long-term success.

“When someone is released, the goal is that they aren’t just free, but employable and prepared,” she said.

Valdivia-Abdallah builds endurance in education and beyond

Valdivia-Abdallah joined CDCR nearly four years ago as a teacher and now brings a student-centered approach to her leadership role. She works closely with educators and students to maintain consistent, meaningful academic programming in a challenging correctional environment.

“Success in education takes time,” she said. “It requires patience, adaptability and commitment.”

That philosophy extends well beyond the classroom.

Endurance riding tests limits

Outside of work, Valdivia-Abdallah competes in endurance riding, a long-distance equestrian sport that challenges horse and rider teams to complete rides ranging from 25 to 100 miles in a single day. Courses often span unfamiliar terrain and changing weather conditions, with veterinary checkpoints built in to ensure horse welfare remains the top priority.

“It’s essentially a cross-country marathon,” she said. “You have to balance speed with strategy and always prioritize the health of your horse.”

She began competing as a teenager alongside her mother and has since traveled across multiple states, riding through extreme heat, cold, hailstorms and steep mountain terrain.

Resilience in the saddle

Riding a horse at Rancho Huasna is Assistant Principal Vera Valdivia-Abdallah.

Preparing for endurance competition requires months of structured training, strength conditioning and careful attention to nutrition and hydration. Mentally, it demands resilience and focus during long, physically demanding hours.

“There are moments when your body tells you to quit,” she said. “You learn to break things down and keep moving forward.”

That determination has been tested more than once. Valdivia-Abdallah has experienced hard falls during races and finished rides before seeking medical treatment, including once arriving at work with a black eye.

“Sometimes help is hours away,” she said. “You get back on and keep going.”

Her persistence paid off this year when she placed second in the National Limited Distance Mileage Championship, completing 635 miles across multiple rides.

“I’m extremely proud of my horse, Sharif,” she said. “Every mile was earned.”

Riding as a family

One of her most meaningful accomplishments came last year when she and her daughter, Erna, earned first place nationally as a parent-child endurance riding team, completing a combined 1,615 miles. Only miles ridden together count toward the award.

“This sport teaches perseverance, discipline and self-control,” Valdivia-Abdallah said. “Watching my daughter push through challenges and stay committed was incredibly rewarding.”

The experience also allowed them to travel together, explore new landscapes and connect with riders from across the country.

Lessons carry over

LAC Assistant Principal Vera Valdivia-Abdallah on an endurance ride in Washington state. — *Valdivia-Abdallah on an endurance ride in Washington.*

Valdivia-Abdallah sees clear parallels between endurance riding and her work in education. Both require sustained effort, long-term vision and the ability to adapt under pressure.

“In endurance riding, we say ‘To finish is to win,’” she said. “Education is the same. Progress may be slow, but consistency matters.”

Whether she is supporting teachers, guiding students or navigating miles of unfamiliar terrain, her approach remains the same, stay focused, adapt when needed and keep moving forward.

And if given the option, she joked about swapping her usual mode of transportation around the institution for something more fitting.

“Can I trade the golf cart for my horse?”

Story by Amanda Spangler, communications analyst
Office of Public and Employee Communications

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