Rancho California Horsemen’s Association celebrates its success

Special to the Horsetrader

TEMECULA — Rancho California Horsemen’s Association recently celebrated 55 years as the premier equestrian organization in the Temecula Valley.

A wonderful BBQ dinner catered by South Fork and sponsored by Darrell and Brenda Cowan, a silent auction sponsored by Temecula Valley Rural Lifestyles, and line dancing led by Nita Bowers were highlights of the evening which also included the awarding of an RCHA-sponsored Scholarship at Green Acres Interactive Therapy (GAIT) to Kaylee Long so she can pursue her love of riding, and the annual Friend of RCHA Award to Lorraine Harrington for her support of the equestrian lifestyle in Temecula Valley.

Cool Bonsall breezes just one allure to Hidden Hills Ranch

From the Horsetrader sales staff

When someone suggests you “come to your senses” when looking for a boarding or training facility, it’s not a bad idea! Hidden Hills Equestrian Ranch in Bonsall checks all the boxes, and it also appeals to all the senses — starting with the cool breezes from the ocean and to the peaceful, pastoral environment immersing the remarkable facility. Hidden Hills offers a private country club lifestyle for you and your equine partner in a relaxed & tranquil setting, offering everything from boarding, support care for the serious equestrian, maintenance programs for the busy working folks, to full training.

More than a learning barn, Devenport Training’s rodeo program is now a ‘family’

By Horsetrader staff

ESCONDIDO — By 6 p.m. at the San Pasqual Valley Ranch arena, the weekday junior rodeo practice is winding down. All 14 girls — ranging from age six to 15 and from beginner to advanced — listen to their coach’s comments as each one takes their horse’s turn through one last practice pattern. It’s clear the young riders are learning, and even clearer they are having fun.

“Many of my members have been together on this team for years now,” says the coach, Mindy van Loggerenberg. “They are growing up with each other. Older members are like big sisters, and the younger ones are mentored, monitored, loved and treated like… well, little siblings.”

Surf City Western Series brings it to the beach

By Horsetrader staff

HUNTINGTON BEACH — The competition may be hot, but temperatures are cool for this summer’s Surf City Western Series Show Circuit at the beautiful Huntington Central Park Equestrian Center.

The four-show series kicked off May 11 with classes in reining, ranch, pleasure, horsemanship and trail. The kick-off show May 11 had a great feel, and several familiar faces finished at the top of the classes.

From the Horsetrader sales staff

Reining, Ranch Horse client openings

You may have seen the 2024 success stories of King Performance Horses at this year’s reining and ranch horse events. If you are looking at advancing your skills in those disciplines, the King team has a few openings available! Under the direction of Joline King-Pebley, Chino Hills-based King Performance Horses and Riding Academy offers Western riding lessons to riders of all levels, from casual beginners to advanced riders. The barn’s impressive record includes more than 60 years of experience producing champions in the show ring, and the barn’s fun slogan, “From Beginner to Winner” rings true! This summer and fall, King Performance Horses will be showing in the major reining derbies both in and out of California (High Roller Reining Classic, Best of The West, and the CRHA Challenge to name a few). KPH also competes in ranch riding/ ranch trail, and has been successful in the local and national levels of AQHA.

For more information on KPH, see the ad on page 17 or visit the barn’s website at kingperformancehorses.us.

Trainer Robin Bond’s background, personality and gifts helped her discover the up-and-coming international sport of Working Equitation

By Horsetrader staff

HORSETRADER: Robin, you have a rich equestrian background — from your English foundation to national reined cow horse accomplishments and many other events. Now, you’ve really taken to Working Equitation.

ROBIN: I love the challenge of Working Equitation. It’s a great sport, and I think the more people who see it — and see everything that goes into it — the more people will be attracted to it.

HORSETRADER: When many hear “equitation,” they think of young riders being judged on the flat going in circles. Not the case, is it?

