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Cal reiners shine in Reining By the Bay

Special to the Horsetrader - September 1st, 2017
Paige Pastorino and Taylor Made Magnum swept both DRHA Rookie slates and took home her first trophy saddle as DRHA High Point.

Paige Pastorino and Taylor Made Magnum swept both DRHA Rookie slates and took home her first trophy saddle as DRHA High Point.

John O’Hara photo

WOODSIDE — The excitement of Reining by the Bay draws competitors away from scorching temperatures throughout the Country. The San Francisco Peninsula’s coastal fog and ocean breezes are welcomed by all. ‘Uniqueness” is the adjective most used to describe this premier event. The Bay Area’s attractions are incredible. The Horse Park is about 30 minutes south of San Francisco and just 30 minutes to the west is the quaint coast-side town of Half Moon Bay. The Horse Park itself is located next to Stanford University and the Silicon Valley and all of its offerings. With so many fantastic sites close by the Horse Park, many attendees take time to visit San Francisco, view the Golden Gate Bridge and enjoy fantastic seafood dishes at renowned restaurants. One trip to Reining by the Bay cannot cover all that the San Francisco Peninsula has to offer. NRHA Professional Martin Meuhlstaetter from Scottsdale, Arizona states “If this was an AQHA show with no money or prizes we would still attend.”

In its 18th year, paid out in excess of $250,000 in cash and prizes, ensuring its place on the Top 10 of the National Reining Horse Association’s event list.

The Lucas Oil Open Derby is one highlight of the event. The Bay Arena is 150’ wide by 300’ long, and the footing is meticulously prepared and groomed to provide the most optimal footing for tough competition.
This year, a new record for the event was achieved when NRHA 4 Million Dollar professional Andrea Fappani took a clean sweep of the Lucas Oil Level 4 Open Derby winning first, second and third on his three mounts. The palomino mare Wimpys Little Tag, Whiz N Tag Chex x Wimpys Little Chic, showed off her exceptional talent those bloodlines gave her by marking a 227.5 for owner Freddie Brasfield from Tennessee and a paycheck of $12,929.

SoCal cow work

SCRCHA brings Casner's Ranch to life with 2017 Jimmy Flores Sr. Derby, Triple Crown

- June 1st, 2017

TEMECULA — With $20,000 in added money and the region’s top competition, the Southern California Reined Cow Horse Association put on another marvelous springtime event, the Jimmy Flores, Sr. Derby and Non Pro Triple Crown.

The four-day show May 18-21 included two full slates of horse show classes.

In the Open Derby, Nicolas Barthelemy shined on Manuel Rojo’s WRS Shiney Diamond, outdistancing reserve champions Shadd Parkingson on Hannes Winkler’s Cattin Downtown and Tucker Robinson on San Juan Ranch’s SJR Oaks Natasha. The win paid a winner’s share of $2,560, with the riders in the two-three split taking home $1,792 each.

White-O’Connor and Legolas 92

White-O’Connor and Legolas 92

Terri Miller photo

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO — Since 2012, Legolas 92 and U.S. Team rider Steffen Peters traveled the world together and have a multitude of titles to their credit, including a Team Bronze Medal from last summer’s Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.

But in January, Four Winds Farm’s Westfalen gelding (Laomedon x Fuerstin by Florestan II) entered a whole new chapter in his career as Peters handed over the reins to 27-year-old former working student Dawn White-O’Connor, and the promising pair wasted no time getting top results as they claimed both the CDI Grand Prix and Grand Prix Special titles at Cornerstone Event Management’s Dressage Affaire CDI3*/1*/Y/J/U25/AM, held March 24-26

White-O’Connor’s weekend got off on the right foot as she piloted Legolas to a hard-fought win over a field of 12 competitors in Friday’s CDI Grand Prix with 73.780%.

“I think it was the cleanest test with the best feeling I’ve had with him so far,” White-O’Connor said. “There’s always plenty of room for improvement, but I was so happy.”

