BURBANK – The Hollywood Charity Reining Royale, hosted by William Shatner, returned April 25-29 to the Los Angeles Equestrian Center, this time with a new reining Maturity class in the line-up.
Trainer Tom Foran, who operates out of the LAEC, defended his ‘home turf’ by winning the maturity on Elaine Davis’s gelding, Lil Joe Tag. He also rode to the reserve title on Copus Performance Horses’ talented stallion, Gunball Machine.
“It was very nice to see a good class added for our older show horses,” Foran said. “There is so much focus on futurities and Derbies, and I think sometimes we put our tried and true older show horses on the back burner.”
Adding events for horses ages seven and older will increase the longevity of these horses, Foran added, and also help grow the sport of reining.
“I feel very fortunate that my two talented boys worked so well,” he said.
Foran also tied atop the Open Derby on Kimberly Adamic’s 5-year-old, Lenas Smartie Pants. Tom and Pat Wickenheiser, with whom he tied, decided to settle things by being named Co-Champions.
“I drew up early and Smartie showed pretty strong,” said Foran. “I knew the score we posted left the door open for someone to step up and beat us. Pat has a really nice horse, and he’s a very talented horse trainer and showman. When they announced the tie, I was glad it was with Pat. We’re friends and it’s always nice to see your buddies do well. We immediate decided we’d be co-champions.”
In addition to the Maturity and Derby, Foran showed in the NRHA Open and Novice Horse Open Classes. He found success here too by winning the Open on Gunball Machine as well as claiming the Novice Horse title on Painted Desert Ranches’ great mare, Boogies Last Benz.
“Sometimes you get lucky and everything falls into place,” said Foran. “Having just moved to the L.A. Center a year ago, it was important to me that we have a good show here.”
MORE RESULTS: See website: http://bit.ly/25B_Holly
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