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.”

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.