BURBANK — Kicking off the fall horse show season at the Gold Coast 6 Aug. 30-Sept. 2, participants got the chance to earn grants for their school libraries in the $5,000 Riding for Reading Pleasure Class. Claire Sears, a junior at Claremont High who is trained by Rainbow Canyon Ranch, was glad to win this year’s class aboard Kingdom Come, owned by Mary Gatti.

“I have been participating in the class for several years, and each year my school is thrilled to receive the library money,” Sears said. “It feels really good to be able to contribute to my school while doing something I love to do.”

The non-profit Pacific Equestrians organization runs the Riding For Reading program, which is dedicated to promoting literacy and reading through equestrian sports and activities. All participants received special Riding for Reading ribbons and paperwork to show their schools that they are going to receive a library grant from the Riding for Reading foundation.

Another popular event in the hunter ring was the $1,000 USHJA National Hunter derby, part of the $40,000 LEG 40th Anniversary National Hunter Derby Series. Sheri Moser and Anything Goes, owned by Courtney Harrell, took the event to conclude a big weekend for Anything Goes. Owner Harrell also won were champions in the 18-35 Adult Amateur Hunters as well as the LAHJA Horsemanship Finals (see related story).

Tara Spencer (Edmonton Farms, trainer) rode Treasure Chest (Sheri Moser, owner) to the eighth place award in the same hunter derby. Thrilled with her accomplishment, Tara and her trainers were also very proud of Treasure Chest. He is a Thoroughbred that was selected by Eddie Connors, a man who dedicated his life to helping Thoroughbreds have a second career in the show ring after a career on the racetrack. After learning how to be a hunter, Treasure Chest ended up with Sheri Moser and Duncan McIntosh. “Treasure Chest is truly a fairy-tale horse. He came from the racetrack, learned how to jump, and is now doing what he loves,” said Duncan McIntosh of Edmonton Farms. “He just has an incredible story. He has won several Thoroughbred classics and he loves the derbies. We are all so proud of him.”

Elsewhere in the Hunter ring, Morgan Allison (Four Views Equestrian, trainer) and her Jersey Girl were champion in the Children’s Hunter 14-17 division. Morgan and her barn travel to the Gold Coast shows from Las Vegas, Nevada. “The Gold Coast shows are great because I am able to compete with people at my own level,” Morgan remarked. “Gold Coast also offers more classes that I’m interested in including the medals. I was really happy with my show this weekend. Everything went smoothly; Jersey Girl and I were communicating well and that allowed for one of the best shows we have had all summer.” Morgan recently turned 18 and started her first year at University of Utah.

In the jumper ring, Stacey Bacheller (Shadowbrook Stables, trainer) had a very successful show aboard Otto Rocket (Jeni Brown, owner). Stacey and Otto were champions in the Children’s Jumpers and won the Child Adult Jumper Classic. “I have ridden Otto at home before, but this was only my second show on him,” said Stacey. “It is very rewarding to see how well we did together in a show environment with difficult courses.” Otto is a homebred gelding, and Stacey has known him since he was saddle broke. “I really appreciate how far he has come and how much he has matured to do so well at a show.”

Lauren Vogel raked in a few championships herself, winning the tri-color in 1.15M Jumpers with her V.E. Miss America. Lauren and her V.E. Zuperdeluxe were reserve champion in the 1.20M Jumpers behind Kristy Miller and her Cancun and reserve champion in 1.30M Jumpers, where Anne Frankel and her Obe were champion. Lauren also got the job done in the hunter ring with her V.E. Wesley, winning 2’9” Low Hunters Champion.

Look for our coverage of the LAHJA Horsemanship and Rosewood Medal Finals, as well as some of the other equitation events held at Gold Coast 6, in an upcoming story. For more information on Gold Coast 6, including results, visit the LEG website.