Oh – those beautiful Friesians! They are coming the the Del Mar Arena next month for the 2010 International Friesian Horse Association World and Grand National Championship Show – so mark your calendars, get your horses ready, and be part of the spectacle. The California Horsetrader is the Official Publication of this event, and it’s a great issue to advertise in as we head into the fall. The show will be held Oct. 13-17 in the beautiful, covered Del Mar Fairgrounds facility, and it will offer 200 National and World classes, exhibitions, clinics, stallion parades and service auction, vendors, a sale barn – and a special Saturday night performance to benefit Rick Roberts Warrior Foundation. The show is USEF regular A-rated for Friesian and Part-bred Friesians, and it is USDF recognized. For a schedule, class lists and more info, call Nancy Nathanson at (805) 448-3027 and see the ad on Page 18 for more info.

Join the Twin Oaks Valley Equestrian Association on Sunday, Oct. 10, for the Horse Heritage Festival and Fourth Annual Poker Ride & Stride at Walnut Grove Park in San Marcos! Riders for the Ride & Stride will check in at 8 a.m., with walkers checking in at 9:30 a.m. There will be over $1,000 in prizes! Come out for this family fun event and enjoy live music by San Diego’s up-and-coming country star, Christine Marie. There will also be raffle prizes, frontier games, pony rides, petting zoo, BBQ lunch, pie eating contest and a pumpkin patch! To learn more, see the ad on Page 76.

The action-packed 25th Annual Industry Hills Pro Rodeo, which raises funds for children in need, will be held Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 9-10, at the Industry Hills Expo Center. Top performers of the PRCA will compete for $32,000 in prize money in events that will include bareback riding, steer wrestling, team roping, saddle bronco riding, calf and team roping, barrel racing and bull riding. Special entertainers at this year’s Pro Rodeo include top floreador (trick rope artist) Tomas Garcilazo of Mexico City and also John Payne, the “one armed bandit.” Rare English Shire horses, owned by Ree and Renn Zaphiropoulos and trained by Chris Hone, will be making their debut. Rodeo proceeds go to The Gabriel Foundation, which benefits as many as 10,000 young people in the San Gabriel Valley who are mentally challenged, physically handicapped or come from disadvantaged or abusive homes. The Industry Hills Pro Rodeo is the Foundation’s annual fundraiser and more than $84,000 was donated last year with proceeds from the 2009 Rodeo. Families can enjoy pony rides, a petting zoo, clowns, food and retail vendors selling Western-theme items. For more information & to purchase tickets, see the ad on Page 77, and call the rodeo office at (626) 961-6892.

Passionately Pink for the Cure! Join Ridge Riders in the fight against breast cancer at the Third Annual “Dare to Wear Pink” Open Show, held Oct. 9 at their new location, the Sycamore Canyon Equestrian Center in San Dimas. You can help to raise funds for Susan G. Komen For the Cure and participate in a great horse show! AMA-approved, the show will offer English, halter, western and trail classes, along with a special Celebration Class. For a class schedule or to learn more, see the ad on Page 72, and call Sherry DeNunzio at (626) 347-6716.