The pair then returned to the main ring at the Rancho Mission Viejo Riding Park with another solid performance in the Grand Prix Special, topping the leaderboard with 73.706% in their inaugural outing in this notoriously-challenging test.

Q&A with Dale Gibson

Sunland horseman Dale Gibson has a trail of equestrian contributions behind him -- and a challenge ahead of him on March 7: to get elected to the L.A. City Council. - March 1st, 2017

HT: Dale, are there any similarities in the roles of a movie stunt rider and a candidate for L.A. City Council?

DG: Being on budget and being on time are the most important things dealing with the city and, especially, on set.  In either place, if you get known for being undependable, a big spender and never on time, you are not going to be very popular.

HT:It’s been pointed out that “stunt man” is just one item on your resume. You’ve been President of your local Neighborhood Council that works closely with the Los Angeles City Council on neighborhood issues, you are the current President of the Equine Advisory Board, working closely the last seven years with the L.A. City Council on equestrian issues. And, you’re a businessman in L.A. going on 18 years now.

Q&A Dr. Katie Flynn

- February 1st, 2017

1702 CoverCalifornia’s ranking equine vet has a passion for horses — and also their well-being. This winter’s containment of an EHV-1 outbreak in Los Angeles County put Dr. Flynn and her California Division of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) colleagues on the frontlines — and the importance of public awareness in the headlines.

Horses surround your work. How have they surrounded your life?

Horses are my passion. I grew up on a family Standardbred racehorse farm in South Grafton, Mass. I learned to drive “Terry Anns Choice” at a young age and foaled out one of her colts on my own when I was 16. While growing up, I traveled with my dad to paddock horses at harness racing tracks across New England and New York.
My first horse appeared on my back doorstep as a gift one Christmas morning, “Strawberry Sundae,” a strawberry roan mare. We became a team and participated in 4-H and local fair horse shows. We also used to wrangle up the occasional Hereford beef cow that got loose on the family farm.
I am busy now with my career in regulatory medicine in California, but I look forward to my visits back east when I can jog a family racehorse. I hope to one day own a few Standardbred racehorses to carry on the family tradition.

Remembering Benny Guitron

NRCHA Hall of Famer and Snaffle Bit Champion leaves an influential legacy in the horse world

- February 1st, 2017
Benny Guitron salutes at the 2009 Magnificant 7 at Western States Horse Expo in Sacramento.

Benny Guitron salutes at the 2009 Magnificant 7 at Western States Horse Expo in Sacramento.
Kathy Higgins Photo

MERCED — California horseman and 20-Year breeder Benny Guitron of Merced died Dec. 18 following complications with cancer.

Born February 12, 1948, in Glendale, Benny was raised on his family’s farm in Indio. His father was a farmer and enjoyed attending horse shows. He took Benny with him every chance he had, and Benny grew to love the reined cow horse sport. Reared around famous horsemen such as Jimmy Williams, Harold Farren, Red Neal, Don Dodge and Tony Amaral, Benny’s appreciation and love for the old traditions took hold of him at a young age. Fascinated by the vaquero customs since childhood, Guitron painstakingly learned the process of working and training horses.

It was during the 1970s that Benny Guitron truly stepped into his own in regard to the life that he would lead as a horseman. When his father passed away, he truly felt the need to pursue horses, reined cow horses to be exact. Contacting his “hero,” Tony Amaral, Benny went to work for him and later worked with Bobby Ingersoll before purchasing his own facility in Merced.

Through the years, Benny became known as a historian who has worked to preserve the history of the people and horses who make up the reined cow horse. He was dedicated to the heritage of the event, lifestyle and continuation of the National Reined Cow Horse Association, which makes it no wonder why he was inducted into the NRCHA Hall of Fame in 2015.

907668-1702A Newstrader PHOTO_A Gibson

Gibson Ranch photo

LOS ANGELES — Dale Gibson has thrown his cowboy hat into the arena as a candidate for the Los Angeles City Council, District 7 — a horse-laden area that covers the northeast section of the San Fernando Valley.

