Working Equitation Regional Champions crowned in Temecula

By BROOKE NGUYENDO | for the Horsetrader

TEMECULA — Three incredible days of Working Equitation competition took place in the beautiful wine country of southwest Riverside County. From Canada to California, riders and horses of all kinds came together to showcase their skill, heart, and partnership in the arena. Lifelong friendships were forged, milestones were reached, and the spirit of camaraderie filled the air as everyone celebrated the sport they love and cherish.

When Amanda Latta and Cheryl Croasman of Wine Country Classic Horse Shows set out in 2021 to host their very first Working Equitation Regional Show in Temecula, they never looked back.

EDITOR’S NOTE: The late Los Angeles horsewoman Lynn Brown was a leading activist for equestrians for decades, helping horse groups navigate unfamiliar terrain of municipal government when important issues arise. Most recently, a few weeks before her passing Jan. 3, 2023, she was instrumental in educating and securing opposition from local elected Burbank officials over a “proposal” for an aerial tram that would have torn out the only public riding arena, Martinez Arena, in Griffith Park. Her advice rings as true today as it did then.

By LYNN BROWN | for the Horsetrader

The adage, “you can’t fight City Hall,” is not true—you can! Some may try and find that the cards seem stacked against them, or that the opposition was better organized. I’d like to provide some suggestions that have worked—and now is the time. These days, preserving equestrian life in many communities requires that its horsepeople to take up the fight.

The first challenge is to be positive, to know you can make a difference. It’s not always easy. In our recent battle to preserve the Silver Spur Stables from being demolished and rebuilt as small-lot housing, the task at first seemed impossible. We tackled it anyway, and to our surprise, we won—the individual who had applied to Glendale City Council for a zoning change, suddenly after months of relentless opposition, withdrew his request. If he had been successful in obtaining the zoning change, it would spell the end of all the historic boarding barns and feed stores along Riverside Drive.

CAWDA trainers, amateurs and juniors win World Show prizes

By JACKIE HILLS / for the Horsetrader

GUTHRIE, Okla. — What a turnout! The Western Dressage Association of America held its 2025 World Show event Sept. 16-20 at the Lazy E Arena in Guthrie, and the event hosted 145 classes featuring 187 entries riding 1,558 tests — competing for World titles, breed awards, affiliate awards and other special awards.

Twenty-five of California Western Dressage Association’s best riders from California and Nevada, who were joined by some of CAWDA’s best virtual show members from coast to coast, teamed up to win multiple champion, reserve champion, and top 10 placings.

WCRH Summerfest draws Ranch Horse talent to CRC

Special to the Horsetrader

TEMECULA — Tropical fun and SoCal sun converged on California Ranch Company in August for three days of West Coast Ranch Horse learning and action.

On Friday, WCRH hosted an Intro to Versatility Ranch Horse clinic with multiple AQHA and APHA World Champion Bryce Briggs. Attendees enjoyed a day-and-a-half clinic covering all VRH classes — complete with ranch riding, reining, flag work, boxing, roping, Q&A sessions and live feedback. There was a mock cutting/boxing show on Saturday afternoon.

Youth, adults both shine at Grant Berg Memorial

By SUE CARTER / for the Horsetrader

TEMECULA — The Southern California Reined Cow Horse Association each year honors Grant Berg at its July show. The club focuses on youth riders, and entry fees are for youth riders at this show. SCRCHA believes that by supporting our youth, it instills a love for the sport of cow horse and assures the sport’s health into the future.

This year’s Grant Berg Memorial Show had a great turnout with some surprisingly moderate temperatures. July in Temecula can be brutally hot, so participants were pleasantly surprised with cooler temps this year.

Better character, better student, better health… and FUN!

By Jennifer Forsberg Meyer |
courtesy of ELCR.org

Riding offers much more than equestrian know-how. Here’s why horses can be a life-enhancing choice for your child.

Margaret Coon learned a lot about first aid and crisis management during her time with the United States Pony Clubs. So much so, in fact, that when she grew up and was dealing with her own child’s bump on the head, someone from her pediatrician’s office mistook her for an RN.

“No, I’m not,” explained Margaret, who’d wowed the staff by having her baby’s pulse, res-piration, and pupil size available for the doctor. “This is just what you do before you call the veterinarian.”

That degree of composure under pressure is common among Pony Club kids. Margaret’s mother, Ruth Harvie, says the incident is but one of many involving her children, all raised with horses.

Both new and familiar faces shine at Jimmy Flores, Sr. Show

By SUE CARTER / for the Horsetrader

TEMECULA — Southern California Reined Cow Horse Association held its annual Jimmy Flores, Sr. Memorial Horse Show May 9-11 at Green Acres Ranch. The show commemorates a great horseman, Jimmy Flores, Sr.

The career of Jimmy Flores, Sr. spanned eight decades and touched thousands of people. Flores first trained professionally in the late 1940s, hanging a shingle in the San Gabriel area. In 1960, he and his family briefly moved to Oregon, then returned to California in 1963, eventually settling in the Perris area in 1966. His highlights in the show pen often featured his Quarter Horse stallion, Skunkface, an AQHA High Point Working Cow Horse who also was part of an international exhibition in Mexico that Flores was asked to perform by the AQHA and the governments of both Mexico and the U.S. in 1968.

Spencer Rose went from Riata Ranch to Cavalia

Horsetrader reprint from February 2011 issue

BURBANK – Of all tricks Spencer Rose has done on horseback, she still remembers her first one in front of a crowd.

She was 12, and her folks were among parents gathered to watch their daughters as they revealed what they had learned during a week-long trick riding camp at the Riata Ranch in Exeter. The routines were simple, slow and very safe – but still quite challenging for a girl who had ridden for the first time that week.

California Horsetrader founder, equestrian advocate leaves legacy

SAN MARCOS — Carolyn Read, who rode her passions for horses, agriculture and historical preservation to a legacy for generations to come, has passed away on her ranch home of 63 years, her family said. She was 92.

In 1979, Carolyn blended her publishing background with her lifelong love for horses and created the California Horsetrader. She served as publisher until 1990 when she sold the business to her son, current publisher Warren Wilson.

“She is, and will be, profoundly missed. She was a difference-maker who had many gifts — her character, her abilities, her tenacity,” Wilson said. “She had an artist’s eye, a businesswoman’s mind, and a strong heart for her land and everything on it, especially her horses. Her opinions were strong, and so was her care and commitment to everything she loved. “

From fire to trophy saddle, Rookie Champ met challenges

By Horsetrader staff

BURBANK — Katrina Larsen and Dazzle N Chrome have never competed in a trail trials class, but they faced intense obstacles and challenges on their course to a reining title.

Perhaps the biggest one came when they were apart, not connected, when a policeman stood in front of the car she was in with her grandparents, telling the teen-ager, “no…you cannot go in there.”