NORCO — Last year, when Mustang Heritage Foundation Executive Director Patti Colbert agreed that Norco, California, would host one of 10 nationwide Extreme Mustang Makeover events in 2009, the outcome was as predictable as grass under a leaky spigot. The winner would be the event itself.

“Horsetown USA,” with both its backdrop hills and downtown trails providing the challenge, hosted the fifth nationwide EMM event this year May 15-17, and there were winners all around: There were Hometown trainer Buzz Riebschlager and Windy”, who shared top score with Corpus Christi, Texas, trainer Lorrie Grover on “Jessie Jane”; there were the Norconians who supported and thoroughly enjoyed both participating and watching the event; and there was the event itself, the creation of Colbert in 2007 as a way to highlight the trainability and market value of the iconic American mustang.

Julie Bryant photos

Friday evening's entertainment centered on the "Smackdown" between the 2008 EMM winner, Mark Lyon and "Christian" (left), and Norco's own Ray Ariss and the town's official mascot, "Hail Yeah" (right). After a half-hour of good-spirited one-upsmanship, the winners were obvious: the audience and a pair of adopted Mustangs who amazed the crowd.

Julie Bryant photo

Corpus Christi trainer Lorrie Grover (left) on Jessie Jane, and Norco's Buzz Riebschlager on Windy shared top honors at the end of the Extreme Mustang Makeover Trail Challenge Finals.

More than 1,000 horses have been placed for adoption through Makeover events and its Trainers Incentive Program. Also, the Foundation reports that about 100,000 fans have filled the stands and walked the barns of events held across the U.S. Since January, events have been in held in Fort Worth, Texas, Albany, Ore., Ocala, Fl., Madison, Wisc., and Norco. Next is the Western States Horse Expo (June 13) in Sacramento, and then on to the Wyoming Extreme Mustang Makeover Aug. 14-16 in Douglas and the Heber City Extreme Mustang Makeover Nov. 7 in Utah. Two “national” competitions will be held this fall, one in Fort Worth Sept. 18-20 and a new one in Murfreesboro, Tenn., Oct. 23-25.

In the Makeover, Mustangs trained 90 days are judged on conditioning, groundwork, and a “Horse Course” that requires maneuvers and includes obstacles found in trail and recreational riding situations. Each trainer also has an opportunity to showcase their animal¹s unique talents in a two-minute freestyle before qualifying for the final top 10 round. All mustangs in competition are made available for adoption the final day of each show.

“The city of Norco has hands-down been the best host we’ve experienced with the Extreme Mustang Makeover,” said Colbert. “Harvey and Mynon Sullivan spearheaded an incredible group of dedicated and friendly volunteers who made one of the most physically challenging events we’ve ever held possible. The uniqueness of this community, both in its culture and quality of people, is certainly one we’re proud to be associated with.”

At the end of the Norco EMM competition, officials discovered that the horse trained by Riebschlager “had been previously adopted and received a limited amount of gentling” according to Colbert, and the results were revised.

“The Foundation appreciates the Bureau of Land Management accepting responsibility and is now moving forward to bring recognition to all our great trainers,” she said.

EXTREME MUSTANG MAKEOVER TOP 10
May 15-17, 2009 / Norco, Calif.

1. Buzz Riebschlager, Norco, CA, showing Windy, earning $3,000, adopting for $3,750; 1. Lorrie Grover, Corpus Christi, TX, showing Jessie Jane, earning $3,000, adopting for $2,500; 2. Logan Leach, Tucson, AZ, showing She’s Country, earning $2,000, adopting for $4,700; 3. Linda Smerber, Bloomington, CA, showing Shelby, earning $1,500, adopting for $1,500; 4. Lanny Leach, Tucson, AZ, showing Soso, earning $1,000, adopting for $1,950; 5. Tim Delsman, Baker City, OR, showing Traysay, earning $750, adopting for $2,000; 6. Madelyn Wagner, Valley Center, CA, showing Valentine, earning $550, adopting for $2,500; 7. Tom Shiloh, Pahrump, NV, showing Tiny Dancer, earning $400, adopting for $1,950; 8. George Ortiz, Ventura, CA, showing Camilla, earning $350, adopting for $3,600; 9. Jennifer White, Corona, CA, showing Ruger, earning $250, adopting for $1,500; 10. Alissa Booher, Perris, CA, showing Sheza Arwyn R, earning $250, adopting $1,000.

