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.”

Postponed twice, Pink Classic Horse Show refreshes after fires

By Horsetrader staff

BURBANK — Good things are worth the wait, and the Pink Classic Horse Show brought the Los Angeles Equestrian Center to life Feb. 6-9 after a pair of postponements. After the venerable fall event was postponed because of weather to January 9-12, the tragic fires of Los Angeles forced another date change to the first weekend in February.

The Pink Classic hosted the Pacific Coast Horse Show Association Trail Classic and the Jack and Linda Baker Reining Finals. Both classes were open to all PCHA youth and amateur members.

Jeanne Rosenberg and ‘Chewy’ relax, take JLB reining title

By Horsetrader staff

BURBANK — Horses have always been part of Jeanne Rosenberg’s forty-some years at her Topanga Canyon ranch. Wildfires have been, too.

So, when Jeanne saw smoke about 10:30 a.m. on Jan. 7 with strong winds, it was time to evacuate the horses.

“We’ve been through several fires up here,” says Jeanne, who can recall 10 or so blazes of varying intensity over the years. “We got the horses out, but then we stayed. It’s much easier for us to protect the property if the horses are not here. If the smoke is bad or if people can’t get in with hay and shavings, it can be really horrible.

A look back at the year’s Horsetrader highlights

From Horsetrader staff

Faster than a speeding bullet, 2024 is approaching its end. Here’s is a look back at a year’s worth of Horsetrader headlines (and some links to entire articles if you missed them the first time!)

Region 7, CDS Championships enliven LAEC

Special to the Horsetrader

BURBANK — As the sun set on the Great American Insurance Group / USDF Region 7 Dressage Championships and the 57th Annual California Dressage Society State Championship Show Sept. 26-29 at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center, memorable experiences traveled home with USDF and CDS members across the state and beyond.

One horse, two friends and champions

Two USDF champions are connected by a special horse, and on Sunday they shared the honor round for the Great American/USDF Region 7 Intermediaire 1 Adult Amateur Championship, with Champion Susan Walker on her own Don Amour N, a 10-year-old, 17 hand bay Oldenburg gelding, and Reserve Champion Kristina Huff on her own Winzer 207, an 18-year-old, 17.2 hand bay Hanoverian gelding.

SCRCHA wraps up 2024 season with September Classic

By SUE CARTER / for the Horsetrader

TEMECULA — The September Classic was the last show of 2024 for Southern California Reined Cow Horse Association. Soaring temperatures did not deter the hardy competitors from vying for the year-end points and coveted Doug Williamson Memorial Buckle, sponsored by Molly’s Custom Silver. The start time was moved up by an hour in an effort to save the horses and competitors from the heat.

Tina Lattanzio aboard her own Smooth Moves won both the Open and Non Pro Cutting, with Craig Cowley aboard Peppys Autumn Cat coming in second in Open Cutting.

Four-show series concludes its 2024 summer run

By Horsetrader staff

HUNTINGTON BEACH: The four-show Surf City Circuit series, put on by Track One Events for the Los Serranos Award Circuit, wrapped up its successful season Aug. 17 at the Huntington Central Park Equestrian Center.

Beautiful buckles and other awards were icing on the cake for winners at this refreshing circuit of open shows, which featured popular classes in ranch, reining, pleasure, horsemanship and trail.

One gratified Circuit Champion was open reiner Sophia Ritchie, an assistant trainer for Rick Baer Performance Horses that is based at the Huntington Central Park Equestrian Center. Ritchie rode I Whiza Gangsta to the title for owner Patricia Houk.

Kailty King-Hale and Gotta Have Style are finding their groove

By Horsetrader staff

After a year, it’s safe to say Kailey King-Hale and Gotta Have Style, the grey mare she acquired last year, are connecting.

Kailey, a non pro who rides at her family’s King Performance Horses in Chino Hills, was looking for a next-level reiner to develop in spring 2023 when a friend at the Cactus Reining Classic in Scottsdale arranged an unforgettable test ride in a busy warm-up arena at the show.

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.”

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.