Jimmy Flores, Sr. Memorial cow horse competition highlights a line-up of big late-spring events

From Horsetrader sales staff

One of the highlights of the year is the annual Southern California Reined Cow Horse Association tribute to Jimmy Flores, Sr., who passed away in 2015 after a life dedicated to horses in general and the reined cow horse sport in particular. Springtime in Southern California wine country is hard to beat for a horse show venue, and Green Acres Ranch will host a winner in this four-day event that includes three full slates of NRCHA classes plus Spectacular divisions in Open Bridle, Limited Open Bridle, Open Hackamore, Limited Open Hackamore, Non Pro Bridle, Non Pro Hackamore and Non Pro Boxing. For information, see the ad, or visit the association’s website at www.scrcha.com

If you attended the Western States Horse Expo since its 2019 move to the Murieta Equestrian Center, you know why the excitement is building for the 2024 version that’s just around the corner. The beautiful environs of the MEC, combined with the very best clinicians and trainers in the nation, the largest vendor collection you’ll find, and a dedicated staff second to none create a “don’t miss” event for any horseperson. This year’s Western States Horse Expo runs June 7-9, and on horsexpo.com you can preview the clinician line-up that features Barbara Schulte, Sandy Collier and other favorites. See the Western States Horse Expo ad on page 2, and start planning your late spring trip to Rancho Murieta! Questions? Call (916) 354-2119 or email letters@horsexpo.com.

The Twin Oaks Valley Equestrian Association will hold its Common Ground Clinic at Walnut Grove Park in San Marcos on May 19, featuring a full day of learning moments and camaraderie with local equestrians. Bring your own horse for this fun and educational day with local professionals. At 10 a.m., Lindsey Pettingell of White Wolf Equestrian will conduct a 90-minute hunter-jumper clinic that will focus on adjustability, strength and balance — all of which are the foundation of any successful jumping partner. Lindsay will bring special focus to simple exercises that riders will be able to continue practice on their own. From 12:30 to 1:30, local veterinarians Dr. Matt Leshaw and Dr. Kim Hauck will hold a free equine first aid clinic, covering when to call the vet and first aid basics every horse owner should know. From 1:45 to 3:15 p.m., Sarah Pinney and Matt French will hold “Back to Basics — unmounted clinic” that will be a dynamic, activity-focused role-play session centered on the foundational skills of horse communication and cueing with an emphasis on body language and touch. The registration fees are $65 for one clinic, $95 for the full day, or $30 to audit the entire day. Lunch and TOVEA membership are included for participants. For more information, see the ad on page 22, or register and gather additional info at keepitequestrian.com.

At the Twombly Performance Horse Sale you can “Ride Their Reputation” along with many other repeat buyers. Twombly horses are confident, willing partners that love to please, as the family looks for conformation, disposition, color, a great pedigree and athletic ability. They are ridden through rugged country and steep canyons as well as in the arena, roping and dragging hot heels and reining training. This helps develop sane and healthy minds, and they are trained to be soft in the face, take their correct leads, stop on “whoa” command, to move away from neck rein and leg pressure. Prospective buyers can visit the ranch and try them before the sale, which will be held mid-June at the ranch in western Nebraska near Scottsbluff. Come and enjoy the old west trail country where you can expect to see pretty, colorful, broke performance horses. Broodmares also wil be for sale. A sale preview takes place on Thursday, June 13, and the sale is on Friday, June 14. All horses in the sale are ridden at Coyote Slide Ranch by the Twombly family, which has more than 150 years experience riding performance horses. Videos of the horses are available online at twomblyhorse.com before the sale, showcasing the horses’ pasture and arena riding, as well as reining ability. Twombly sales are known to have several horses so well broke that they can be ridden without a bridle and bareback. The sale will feature trail, ranch, reining horses and broodmares. For more information, see the ad on page 18, or call (308) 672-1038.

Ranch Horse folks! The West Coast Ranch Horse “Ranch Horse Celebration” show featuring the WCRH Championships comes to CRC Ranch in Temecula June 1-2, followed by the Ranch Horse Retreat June 2-3. The open, all-breed Ranch Horse show will feature judges Laurel Walker Denton and Debbie Cooper. The Ranch Horse Retreat will be a unique learning environment with Laurel Walker Denton the clinician. Prior to the big multi-day show, a Summer Clinic will be held at CRC Ranch on May 26 with Temecula-based trainer Rosie Cowley. For more information, see the WCRH ad on page 7, or visit the association website at westcoastranchhorse.com.

Fund-raising can be FUN! If you or your association, church, school or other service group has been contemplating an engaging way to raise funds, have a Casino party! Antelope Valley Professional Fundraising, a High Desert-based company serving the entire Southern California area brings an authentic Vegas experience to you, providing everything you need — gaming tables, chips, equipment and professional dealers. For info, see the ad on page 14, or give Barbara a call at (661) 506-9702.

To see or place FREE listings in the current calendar of shows and events for May (and beyond!) go to https://horsetrader.com/shows-and-events.