Mary Lou Dupray of Valley Center and Tejons Top Docare Select Amateur Reining Circuit Champions celebrates her win with husband Clay Dupray.

DEL MAR — The annual Sun & Surf Circuit, which included five AQHA shows from May 14-18 at Del Mar Horsepark, continued to attract plenty of horses and riders from all over California and Southwestern states.

Exhibitors and officials especially said it was a good, competitive show. Many of the riders there had already qualified for the various, upcoming Quarter Horse World shows, and took the chance to warm up for the AQHYA World Championship for youth in July, Bayer Select World Championship in August, and year-end AQHA World Championship in November.

Some of the riders who traveled from out of the area also said Del Mar Showpark–with its picture-perfect Southern California location and weather–allowed them the chance to enjoy the show’s namesake and other area attractions. Many said they appreciated the show management’s efficiency–headed by show manager Clay MacLeod of Rancho Santa Fe–in running a smooth show, which ended each day with enough daylight remaining, thus eliminating extra-long days or tiring late-nights.

The Sun & Surf Circuit also awarded its top riders well with 10 all-around saddles; reserve all-around headstalls; silver buckles to all Performance circuit champions and Halter champions, with saddle pads to reserve champions; and blue-ribbon saddles awarded in Non-Pro Trail Classic and Non-Pro Western Riding Classic; among other prizes offered.

John O’Hara photo

Tanya Jenkins and Rest Our Case take the Open Derby reserve.

Prior to the show’s $20,000 Topsail Cody Memorial Open Derby Challenge, Andrea Fappani of San Marcos had won more than a dozen championships in a row, including the National Reining Breeders Classic Open finals. An NRHA Professional and One Million Dollar Rider, Fappani continued his win streak by taking the WCEF Open Derby aboard the palomino stallion Shiner Olena (Smart Chic Olena x Miss Shiner Dear), owned by Katarzyna Roleska. They scored 226 to earn $11,412.

Fappani was also in the money for the Open Derby by taking fifth place on RR Hi Ho Star, owned by Brook Hokana; and sixth place riding Crominic, owned by Manuel Bonzano.

Tanya Jenkins of Temecula had a great ride aboard Rest Our Case, owned by ROC Partnership, for the Open Derby Reserve Championship with a 224.5 score and earning $7,846.

One of Jenkins’ clients, Marilyn Scheffers, rode Chics Sidewinder to first places on both days in the Novice Non Pro class to become the Novice Non Pro Circuit Champion. Scheffers was also the NRHA Non Pro Reserve Circuit Champion, having placed second in the NRHA Non Pro class on both days.

Proceeds from the show benefit the West Coast Equine Foundation, a Murieta Equestrian Center program which provides scholarships and to youth pursuing an education in horse-related fields.

Other MEC Reining Derby champions included:
• $5,000 Int. Open Derby: Riccardo Nicolazzi and UB A Stylin Peppy
• $2,500 Ltd. Open Derby: Michael Boyle and Shepords Star
• $2,000 Non Pro: Shelby St. Hilaire and NQH Little Jac
• $250 Primetime Non Pro: Cindy Roberts and Gata Mia
• $500 Int. Non Pro: Shelby St Hilaire and NQH Little Jac
• $2,000 Open: Gabe Davide and Chicadero
• $500 Int. Open: Trent Pedersen and Shadownics
• $500 Ltd. Open: Trent Pedersen and Tejons Boomencommand
• $5,000 Non Pro Derby: Lindy Longfellow and SLJ Sweet N Juicy
• $3,000 Int. Non Pro Derby: Lindy Longfellow and SLJ Sweet N Juicy
• $1,500 Ltd. Non Pro Derby: Sara Pinckney and Flasshyverde

For complete show results, visit the Web site: www.murietaequinecomplex.com

“We had just received a large shipment of chaps from our customs broker, and believe that the thieves were after those items in particular. We still have plenty of inventory, and are working with local law enforcement trying to recover what was stolen,” Vlietstra said.

She said the response from the horse community has been heartening. “Most thieves are never caught, but Hobby Horse chaps and show apparel is such distinctive apparel to try to fence, we may have a chance of possibly recovering some of our inventory,” Vlietstra added. “All the items were marked with Hobby Horse labels and tags.

