LOS ANGELES – More than 100 equestians from 17 of this city’s diverse associations converged on City Hall Oct. 22 to commemorate the Official L.A. Day of the Horse.

Tom LaBonge, Councilman Fourth District, was front-center of the ceremonies, which also featured words from Los Angeles Equine Advisory Council President Dale Gibson and Vice President Lynn Brown. La Bonge patiently took time to thank and be photographed with each group, including the likes of the Equestrian Trails, Inc. Junior Ambassadors and ETI Corral 20, the Enterprise Farms U.S. Pony Club Riding Center, the Interscholastic Equestrian League, the L.A. Equestrian Vaulting Club and others.

Brown, a longtime equestrian advocate in her hometown who has urged equestrian groups to reach out to local city councils for a rapport with bureaucrats and horse people, was thrilled to see the turn-out of young riders.

The L.A. Equine Advisory Committee was created by L.A. City Councilin 2009. It was a historic first, as equestrians had never had an official voice to the city. Each city councilperson appoints one member to sit on the EAC, which reports directly back to council on the issues. Councilman Tom LaBonge and then-Councilwoman Wendy Greuel helped for the Committee.

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