From Horsetrader sales staff

Winter is behind us, and as attractive as hillsides in a poppy superbloom comes April! Two major events that have been part of the Southern California landscape for decades take place this month. First, the 49th Annual Norco Horseweek comes to Horsetown USA from April 12-21. It’s a grand celebration of equestrian life, for those horsepeople in Norco and throughout the region. There is always something for everyone, young and not-so-young. Be sure to check out the happenings and schedule on page 40, and then plan a visit to to see what makes Norco so special—its people!

Also this month, the 74th Annual Del Mar National Horse Show comes to the Del Mar Fairgrounds for three weeks of variety, top competition, and fun. This event is truly a treasure historically, and its ongoing relevance in today’s world is special. Don’t miss the preview that begins on page 34.

The UC Davis Horse Barn Annual Production Sale will be held June 22 at the UC Davis Horse Barn. There will be a sale preview at 3:30 p.m., a BBQ at 4:30 p.m., and the auction will begin at 6 p.m. This year marks the barn’s 27th annual production sale, and as always, all proceeds from the auction will go towards supporting the Horse Barn undergraduate teaching program and production internships. This year’s sale features eight yearlings, one weanling, and a couple aged horses. The yearlings are of multiple breeds, including Quarter Horses, Mules, Aztecas (Andalusian/QH cross), and an Appendix Quarter Horse. The weanling is a Warmblood by our late Selle Francais stallion, Bas Blanc. The yearlings are sired by stallions such as Reygans Smart Lena (QH), Comanche II (Andalusian), UCD Actions Protégé (Jack), Clydes Gallant Fox (Jack), and Im The Town Sleeper (Appendix QH). There is sure to be a horse for everyone at this year’s sale. Prospective buyers can stay up to date on sale and horse information, pictures, sale videos, and more by visiting our Facebook page @UCDHorseBarn, on Instagram @UCDavisHorseBarn or on our website, animalscience.ucdavis.edu/facilities/horsebarn.

The Department of Animal Science Horse Barn has been a mainstay of the University of California, Davis since its foundation in the early 1910s. The Horse Barn began as a carriage house for draft horses and mules used in agricultural work for the university.

It later became a remount station for the US Army, standing several stallions including the thoroughbred stallion Gunrock, son of Rock Sand and relative to the famed Man O’War.

The Horse Barn strives to educate its students about all aspects of equine reproduction and management via hands-on experience. The Horse Barn relies heavily on student involvement to keep it running.  Each year approximately 10-15 students help keep the barn clean, maintained and fed. Today, the barn stands an AQHA stallion and a world champion Mammoth Jack. These stallions are offered to the public and all proceeds directly benefit the equine education program. See ad on page 7.

If you’re looking to move and find the perfect place for you and your horses, turn to page 57 where you’ll find pages of equestrian properties offered for sale. You’ll find small ranch homes, custom built and large acreage properties, professional training facilities and grand equestrian estates throughout California, Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas, Colorado, and beyond. And if you’re looking to sell, the agents and brokers within our pages and on Horsetrader.com are horse people; many owning, training and competing with their horses. The biggest benefit of hiring an equestrian realtor, is that they understand the needs of horse people, and our realtors know how to market. They know that to effectively market a horse property, you need to reach the equestrian. The California Horsetrader magazine and horsetrader.com gets horse properties in front of 100% horse people.