ROBIN: No, it is an international sport. The four trials are dressage, ease of handling, a speed trial and a cattle trial. It’s not western because the tack and attire doesn’t have to be western. In the United States, it is acceptable to ride under dressage tack and attire or hunter tack and attire, or even native Spanish, Portuguese or Mexican attire. And any breed can compete — you’ll see Fjords, Gypsy Cobs, Lusitanos, Quarter Horses, Paints, Andalusians.

The four-show Surf City Western Circuit brings it to the beach

From the Horsetrader sales staff

Summer and surf go together in Southern California, and the only way to improve that mix is to add horses! The four-show Surf City Western Circuit held at the beautiful Huntington Central Park Equestrian Center in Huntington Beach brings it all together for competitors in reining, ranch riding, pleasure, horsemanship and trail who want to beat the heat, have fun and compete. The first show was held May 11, with the rest of the summer schedule set for June 15, July 20 and Aug. 17. The series, presented by the Los Serranos Award Circuit, is PCHA-approved and offers fabulous year-end awards — trophies, buckles and cash! For more information, check out the Surf City Circuit display ad on page 7, and visit the circuit’s website at trackoneevents.com.

If you are interested in learning more about cow horse for yourself or your young riders, make plans to attend the Grant Berg Memorial Horse Show July 4-7 at Green Acres Ranch in Temecula. Put on by the Southern California Reined Cow Horse Association, this event is the club’s annual “Youth Ride Free!” show, with all youth entrants receiving waived fees — for haul-in, stall, youth classes, office fees, cow horse cattle fees, and youth herd work cattle fees. Whether young or not-so-young, there will be three full slates of NRCHA classes, including classes in ranch riding, AQHA cutting and working cow horse — as well as six Spectaculars: Open, Non Pro Fence, Box Drive (new!), Non Pro Boxing, Youth Fence and Youth. For more information, see the SCRCHA display ad on page 19, and visit the association’s website at scrcha.com.

Cow Horse action heats up at Jimmy Flores, Sr. show

By SUE CARTER / for the Horsetrader

TEMECULA — The Southern California Reined Cow Horse Association held its annual Jimmy Flores, Sr. Memorial Horse Show on May 9-12 at Green Acres Ranch. The temperatures in Temecula were moderate, and competition was high!

Highlighting the four-day competition were the Spectaculars in six divisions. Winning the Open Spectacular was Jason Grimshaw on his Diamond J Starlite. Grimshaw also took second on Chris Lytle’s Rebel Wilson. Alexandria Zingg took the Limited Open Bridle Spectacular aboard her Uno Im Smart, and the Non Pro Spectacular went to Sarah Bradley riding her Blind Ambition.

Nicole Donahoo brings home 2024 NRCHA World’s Greatest Youth Horseman title

By Horsetrader staff

The packed Will Rogers Coliseum in Fort Worth, Texas, was a loud pressure-cooker when Nicole Donahoo and Very Smart Pearl stepped into the arena for her final go in the NRCHA World’s Greatest Youth Horseman finals in February.

Then, she nailed it.

Her championship crowned a 10-year youth show path from junior rodeo to cow horse, along the way putting tools into her toolbox that she continues to build as a freshman at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.

Which tool did she rely on as she entered the final? Start with her mindset.

SIGN OF THE TIMES: Young equestrians joined the April 25 demonstration at Costa Mesa City Hall against proposed boarding fee hikes at the Orange County Fairgrounds Equestrian Center. (Courtesy photo)

Boarding rent hike stirs equestrian center protests at OC Fairgrounds

From staff reports

COSTA MESA — Equestrians of all ages, sizes and disciplines — many with their horses in-hand — gathered outside Costa Mesa City Hall April 25 in protest of stabling rent increases at the Orange County Fairgrounds Equestrian Center. It was the most recent of multiple demonstrations over the past 18 months by local equestrians who are concerned that the big rent increases would impact and eventually lead to the closing of the facility altogether.

The effort came during a scheduled meeting of the Orange County Fair & Event Center’s Board of Directors.