From Horsetrader staff reports

WOODSIDE — Once again, the Reining By The Bay attracted the best reining horses and trainers to the picturesque Woodside Horse Park, and once again you could spell the headliner F-A-P-P-A-N-I.

Actually, you could do that twice, as while Andrea Fappani rose above the rest in the Open — clinching the top two spots in the Level 4 Derby Open with winner Whizsicle and runner-up Gun Dun It to earn $29,475 and $24,940, respectively — his son, Luca, was taking the Non Pro Derby Co-championship aboard Sharp Dressed Spook, tying with Kim Muehlstaetter on TR Baby Blues to pick up respective checks for $5,584.

Talent comes out at CRHA June show

For the Horsetrader

BURBANK — What a difference a year makes! Last year’s travails from the pandemic seem to be getting smaller in our rearview mirrors as the 2021 show season kicks into high gear. The California Reining Horse Association’s Reiner Shine show, held June 9-11, attracted the region’s top horses and riders for a competitive weekend that brought to life the Los Angeles Equestrian Center.

The full slate of classes brought together both familiar and new faces, and the pathway to end-of-year qualifications and awards is highly anticipated. The next show on the CRHA calendar, the Summertime Slide, will be held in August.

More online: https://bit.ly/107crha

West Coast Reiners come out in numbers

By Eileen Maxinoski / for the Horsetrader

RANCHO MURIETA — It had been a long two months between shows for the West Coast Reining Horse Association members and exhibitors as the first show of the year was in early March. So, it was little surprise that this Spring show, held on May 21-23, exceeded expectations to the extent that a second arena had to be employed to accommodate all the runs that were entered.

New and familiar faces both shine at popular SCRCHA competition

Special to the Horsetrader

TEMECULA — The Southern California Reined Cow Horse Association’s most popular show of the year, the Jimmy Flores Sr. Memorial, took to the arena at Green Acres Ranch May 14-16.

In Spectacular competition, Judge Bill Enk saw a large, talented field. Finishing both first and third place in the Open was Bob Grant, who rode Nic It Smartly to the Open Bridle Championship with a 149.5 and was third with a 146.5 on Caymus Pepto. Both horses are owned by Cynthia Baker. Taking reserve in the Open Bridle Spectacular was Charles Stevens on his Smartest Hotshot with a 147.

Variety of action blooms in the High Desert

From Horsetrader staff reports

PALMDALE — The High Desert Horse Show Association show season continued in May with another popular one-day open show that once again had something for just about anybody. English classes especially picked up.

“We were excited to see additional English riders participating this show,” said Evon Kurtz, HiDHA President. “We saw very young to seasoned riders in the English arena and proud parents on the sidelines cheering them on.”

San Juan Capo action highlights new season of hunter-jumper activity

Special to the Horsetrader

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO — Horse shows may not yet be all the way back from their pre-pandemic experiences, but they sure have come a long way from where they were last spring.

Open HiDHA show offers variety, competition, fun

From Horsetrader staff reports

PALMDALE — What a difference a year makes!

Horse activity abounds in the High Desert, as was evident by the well-attended classes at the April 18 High Desert Horse Show Association All Breed Show. From Ranch Horse to English to Western Pleasure and more, exhibitors helped make the second 2021 HiDHA event, a double-point show, a success.

GUTHRIE, Okla. — The Hooey Jr. Championships during Wrangler BFI Week are designed to showcase today’s youth superstars, and the Jr. BFI did that perfectly on March 18.

While 18-year-old Texans Kreece Thompson and Kaden Profili took the Jr. Open at the Hooey Junior to split $54,000, a pair of California teens captured the Junior 10.5 Division and earned $20,000 of their own.

Competitors shine at SCRCHA Pot Of Gold Show

By SUSAN CARTER / for the Horsetrader

TEMECULA — Weather-wise, it’s always a bit of a crap shoot to hold a March show, but the Southern California Reined Cow Horse Association held its second 2021 show on March 13-14 at California Ranch Company.

The covered arena was a saving grace, as the previous week’s rain forced all classes into the indoor arena. Competitors held great attitudes with the decreased warm-up areas and smaller spaces. If 2020 taught us anything, it was “be grateful for the ability and opportunity to show!”

Numbers up as High Desert kicks off its 2021 season

From Horsetrader staff reports

PALMDALE — The High Desert Horse Show Association opened its 2021 season in the same way it wrapped up its 2020 campaign last fall — lots of entries, excitement and camaraderie.

The one-day HiDHA All Breed Show on March 21 featured a full slate of classes that attracted exhibitors from throughout Southern California for a chance to compete in their favorite English and Western disciplines.

“Our first show was the biggest we’ve seen in years!,” said Show Manager Heather Mathews. “I feel like people are just really wanting to just get out and spend time with their horse and enjoy time with their friends. We had a lot of new exhibitors which is great — as well as large groups of people who drove two or more hours to come show.”