It also sits on the map of a high-speed rail proposal that, if enacted, threatens to disrupt horse ownership along the route.

Gibson, who started Gibson Ranch in Sunland along with his wife, Heather, in 1998, has a portfolio of equestrian advocacy that includes serving as current President of the Los Angeles Equine Advisory Committee. Trails, zoning and preservaton of open space have been common concerns presented by the EAC to the L.A. City Council since its inception in 2009, and Gibson says the urgency in his district for equestrian participation is stronger than ever.

“It is very clear to me that the residents of Council District 7 are ready for their voices to be heard,” said Gibson. “Ours is a diverse area, and while I was out personally collecting the signatures to qualify for the ballot, I heard firsthand the concerns.”

One Stop Shop & Education Too

http://bit.ly/Expolist

- January 1st, 2017

All American Horses
619-572-3087
AllAmericanHorses.org
BOOTH 9218
All American Horses provides top professonal services inNatural Horsemanship, certified training, consignment horse sales and boarding. Experienced in working with all breeds and disciplines, All American Horses prides itself on its long-lasting client relationships. The saying, “Horses are our life” rings true, as All American Horses holds national and international certifications with more than 20 years of professional experience that make a difference. Your horse will know the difference! All American Horses invites all Expo Pomona attendees to visit its booth to learn of the facility’s popular boarding and training options, as well as of its tried-and-true consignment and training program, where they tune up your horse, market it and get it sold to a good home.

Lots to Learn

- January 1st, 2017

The ‘take home’ for Expo Pomona attendees will be
lessons learned up close from the best clinicians

John and Josh Lyons are among the headliners this year, as Horse Expo Pomona continues to bring top equine experts to its stages and arenas. One ticket price gets you access to unlimited learning, whether you’re a competitor looking for an edge or a recreational rider looking for insight into your human-horse relationship.

John Lyons
One of the most respected trainers around the world, John Lyons is known as “America’s Most Trusted Horseman.” He has earned that title through 30 years of dedication to horses and horse owners. His ideas and concepts in horse training have influenced every level of performance, every style of riding and every breed of horse throughout the world, and it’s safe to say that his ideas and work have changed thousands of lives. John’s sincere regard for people and the horses they love has remained unchanged throughout his career.
John has been honored by many facets of the horse industry, including universities, breed associations, horse clubs, magazines, cities and states for his contributions and dedication to the horse and the industry, and he continues to be one of the most sought-after trainers, speakers, demonstrators and clinicians anywhere. There is hardly an expo in the country or around the world where you will not find John, his children Josh, Brandi, and Michael or one of their certified trainers as a guest clinician. John and his wife Jody live and work in Parachute, Colo., on “Our Dream Ranch.” Their door is always open to everyone and you are invited to stop by anytime.

1612A CoverJANUARY-FEBRUARY

A growing number of equestrians are taking up arms, as shooting on horseback continues to attract new competitors to its ranks.
Lured by the challenge and the camaraderie, memberships are swelling in the Cowboy Mounted Shooting Association — especially in California and the birthplace of CMSA, Arizona, where the Arizona Mounted Shooters Association had three January events to start the year.
With names like Roy Rogers Rangers and the Tombstone Ghost Riders, how can anyone resist a peek at this fast-action sport that requires horsemanship — and a special horse.

Six-year-old Katherine King may not have much experience in the saddle, but you can bet she was among the nation’s leaders in ribbons won this year.
The youngster from Placentia, known in her circles as “Katherine The Brave”, lost her battle to a rare illness, Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG), but a village of supporters grew to include trainer Heather Spies and clients at HS Performance Horses in Riverside. After devoting themselves to give Katherine a special day with a unicorn via the Make A Wish Foundation, the barn dedicated itself to the youngster and her family.
“No National Championship moment, no Regional Championship or any ribbon will ever compare to that day,” said Spies, whose former horse, a retired Arabian now owned by Lori Chiodini, made the perfect unicorn.
After a courageous struggle that inspired many and raised awareness of DIPG, Katherine died in June.