“My loyal employees, who are as upset about this as I am, are watching craigslist, ebay, and other online sale sites, as well as notifying stores and other horse-related gatherings. We are looking for large quantities of multiple items being offered by unknown sellers. Individual items, or Hobby Horse products being sold by our Authorized Dealers, are not related to the burglary,” she said.

Updates about the incident may be found on the company’s Web site at . Anyone with information about the burglary is encouraged to contact Hobby Horse Clothing Co. President Suzanne Vlietstra by calling 1-800-569-5885 Ext. 16 or e-mail: suzi@hobbyhorseinc.com

Kat Rodgers photo

Lyn Anderson and Lil Time To Smoke win the Open Hackamore Spectacular.

Sherri Gilkerson died October 2006 from injuries sustained in a horse accident in Cave Creek, Ariz. An accomplished horse trainer and coach, Gilkerson won both the Open Bridle and Limited Open Bridle at the 2005 NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity in Reno, among her long list of accomplishments. More than that, many who knew Gilkerson say she was a good friend, an ethical business woman, a wonderful partner to her husband Marc, and a good representative for the reined cow horse industry.

One of the special awards for the Open Spectacular Champion was a unique trophy Marc Gilkerson and his friends created. The perpetual trophy, a bronze of Sherri’s actual boots and spurs, immortalizes the great work ethic it takes to win. Marc commented: “Sherri once said, ‘Training horses doesn’t define me, it’s what I do for a living.’ Anyone who met Sherri knew she wasn’t in it for the money. She was a trainer to help people do their best.” He adds: “In the past year and a half, I’ve learned that life can make you bitter, or it can make you better. It’s all in your outlook and how you accept it.”

The Open Hackamore Spectacular (with added money of $5,000) was won by Lyn Anderson of Madera, Calif., riding Lil Time To Smoke, owned by Kathryn Schaefer. They scored 221.5 to earn a payout for $3,372. Anderson said she would not miss this show out of respect for Sherri, Mark and their families. “This show is a wonderful way to honor Sherri’s life and it means a lot to be able to come together to remember Sherri,” said Anderson, who has also been the National Reined Cow Horse Association’s President for the last few years. “It’s a great show, and they continue to add classes, have more prize money and to rearrange the schedule so everyone can get shown at a decent hour.”

Taking the Open Hackamore Spectacular Reserve honors was Jason Hershberger aboard Bridge Canyon Miss, owned by Mike Oden Cattle Co., with a 218.5 score earning $2,810.

The Limited Open Hackamore Spectacular (with added money of $1,000) was among the new Spectacular classes this year. There was a tie in the class for co-champions, who both scored 214.5. Jeff Veitch rode Smarty Boonlight, owned by Coal Creek Ranch, to earn $1,240. Also winning the shared title and $1,240 was Brad Barkemeyer aboard Zipper Nic, owned by Allan Kaplan.

Another highlight class was the Open Bridle Spectacular (with added money of $5,000) won by Bob Avila of Temecula riding Docs Soula, owned by Docs Soula Partners, earning a 217 score and $3,664. Jason Hershberger took another Spectacular reserve in the Open Bridle Spectacular; this time riding Barnies Bro, owned by Jon and Peggy Hershberger, with a 215.5 score for $2,748.

In the Non Pro Bridle Spectacular (with added money of $5,000), Dema Paul rode Primos Bob Acres for the championship. Dema was also the Non Pro Bridle Champion for the third year in a row. Dema reflected: “Sherri came to Arizona to take lessons from Jim and Jimmie Paul from Colorado and never left. She was always trying to improve, working hard and consistently got better.”

Primos Bob Acre (Teninas First x Bob Acre Angelena), owned by Jim and Dema Paul of Cave Creek, Ariz., has been creatively tagged “Border Collie” by Ted Robinson because of the way he works a cow. “He does it all by himself, I just have to stay out of his way. He can read a cow better than any person. He’s one in a million, I’ll never have another horse like him. He and I are kinda a team, we get along so well.”

Dema was also an inspiration to horsepeople since she recently recovered from an injury and came back as a reigning champion. “I have a phobia about stopping (in the rein work) and managed somehow to get all of my horses to not like it, but we got through it good. His favorite is the cow work, even though he’s good in the herd. Going down the fence, he gets to the cow and all I have to worry about is pushing him by,” Dema said. “He takes his head and wraps it around the cow somehow. It’s something you can’t teach a horse, either he has it or not.”

