Karen Stives, who helped lead the U.S. Equestrian Team to a 1984 Olympic gold medal in three-day eventing in Southern California and who just missed an individual gold medal of her own, died Aug. 14 at her home in Dover, Mass., from a rare form of cancer. She was 64.

Stives earned her place in three-day eventing history when she rode her mother’s big grey gelding, Ben Arthur, to win the individual silver at the Los Angeles Olympics. A single rail down in show jumping cost her the individual gold, but the pair’s strong finish helped earn the team gold for the U.S. Karen became the first of two women ever to win an individual Olympic three-day event medal; British rider Virginia Holgate Elliott won the individual bronze at Los Angeles.

The American Endurance Ride Conference is pleased to announce that their Parade Group has been accepted into the 2016 Rose Parade. This group of 25 riders, headed up by AERC member Gayle Pena of Moreno Valley, will be marching in the Rose Parade on New Year’s Day in Pasadena. The group, veterans of this year’s Swallows Day Parade in San Juan Capistrano, Nevada’s Carson Valley Days Parade in June and the Temecula Fourth of July parade, recently learned of their acceptance. “We wish them all the best and love the international exposure this will garner for AERC and endurance riding!” said AERC Vice President Lisa Schneider. The 5.5-mile route of the Rose Parade should be a breeze for these riders and horses, who regularly compete in distances of 25, 50 or even 100 miles a day. Fund-raising efforts will be under way soon. For more information, or to request a Discover Endurance Riding informational booklet, phone 866-271-2372 or email aerc@foothill.net.

BURBANK — With $11,500 in added money, a pair of National Reining Horse Association Affiliate-qualifers, and added APHA classes to accompany PCHA and AQHA ones, the Reiner Shine Horse Show had a lot going for it.

Not to mention those talented reiners.

Good crowds and good times filled the weekend June 4-7 at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center, as the California Reining Horse Association hit its mid-year stride with a competition that boosted members’ campaigns to qualify for year-end opportunities.

From youth to non pros to open, competition was sharp. Ryan Kali and Ben Balow were judges.

Elaine Davis went home with a pair of Circuit Championships with her Custom Made Nic, taking the Limited Non Pro title along with the Novice Horse Championship. Finishing reserve to Custom Made Nic in the respective classes were Rebecca Armour on San Cielo Rey in the Limited Non Pro competition, and Taylor Stephens in the Novice Horse.

TEMECULA — Normally, a rising fever is a bad thing, but the California Reining Horse Association was excited to have its Fiesta Fever show on the increase.

Club secretary Marilyn Scheffers reported the event is twice of 2014’s turnout, as more than 100 Southern California reiners flocked to Tucalota Creek Ranch for over 150 goes judged by Monica Albair.

Spur straps were awarded to champions, as CRHA members also earned points for year-end awards and a chance to ride in the Reiner of the Year contest in this October’s CRHA Challenge Reining Horse Show. An exhibitor pizza party during the event and an open wine tasting room at Tucalota Creek Ranch added to the festivities.

The big guns were on hand and meant business, and Tom Foran claimed the Open Championship on Taylor Sheridan’s Crome Plated Step. Pat Wickenheiser was reserve on Carla Meyer’s Whiz N Westcoast.

Horsepeople in Lake View Terrace and surrounding areas have a few words for the State High Speed Rail Authority about a new proposed path for the futuristic 220-mph bullet train through their community: Not so fast.

Three alternative routes surfaced in December after an original plan for the leg from Palmdale to the Burbank airport, a 51-mile stretch along the Highway 14 corridor, was criticized by residents and officials. Called the East Corridor, the newest trio of alternative routes cuts through Lake View Terrace and would impact horse ownership throughout the San Fernando Valley. Further, the redirection of the Highway 14 route would require a 35-mile tunneling beneath the San Gabriel Mountains and the Angeles National Forest, with the bullet train screaming from a tunnel and over the Tujunga Wash, an equestrian paradise.

When Lynn Brown first took to the Griffith trails on horseback, the daughter of a Texas rancher saw a piece of half-buried steel rebar sticking up from the path, and she called the City of Los Angeles. They fixed it.

Twenty years later, Brown remains vigilant – and effective. Her view has expanded beyond her beloved local trails, as she now is Vice President of the Los Angeles Equine Advisory Committee, an official City advisory body she helped launch in 2009 that reports directly to the 15 L.A. council members.

Entering its seventh year, the EAC has an impressive achievement list on behalf of equestrians, from protecting vast city horse trails to fending off extreme activists attempting end-runs to squelch horse ownership. Tireless campaigns by Brown and her colleagues have provided insights, none greater than the importance of positive community involvement.

RANCHO SANTA FE — Microsoft founder Bill Gates has purchased the 229-acre thoroughbred training center in Rancho Santa Fe formerly owned by weight-loss icon Jenny Craig, and reports in the U-T San Diego newspaper indicate he plans to turn it into a facility for hunters and jumpers.

The father of a teenager who jumps competitively, Gates paid $18 million for the facility in a deal that closed Sept. 12. The sale is one of San Diego County’s highest-priced deals for a home this year. Gates also owns a home in the Del Mar Country Club.

SAN DIEGO –A year after a controversial death of a horse at a San Diego training facility, reining horse trainer Mark Arballo pleaded not guilty Oct. 2 to a felony charge of animal cruelty.

TEMECULA — Next Level Eventing and Tamra Smith have aquired Twizted Syster, also known as “Chloe,” a 7-year-old, Irish Sport Horse mare.

Twizted Syster, previously owned by the Team Express Group, was purchased for Smith via a group of syndicate members who will now comprise the Twizted Systers, LLC.

Twizted Syster was originally imported in 2012 to be ridden by Heather Morris of Lewisville, Texas, but was later sent to Smith to be sold by Morris, a close friend of Smith, following the mare’s allergic reactions to elements in the Texas area.

6th in a series
In the last issues, Patricia gave her insight into how a driver gets started. Now, she moves into the next step.

Most horses enjoy being driven, and some even excel at it more than riding. The breed of the horse is not important, nor is the size — other than finding the perfect horse for the job intended. My first requirement is that the horse does not go into full training until itÕs mature enough — mentally and physically. Personally, I usually like to start a horse at three years old or older. Next, I look for a good mind and calm attitude. I want a willing and obedient equine who will take to training. It should be sound with fair conformation. Older, well-trained saddle horses often take to driving training quite well.