SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – More than 2,000 horses descended onto Westworld Feb. 14-24 for the 58th Annual Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show, and as they have since the first decade of this illustrious event, California horses and exhibitors shined.

Jon Ramsey, head trainer at Stachowski West in San Marcos, continued his barn’s ascension into 2013 with nine horses winning Scottsdale Champion honors and 10 earning Scottsdale Top Tens.

The line-up of Stakowski West champions included Montero SF+++/, owned by Brenda Lavette of Valley Center, in Native Costume Championship JTR; Fyre And Brimstone, owned by Mike and Joyce Micallef of Redlands and shown by Laura Micallef Country English Pleasure AATR 19-39; SV Justajoy, shown to the Country English Pleasure Select Rider AATR championship by Michelle Harris for owner Lacey Reed; BL Smooth Criminal, shown by owner Bridgette Atwood of Temecula to the Half Arabian Country English Pleasure AAOTR 19-39 title; KD Krown Jullyen, shown by Sharon Blendinger, in the Reserve Championship in Hunter Pleasure AATR 19-39; and MJM American Girl, shown by Ramsey for owner Helen Lacey Reed to the reserve championship in Half Arabian English Pleasure Jr Horse.

Katherine Rich-Elzig of KRE Show Horses in Temecula competed well, too, bringing home four Reserve Championships and nine Top Tens. Rich-Elzig rode Keeley Bullard’s Black Primo +/- to the Scottsdale Reserve Championship in Half Arabian Ladies English Sidesaddle, and Saylor Weidauer rode her KDK Feel The Rhythm Owned to Reserve Champion Out-of-state 13-under. Also, Jordyn Merlo took her Durrango ++++// to a Reserve Championship in Half Arabian Sport Horse in-Hand.

“Scottsdale is a show that we all eagerly look forward to each year,” said Rich-Elzig, located at Green Acres Ranch. “This year, like many in the past, was filled with beautiful weather — for the most part — and great competition.”

She said her 2013 Scottsdale highlight was when her 11-year-old student, Maya Kikuchi, rode her 5-year-old bay gelding, KD BayonBay, to a Reserve Championship in Country English Pleasure 13-under JTR.

“This was Maya’s first year out of walk-trot and just her second year of competition,” Rich-Elzig said. “She and her horse had only five months of training — it was quite a feat for both of them!”

MORE ONLINE: http://bit.ly/303B_Scot