SCRCHA President Cindy Mendoza explained the origin of the show and its collaboration between the Southern California and Arizona affiliates of National Reined Cow Horse Association. “We’d been talking about doing a big show together. The idea of a memorial show went into play. Originally, the plan was to trade years, one year in California and one Arizona,” Mendoza said.

The first year simply ended up in California because of date conflicts in Arizona and the available seasons. “You can pretty much show all year in California, whereas Arizona gets too hot in the summer time,” Mendoza said. “So they asked us if we would have the show concurrently with our Wine Country Classic show we hold every May. At our first show, we were so excited to have a great turnout and everyone just loved the facility. With such a huge turnout, Dema and Debbie came up to me during that show and said: ‘Cindy, you know, we have to keep the show here, your team is doing a fantastic job with the show and we couldn’t pick a better place to have it!’ Between the two clubs working together as a team and wonderful volunteers that stepped up to the occasion, we had another successful show,” Mendoza said.

Mendoza added that Casner Ranch is a beautiful facility and Craig Casner keeps it in top notch condition. It has enough space for 200 horses with plenty of RV parking. “It boasts three arenas, all with superb ground, which enabled us to have two arenas going at the same time,” Mendoza said.

In addition to the annual show, the two associations have created a scholarship fund in Sherri’s name. Any NRCHA Youth member with the desire to go to college and good grades is eligible. Donations and profits of the show go toward the scholarship fund. Donations are accepted. Information about the Sherri Gilkerson Memorial Scholarship is available at  www.scrcha.com  or www.azrcha.com .

For complete results, visit:  www.scrcha.com/4Results/4Results.html

Valley Center Vaqueros is putting on a Silver Buckle Gymkhana Series, starting June 7 at Aerie Park in Valley Center. Classes offered include showmanship at halter, keyhole race, poles, figure-eight stakes, barrel racing and more. High point of the day (four divisions) will win silver buckles! End of the Year High Point awards are also offered, for each age group. To sign up or for more info, call Fran DeWilde at (760) 749-1339.

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Looking to get away this summer? Make your first stop the California Horsetrader’s Horse Vacations/Camps section that is on Pages 70-71 this issue! You’ll find various guest ranches and kids camps throughout the summer. The fun is set to begin! And if you own or operate a guest ranch or camp and would like to put the Horsetrader to work for you, be sure to give Lori a call at the Horsetrader office at 760-546-1184, or email lori.wilson@horsetrader.com. This affordable, consistent advertising opporutnity works!

Horsetrader photo / Daniel K. Lew

Susie Hutchison rides Cantano to win the $35,000 Blenheim Spring Classic II Grand Prix April 5.

Flashback to the 2008 show season in which a beautiful bay Holsteiner stallion ridden by a veteran show-jumping great made an outstanding debut in the Grand Prix field. Win after win, Susie Hutchison of Temecula riding Cantano, owned by Jim and Pat Iverson of El Dorado 29, proved their prowess when Cantano won four out of five Grand Prix events last spring.

Hutchison and Cantano were picture perfect again in 2009 and won the $35,000 Blenheim Spring Classic II Grand Prix.

Ninth in the ring and first to go clean, Hutchison and Cantano set the stage for a five horse jump-off. The track proved to be just tough enough for numerous four-fault rides, including a tricky triple-combination line that resulted in a bit more than a rail for some riders in a class of 25 entries.

As with the first round, so it was with the jump-off, Hutchison and Cantano took the lead and win going double-clean in 41.15. Eddie Macken aboard Tedechine Sept, owned by Valerie Robinson and Kathie Ballentine, took second place.

For the $35,000 Blenheim Spring Classic III Grand Prix, Michelle Parker of San Marcos and Socrates, owned by Cross Creek Farms, Inc., won the event as the only pair to ride clean over the indoor course designed by Olaf Petersen Jr. of Germany.

Parker aboard Socrates maneuvered her way without any faults, but it turned out to be a crash course for many other horses and riders. Challenging elements included but were not limited to a triple combination mid-way through the course and a large plank oxer at an angle towards the audience.

The almost clean four-faulters were among the top ribbons; fastest was Ali Nilforushan on his new mount Green Sleeps Vioco who took second, followed by Joie Gatlin riding SunCal’s King in third place. Kasey Ament rode well on Siendifie ending up in fourth place.

For complete results, visit the Web site: www.showpark.com/results.asp