Congratulations are in order for Cindy Mendoza, who is saddling up and competing in reined cow horse events in 2010 after a half-dozen years behind the scenes as a director of the Southern California Reined Cow Horse Association –the last three years as club president. She’s making up for lost time! In the Novice Bridle competition at the NRCHA Hackamore Classic in Paso Robles April 23-25, Cindy and CP Remedy (Tangys Classy Peppy X Miss Remedy) were reserve champions. This came two weeks after she won three Novice Bridle classes at one-day NRCHA shows put on by the Arizona Reined Cow Horse Association in Queen Creek.

“I’ve been so busy running the SCRCHA club that my show career has sort of been put on hold. I’m really excited!” says Cindy. “I tried to show and do the club stuff at the same time, but it was too much. I hadn’t done a lot of it prior and I’ve been taking lessons. Now, somebody else (Laura Edwards) is holding the reins of the club, and I’m happy that I’ve been making progress.”

Cindy now sits at the top of the NRCHA Novice Bridle standings, and her goal is to finish the year in the top five. She’ll compete in the SCRCHA Wine Country Classic/Sherri Gilkerson Memorial Bridle Spectacular at Casner Ranch in Temecula May 14-15.

“This will be the first year that I actually get to participate in the show rather than run the show, so I’m excited about that,” says Cindy, whose husband, Tony, keeps the 13-year-old gelding sharp. “We’re working on being ready for that because we’re actually going to be doing all three events (herd, rein, cow) for the first time. This will be my debut with that.”

When Cindy first served on the board, SCRCHA membership hovered around 40 members. The club is reportedly almost 10 times that today. She attributes the growth to the great people around her

“It really jumped the first year we did the Sherry show,” she says. “I had a lot of help from Dana Avila brining in really good judges and then, of course, when we co-hosted the show with the Arizona club, we had a huge turn-out — larger than we ever expected. It just kind of ballooned from there.”

The five-disk DVD, “Natural Horsemanship with Paul Ortuno,” has been released, covering groundwork, trailer-loading, horsemanship and much more. The acclaimed series has the endorsement of Dr. Ron M. Lenart DVM of the Apple Valley Equine Hospital: “If you’ve ever spent money on a trainer for a problem, gotten your horse home and couldn’t follow through, these videos will teach you how to think ahead of your horse, not behind him, ” says Dr. Lenert. Be sure to see the ad on page 14 for more information and how to get your copy.

The Los Angeles Equestrian Center’s Grand Ballroom will come to life May 22 for the Third Annual Compton Junior Posse Fund-rainig Dinner and Auction – and it’s not too late to donate an item! Known for its remarkable riding program to “Keep Kids on Horses…and Off the Streets!” is now accepting tax-deductible donations and auction items for the event. For information to attend or make a donation, contact Executive Director Mayisha Akbar at (310) 632-1247. See their ad on page 94.

Want to learn more about equine chiropractic? Menifee Meadows Equestrian Center is offering a FREE Equine Chiropractic Seminar with Dr. Don Moore, on Saturday, May 15 at 11 a.m. This seminar, open to the public. will explain the benefits of treatment and stretching regiments to keep your horse comfortable. Please RSVP to ensure your spot! For more info, including future dates of Menifee Meadows free “Ask the Pro” seminars, call Teresa at (619) 572-3087 or email menifeemeadows@hotmail.com.

Come try the trails in Chino Hills on an easy three-hour trail ride! The Chino Hills Horsemen’s Association is hosting the free trail ride on Sunday, May 23, leaving the McCoy Equestrian Center at 9 a.m. sharp and returning by noon for a great BBQ lunch. Lunch tickets are $20 and poker hands will be offered for $5 each, with great prizes! The CHHA asks the there be no stallions, no alcohol and no dogs. For more information, call (951) 316-0063 see the ad on page 85.