Four-show series concludes its 2024 summer run

By Horsetrader staff

HUNTINGTON BEACH: The four-show Surf City Circuit series, put on by Track One Events for the Los Serranos Award Circuit, wrapped up its successful season Aug. 17 at the Huntington Central Park Equestrian Center.

Beautiful buckles and other awards were icing on the cake for winners at this refreshing circuit of open shows, which featured popular classes in ranch, reining, pleasure, horsemanship and trail.

One gratified Circuit Champion was open reiner Sophia Ritchie, an assistant trainer for Rick Baer Performance Horses that is based at the Huntington Central Park Equestrian Center. Ritchie rode I Whiza Gangsta to the title for owner Patricia Houk.

A solid foundation in ground work started Sabrina Smith’s college ride

By Horsetrader staff

RAMONA — Gainesville, Texas, is about 1,400 miles from Sabrina Smith’s growing grounds in Ramona, but she is right at home.

The 21-year-old sophomore competes on the North Central Texas College equestrian team, working toward a degree in criminal justice on a full-ride scholarship she earned from the ground up.

The daughter of Ramona-based trainer Tony Smith, Sabrina credits the versatility of her riding experiences for her selection to the NCTC equestrian team. Trail. Western. English. Ranch. Reining. Working cow. Versatility with a capital “V”.

And both she and her dad credit her early foundation in showmanship and horsemanship for a seemingly natural connection across different disciplines.

Kailty King-Hale and Gotta Have Style are finding their groove

By Horsetrader staff

After a year, it’s safe to say Kailey King-Hale and Gotta Have Style, the grey mare she acquired last year, are connecting.

Kailey, a non pro who rides at her family’s King Performance Horses in Chino Hills, was looking for a next-level reiner to develop in spring 2023 when a friend at the Cactus Reining Classic in Scottsdale arranged an unforgettable test ride in a busy warm-up arena at the show.

Popular ‘kids ride free’ SCRCHA event also inspires adults

By Sue Carter / for the Horsetrader

TEMECULA — The future of horses is the youth of today, and it looked bright at the 2024 Grant Berg Memorial Horse Show put on by the Southern California Reined Cow Horse Association on July 4-7.

Green Acres Ranch hosted the four-day horse event honoring Grant Berg, and there was a nice turnout of horses and riders for the warm days that included three full slates of National Reined Cow Horse Association classes.

Ranch Horse competitors say ‘mahalo’ for 2024 Summerfest

Special to the Horsetrader

TEMECULA — West Coast Ranch Horse has had a great 2024 season of ranch horse competition so far. Their popular Ranch Summerfest Show was held on July 21 at California Ranch Company, and exhibitors wore Hawaiian shirts to beat the heat and adorned themselves and their horses with festive leis.

The event featured tropical ranch trail, open disciplined ranch rail and a non-pro ranch rail stakes class with a Hawaiian-themed silver belt buckle to the champion. Saltwater Riders, the title sponsor for the third straight year, sponsored t-shirts of the winners’ choice for the Top 10 in the stakes and disciplined rail classes. Bentley Show Pads sponsored multiple show pads for the winners, too.

Rancho California Horsemen’s Association celebrates its success

Special to the Horsetrader

TEMECULA — Rancho California Horsemen’s Association recently celebrated 55 years as the premier equestrian organization in the Temecula Valley.

A wonderful BBQ dinner catered by South Fork and sponsored by Darrell and Brenda Cowan, a silent auction sponsored by Temecula Valley Rural Lifestyles, and line dancing led by Nita Bowers were highlights of the evening which also included the awarding of an RCHA-sponsored Scholarship at Green Acres Interactive Therapy (GAIT) to Kaylee Long so she can pursue her love of riding, and the annual Friend of RCHA Award to Lorraine Harrington for her support of the equestrian lifestyle in Temecula Valley.

The eyes are extremely important to our equine companions. If we lose one or both eyes, it can be career-ending for our animals. Signs of eye discomfort are blepharospasm (squinting), tearing of the eye, rubbing of the eyes, and changes in the normal appearance of the eyes. This month I will discuss some of the more common eye ailments I see and some tips on what can be done. Before we proceed, I feel I should mention that most eye problems should be seen sooner rather than later. Waiting can be devastating on some of these problems.

Eyelid Lacerations

Eyelid lacerations are extremely common. One Friday evening, I had three emergency pages back-to-back, all eyelid lacerations. If treated promptly, most can be sutured. If no tissue is lost, often times full function returns and there is little to no cosmetic defect. I usually give some sedation, locally anesthetize the skin and repair the laceration. A tetanus vaccine update and some antibiotics are often the only other medications needed.

Uveitis

The uvea is the back part of the eye itself. Some breeds are more prone to the condition, but it is thought that an infectious agent causes the disease, although it cannot always be proven. This area in the eye gets very inflammed and can fill with pus. These conditions are very painful and can cause significant blepharospasm (squinting) and tearing of the eye. The eyes can get a bulging appearance to them and they can appear yellowed. These are many ways these are treated, but anti-inflammatories are very important to reduce the swelling and discomfort.

Cool Bonsall breezes just one allure to Hidden Hills Ranch

From the Horsetrader sales staff

When someone suggests you “come to your senses” when looking for a boarding or training facility, it’s not a bad idea! Hidden Hills Equestrian Ranch in Bonsall checks all the boxes, and it also appeals to all the senses — starting with the cool breezes from the ocean and to the peaceful, pastoral environment immersing the remarkable facility. Hidden Hills offers a private country club lifestyle for you and your equine partner in a relaxed & tranquil setting, offering everything from boarding, support care for the serious equestrian, maintenance programs for the busy working folks, to full training.

More than a learning barn, Devenport Training’s rodeo program is now a ‘family’

By Horsetrader staff

ESCONDIDO — By 6 p.m. at the San Pasqual Valley Ranch arena, the weekday junior rodeo practice is winding down. All 14 girls — ranging from age six to 15 and from beginner to advanced — listen to their coach’s comments as each one takes their horse’s turn through one last practice pattern. It’s clear the young riders are learning, and even clearer they are having fun.

“Many of my members have been together on this team for years now,” says the coach, Mindy van Loggerenberg. “They are growing up with each other. Older members are like big sisters, and the younger ones are mentored, monitored, loved and treated like… well, little siblings.”

Surf City Western Series brings it to the beach

By Horsetrader staff

HUNTINGTON BEACH — The competition may be hot, but temperatures are cool for this summer’s Surf City Western Series Show Circuit at the beautiful Huntington Central Park Equestrian Center.

The four-show series kicked off May 11 with classes in reining, ranch, pleasure, horsemanship and trail. The kick-off show May 11 had a great feel, and several familiar faces finished at the top of the classes.