The De Anza Trail Caballeros welcome “gentlemen on horseback,” for their 77th Annual De Anza Trail Ride, scheduled for April 12-18 from Calexico to Riverside. This men-only event commemorates and honors the historic achievement of Juan Bautista De Anza, who blazed the first overland trail from Mexico to the Northern California coast and who encouraged the development of the saddle horse for pleasure riding. Make your plans now, and contact Gary Etchandy at (951) 677-5291 to reserve your spot! See the ad on page 66, and visit www.DeAnzaRide.org for details.

What do you get when you have six round pens, six unbroken horses and six talented horse trainers, all in the same facility? You get the demanding and exciting Colt Starting Challenge USA event that is sweeping the nation. Two of the organization’s 19 2015 conpetitions will be held this winter in California –- at Ingall’s Equestrian Center in Norco Feb. 27-28 and at Cal State Fresno’s Animal Science Pavilion March 6-7 — with the Colt Starting Challenge USA Finals set for Las Vegas in December. The horses entered have never been saddled, bridled, or ridden at all. Come watch six natural horsemanship contestants compete to tame these unbroken horses in just a few hours, and ride them through an obstacle course. Judges will decide the winner, and prize money will be awarded. Buy your tickets now, only $15! Visit www.coltstartingchallengeusa.com for more info on both events as well as the other 2015 competitions, or call (808) 269-3408. See the ads on page 22 and 23.

Compton Jr. Posse’s Eighth Annual Fundraiser Gala, “Olympic Gold Programs,” is just around the corner! Scheduled for Saturday, May 16th, in the Ahmanson Ballroom at the Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles, this evening to remember will include a silent auction, celebrities, live entertainment, food and dancing. This year’s honorees include Bishop Larry Eastland, Al Schlom and his daughter, Candice King. Olympic Gold Medalist Will Simpson and actress Patricia Heaton Hunt will share hosting duties with Jami Heidegger and Joe Edmiston. Compton Jr. Posse (CJP) is dedicated to keeping kids on horses — and off the streets! You can help to support CJP in the ongoing effort to provide inner-city youth with year-round after school alternatives to the lure of gang and drug lifestyles. For over 20 years, CJP has given inner city kids hope, by teaming them with horses. Through these equestrian activities, youth develop responsibility, discipline and self-esteem. To purchase your tickets, make a donation or to learn more, call Mayisha at (310) 632-1247 and visit www.ComptonJrPosse.org. Don’t miss their ad on page 66!

Deal! The Norco Horsemen’s Association will be celebrating its 19th Annual Wild West Casino Night Saturday, March 14, at Nellie Weaver Hall. This fun and exciting event features blackjack, roulette, craps, Texas Hold ‘Em, faro and poker! There will also be hourly “Pot of Gold” drawings, a prize wheel and a $500 Grand Prize. Enjoy great music and take advantage of the Western Saloon and Chuck Wagon – proceeds will go to support the Norco High School FFA Scholarship Fund. Get your tickets for $20 each, either at the door, or at the Sixth Street Deli, The Hay Connection, Thrifty Horse and Norco Camper. You must be 21 years of age or older to enter. See the ad on page 68 for more info, and visit www.nha-norco.org.

The Hermanson/Kist All-Breed Spring Horse Sale will be held March 21-22 at the Kist Livestock Auction in Mandan, N.D. There are about 500 head expected, including bred mares, stud colts and stallions, fillies, geldings and many more. Many of the top performance bloodlines will be represented, including Corona Cartel, Frenchmans Guy, Chick Beduino, Gallo Del Cielo, Smart Little Lena, Docs Stylish Oak, Widows Freckles, TR Dual Rey, Smooth As A Cat and many others. See the ad on page 7 to learn more, and call (701)400-8188.

The Galway Downs 2015 International Horse Trials welcomes top-level riders and horses from around the world March 26-29 at the Galway Downs Equestrian Center. Be on hand to watch the precision and beauty of dressage, the jaw-dropping excitement of cross-country where competitors navigate through water, over ditches and across numerous large obstacles at top speeds, and show jumping, where you’ll sit on the edge of your seat to see if any rails get knocked down. Galway Downs offers fun for the whole family — even your non-horsey friends! Enjoy a variety of delicious cuisine provided by Super Q and “Devilicious” food trucks, live music and local vendors on site. General admission for the event is only $10 per day in advance, $15 at the gate, with children under 12 free when accompanied by a paying adult. Patron’s passes, which include seating in the ringside tent, lunch and a full selection of beverages, are also available for $55 per day or $150 for the weekend in advance. For advance reservations, See the ad on page 67 for their 2-for-1 admission special and more information!

Hawthorne Country Store will soon be celebrating its “Chick Day!” The “Peep Show” will be held on Friday, March 6, and will include food, fun and a first choice of chicks. Reservations are required and are $20 for two people. Make your reservations quickly, as there are a limited amount of times available! On Saturday, March 7, Chick Day takes place, with more than 70 different breeds and a wide variety of chicks. You’re sure to find the chick of your dreams! Plus, there will be specials on starter feed and starter chicken coops, as well as plenty of educational handouts and signage. Come learn about different breeds of chickens, pest mitigation and predator prevention. See the ad on page 43, or stop by either Hawthorne Country Store locations to find out more, or call (760) 746-7816 (Escondido) or (760) 728-1150 (Fallbrook).