Working Equitation Regional Champions crowned in Temecula

By BROOKE NGUYENDO | for the Horsetrader

TEMECULA — Three incredible days of Working Equitation competition took place in the beautiful wine country of southwest Riverside County. From Canada to California, riders and horses of all kinds came together to showcase their skill, heart, and partnership in the arena. Lifelong friendships were forged, milestones were reached, and the spirit of camaraderie filled the air as everyone celebrated the sport they love and cherish.

When Amanda Latta and Cheryl Croasman of Wine Country Classic Horse Shows set out in 2021 to host their very first Working Equitation Regional Show in Temecula, they never looked back.

King Performance Horses is moving to El Rodeo Equestrian Center!

From the Horsetrader sales staff

One of the Southern California’s legacy training barns is relocating to one of the region’s legacy equestrian facilities! King Performance Horses, a multi-generational training barn founded by the late CRHA Hall of Famers Donna and Joe King, has an impressive track record of 60 years’ experience producing champions in the show ring.

UC Davis shares important insight on equine colic

By UC Davis Center for Equine Health

Colic is an unwelcome word in the equine world. The majority of equestrians have at least one colic story, with outcomes ranging from good to gut-wrenching.
Since colic is common and can have serious implications, it is an often-discussed topic, complete with plenty of anecdotal evidence, myths, and unscientific advice. We teamed up with Julie Dechant, DVM, MS, DACVS, DACVECC, professor of equine surgery and assistant director of the UC Davis veterinary hospital’s Large Animal Clinic to provide some clarity on equine colic.

TOVEA brings together horsepeople with not-yet-horsepeople

The 19th Annual Ride & Stride Fund-raiser and Horse Heritage Festival enlivened the Walnut Grove Equestrian Center in San Marcos Oct. 19 in a horse-filled day of fun, education and entertainment. The Horse Heritage Conservancy, in partnership with the Twin Oaks Valley Equestrian Association, drew equestrians, families, and horse lovers from all over the region. The fund-raiser supports preservation and improvement of public horse trails and the arena.

Temecula comes together for GAIT fund-raiser

The Oct. 4 “Pony Up for GAIT 2025” fund-raiser to support Green Acres Interactive Therapy (GAIT) raised an incredible $179,658 for its adaptive riding programs at Green Acres Ranch in Temecula. The energy was electric — a sold-out crowd of 300 enthusiastic guests filled the ranch with laughter, generosity, and a genuine love for the program’s riders. GAIT organizers were deeply grateful for the sponsors, donors, and guests whose support fuels GAIT’s mission to enrich lives through horse and farm animal interaction.

EDITOR’S NOTE: The late Los Angeles horsewoman Lynn Brown was a leading activist for equestrians for decades, helping horse groups navigate unfamiliar terrain of municipal government when important issues arise. Most recently, a few weeks before her passing Jan. 3, 2023, she was instrumental in educating and securing opposition from local elected Burbank officials over a “proposal” for an aerial tram that would have torn out the only public riding arena, Martinez Arena, in Griffith Park. Her advice rings as true today as it did then.

By LYNN BROWN | for the Horsetrader

The adage, “you can’t fight City Hall,” is not true—you can! Some may try and find that the cards seem stacked against them, or that the opposition was better organized. I’d like to provide some suggestions that have worked—and now is the time. These days, preserving equestrian life in many communities requires that its horsepeople to take up the fight.

The first challenge is to be positive, to know you can make a difference. It’s not always easy. In our recent battle to preserve the Silver Spur Stables from being demolished and rebuilt as small-lot housing, the task at first seemed impossible. We tackled it anyway, and to our surprise, we won—the individual who had applied to Glendale City Council for a zoning change, suddenly after months of relentless opposition, withdrew his request. If he had been successful in obtaining the zoning change, it would spell the end of all the historic boarding barns and feed stores along Riverside Drive.

From ‘hot branding’ to DNA analysis, various forms of ID have come a long way

By Daniel H. Grove / Horsetrader columnist

We all love our horses. We invest time and money into their care and upkeep. I think it is natural for us to want to protect the emotional and financial investment we have in our horses. This month I am going to discuss the various forms of identifying our horses.

Registration Paperwork — Each breed registry has its own method for identifying the animal for which they produce papers for. Pictures, written descriptions, and drawings are found on these different documents. They usually also include the parentage of the registered horse.

CAWDA trainers, amateurs and juniors win World Show prizes

By JACKIE HILLS / for the Horsetrader

GUTHRIE, Okla. — What a turnout! The Western Dressage Association of America held its 2025 World Show event Sept. 16-20 at the Lazy E Arena in Guthrie, and the event hosted 145 classes featuring 187 entries riding 1,558 tests — competing for World titles, breed awards, affiliate awards and other special awards.

Twenty-five of California Western Dressage Association’s best riders from California and Nevada, who were joined by some of CAWDA’s best virtual show members from coast to coast, teamed up to win multiple champion, reserve champion, and top 10 placings.

Good weather, great competition fills last show of year

By Sue Carter / for the Horsetrader

TEMECULA — Mild weather, spicy competitors and a great turnout greeted the final 2025 show for the Southern California Reined Cow Horse Association held Sept. 5-7 at Green Acres Ranch.

Title sponsor Roohide Saddlery was at the three-day show with their big rig, helping to fit saddles for competitors and others who rolled up to get Roohide’s advice and expertise.

‘Cirque Ma’Ceo’ visits Temecula, Santa Barbara, Fresno

From the Horsetrader sales staff

Southern California equestrians — and their non-horsey friends — will be in for a treat this month as the equestrian theatrical production Cirque Ma’Ceo hits the region as part of its national tour. After performing Oct. 3-5 at Ram Tap Horse Park in Fresno, the production will perform on Oct. 11-12 at the Earl Warren Showgrounds in Santa Barbara and on Oct. 17-26 at Galway Downs in Temecula.