NORCO — The Extreme Mustang Makeover returns to Ingalls Park on May 14-16, and with it comes one of the most unique and challenging equine competitions in the country. Trainers will compete for a part of the $10,000 purse as judges will evaluate each horse and trainer on body condition, groundwork, and how the horse maneuvers through an obstacle “horse course” that simulates trail and recreational riding situations.

NORCO — While numbers were down this year, more than 200 hundred riders made the trek around the magnificent Lake Norconian on May 1 to pose for a 10th Anniversary of the Pedley Field Photograph.

“The ride was made possible because of a wonderful partnership between the Lake Norconian Club Foundation, City of Norco, the Norco College and NWS Seal Beach,” said organizer Kevin Bash.

This years sponsors were Double-D Rentals of Norco, John Tavaglione, the Harry and Hilda Eisen Family Foundation, Western Waste and Hemborg Ford.
Kevin says this is the third year in a row the ride went without a hitch and not a single accident.

“Many thanks go to trail bosses Berwin Hanna and Bonnie Slagel, the Norco Horseman’s Association, the Norco Mounted Posse, Norco High School JROTC and Environmental Science Class, the Riverside Key Club, the Norco Kiwanis, Norco Parks and Recreation, the City of Norco, the Norco Citizens Patrol, Beth Groves, Brian Petree and the City of Norco, Dr. Brenda Davis and the new Norco College — and in particular George LeTourneau and Gregg Smith of NWS Seal Beach.

Copies of the 10th anniversary photo may be obtained at brigittejouxtel.smugmug.com.

What is “Norco Horseweek”? If you are familiar with “Horsetown USA,” you realize that there are 52 horse weeks a year in Norco. However, for 40 years now, “Norco Horse Week” is something more — a celebration of a lifestyle that is appreciated by this town’s residents and visitors alike. Fund-raisers, the rodeo, the chili cook-off, the parade, the dance — and don’t forget the rides! There’s much to see and do doing Norco Horse Week.

Click here for a full Norco Horseweek schedule and read residents’ favorite memories of events past.

The Norco Hall of Fame is looking for a few good champions to call its own. Nominations for 2010 inductees are under way, and the first step in the process is to obtain the induction application from the organization’s website, http://www.HorseTownUsaHallOfFame.com. Deadline for applications is June 7.

The mission of the Horsetown Hall of Fame is “to honor the trainers, breeders, riders and horses from Norco who have achieved championship status.”

After 16 inaugural Hall of Fame members were inducted in 2008, 13 were added last year.
Fund-raisers for the Hall include the upcoming Horsetown Hall of Fame Gold Tournament on Saturday, April 25. The shot-gun start, best-ball tourney has some great prizes, including $10,000 in cash and a pair of week-long trips — one to Hawaii, one to Las Vegas. It starts at noon at Paradise Knolls.

This marks the fifth year that the community will host a tour of Horsetown USA’s finest ranches, with proceeds benefitting the Norco Regonal Conservancy “Friends of Norco Hills” open space project.

The Fifth Annual Norco Ranch Tour will include stops at DeBruce Mini Ranch, Cutting Horse Ranch, refreshments at S&Z Ranch, White Farms and its Peruvian Pasos, and more for a $10 donation. A view of the Norconian Hotel from Red Cloud Stables and a trip to the Norco High School Ag and FFA departments are on the trip, too.

For more information, contact Norco Horseman’s Association President Danny Azevedo at AZrider@sbcglobal.net.

The Norco Horsemen’s Association turned Nellie Weaver Hall into an Old West Gambling Hall April 10, and more than 500 folks came to play. The big winners were the FFA students at Norco High School, which awards 10 $500 scholarships from this annual fund-raiser.

“It was a great turn-out this year,” says Denise Shoemaker, who helped her husband, Vern, lead the 19-member Casino Night committee for the second straight year of the event’s 14 years. “We’re looking forward to next year!”

Equestrians and residents in Chino Hill’s English Road area have expressed concerns about a proposal to build a large church in their neighborhood. The proposal seeks a Conditional Use Permit for a church at the intersection of English Road and Peyton Drive with a 297-seat sanctuary, 110 parking spaces, offices, and group assembly rooms in the midst of the city’s unique Equestrian Overlay area.